By Ian Strachan
The first thing you notice about Audi’s new Q8 is just how big it is. This car, a high-level luxury 4×4 from the German maker, is huge.
It is also comfortable in the extreme – and is packed with technology. It handles well, is capable off road and it is very well behaved on road. It also looks good and has more than enough power. My test car was powered by a three litre diesel engine pumping out 286 bhp.
The Q8 is a serious competitor with the big beasts from Land Rover, matching them wheel-to-wheel when it comes to luxury and, comfort and specification. A superb motorway cruiser it can go from tarmac to mud without the driver having to do anything.
Despite its size, this is undoubtedly an Audi, with the distinctive deep Audi grille, unique trim and pleasing lines. Inside it’s very roomy and comfortable, with plenty of creature comforts. When the ignition is turned on, blank gloss screens become the car’s control panel – with touchscreen functions for most of the car’s settings and cotrols.
The design takes its cues from smaller Audi estates, but it is obviously much taller. The load-space behind the rear seats is considerable at 605 litres, although carrying capacity is limited slightly by the steeply sloping rear screen and the fact that the luxurious leather rear seats don’t quite fold flat. The tailgate is electronically powered.
I test drove a the diesel-powered Q8 50 quattro with a smooth but very willing 3.0 litre direct injection diesel engine. This 286 bhp unit has plenty of grunt, delivering power throughout the range without ever feeling reluctant to propel this big car. The flexible eight-speed tiptronic gearbox is exceptionally smooth. The Q8 is pretty frugal for such a big unit, delivering 41.5 mpg in mixed driving.
The Q8 handles better than most 4x4s. It is stable and predictable, with no suspension wallow, and flat cornering. On the open road its acceleration is impressive, achieving 0-60 ina shade over six seconds.
The Q8’s manners are impeccable and it’s a great motorway cruiser. Steering is light but precise.
Specification is exceptionally good as Audi goes all-out for luxury with this car. Pretty much anything you can think of is on this car, plus a few you wouldn’t think of, such as the electronically deployable tow-bar. My test car came with a range of extras, including all-wheel steering (£1,950), 21-inch polished alloy wheels, four-zone automatic air conditioning, rear seat music interface (£175) and a driver and front seat memory function for the electrically adjustable seats (£250).
The Q8 50 TDI quattro comes at £64,115, but if you add the extras fitted to my test car it comes in at £72,150. Price-wise we’re nudging Range Rover territory here, but the Audi is exceptionally well-equipped and you get the benefit of an impressive, high specification vehicle that won’t depreciate quickly, and a versatile and more than competent performer.
One year down the line, the Audi Q8 remains a fascinating and exciting luxury 4×4 that continues to appeal to enthusiasts of the German maker. For those concerned about cost, a used Audi Q8 with under 10,000 miles would have dropped a whopping 20% or more off the price. An option worth researching for those who fell in love with the design but worry about the loss of value in the first year! With the click and collect option from the Audi group, you can reserve and trade in your vehicle in a matter of seconds from trusted dealerships.
