Should you buy one?

No we’d take a BMW iX insread. But if you’re an existing top-end Audi owner who wants to go electric, the Q8 E-Tron is not without merit. The firm’s flagship electric car is more competitive than it once was, and will feel familiar to someone jumping out of an A8 or Q7.

But there’s no escaping the basic car’s age. We’ve always rated the E-Tron for its refinement, but the rate of change is rapid in the electric car market – it’s been around since 2018 and in that time, its rivals have caught up and overtaken it. The updated Q8 E-Tron’s range and charging times are better, and tweaks to the steering and suspension set-up have also sharpened up the way it drives with no detriment to comfort and refinement. 

But it’s not the best luxury SUV. The BMW iX feels roughly on par in the level of tech and luxury on offer, but betters it in most other respects, while the Jaguar I-Pace offers a far superior drive but with some question marks over its reliability and overall ownership experience. The Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV is even more comfortable, but is behind on range on charging. As an all-rounder, then, Q8 E-Tron is there or thereabouts with the Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz but left far behind by the BMW. 

What we like

It’s a refined high-speed cruiser, with notably low wind noise, and supple air suspension capable of flattening bad road surfaces. The more competitive range is welcome, and undoes a major criticism of the old E-Tron.

What we don’t like

While we like the car’s longer range than before, it still appears to be an inefficient electric car, going less far on its kilowatts. With that in mind, it will cost you more to top up the large and heavy batteries you’re hauling around.

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