Latest News
Buy this Ford vs Ferrari GT40 Movie Car2022 Audi Q8 Review: Sleek Performance SUV
What do our experts think of the 2022 Audi Q8? We take a look at the powertrain, interior, trims, and more. Read on to discover our thoughts.
What’s New for the 2022 Audi Q8?
The Audi Q8 debuted in 2018 and hasn’t seen any major changes so far. And that’s a good thing. It’s still powered by a smooth turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that produces 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. It still sends that power to all four wheels through Audi’s Quattro® all-wheel drive system. And it still features an eye-catching exterior design with a large grille, big wheels, and sloped rear hatch that gives it a sporty look. Inside, the Q8 still gets leather seats, the innovative Audi Virtual Cockpit, and you can even get massaging front seats.
2022 Audi Q8 – netcarshow.com | Shop 2022 Audi Q8 on Carsforsale.com
The Breakdown
Sharp exterior design
Powerful turbocharged V6 engine
Standard Quattro® AWD
Expensive
Poor fuel economy
Sporty looks reduce cargo space
A truly premium driving experience
2022 Q8 Specs
- 335 horsepower from base engine
- 369 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 6 available trims
- 30.5 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- 60.7 cu-ft of cargo capacity with seats down
- 7,700-lb towing capacity
- 12.3″ HD virtual cockpit
- Audi side-assist with pre-sense rear
- 4-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranties
2022 Audi Q8 Powertrain
The performance delivered by the 2022 Audi Q8 is quite impressive. Audi offers one powertrain for the Q8 and it consists of a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that produces a stout 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. As you move up to the SQ8, the engine upgrades to a 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 that produces 500 horsepower and 586 lb-ft of torque.
If you want one of the fastest SUVs on the planet, the 2022 Audi RS Q8 comes with a more powerful V8 that produces 591 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. For more on about the fastest SUVs, read about our picks for the fastest SUVs of 2021.
The 2022 Audi Q8’s power is managed by the eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission that delivers quick shifts and helps achieve optimal fuel economy. The Q8 also benefits from a 48-volt mild hybrid system with a small 9.6 Ah lithium-ion battery. The system works to help the start-stop feature to operate faster and smoother. When you’re on the road, you’ll appreciate the smooth ride provided by the adaptive damping suspension that comes standard on the Premium trim.
The higher Prestige model comes with adaptive air suspension that can adjust ride height. Despite being a full-size SUV, the Q8 is quite maneuverable thanks to the available all-wheel steering system that turns the rear wheels the opposite of the front wheels at low speeds to reduce the size of the turning circle. At higher speeds, the rear wheels turn gently with the front wheels to enhance stability. You can read about our review of the best driving SUVs of 2021 here.
Towing & Payload
While might not think of a sleek, sporty SUV as a good tow vehicle, the 2022 Audi Q8 is surprisingly capable. When equipped with the towing package, which adds a tow hitch receiver and a seven pin connector for a trailer, the Q8 is rated to tow a maximum of 7,700 pounds, which is plenty for a small boat, a pair of jet skis, or a modestly sized camper trailer.
2022 Audi Q8 Fuel Economy & MPG
While the engine in the Q8 provides brisk acceleration, the drawback is relatively poor fuel economy. Despite the addition of the mild-hybrid system, the EPA has rated the Q8 at 18 mpg when driving in the city and just 23 mpg when driving on the highway. The combined rating is a mere 20 mpg. These ratings fall a bit behind its German rival, the BMW X5, which is rated at 21 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined. If you choose the more powerful SQ8, fuel economy drops to 15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, with 17 mpg combined. The thirstiest version, the RS Q8, achieves just 13 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and 15 mpg combined. Read our comparison between the Audi Q8 and the BMW X5 here.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Audi has crafted a spacious and luxurious environment inside the 2022 Audi Q8. To start, even the entry level Premium trim comes with leather seats which hold you comfortably in place. As you move up the trims, the front seats are offered with heating, ventilation, and even massage. Audi even offers a heated steering wheel which is perfect for those chilly mornings. If you want to create a certain atmosphere, Audi offers several color options for the interior including black, gray, brown and beige, plus a choice of gray oak wood inlays or lava brown eucalyptus wood inlays.
There is plenty of space for up to five people and everyone is kept comfortable thanks to the available four-zone climate control system that gives even the rear seat passengers the ability to set their own temperature settings. When you have a bunch of stuff to carry with you, you’ll appreciate the available power tailgate that can open with a wave of your foot so you can open the hatch even with your hands full. Cargo space is generous, with 30.5 cubic feet of space with the rear seats up or 60.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. If you’re looking for something a little smaller, read our comparison of the Audi Q5 and Porsche Macan here.
