In-depth reviews

Audi Q8 review - Interior, design and technology

The Q8’s design is smart and contemporary inside and out, while the onboard tech is a tour-de-force

Overall Auto Express Rating

4.0 out of 5

Interior, design and technology Rating

4.6 out of 5

Price
£73,775 to £116,890
Find your Audi Q8
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Advertisement

The exterior of the Q8 is quite a step on from the relatively restrained Q7. Features like the larger front grille, more aggressively styled bumpers, new LED headlamp designs and a full-width lighting strip across the boot lid – as well as frameless side windows – give the Q8 a more upmarket and opulent feel.

Inside things step up a gear again from the Q7, with a truly impressive feel that’s inspired largely by the latest A8 limo. There’s lots of piano black trim and brushed metal finishes on display, and the whole fascia is configured around the MMI Touch dual-screen infotainment set-up we know from elsewhere in the Audi range.

As with other models, the top 10.1-inch screen delivers the infotainment, while lower 8.6-inch screen takes care of more fundamental systems like the climate control and car set-up options. It also features handwriting recognition, but this may be a step too far for many right-handed drivers – it makes a lot more sense when the steering wheel is on the left as per other European markets.

The Q8 also features Audi’s Virtual Cockpit as standard, which replaces the traditional instrument pack with a wide full-colour display that can be configured with high-resolution navigation maps or instrument graphics.

It’s not a sporty environment, but rather it’s luxurious, contemporary and very upmarket. That said, when we prodded some of the plastics there was a bit of creak and flex which was a little unexpected. All the electronics and technology systems are made possible because the Q8 is built on the VW Group’s shared MLB Evo platform.

Although the muscular SQ8 and RS Q8 provide more power and grunt than standard versions, there isn't much to tell the cabins apart - in fact, the interiors are largely identical. It's certainly not a step-up in interior quality, so you're essentially paying the extra premium for added performance.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

As you would expect, the Q8’s infotainment system is impressively configured. There’s full smartphone connectivity with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a highly specified audio system, and of course voice control, DAB audio and internet connectivity are all part of the available tech.

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    55 TFSI Quattro S Line 5dr Tiptronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £62,815

Most Economical

  • Name
    50 TDI Quattro S Line 5dr Tiptronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £73,220

Fastest

  • Name
    SQ8 TFSI Quattro Launch Edition 5dr Tiptronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £99,425

Most Popular

UK firm fitting ‘pop bang’ aftermarket exhausts fined in landmark court case
MINI Hatch exhaust
News

UK firm fitting ‘pop bang’ aftermarket exhausts fined in landmark court case

A successful court action against a workshop advertising and fitting non-standard exhaust parts is ‘a lesson for businesses’ from the DVSA
23 Nov 2023
“Renault is taking over as the manufacturer of cars for the people”
Opinion - Renault Twingo
Opinion

“Renault is taking over as the manufacturer of cars for the people”

Mike Rutherford thinks Renault is doing more than any other manufacturer when it comes to making affordable electric cars
26 Nov 2023
New Renault Scenic 2023 review: the famous nameplate returns in style
Renault Scenic - front
Road tests

New Renault Scenic 2023 review: the famous nameplate returns in style

We get behind the wheel of new all-electric Renault Scenic to see what all the fuss is about
27 Nov 2023