Table of Contents
What kind of car is the 2024 Audi Q8 E-Tron? What does it compare to?
The 2024 Audi Q8 E-Tron, and its sporty variant the SQ8 E-Tron, includes a lineup of five-seat electric crossover SUVs. It’s a refreshed version of what used to simply be called the E-Tron. Offered in SUV or Sportback body styles as before, it’s rivaled by a growing field that now includes the BMW iX, Cadillac Lyriq, Mercedes EQE SUV, and Rivian R1S, as well as the Tesla Model X.
Is the 2024 Audi Q8 E-Tron a good SUV?
Yes, and provided its EPA ratings support Audi’s claim that it’s boosted range by 30% or more, the Q8 E-Tron will be a very competitive electric family SUV. The E-Tron already achieved the highest possible ratings for safety, and the Q8 E-Tron carries those over, helping it earn an excellent TCC Rating of 8.3 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What’s new for the 2024 Audi Q8 E-Tron?
Despite the name change, the Q8 E-Tron carries on with the same shapes—and overall dimensions, of around 194 inches long, 64 inches high, and built on a 115.3-inch wheelbase—as the previous E-Tron lineup. That means it includes two body styles, SUV and Sportback, that are identical ahead of the front seats. The Sportback has a tapered, coupe-like roofline that limits rear-seat space and cargo somewhat in favor of an especially distinctive, high-tail profile.
The Q8 E-Tron has motors at the front and rear wheels, providing a combined 402 hp and capable of accelerating to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. Driving range has been boosted more than 30% from last year’s total, to an EPA-rated 300 miles for the Sportback and 285 miles for the SUV.
Performance-oriented SQ8 versions have three motors, including two in back, and they make 496 hp and 718 lb-ft, cutting the 0-60 mph acceleration to 4.3 seconds. That allows some powerful torque vectoring—with big handling dividends and perhaps some traction benefit, with its more nuanced control at each wheel. Throughout the lineup, the Q8 E-Tron also has an innovative regenerative braking system that emphasizes coasting most of the time but will slow entirely with the electric motors when using the brake pedal to decelerate.
The E-Tron offers a supremely quiet ride, with handling impressions brightened this year by some steering and suspension changes that make it feel a bit perkier. Supportive front seats plus a back seat good for three passengers across town or two all day, as well as up to 57 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seatback folded, all adds up to a great family package.
The Q8 E-Tron builds on some great safety credentials, and it carries over its top federal NCAP results and IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating.
How much does the 2024 Audi Q8 E-Tron cost?
Audi has emphasized that in the shift to Q8, this model wouldn’t be drastically repositioned, but it does represent a price hike of several thousand dollars versus the 2023 model. The 2024 Q8 E-Tron starts at $75,495, while the racier-looking Q8 Sportback S-Line E-Tron, with its more coupe-like body style, starts at $78,895. The three-motor SQ8 starts at $90,895 for the SUV body style and $93,695 in Sportback guise.
Where is the 2024 Audi E-Tron made?
All the Q8 E-Tron, SQ8 E-Tron SUV, and Sportback models are made in Brussels, Belgium.
