The 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron is an SUV that’s dripping with cool. That was our main takeaway after having one for a number of days but it wasn’t a perfect experience. Before we took off in this all-electric SUV we asked what you wanted to know about it and today, we’re answering your best questions.
How quiet and sporty is the ride?
Typically, these are two aspects of ride quality that are opposed. In the case of the Q8 e-tron, it accomplishes both at a high level of competency. It’s not the quietest car I’ve ever been in but it’s well above average in terms of how well it insulates noise from the road and outside world.
On the flip side of the coin, it’s far more capable in the corners than it has any right to be. It also manages to maintain that sporty character without being overly rigid or harsh on everyday roads. No car is perfect and as EVs go, the Q8 e-tron isn’t exactly fast, but it finds a healthy balance I think most drivers will enjoy.
Review: The 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Is Dripping With Cool
Is regen braking anywhere close to one-pedal driving?
Absolutely, and like in most EVs, there are different regen settings that one can choose from with the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. In fact, even when not in full one-pedal driving mode, the Q8 e-tron does a fantastic job of using its radar system to naturally and smoothly slow the car when approaching traffic.
What is the real-world range?
The EPA says that the Audi Q8 e-tron has up to 285 miles (459 km) of range. While we didn’t run it completely out of energy we came really close and we’d say that it’s capable of every one of those 285 miles so long as you’re not bombing around at 80 mph the entire time.
As I mentioned in the full review, we lost just seven miles of range over one 30-mile journey because we were mostly going downhill. Over our first 97 miles before that trip, we averaged 2.3 miles per kWh or about 77.5 MPGe, pretty close to the EPA’s figure of 81 MPGe combined.
What’s your take on the double console screens with the screen in the IP gauge? Is it too much? Does it feel disjointed or natural?
The truth is that it does feel disjointed to me personally. Despite that, it’s a trend that we’re seeing in more than just Audis. Jeep and Subaru, for example, both have dual screens laid out in a similar fashion on some models.
In terms of usability, the Q8 e-tron leverages the screens as well as it probably could. The upper screen houses almost all vital infotainment functions while the lower one is dedicated to climate control. What mucks that up a bit is some choices that feel confusing. For example, there are some controls for seat adjustment on the seat itself but others are somewhat hidden in the upper infotainment screen.
