Next-Gen 2025 Audi Q8 Luxury SUV Exclusive Review

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2025 Audi Q8 facts about Audi Q8 is a car with a fun-to-drive feel, great comfort on big wheels, and an interior of the future. The Q8 is a sportier coupe-SUV variant designed to rival the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe with more aggressive looks and sportier handling traits.

While the S and RS variants deliver true firepower, in their base form, the Q8’s performance is not at the top of its class despite using a 335-horsepower gasoline V6 engine with 369 lb-ft of torque, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and a 48-volt mild hybrid system.

The Q8 compensates by being a more practical car than the average rival, with more rear-seat headroom and a spacious trunk.

  • Superior space for rear passengers
  • High-end cabin materials and assembly quality
  • Good luggage space
  • High level of standard equipment
  • Good ride/handling balance

2025 Audi Q8 Review

The 2025 Audi Q8 is the kind of car that we are familiar with where it is crowned as a Luxury Performance SUV. The Q8’s proportions are wider, shorter, and lower but its dramatic design sacrifices rear-seat headroom, passenger capacity, and cargo area compared to the Q7 as the Q8 is only offered as a five-seater with two rows.

Engine power in the Audi Q8 comes from a 335 hp turbocharged V-6 engine with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, the same powertrain as in the top trim level Q7.

We are excited about the changes that the Audi Q8 has made by receiving additional standard equipment such as matrix LED headlights, headlight washers, as well as illumination animation on approach. On the other hand, the Q8 Premium Convenience package now includes adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist.

The Executive package for the Q8 Premium Plus adds dual-pane glass to help quieten the cabin. The new interior package adds leatherette to the dashboard for Premium models, as well as an armrest and center console on Premium Plus trims.

Interestingly, the 2025 Audi Q8 also comes with Audi’s remote parking feature now standard on the Prestige model.

2025 Audi Q8

New Update

Audi is preparing to reveal the forthcoming Q8 makeover. The flagship SUV will be unveiled in two weeks. It will be “highly recognizable,” according to Audi. That most likely means no big changes.

The German automaker has released a teaser photograph ahead of the official unveiling of the facelifted Q8. The sketch in vivid red and dark tones depicts the model’s back end, as well as the sideline and wheels.

The taillights of the vehicle undergo a mid-cycle makeover with a revised layout. As spy images have revealed in recent months, the headlights, as well as the radiator grille that they flank, have most likely been updated. The front and back bumpers have also been restyled somewhat.

Customers will be able to customize the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE rival with more options. This includes new wheel designs, paint options, and onboard amenities. The Q8’s cabin will retain the three-screen layout.

We can’t expect any huge modifications to the Q8 because the redesigned Volkswagen Touareg and Porsche Cayenne, with whom it shares the MLB platform and components, did not endure any significant alterations earlier this year when the Germans debuted the facelift version.

Audi will not make any changes to its powertrain selection. The Ingolstadt-based premium carmaker will also release the SQ8 and RS Q8 models, both of which are expected to retain the 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, with the latter serving as the Volkswagen Group’s more affordable equivalent of the Lamborghini Urus. The top-of-the-line Q8 is propelled by 592 horsepower (600 PS) and 590 pound-feet (800 Nm) of torque transmitted to both axles via an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive system. When the driver selects the dynamic package option, it will accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (0-100 kph) in 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 190 mph (305 kph).

In addition, an electric Q8 e-tron will be available. One thing is certain. The next version of the Q8, due in 2026, will be Audi’s final opportunity to offer combustion engines in the lineup, with exclusively EVs following.

The global debut of the 2025 Audi Q8 Facelift will take place on September 5. Audi did not specify a venue, but it will almost certainly take place during the IAA Mobility show in Munich, which begins on the same day.

The Q8 has been on the market since its initial release in 2018. The facelifted Q8 will go into production later this year at the Volkswagen Bratislava Plant, with sales beginning in the first quarter of next year.

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Audi Q8 Changes: How is it Different

The new 2023 Audi Q8 SUV undergoes several upgrades in the US. All Q8 trims get HD Matrix-designed LED headlamps, headlamp washers, and animated come/home functions for the front and rear lights. The interior is upgraded with leatherette stitching on the dashboard in all trims, while the Premium Plus also gets it on the center console and armrest. The Prestige trim gets Remote Park Assist Plus.

The three metallic colors are discontinued and replaced with three new colors: Satellite Silver replaces Florett Silver, Waitomo Blue replaces Galaxy Blue, and Tamarind Brown replaces Barrel Brown.

When applied to the Q8 Premium, the Convenience package now includes adaptive cruise control with lane guidance. New to the executive package available on the premium plus trim is double-pane glass to reduce interior noise levels.

