2024 Audi RS Q8 SUV

　　

2024 Audi RS Q8 Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　The 2024 Audi RS Q8 is the high-performance variant of the standard Q8 SUV, with a midrange SQ8 in between. The Q8 itself is a two-row adaptation of Audi's largest SUV: the three-row Q7. We know, this naming convention doesn't make it easy, but all you really need to keep in mind is that the Q8 is a sporty and slightly less practical version of the Q7. The RS Q8 was introduced for 2020 and returns mostly unchanged for 2024, unlike the Q8 and SQ8, which both receive a styling update.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Audi RS Q8 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$301/mo  for RS Q8 Base

　　RS Q8 Base

　　4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) (Most Popular) - $125,800 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　

zzdcar spotlight: More performance, less practicality

While the larger and more conventional three-row Audi Q7 has a built-in advantage in regard to convenience, that model line stops at the 500-horsepower SQ7. There's no doubt that amount of power is already excessive for the majority of drivers, but for the select few who have convinced themselves too much is almost enough, the RS Q8's 591-hp output should do quite nicely. Add in the sharp handling courtesy of the sport-tuned suspension and you have yourself one heck of a grocery-getter. There is a drawback, though, and it's interior space. That sloping rear roofline cuts into cargo capacity and rear passenger headroom, but thankfully you won't notice much of a difference compared to the Q7.

　　

Competitors to consider

The 2024 Audi RS Q8 is in rarefied air. Each of its main rivals have a top-performing coupe-like SUV and they're all excellent choices. The BMW X6 M is priced comparably but forces a few more sacrifices to interior space than the Audi. The Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S Coupe isn't quite as nimble, but it makes up for it with a more luxurious cabin. Meanwhile, the Porsche Cayenne Coupe impresses in almost every way, including its impressively high price.

　　

Which RS Q8 does zzdcar recommend?

The Audi RS Q8 is only available in a single trim level, leaving you to decide what color and options you'd like. We'd consider adding both the Executive and Luxury packages for their numerous upgrades related to comfort, technology and safety. The Bang & Olufsen premium audio is also an excellent addition for audiophiles.

　　

Audi RS Q8 models

The 2024 Audi RS Q8 is offered in a single, very well-equipped trim level. Everything is standard aside from a handful of stand-alone upgrades and option packages. A twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine (591 horsepower, 590 lb-ft of torque) lives under the hood, transferring its output to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

　　Standard equipment highlights include:

　　22-inch alloy wheels High-performance brakes Sport-tuned adaptive air suspension (enhances handling and ride comfort and can adjust the vehicle's ride height) Four-wheel steering (enhances the RS Q8's maneuverability and agility) High-definition LED headlights Power liftgate with hands-free operation Panoramic sunroof Rear window sunshades Auto-dimming rearview mirror Multicolor ambient cabin lighting Heated, power-folding side mirrors Four-zone automatic climate control Leather upholstery with RS stitching Heated and ventilated front seats Power-adjustable, heated steering wheelTechnology is also well represented, with features such as:

　　Digital instrument panel 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment display Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Connected services Satellite radio Navigation system Bang & Olufsen premium sound system Wireless smartphone chargerStandard safety features include:

　　Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse) Rear passenger safe-exit system (can prevent a rear passenger from opening a door into traffic approaching from behind) Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the RS Q8 and the car in front) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the RS Q8 and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Front and rear parking sensors Automatic high beamsAside from design-related Black Optic, Carbon Optic and RS Design option packages, the RS Q8 offers two main collections of extras: 

　　Executive package Dual-pane noise-reducing windows Power soft-closing doors Heated rear seats Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield) Intersection Assist (identifies unsafe situations at intersections and can automatically brake the Audi) Traffic sign recognition (reads traffic signs and can adjust vehicle speed accordingly) Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention) Luxury package Front massaging seats Synthetic suede headliner Leather-wrapped armrests, dashboard and center console Other stand-alone options include:

　　Upgraded 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system Night Vision Assistant (displays thermal imaging to help with night driving) 23-inch wheel with high-performance summer tires Towing package (7,700-pound capacity)

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