Audi’s first fully electric car, the E-Tron, was launched in 2018. But such has been the pace of change in the world of EVs that it’s already been on the receiving end of a facelift – as well as a new name. To bring the E-Tron SUV in line with the other E-Tron models in Audi’s range, it’s now called the Q8 E-Tron – but there have been lots more changes under the skin, too.
What is the Audi Q8 E-Tron?
It is, not to put too fine a point on it, a mildly facelifted Audi E-Tron. Although this large SUV, which was Audi’s first fully electric vehicle, isn’t yet five years old, Audi’s rivals have moved the game on so far that it is now running to keep up. So the Q8 E-Tron has been subject not just to a new look (and a new name, to bring it in line with the new Q4 E-Tron Sportback and upcoming Q6 E-Tron models), but also to a raft of updates beneath the skin. There’s also a sleeker coupe version of the car in the form of the Q8 E-Tron Sportback.
There are tweaks to the under-body aerodynamics and the rearmost of the two motors to improve efficiency. There are new batteries, too, which cram more cells into the same space (and, while doing so, add a bit of weight too – though we’ll come back to that).
And there are faster on-board chargers, to make sure the kilowatt hours (kWh) can be pumped into your E-Tron at a greater rate; even in the cars with a bigger battery capacity, a top-up from 10 to 80% will now take just 31 minutes of charge time.
The net result of all this with the new car has been an increase in the official range figures, to 280 miles for the entry-level 50 version, and to 329 miles of range for the 55 model. The SQ8 E-Tron, meanwhile (formerly the E-Tron S), will do 283 miles on a charge.
Audi Q8 E-Tron Power and 0-62mph
The entry-level model has been on the receiving end of a whack from the ‘more power’ stick, to the tune of 26bhp, meaning it now kicks out 338bhp. The other two versions remain the same, with 402bhp for the 55 and 496bhp for the Audi SQ8 E-Tron.
As you can imagine, that means all of them get down the road pretty well, though don’t forget that the Q8 E-Tron’s not-inconsiderable 2.5-tonne-plus weight does take the edge off. Even so, the 0-62mph benchmark is dispatched in six seconds dead in even the least powerful version; the SQ8, meanwhile, will get you there in just 4.5.
One thing to keep in mind with the SQ8, though, is that its three-motor setup – with one motor apiece for each rear wheel – is rather noisy. This is, in fact, a trait shared by all Q8 E-Trons, but it’s less noticeable in the standard, two-motor cars; in the SQ8, however, it verges on irritating, especially the rather piercing tone the whine takes on around the 30mph mark.
Ride and Handling
Audi has aimed for a neutral, balanced feel to the way the Q8 E-Tron goes around corners, and it has succeeded. There’s a monumental amount of grip and traction on offer thanks to quattro four-wheel drive, which means you can tip it into a corner and plant the throttle, and watch incredulously as this huge SUV hooks up and goes, tracking the line you’ve chosen for it remarkably faithfully.
Trouble is, you feel almost completely removed from the process. There’s no steering feel to speak of, and little in the way of feedback through the seat of your trousers, either. What’s more, there’s so much weight to transfer here (especially now the batteries are even heavier) that if you do try to turn in sharply, you can feel the Q8 lean over a touch and try to push its nose on ahead.
Mind you this aloof ponderousness is the price you pay for the Q8 E-Tron’s relaxing nature when you aren’t trying to hurry it along. Out on the motorway it’s sublime; wind and road noise are both damped out extraordinarily well, while the air suspension glosses over bumps beautifully.
Around town, it is perhaps a touch less composed – the big wheels with their slender tyres allow a very subtle background vibration to permeate the cockpit – but this is still a particularly smooth and calm way to travel.
Audi Q8 E-Tron Pricing
The entry-level version of the Q8 E-Tron looks like decent value, starting as it does at £67,800. That means it undercuts the equivalent BMW iX, which also has less power and doesn’t go as far on a charge.
By contrast, the higher trim levels are rather more dear, especially the Black Edition and Vorsprung trims (although the Vorsprung is the only one that gets Audi’s video camera virtual door mirrors as standard). The 55 S-Line we tested, meanwhile, comes in at £82,800, which is quite a bit pricier than the identically powerful Mercedes EQC 400 AMG Line – though the Merc’s disappointing electric range means the extra price you’ll pay for the Audi is probably worth it.
Leasing and finance costs should be reasonably competitive; bought this way, the Q8 E-Tron should set you back less per month than the Mercedes, though the BMW will probably cost you even less again.
Interior, Space and Practicality
The Q8 E-Tron’s interior has always been a little short on style, but it’s been shown up by recent arrivals not just in its own class like the iX, but also lower down the social pecking order – cars like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, which feel far more special for a fraction of the price.
Granted, the Audi’s cockpit is beautifully put together. There are some lovely, tactile materials on show (the steering wheel in particular) and the whole thing is laid out well – it’s just a shame it’s all so dour.
The infotainment screen works well, and beneath it there’s a second screen you use to control the heating and climate control. We’d prefer proper, physical buttons and dials instead, as a touchscreen forces you to take your eyes away from the road (and in this case, quite far away, given how far down you must look).
However, you can at least adjust the ventilation settings without having to find your way into a separate menu within the main touchscreen to do so, as you do in some modern cars.
The Q8 E-Tron is still one of the roomiest electric SUVs out there, too – though a Tesla Model X offers more space as well as more seats. There’s space to stretch out and then some in the rear seats, and the front seats offer head, leg and elbow room in plentiful supply.
The total volume of luggage space on offer is considerable, too, but do be warned; a big chunk of that space comes in the form of an under-floor compartment in the boot, and more again in the cubby beneath the bonnet. So if you’re expecting one large, useful space, you might be disappointed.
Verdict
The name might have changed, but the Q8 E-Tron still feels much the same as it did when it was simply called the E-Tron. And as big, luxurious electric SUVs go, it’s a touch on the dull side; the BMW iX offers more pzazz, while the Jaguar I-Pace is sweeter to drive.
That might put you off; after all, if you’re spending this sort of money on a luxury SUV, you might argue it should feel more special. But look beyond the fact the Q8 E-Tron won’t wow you instantly, and you’ll find that special feeling in the way it soothes and cossets you on a long journey, or whisks you from place to place with a sense of stress-free, emissions-free ease. It is perhaps not the best electric SUV out there – but it’s still a pretty good one.
Fact File
Audi Q8 E-Tron 55 S-Line
Price: £82,800
Fuel type: Electric
Powertrain: Dual electric motors, all-wheel drive
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 490lb ft
0-62mph: 5.6 seconds
Top speed: 124mph
Range: 329 miles (WLTP)
Verdict: Beneath the new name, the Q8 E-Tron still feels much like its predecessor. That’s no bad thing, mind you, because while it is a trifle bland, it’s otherwise a great all-rounder.