- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
4.0TT/12kW, 8 cyl.
- Engine Power
441kW, 800Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (98) 12.1L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2021 Audi RS Q8 review
The Audi RS Q8’s blend of practicality and performance saw it crowned the best Sports Performance SUV in the 2021 Drive Car of the Year awards.
- Stunning performance and acceleration
- Superb ride and handling
- Sumptuous and high-tech interior
- No spare wheel of any type
- 48V ‘mild hybrid’ not a hybrid
- Below par three-year warranty
The world of performance SUVs offers plenty of choice for those with deep pockets and a penchant for supercar-like performance married to an ability to lug the family and all their stuff.
In 2021, the top dog blending the practicality of an everyday SUV with the type of performance that would put most Ferraris to shame is the Audi RS Q8.
No surprise then, it took out the gong for Best Sports Performance SUV in the 2021 Drive Car of the Year (DCOTY) awards.
Based on the regular Audi Q8, the German brand’s most potent SUV within its high-riding stable, the RS Q8 impressed with both its agility and performance, the DCOTY judges praising its dynamic ability and engineering sophistication.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Audi has extracted so much from what is ostensibly a family SUV. The German brand has, after all, a long history of engineering and fine-tuning even the most humble cars and SUVs in its stable into something else altogether.
The 2021 Audi RS Q8 is the latest iteration, and arguably, also the best of that engineering philosophy.
Of course, there’s a price to pay for this philosophy and in Audi’s world, that price is $208,500 plus on-road costs. Yes, it’s a lot of money, but when you consider what you get for your money, and when you look at similarly-engineered, high performance SUVs from most of the RS Q8’s rivals, and suddenly that touch-over-200-large seems like a bit of a bargain.
The RS Q8’s most natural rivals in the rarefied air of performance SUVs hail from Germany and Italy. On price parity the BMW X5 M comes close with its $212,900 price tag. It too, made the final cut in the DCOTY category, but a busy and fidgety ride ruled it out of contention.
The Porsche Cayenne Turbo, with its near identical powertrain to the Audi RS Q8 (the twins-under-the-skin share the VW Group’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8) asks for $246,000 while extrapolating that twin-ness even further lands you in Lambo territory, the $390,000 Lamborghini Urus also sharing the same VW group 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. Suddenly, that $208,500 the RS Q8 commands looks a little more enticing.
So too the list of standard equipment. In short, the Audi RS Q8 is packed to very top of its gently sloping roofline with technology, design and comfort. There are options to be had, but they fall largely into the cosmetic category, i.e. you don’t need them to improve the driving experience.
And what a driving experience it is. Let’s start with the raw numbers. Under the bonnet, a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 making a prodigious 441kW and 800Nm. Those are big numbers, up there with the rest of the performance SUV pack. The BMW X5 M has more power (460kW) but is down on torque (750Nm) while the Porsche Cayenne Turbo – with the same 4.0-litre V8 – is down on both power (404kW) and torque (770Nm). Only the Lamborghini Urus has more of both metrics (478kW and 850Nm).
Key details | 2021 Audi RS Q8 |
Engine | 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol |
Power | 441kW @ 6000rpm |
Torque | 800Nm @ 2200-4500rpm |
Weight (tare) | 2535kg |
Drive type | All-wheel drive |
Transmission | Eight-speed automatic |
Power to weight ratio | 174kW/t |
Price (MSRP) | $208,500 |
The end result is an RS Q8 that can bellow from 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds, a sprint time matched by the BMW. The Porsche takes an extra tenth to reach triple figures while only the Lambo is faster to the benchmark (3.6s).
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We’re splitting hairs of course, certainly at this level, and you won’t feel the extra two-tenths the RS Q8 takes to reach 100km/h by the seat of your pants. You will, though will notice the extra $181,500 savings in your wallet if opting for the Audi over its fraternal twin Lambo.
Visually, there’s no mistaking the RS Q8 as anything but one of Audi’s high-performance RS models. Wider and sitting lower than the Q8 donor car, the RS Q8 features pumped up and flared guards, wider by 10mm each side at the front and 5mm each side at rear.
A blacked out grille treatment coupled with blacked out air vents add to the slightly menacing vibe. Those vents, so often simply cosmetic on modern vehicles, are all functional on the RS Q8, forcing air where it’s needed, like brakes and the engine bay.
At the back, the racecar-like rear diffuser is finished in a honeycomb pattern and houses two massive oval-shaped tail pipes. A roof-mounted spoiler completes the sports car vibe.
There are other design elements that distinguish the RS Q8 from its tamer siblings.
From the distinctive and upgraded HD Matrix head- and tail-lights design, to the reprofiled side sills, splitter, diffuser and longer rear wing, giving the RS Q8 a unique identity and lending Audi’s performance SUV an imposing stance.
