Solid European mid-size luxury electric SUV
Can the quality of a car be judged by the sound of the driver’s door when it is closed? Does it feel solid and make a loud sound? If these are some of your check boxes when shopping for a quality vehicle, the 2024 Audi Q4 Sportback E-tron Quattro will probably appeal to you.
There’s something about driving a German car, and Audi doesn’t disappoint with its all-electric midsize luxury SUV.
The first fully electric Audi SUV
Audi’s first pure EV E-tron was introduced in 2018, and now in 2024 there are five E-tron models – Q4, Q4 Sportback, Q8, Q8 Sportback and GT, all but the last of which are SUVs (with more to come). Audi has changed its nomenclature – the 2024 Clean Fleet Report Q8 E-tron driven last year was originally called the E-tron.
We spent an enjoyable week in the smooth-riding, comfortable five-passenger Q8 Sportback E-tron Quattro. Here is our opinion.
performance
The two electric motors, one front and one rear, produce 402 horsepower and 414 pound-feet of torque. The Audi Quattro all-wheel drive system goes from 0 to 60 in about 5.2 seconds, which is pretty good for a 5,798-pound SUV. The EPA rates the 2024 Q8 E-tron Quattro at 296 miles of electric driving range. This is on the threshold of the 300-mile all-electric range that has become the baseline for electric vehicles. Audi knows its customers and is confident that any question of range will be happily balanced by the luxury of this mid-size SUV.
The Q8 E-tron Quattro has the most impressive instant torque for an electric vehicle at any speed through a single-speed transmission. Press the right pedal and linear acceleration is unaffected by gear changes that cause the petrol car to momentarily lose momentum. Being exhilarated is a pleasure and Audi has done that very well. Drive Select offers driver-selectable driving modes – Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual – each of which adjusts the steering and suspension settings, providing a different driving experience.
Audi doesn’t market the Q8 E-tron Quattro as an SUV, but it’s a car that handles smoothly on the highway and around town, with variable steering that makes city driving a breeze. It’s not designed for taking corners at high speeds, and the weight can be felt when pushed too hard, but any body roll is easily controlled. Hankook Ventus S1 Evo 3 EV 265/40 summer tires are mounted on 22-inch 6-spoke design wheels, giving them good grip. Braking is done by 6-piston front calipers and single calipers at the rear with ABS and electronic brake distribution with electronic stability control.
The steering was heavy enough to get good road feedback but not so much that it needed to be rocked through a corner. The progressive, software-assisted steering system is designed for quicker, less intrusive steering by the driver, making it feel more direct, with good road feel.
The adaptive air suspension made highway driving a dream, and the low coefficient of drag (Cd) of 0.27 cut through the air with little to no wind noise. When equipped with the optional trailer hitch and 7-pin connector, the Q8 E-tron Quattro can tow 4,000 pounds.
shipping
The Q8 E-tron has a 196 kWh battery that can be charged in four ways.
Level 1 is when plugged into a common 120V household outlet. This is the long and slow method that will recharge a dead battery in about 80 hours. Level 2 is what most owners will know after installing a 240V charger in their home. This reduces charging time to 13 hours at 9.6 kW or 6.5 hours with a 19.2 kW charger. DC fast charging is where having an electric car like the Q8 becomes convenient for long-range road trips. Using a 170 kW charger, it takes 31 minutes to charge 10% – 80%. To take full advantage of DC fast charging technology, Audi Q8 E-tron owners get two years of free fast charging through the Electrify America network at 900 stations and more than 4,000 chargers in North America.
It is important to note that cold weather can affect charging time and driving range. Nathan Hoyt, director of product communications at Audi of America, told us that the Q8 E-tron uses its thermal management system to ensure the battery quickly reaches its optimal efficiency range and stays there while driving, whether starting from a cold start in the winter. Or fast driving on highways on hot summer days. The driver can also set auxiliary temperatures for climate control and departure time, so, while plugged in, the cabin can be set to the desired temperature before departure, providing a bit of range for either hot or cold.
