Car review: Audi Q8

In 2001 Audi produced just 17 different models. Now the arrival of its new flagship SUV, the Q8, brings the model count to a mind-boggling 51.

Counterintuitively, the Q8 is smaller than its statuesque sibling the Q7 (which remains in production) with five seats instead of seven. It is 66mm shorter and 27mm wider than a Q7, and with its sloping coupe-like roofline it looks much more sporting. In fact it looks pretty gorgeous.

Despite the 50 TDI boot badge it is powered by a three-litre 286PS V6 turbodiesel engine, although three-litre 231PS diesel and 340PS petrol versions will follow, and all models have permanent four-wheel-drive and adaptive air suspension.

The Q8 is visually impressive, with a typically Audi gaping maw radiator grille and several styling tricks to emphasise the car’s width, such as a full width rear lighting bar and wide front air intakes. Despite a very short rear overhang the boot has a capacious 605 litre of loadspace, or 1,755 with the rear seatbacks down.

The frameless doors may be difficult and expensive to manufacture but they add a dash of extra style and the elegant cabin with its electronic three-screen dashboard pushes the premium feel until it is nudging Bentley Bentayga standards. There are virtually no buttons and switches and the full-width piano black dash panel looks modern and attractive.

Trim levels are S-Line, which starts at £65,040, although one model we tried at the launch cost £77,500. Top level Vorsprung trim costs from £83,040, which gets you all-wheel steering which sharpens the handling and takes a metre off the turning circle, and 22-inch rims instead of 21s. On the road, cars with the smaller rims felt more nimble and had lighter steering.

Other goodies with the Vorsprung trim include head-up display, extended leather with an Alcantara headlining, panoramic glass sunroof, front memory seats and a Bang and Olufsen Premium sound system.

As well as up to 39 driver assistance packages the Q8 has mild hybrid technology (MHEV) which includes a 48-volt electrical system and a lithium ion rechargeable battery which enables the car to coast between 34 and 99mph with the engine switched off. When needed the engine restarts automatically.

On the road, the Q8 feels fast, safe and enjoyable to drive. Safety systems such as lane assist operate smoothly, with none of the wrestling with the wheel or tugging seatbelts that you find on certain models. The eight-speed tiptronic auto gearbox is silken, and even without waiting for the 340PS version, you are not going to feel deprived of power. My only niggle was the car felt a little slow to start rolling when setting off from stationary.

I found very little to dislike about the Audi Q8, although some of my colleagues were less keen on the huge grille. It appears to fare quite well against competition from models such as the Range Rover Sport, BMW X6, Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe and Maserati Levante. Interestingly, Audi have avoided using direct comparisons with the Porsche Macan range (£49,915 to £86,267).

Overall, this is a very good car, with enough style, power and technology to place it right at the top of Audi’s SUV tree.

Details: Audi Q8 50 TDI quattro

Top speed: 152mph

Combined mpg: 41.5 (claimed)

0-62mph: 6.3 secs

CO2: 178g/km

Price: £62,040