Audi was one of the first manufacturers out of the gate with the E-Tron EV in 2018. It was a midsize electric crossover based on VW’s MLB combustion platform. Over the years, however, it’s grown outdated, and other manufacturer efforts have outstripped it. So, Audi decided to give it a massive nip and tuck for the 2024 model year — and rebrand it as the Q8 E-Tron.
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Is the new Q8 E-Tron now a modern, capable electric SUV you should have your eyes on? I drove one around my home in Michigan for a week to find out.
The Q8 E-Tron looks like a traditional Audi SUV
If you want to be very low-key with your EV early adopter status, an Audi Q8 E-Tron will have you covered. It’s based on the combustion platform. It looks exactly like a typical Audi crossover, masking its EV-itude with a faux grille and a spartan “Q8” badge; that said, there is an “e-Tron” written on the rear bumper that you can see if you squint. The interior looks very combustion Audi, from the leather and wood inlays to the wonky double-screen setup.
No one presumed or asked me over the entire week whether the Q8 E-Tron was electric — or asked about it, period. Even with my seasoned automotive eye, I mistakenly led my children to a white Audi Q7 in a parking lot at my son’s school event. And it still took a minute or two to find it among the other crossovers.
The Q8 E-Tron is pleasant, but not overly sporty, to drive
The Q8 E-Tron is relatively tepid compared to competitors. That’s not a bad thing per se, as most EVs feel over-juiced and twitchy. The Q8 E-Tron offers 355 horsepower in everyday driving (up to 402 in Sport mode). But if that sounds sporty-ish, remember the Q8 E-Tron weighs about three tons with a driver.
Acceleration and braking are smooth in the Q8 E-Tron; many EVs struggle there. The ride is comfy with an air suspension. It comes with Audi’s top-notch quattro all-wheel-drive system. The Q8 E-Tron nails one of the most essential parts of being a luxury SUV: being very quiet.
My lone quibble would be wanting four-wheel-steering. At times, the Q8 E-Tron felt long and difficult to maneuver in tight parking situations. I needed a too-many-to-count-point turn to extricate the Q8 E-Tron from an airport parking lot with an F-150 parked opposite.
The Q8 E-Tron added a significant amount of range
The 2023 Audi E-Tron offered up to 226 miles of range — borderline unacceptable. The base range for the 2024 Q8-E-Tron is now 285 miles. Most EV charging happens to 80 percent. The upgrades are the difference between having about 180 miles on a “full charge” and 230. I’ve found that to be the threshold between having range anxiety immediately and not.
Audi also improved the charging tech. The Q8 E-Tron is now capable of 170-kW DC fast charging and 9.6 kW on a Level 2 charger.
I’m not sure the Q8 E-Tron quite justifies its price tag
Audi priced the Q8 E-Tron on par with its luxury competitors. It starts at $74,400 MSRP. I tested the Prestige trim, which came out to $88,900. That’s at about the same price as the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV. But it’s hard to see what the Q8 E-Tron does that’s distinctive besides having Audi badging.
A Tesla Model X, offering twice the horsepower in everyday driving, starts at only $5,000 more. The Rivian R1S begins at the same price, can be optioned to 315 miles for $3,000, offers impressive off-road capability and has a third row of seats.
Audi Q8 E-Tron
The Audi Q8 E-Tron is Audi’s midsize electric crossover. It used to be known as the E-Tron and added significant range and capability to go with the rebranding.
Specs
| Powertrain | Dual-motor EV (114 kWh) |
| Horsepower | 402 |
| Torque | 490 |
| EPA Range | 285 miles |
| Seats | 5 |
Pros
- Looks no different from typical Audi crossover
- Smooth and competent in everyday driving
Cons
- Not very sporty
- Competitors offer more range and capability