2025 Audi Q8 Interior

It is commendable that Audi has succeeded in creating a sophisticated and robust environment inside the Q8. The materials are premium, and the panels are expertly aligned.

While the base model lacks high-end features such as four-zone climate control and a leather dashboard with contrast stitching, it does have standard heated front seats and a panoramic sunroof. Only the top model offers massaging front seats, upgraded leather surfaces, and quieter dual-pane glass.

In addition, the Audi Q8 is not only visually impressive, but also has more than enough passenger space of course with the driving position remaining sporty despite the higher height, and two adults can casually stretch out in the back.

In terms of luggage testing, we tried stuffing eight carry-on bags behind the rear seats although the two-row Audi Q8 has less cargo volume than the three-row Audi Q7 and its shallow center console storage and narrow door pockets left us with little room for small items.

Infotainment and Connectivity

With a pair of bright touchscreens integrated into the dashboard and center console, every Q8 offers a state-of-the-art infotainment system. Instead of the intuitive rotary controller found on other Audi models, the screens respond to touch input with haptic feedback.

We quickly assimilated the logical menus and large icons, but distractions were inevitable. Fortunately, receptive voice commands and handy steering wheel controls provide alternative operation. Standard features include a Wi-Fi hotspot and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Wireless charging and two different Bang & Olufsen audio systems are optional. We particularly liked the standard digital gauge cluster (called Virtual Cockpit) with its configurable settings and excellent navigation.

2025 Audi Q8 Engine

Audi has equipped the Audi Q8 with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 engine that produces 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque in collaboration with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive and a 48-volt hybrid assist system helps with stop-start operation, which was smooth and quiet during our experience.

Although the Audi has plenty of power for highway cruising, it feels hesitant around town unless we step on the accelerator. The transmission has mostly compliant reactions, but the transmission and engine work best together in Dynamic mode, which triggers quicker responses.

The Q8’s steering has light power and linear feedback, which feels relaxed on long trips but tedious on roads traveled with turning lanes. Our test vehicle had the optional air suspension and used 22-inch wheels-the standard is 21 inches. These large rollers are largely quiet even on uneven surfaces.

With adjustable ride height and four-wheel steering (included with the Adaptive Chassis package), our Q8 was agile in tight spaces and able to tackle choppy terrain. The brake pedal is manageable at highway speeds but suffers from inconsistent reactions in traffic.

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2025 Audi Q8 MPG

The Audi Q8 has lower mediocre EPA estimates than other all-wheel-drive rivals. The government estimates the Q8 is good for 18 mpg city and 23 highway.

Tests performed on the Q8 on highway fuel-efficient routes far exceeded the EPA highway ratings, yet it returned 28 mpg in 200 miles.

2025 Audi Q8 Color

The new colors replace last year’s tastes with Waitomo Blue metallic replacing Galaxy Blue metallic, Tamarind Brown metallic replacing Barrel Brown metallic, and Satellite Silver metallic replacing Florett Silver metallic.

2025 Audi Q8 Price

We will specifically pick the Audi Q8 Premium trim and enhance it with certain options. Its standout standard features already include a fully digital gauge cluster, built-in navigation, leather upholstery, heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and power-operated rear doors. Although 21-inch rims are standard, we still specified the Black Optic package for a sportier look.

we also added a convenience package (blind spot monitoring, rear traffic alert, wireless charging, and more) and a towing package. The latter unlocks the Q8’s maximum tow rating of 7,700 pounds, with the estimated price of the 2025 Audi Q8 as follows:

  • Premium $75,895
  • Premium Plus $79,995
  • Prestige $83,995

2025 Audi Q8 Release Date

So far, there is no official information regarding the 2025 Audi Q8 release schedule. However, we expect this Luxury SUV to appear in showrooms in the coming year. We will continue to monitor the release schedule and update it.

Verdict

The base trim doesn’t feel as special to test drive as the Q8’s sportier rivals. Another drawback is the lack of buttons inside, forcing you to rely more on the touchscreen, which can be a nuisance. Finally, you can’t justify the Q8 as a practical purchase if the three-row Q7 is cheaper and roomier.

Still, the Q8 is better than many coupe-style crossover SUVs out there, with ample space, also in the rear, plus a healthy trunk, even though it can only seat five people.

It may not be the sportiest SUV in its class, but for Audi fans looking to upgrade to an SUV, it’s an attractive alternative to the A8 for less. We’ll be back shortly with more information on the 2025 Audi Q7, so be sure to bookmark the Audi Car USA website for the latest information on the Audi Q7 and other Audi future-related updates.