by Aiden Eksteen
With the USA's growing obsession with crossover cars, automakers are getting creative in an attempt to stake a claim to a share of this lucrative market. The 2021 Audi Q8 is one of these oddballs in the popular classification with its distinct SUV frame and coupe-styled rear end. The quirky design works beautifully with Audi's suave and contemporary styling ethos and has the Q8 SUV stand out alongside esteemed competitors such as the Porsche Cayenne Coupe, Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 Coupe, and the BMW X6. Under its gallant hood is a strapping 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine that's been augmented with a mild-hybrid system for total outputs of 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Fun and engaging drive dynamics are met with serene ride comfort, contemporary design, oodles of modern specifications, and top-notch safety standards, all making the Q8 SUV a genuinely attractive offering in the segment, but it's not quite perfect.
The 2021 Q8 is the flagship of the brand's SUV range, and for the 2021 model year, it comes with a few new standard features. Audi side assist and pre sense rear are now standard on the base trim. The optional Convenience Package now includes a heated steering wheel and top-view camera for the base model. Premium Plus models get the heated steering wheel as standard, and the Executive Package available to this trim includes heated rear seats, leather-upholstered armrests, adaptive cruise assist, Audi active lane assist, and HD Matrix-design LED headlights.
See trim levels and configurations:
| Trim | Engine | Transmission | Drivetrain | Price (MSRP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium 55 TFSI quattro |
3.0L Turbo V6 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$68,200 |
| Prestige 55 TFSI quattro |
3.0L Turbo V6 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$68,200 |
| Premium Plus 55 TFSI quattro |
3.0L Turbo V6 Gas
|
8-Speed Automatic
|
All-Wheel Drive
|
$68,200 |
With its sophisticated and contemporary design, poised and balanced performance dynamics, and its modern, commodious, and featureful cabin, the first-gen Q8 is an exceptional midsize SUV for its price, which starts at $68,200. It can feel a little out of touch when driven around town but as soon as it's cruising and on the go, overall performance is as pleasant as can be. It also comes standard-fit with Audi's latest technologies such as a virtual cockpit and loads of luxury features, including leather in-cabin surfaces. Despite the coupe-styled roofline cutting into rear passenger head space, the Q8 still offers one of the most spacious interiors around. With its expansive trunk, it's also one of the most practical 5-door midsize SUVs. These qualities, along with the NHTSA and IIHS's comprehensive review of the 2021 Audi Q8, not excluding high reliability expectations, prop the Q8 SUV up as one of the best vehicles money can buy in the class.
The price of the 2021 Audi Q8 SUV spans between $68,200 and $77,850 from the entry-spec Premium to the top-tier Prestige, respectively. While the Premium does come standard with a good selection of desirable features and advanced driver assists, we feel the mid-spec Premium Plus plus offers the most value for the money. For $4,000 more, the Plus comes with stylish HD Matrix-design LED headlights, a head-up display, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, power soft-close doors, a leather dashboard, and intersection assist. You wouldn't even need to give the options list a review with this pick.
The most popular competitors of 2021 Audi Q8:
Acura
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Bentley
BMW
Bollinger
BrightDrop
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Caterham
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ferrari
Fiat
Fisker
Ford
Genesis
GMC
Gordon Murray Automotive
Hennessey
Honda
Hyundai
Infiniti
Jaguar
Jeep
Karma
Kia
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lordstown
Lotus
Lucid Motors
Maserati
Mazda
McLaren
Mercedes-Benz
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Pagani
Polestar
Porsche
Ram
Rimac
Rivian
Rolls-Royce
Spyker
Subaru
Tesla
Toyota
VinFast
Volkswagen
Volvo