Entertainment & Technology
One of the defining technology features of the Q8’s interior is the Audi virtual cockpit. Instead of traditional, analog gauges, the Q8 gets a 12.3-inch full HD display that shows your speed and engine revs, but can also display things like your navigation directions and map in your field of view. In the dash you’ll find two touchscreen displays. The upper one is your infotainment system that includes navigation, satellite radio, and more, while the lower screen is used to adjust the climate controls and feature haptic feedback. If you like a powerful, immersive listening experience, be sure you choose the available Bang & Olufsen Advanced sound system that includes 23 speakers throughout the interior, including retractable tweeters, and 1,920 watts of power. If cutting edge tech is your thing, check out our review of the all-electric Audi e-Tron here.
Safety Features
Audi knows how important safety is, so the Q8 is offered with a Virtual 360 camera system that lets you see everything around the vehicle. Audi’s side assist and rear cross traffic assist systems alert you to vehicles in your blind spot or vehicles approaching from the sides when you start to reverse. The adaptive cruise control system makes traffic a breeze as it automatically maintains distance from the vehicle ahead and keeps itself centered in the lane. The Q8 was also awarded as a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, scoring good scores in all crash test categories.
2022 Audi Q8 Trims and Pricing
Premium – $70,800
The 2022 Audi Q8 starts with the Premium trim level which has a starting MSRP of $70,800. All Q8s get the same turbocharged V6 engine, Quattro all-wheel drive system, and eight-speed automatic transmission. The Premium comes with 21-inch alloy wheels and adaptive damping suspension lets you adjust for greater comfort or sportier response. Inside, you’ll find leather seats, the impressive Audi virtual cockpit, and the MMI Navigation plus infotainment system with MMI touch response.
Premium Plus- $74,400
The Premium Plus trim gets more technology features like the top view camera system that lets you see all around the Audi Q8. The Premium Plus gets adaptive cruise control with lane guidance which takes the pain out of driving in heavy traffic. Inside, you’ll find an upgraded Bang & Olufsen® 3D Premium sound system, the four-zone automatic climate control, and multicolor ambient lighting.
Prestige -$80,900
The Prestige trim comes with 22-inch alloy wheels and Audi’s advanced HD Matrix-design LED headlights which look really cool and provide excellent illumination of the road ahead. The head-up display helps you keep your eyes on the road more. Power soft-closing doors make for an even more luxurious experience and the comfort adaptive air suspension provides more adjustability to ride settings, plus the ability to raise or lower the Q8, especially handy when loading up with stuff.
Audi SQ8 Premium Plus- $93,500
The biggest differentiator for the 2022 Audi SQ8 is the turbocharged V8 engine that produces 500 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. The SQ8 also comes equipped with 21-inch alloy wheels plus sport adaptive air suspension for better handling and response. Inside, you’ll find carbon vector inlays dressing up the interior, and the perforated Valcona leather seats have gorgeous diamond stitching.
Audi SQ8 Prestige- $99,700
The 2022 Audi SQ8 Prestige starts at $99,700. It benefits primarily from a more luxurious cabin. The dual-pane acoustic glass helps reduce outside noise. The front seats come with ventilation to help keep you cool on warm days and the LED ambient lights can be changed through a variety of colors to set the perfect atmosphere.
Audi RS Q8- $119,900
At the tip top of the range is the 2022 Audi RS Q8 which starts at $119,900. For this, you get a more potent V8 engine, producing an amazing 591 horsepower. 22-inch alloy wheels come standard, but you can upgrade to stunning 23-inch wheels. The Quattro system comes with a sport rear differential to help put that power to the road and the RS-tuned adaptive air suspension help the RS Q8 tackle race tracks as well as the daily drive.
Warranties
Audi offers a generous warranty on the 2022 Audi Q8 which is good for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. Audi includes the convenience of Audi 24-hour roadside assistance for the first four years of ownership, so you can call for help should something unexpected happen on the road. Audi also offers a 12-year limited warrant against corrosion perforation.
What we think
2022 Audi Q8 – netcarshow.com | Shop 2022 Audi Q8 on Carsforsale.com
The 2022 Audi Q8 is a sleek performance-oriented SUV and is a great choice for someone looking to make a statement. The exterior styling, with the LED lighting, sharp lines, and big wheels makes the Q8 stand out in traffic. The interior is packed with the latest technology, plus wonderful materials. The turbocharged V6 offers more than enough performance for the average driver and the Quattro® all-wheel drive system helps you get through tricky weather driving with confidence. While there is certainly nothing wrong with the Premium trim level, the Premium Plus seems like the sweet spot as it’s not much more expensive and gets you a variety of upgraded features.
Most Popular
