The Audi Q8 is the German brand’s flagship SUV. It’s based on the three-row Q7 but is slightly shorter and wider and has only two rows of seats. It’s sportier and more luxurious than the Q7, and competes with cars such as the Mercedes-Benz GLE, the BMW X5 and X6, the Porsche Cayenne, the Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and the Genesis GV80 Coupe. The high-performance SQ8 and RS Q8 versions (which we consider separate models) rival cars such as the Maserati Levante, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, and the Aston Martin DBX.
While it shares many parts with the Q7, the Q8 is more exclusive, costs more, and has more high-end features. The exterior and interior have a sporty, coupe-like design, while the available engines, suspensions, and transmissions are more aggressively tuned for high performance. Sold since the 2019 model year, the Q8 is unrelated to the Q8 e-tron and the Q8 Sportback e-tron (previously badged e-tron and Sportback e-tron), both of which are electric and ride on completely separate platforms.
Our buying guide looks at how the Audi Q8 has evolved over the course of a single model generation, which are the best and worst versions, and how much buyers can expect to pay for one.
Audi Q8 Buying Guide: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Audi Q8 years are the best?
According to Consumer Reports and J.D. Power, the Audi Q8 has average reliability across every model year. Nothing significant has changed since it was introduced, and the overall number of issues raised on CarComplaints.com is so low that it’s hard to say there’s a best year, with just one complaint in both the 2020 and 2022 model years.
Which Audi Q8 years are the worst?
There are more issues for the first model year (2019) listed at CarComplaints.com, but with such a low number (five), it really isn't that bad. Buyers should generally be aware of high maintenance costs and potential issues with the 48-volt mild hybrid system, the air suspension, and infotainment software glitches.
Is a used Audi Q8 a good deal?
Yes, for a premium SUV that starts above $75,000 brand-new, a used Q8 is a good deal after three to five years. On CarGurus, the average listing price is just under $43,000.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Clean and classic design
- Superb powertrains
- Great handling and refinement
Cons:
- Less headroom and cargo space than a Q7
- More reliance on touchscreens than other Audi models of this era
- Poor fuel efficiency
Audi Q8 Generations
Audi Q8 First Generation (2019-Present)
The Audi Q8 was introduced in the U.S. in late 2018 for the 2019 model year. It was among the last of an era of Audi models that delivered on clean-cut design, rich interior materials, satisfying powertrains, and excellent build quality, and the first generation remains on sale today.
Although based on the seven-seat Q7, the Q8 is less a family hauler and more of a high-end, coupe-styled SUV. The Q8 also shares many of its chassis, electronics, and powertrain components with the Lamborghini Urus, the Bentley Bentayga, and the Porsche Cayenne, and feels closer in intent to these more expensive models.
On the outside, the Q8 looks quite different from the Q7, with a powerful character defined by large wheels stretched to each corner, steeply raked tailgate glass, and defined creases in the body panels. The Q8's standout features are its huge grille and unique lighting that no other Audi shares. The headlights, for instance, are more closely integrated with the grille than other models and the full-width taillights have a blacked-out middle section.
Inside, the relationship between the Q7 and Q8 is more obvious, and the two cars have almost identical dashboards. Despite being slightly shorter than the Q7, the lack of a third row means the Q8 has more legroom for the second row. Cargo space, at 31 cubic feet, is also good for the class.
The first-generation Q8 was introduced with a choice of three trims (Premium, Premium Plus, Prestige) and a single powertrain: a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission came standard. Drivers who wanted more performance could go for the SQ8 or RS Q8, which use a turbocharged V8 (tuned to nearly 700 hp in the RS Q8). In the Q8, a 48-volt mild hybrid system, which uses a separate battery from the main 12-volt battery, helps to provide smoother engine auto stop-start behavior.
An air suspension system with rear-wheel steering was optional. Standard equipment included navigation, a digital instrument panel, full LED headlights and taillights with dynamic turn signals, a panoramic sunroof, three-zone climate control, 20-inch wheels, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, heated eight-way power front seats, and leather trim. Optional features included heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, rear side airbags, 21- or 22-inch wheels, and two Bang & Olufsen stereos (17 or 23 speakers), 18-way Valcona leather front seats, a wireless charger, and additional driver-assistance features such as rear emergency braking. A Year One package was offered with 22-inch wheels, red brake calipers, and darkened exterior S line body trim. Base prices for the 2019 Q8 ranged from $68,000 to $78,000.
Few changes occurred for 2020, aside from the removal of the optional CD/DVD player. Blind-spot monitors with rear cross-traffic alert were made standard for 2021. The Premium Plus trim gained a heated steering wheel and more optional equipment was added to the Convenience and Executive packages. Audi upgraded the base wheels for 2022 so that every Q8 started with 21s instead of 20s. Additional features, such as power-folding mirrors and traffic jam assist, were added to various trims as standard. Matrix LED headlights became standard for 2023 and new colors were added.
The 2024 Q8 featured refreshed front and rear fascias, and new wheels, colors, and interior stitching. Traffic-sign recognition was added as standard for 2025. The 2026 Q8 brought some adjustments to option packages, such as a new Sport Plus package on Prestige trims featuring a firmer air suspension system and 23-inch wheels.
At the time of writing, base prices for the 2026 Q8 started at $76,895 including destination. CarGurus pricing data shows that used prices start at about $23,000 for high-mileage models. For cars with fewer than 60,000 miles on the odometer, buyers can expect to pay upwards of $28,000, while post-facelift models start at about $54,000.
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