That stance is only enhanced by the standard fit 23-inch alloys, available in three styles, all as no-cost options. Those monstrous wheels sit under the standard fit adaptive air suspension, which can vary the RS Q8’s ride height by up to 90mm – down by 40mm for when you want to get sporty and up by 50mm to create 200mm of ground clearance should you want to take your high-performance SUV off-road. Unlikely, but nice to know you can.
In its lowest setting, the RS Q8 looks planted to the road, its menacing presence emphasised by its sheer size. Make no mistake, this is a big SUV, measuring in at over five metres long (5012mm), almost two metres wide (1998mm), and 1751mm tall. And it tips the scales at 2535kg.
All the more remarkable then that it can – and does – behave a like a bona fide sports car.
Press the starter button, and that glorious V8 rumbles into life. Inside the cabin, the engine sounds muted, but outside it’s a different story, a refined growl hinting at what lies under the bonnet.
Refined is the word that pops into mind when you’re tackling the daily urban grind. Often, vehicles of this type, bring with a level of compromise. After all, you can’t have all that performance on tap and not expect a trade-off in other areas, like ride comfort or cabin ambience.
And yet, the RS Q8 behaves impeccably in traffic, at once comfortable on its wheels and at ease at being driven at city speeds. Where some performance cars feel lumpy being driven slowly, the RS Q8 feels like a plush limo. It’s soft on its occupants, gobbling up lumps and bumps with ease, all while that glorious V8 under the bonnet purrs contentedly.
But, given the opportunity to open its pipes, the RS Q8 roars into action with aplomb. Acceleration is phenomenal – remember that 3.8-second 0-100km/h claim – yet entirely predictable and smooth.
The eight-speed conventional automatic transmission is remarkable too, with razor-like shifts and a willingness to hang onto engine revs when needed, allowing the V8 to sing with abandon.
Hit freeway speeds more rapidly than the mind can properly take in, and the RS Q8 settles into an easy lope, barely raising a sweat. Audi helpfully includes a power and torque readout in its digital driver display , not entirely necessary but a novelty to have. And it tells a tale of just how much the RS Q8 has in reserve.
Sitting at 100km/h on a freeway, the RS Q8 is using just four per cent of its available power, a bit like Usain Bolt going for a morning stroll. Effortless.
But, when the opportunity presents itself, the RS Q8 can rumble with the best of them. Accelerating out of corners on a quiet rural road is simply phenomenal, the big SUV hunkering down on its wheels and throwing itself at the horizon with ease. There’s no lack of grip either, the RS Q8’s all-wheel drive underpinnings ensuring all that mass stays on the road and in a straight line.
At a glance | 2021 Audi RS Q8 |
Fuel consumption (claimed combined) | 12.1L/100km |
Fuel consumption (on test) | 10.4L/100km |
Fuel tank size | 85L |
Tow rating | 3500kg (braked) |
Boot volume | 605L / 1755L |
Length | 5012mm |
Width | 1998mm |
Height | 1751mm |
Wheelbase | 2998mm |
Turning circle | 13.3m |
ANCAP safety rating | RS Q8 not tested. Q8 is five-star (tested 2019) |
Warranty | Three year, unlimited km |
Servicing cost | $4270 (5 years) |
Price (MSRP) | $208,500 |
Colour as tested | Java Green |
Options as tested | Gloss black badging ($700), Audi exclusive individual paint ($6500) |
Competitors | Porsche Cayenne Turbo Coupe | BMW X6M | Lamborghini Urus |
Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system apportions drive to all four wheels in a 40:60 ratio, front:rear as a default. But, a mechanical centre diff can redistribute where power and torque is sent by as much as 70:30 (front:rear) or 15:85 depending on driving conditions and available traction.
Additionally, to help maintain grip, the Quattro sport differential on the rear axle can also distribute drive between the rear wheels depending on the need for traction, stability and/or dynamics.
And then there’s the standard fit electromechanical active roll-stabilisation system which helps to minimise body roll under harder cornering. Simply, the RS Q8 stays flat through corners, feeling like a small car rather than a big, hulking SUV.
And just for good measure, the RS Q8’s four-wheel steering system works at both high and low speeds, albeit in different manners.
At slower speeds, the rear wheels turn five degrees in the opposite direction to the front wheels, making for a more manoeuvrable RS Q8 in the tight confines of urban environments. Then, at faster speeds, the rear wheels turn 1.5 degrees in the same direction as the fronts to allow for greater cornering ability. Then end result is a performance SUV that can be hustled with joy through even tight and twisty sections of blacktop, if that’s your thing.
But, despite its bona fides as a performance SUV, the RS Q8’s greatest asset is unquestionably its duality of purpose. From corner-carving with ease, to gobbling up freeways barely raising a sweat, to its comfort and refinement in traffic, the RS Q8 does everything asked of it with unruffled ease.
