17
335
8 speed, Automatic w/OD
Intercooled Turbo Gas/Electric V-6
All Wheel Drive
Things are a little confusing within Audi's current lineup with the move toward electric vehicles (EVs), which will all receive even-numbered model names in the future. The 2025 Audi Q8 is a sporty two-row version of the three-row Q7. There's also an all-electric Q8 E-tron entirely separate from the standard Q8 that I drove for this review.
Photo: Mark Takahashi
The Audi Q8 debuted in 2019. The most significant changes occurred in 2024, with a styling update and feature availability moves. In 2022, the infotainment system received an upgrade, and in previous years, the changes were pretty minor, with features shuffled between trim levels. The 2025 model year also sees minor updates, with traffic-sign recognition and interior lighting becoming standard for all trims. The top Prestige trim also gets massaging front seats.
The Audi Q8 has a starting price of $75,695 for the entry-level Premium trim. The midrange Premium Plus version starts at $79,795, while the top-of-the-line Prestige will set you back $83,795. These trim levels differ in feature content, and all have the same engine. Prices include the destination charge.
For this review of the 2025 Q8, Audi provided a test vehicle equipped with Prestige trim and the following significant options:
The test vehicle’s price was $101,090, including the $1,295 destination charge to ship the SUV from the Audi assembly plant in Bratislava, Slovakia, to your local dealership.
Photo: Mark Takahashi
The Q8 sits about an inch lower than the Q7, allowing easy entry and egress. You won't have to stoop down to get in as you would with a sedan, nor will you have to climb up like a conventional SUV. Once inside, the cockpit resembles other Audis, with dual infotainment touchscreens in the dashboard's center and a large customizable digital instrument panel.
Materials quality is excellent, especially with the optional Luxury package, which covers more interior surfaces with leather. Construction is also robust, with no hint of creaks or squeaks. However, an overabundance of piano black plastic causes some distracting reflections while also attracting dust and fingerprints.
Audi firmly padded the well-shaped front seats, keeping you comfortable for many hours on the road. In this top Prestige trim, Audi includes massaging front seats that provide a more aggressive treatment than you'd get in rival luxury vehicles. The strongest setting did wonders for my sore lower back; lighter settings are available. The rear seats have plenty of space for taller passengers, and the outward view keeps them from feeling closed in.
Personal storage space is adequate but could be more generous. You get moderately sized cupholders, a shallow center armrest bin that also holds the wireless charging pad, and some average-sized door pockets. The cargo area can hold a sizable 30.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats. The space is very wide and deep, with a standard power liftgate to make loading easier.
Photo: Mark Takahashi
The 2025 Audi Q8 comes standard with all the typical infotainment features expected of any luxury SUV. Highlights include:
Audi's Multi-Media Interface (MMI) infotainment system scores points with its sharp graphics and quick responses, but moving the dual touchscreens further up on the dashboard could improve usability. As it is, you must take your eyes off the road to use the main screen.
Adjusting the climate controls is even more distracting, but voice controls can help when you're driving. You activate the system by saying, "Hey, Audi," followed by your request. It controls navigation, climate, and several other commonly used features. It takes a few seconds for the system to execute your command, but the speech recognition is very accurate.
Included with my well-optioned Q8 is a 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium surround-sound system. The $4,900 price tag might scare off some shoppers, but as an audiophile, I think it's justified. Combined with the quiet cabin, the speakers have excellent clarity and strong bass.
The 12.3-inch digital instrument panel features a few color and layout themes in the easy-to-read display. Nevertheless, I preferred to use the standard head-up display on the Prestige trim. It superimposes speed and navigation directions right onto the windshield, so you never have to shift your attention away from your driving duties.
Photo: Mark Takahashi
A turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine paired with a 48-volt hybrid system powers all 2025 Audi Q8 SUVs. The combined power output is 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Audi routes it all through an eight-speed automatic transmission that powers all four wheels. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates it will return 19 mpg in combined driving.
Audi claims the Q8 will accelerate to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds, which is plenty quick for most drivers. While the acceleration time is impressive on paper, there is a slight hesitation between when you press the pedal and when the SUV starts to gather speed. This little pause makes the Q8 feel less responsive off the line, but the SUV is otherwise well-tuned.
The suspension favors a comfortable ride quality over handling performance, but the Q8 still feels confident and composed on a curvy road. On my evaluation route in Malibu, California, it was surefooted when cornering, but it didn’t encourage me to drive with any sporty aggression. That might explain how I achieved 23.4 mpg in a mix of highway and city driving. There are also the SQ8 and RS Q8 variants for those with a heartier appetite for performance.
Photo: Mark Takahashi
The 2025 Audi Q8 has more standard advanced safety features and driver assistants than rival BMW and Mercedes-Benz vehicles. All Q8 SUVs come with:
The top Prestige trim adds several additional features available as options for supporting trims. These include:
All the primary safety systems worked as they should, with no false alarms or glitches. The surround-view camera is especially helpful when backing into a tight parking spot, as are the parking sensors. Combined, they eliminate all the guesswork and significantly reduce the chance of a minor scrape. The adaptive cruise control also deserves praise for its smooth brake and throttle inputs as it maintains a consistent gap between vehicles in front.
Photo: Mark Takahashi
The Q8 can accommodate up to 30.5 cubic feet of cargo behind the rear seats. That's comparable to the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe's 31.6-cubic-foot capacity and beats the BMW X6's 27.4-cubic-foot space. It's worth noting that the three-row Audi Q7 can carry up to 35.7 cubic feet behind its second row. A hands-free power liftgate is standard equipment on all 2025 Q8s.
The EPA estimates the 2025 Q8 will return 19 mpg in combined driving, and I exceeded those figures without even trying. A 22.5-gallon fuel tank should get you to 428 miles before refueling. The Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 Coupe is estimated at 21 mpg combined, while the BMW X6 beats them both with a 24-mpg combined rating.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the 2025 Audi Q8 a maximum of five stars in overall crash protection. At the time of writing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not rated the crashworthiness of the 2025 Audi Q8. However, the Institute gave the structurally similar 2024 Q8 its highest score of "Good" in all crash tests but did not name the SUV a Top Safety Pick for the 2024 calendar year.
The base 2025 Audi Q8 in Premium trim has a starting price of $74,400. Stepping up to the midrange Premium Plus will cost you $78,500, while the top Prestige trim jumps to $82,500. These prices do not include the mandatory $1,295 destination charge.
In the JD Power 2024 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the Cadillac XT5 ranks highest in the Midsize Premium SUV segment. The Lexus RX is the next highest-ranked model.
In the JD Power 2024 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, the Lexus RX ranks highest in the Midsize Premium SUV segment. The Land Rover Range Rover Velar is the next highest-ranked model.
Other 2025 Q8 competitors include the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe.
Photo: Mark Takahashi
The 2025 Audi Q8 is an excellent sporty alternative to the typical luxury SUV. It has more than enough performance for most drivers, combined with a modern and refined interior that makes the daily commute or long road trips a pleasure.
Mark Takahashi has been in automotive publishing for over two decades, contributing detailed written and video reviews for Edmunds, Car and Driver, Autoblog, CarGurus, and Capital One. His portfolio includes everything from affordable economy hatchbacks to otherworldly exotic sports cars and everything in between.
