2023 Audi Q8 Performance

Performance is equal across the trim range, with each car benefiting from the same turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder power and eight-speed transmission. The total power output for this engine is a respectable 335 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, which gets sent to all four wheels via a quattro all-wheel-drive system. Power from this engine is ample once you start moving, and most will feel satisfied with what is offered here. The Audi Q8 SUV might weigh over 5,000 pounds, but it still has some get up and go: the 0-60 sprint takes only 5.7 seconds, which is a tenth of a second quicker than the base Porsche Cayenne Coupe. However, the more affordable BMW X6 is faster. The Q8 will continue on to a limited top speed of 130 mph. In most gears, the Audi feels faster than the Porsche, which is an impressive feat considering the fact that the Cayenne Coupe is lighter. Being an SUV, the Q8 offers a pretty decent towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, which should be enough to haul a premium caravan to Florida for the holidays.

From the base model, all the way to the top-tier Prestige, you get a single engine and transmission option. Under the hood of the Q8 SUV lies a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder gas engine mated to a 48-volt/9.6 Ah lithium-ion battery hybrid system and an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission with quattro AWD. This mild-hybrid powertrain produces a healthy 335 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Out on the open road, this combination offers smooth power delivery and strong overtaking abilities, which is exactly what this SUV was designed for. Still, unfortunately, there is a weak spot: in and around town at low speeds, the engine can feel hesitant and unresponsive, which gets frustrating when trying to take gaps in traffic or competing with Honda Civics away from the lights. Sure, the Q8 is a heavy car, but rivals such as the Cayenne Coupe don't suffer from the same issue and provide seamless power all the way through the rev range. The exhaust note is also very conservative, and we believe that it deserves a meaner growl. The experience here is satisfactory, but Audi USA needs to work on low-speed drivability.

The Q8 is a large car, and that usually means an expensive fuel bill, especially when you consider that this Audi SUV is powered by a large capacity turbocharged gas engine. The EPA rates that the Q8 will manage a best figure of 18/23/20 mpg on the city/highway/combined cycles.

Thankfully, the Q8 is fitted with a large 22.5-gallon fuel tank, which allows it to drive for up to 450 miles on a single tank of gas.