Complementing the RS Q8’s transformative powers are eight selectable drive modes – Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Efficiency, Allroad, Offroad and the individually configurable RS1 and RS2 – which can tailor the SUV to your needs, altering engine and transmission mapping, steering, air suspension, engine sound and even the air-conditioning. There’s something for everyone.
Comfort mode does what is says in its name, dialling down the engine note while ensuring the ride remains composed and unruffled, with road noise nicely isolated in the cabin, despite the presence of those 23-inch alloys clad in ultra-low-profile, 295mm wide, rubber.
Dynamic mode changes the engine and transmission mapping for more performance, as well as tightening the ride noticeably. Firm, yes, but still on the acceptable side of comfort.
Inside the cabin, the Audi RS Q8 lives up to its promise of blending sportiness with luxury. The RS-branded sports seats, finished in perforated leather, feature the signature RS honeycomb-pattern stitching. They’re at once supportive and comfortable.
The front seats are heated and cooled, while the rear seats also score heating, rarity in any class of car.
The use of materials inside speaks to the premium experience with liberal doses of Alcantara and nappa leather, and real (not faux) carbon-fibre inserts. The fit and finish too is exemplary, as you’d expect of a vehicle costing north of $200k.
The RS Q8 is fitted with the latest iteration of Audi’s MMI navigation plus infotainment system, anchored by a large 10.1-inch integrated touchscreen for most audio and navigation functions, and smaller secondary 8.6-inch touchscreen for climate and vehicle settings, plus handwritten inputs. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, while intelligent navigation suggests route guidance based on your previous trips.
There’s a standard premium B&O sound system, although a 23-speaker premium system can be optioned as part of the $9700 Sensory pack that also brings Alcantara headlining finished in black and a massage function for the front seats.
Audi’s clever 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit driver display, which can be configured myriad ways to best suit your needs, is RS-specific in the RS Q8 which brings additional information such as g-meter, torque and power outputs, as well as shift lights when in manual mode, all novelties yes, but fun to have.
The second row offers plenty of space and comfort with generous amounts of toe, knee, and leg room, while head room, too, is more than enough, despite the presence of that sloping roofline that lend the RS Q8 such a handsome profile.
The three rear seats slide fore and aft, for added comfort or extra cargo capacity.
The boot offers a decent 605L of space, expanding to 1755L with the second row folded away. Access is via a powered tailgate.
Look for a spare tyre, however, and you’ll be disappointed. There isn’t one, the RS Q8 merely equipped with puncture repair kit. Not ideal in any car, let alone one that asks for the money the RS Q8 asks for.
Audi claims all that sports car like performance will use 12.1L per 100km on the combined cycle. Our week with the RS Q8 returned a commendable 10.4L/100km, 98RON premium unleaded of course. That’s an excellent return for such big, powerful SUV.
Possibly helping to keep that number down is Audi’s cylinder-on-demand system that that shuts down four of the V8’s eight cylinders during low- to medium-load driving.
There’s also Audi’s 48V coasting function – or in Audi-speak ‘mild-hybrid system’ – that can, depending on driving conditions and drive mode selected, shut down the engine completely at speeds between 55km/h and 160km/h for up to 40 seconds, again saving on fuel. Audi reckons it’s good for a fuel saving of as much as 0.8L/100km during everyday driving.
The RS Q8 comes fitted with all the latest safety tech wizardry: adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, exit warning that alerts the driver to the presence of cars or cyclist upon opening the door, rear cross-traffic alert, Audi pre-sense front and rear (aka autonomous emergency braking), a 360-degree camera, traffic sign recognition, and high-beam assist. Eight airbags offer protection for all occupants.
ANCAP awarded the broader Q8 range a five-star safety score in 2019 although did exclude the SQ8 from that rating. One imagines the RS Q8 would also not be included. Still, the Q8 donor car did fare well in crash testing with occupant protection scores of 93 per cent (adult) and 88 per cent (child) while vulnerable road user protection was rated at 71 per cent.
Audi covers the RS Q8 with its standard – and below par – three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty while servicing intervals are every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. A five-year service plan paid for upfront at time of purchase will set you back $4270.
There’s no question the Sports Performance SUV segment is a niche category in the new car world. And yet it’s also one of the most exciting. It’s almost incongruous that vehicles the size and weight of the Audi RS Q8 can outperform many supercars, and do so with a level of comfort and practicality that so many are looking for in today’s automotive landscape.
The Audi RS Q8 took out the award for best Sports Performance SUV in Drive’s Car of the Year awards, the judges lauding its abilities not only as a practical family hauler, but also its unerring commitment to comfort and outright performance. It remains an uncompromising large SUV in a world where compromise is the norm.
It might be the biggest SUV in Audi’s impressive stable of SUVs, but it’s also arguably the most resolved and unquestionably, the most capable. With its spacious interior, high-tech design, phenomenal performance and excellent ride and handling characteristics, the RS Q8 is the complete package and a standout in the category.