Regenerative braking is the fourth charging method, and is a seamless way to recharge the battery while driving. Using the steering wheel paddles, braking actually comes from the electric motors reversing their direction, not from the brakes being applied. This method converts kinetic energy into electricity when decelerating or reversing.
There are two concerns about regenerative braking in the Q8 E-tron. Firstly, it does not enjoy one-pedal driving, as the car will come to a complete stop and stop without touching the brakes. The Q8 E-tron will slow to almost zero, but then you’ll have to press the brake pedal to engage auto hold. It works, but it’s not as comfortable and doesn’t offer as much technology as competing electric cars.
The other problem is: While the Q8 E-tron’s regenerative braking system has three levels adjusted by the steering wheel paddles (flashes with the left paddle for more, three on the right paddle for less), there’s no way to adjust braking intensity. Braking. We would have liked it to be more powerful and return more power to the battery, which would have made driving more enjoyable. Once you master one-pedal regenerative braking, in almost all conditions, you don’t even need to touch the brake pedal. This means that the left fingers slow the car (left paddle) and the right paddle releases the engine so acceleration can resume. On a twisty or winding mountain road, it’s great to navigate corners smoothly without feeling any gear changes or brake slack.
Refined cabin
The Q8 E-tron’s interior is spacious, with the air suspension smoothing out bumps and dips, providing a very comfortable ride. Quietness is the rule here, aided by dual acoustic glass on the side windows, making it one of the quietest midsize SUVs I’ve driven.
The interior attention to detail is evident. The seams between panels are tight, and the look is classic German – not ostentatious or modern. The interior of the Q8 E-tron was flint gray with orange stitching. The use of soft materials, brushed aluminium, anthracite grille, natural wood inlays and gloss black inlays provide a complete look.
The supportive heated and ventilated front seats, covered in soft and supple Valcona Milano leather, have everything solid, including massage, lumbar, and 8-way driver and 4-way passenger adjustments. The heated rear seats provide plenty of leg, head and shoulder room for two adults, and three for short trips. Rear passengers get air vents and digital climate controls, manual side window shades, two USB charging-only ports and a 12-volt power outlet. The back seat is split 40:20:20 with a foldable armrest and cup holders. Cargo space is 27.2 cubic feet with the rear seat up, and 54.5 cubic feet when folded flat.
The 12.3-inch virtual cockpit can be configured to switch between maps, music playlists and the traditional large round gauges with white numbers on a black background. Audi hasn’t gotten rid of all other buttons and switchgear, but most controls are either via the leather-wrapped, heated, four-spoke multifunction steering wheel or by touching the upper 10.1-inch and lower 8.6-inch displays. The lower screen is dedicated to controlling the four-zone automatic climate system, while the upper screen is dedicated to the audio system, navigation and vehicle systems. The menu was easy to learn and didn’t require going through multiple screens to find what you were looking for.
Our Q8 E-tron Quattro had a head-up display, surround-view camera, adaptive cruise control, an impressive 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system, FM/SiriusXM radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system is not equipped with an AM radio.
The panoramic sunroof is equipped with an electric sunshade. There are internal storage spaces in the doors, under the floor of the cargo area and in the front luggage compartment (rear trunk). The box is small but useful for hiding some valuables out of sight.
safety
There is an extensive list of standard and optional Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including front and side airbags (front and rear), forward collision warning and avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, and electronic warning control. In stability and traction, along with four-wheel anti-lock brakes and a tire pressure monitoring system.
The 2024 Audi Q8 E-tron has not been rated by the National Highway Traffic Administration, but the 2023 E-tron received 5 stars, the highest safety rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it a top rating for 2024 as a Top Safety Pick+.
a guarantee
The 2024 Audi Q8 E-tron comes with these warranties:
New vehicle – four years/50,000 miles Battery – eight years/100,000 miles Maintenance – one year/10,000 miles Roadside assistance – four years/unlimited miles Corrosion – 12 years/unlimited miles
Pricing
The 2024 Audi Q8 E-tron Quattro comes in four models with these base prices including the $1,195 destination and delivery fee.
E-tron $75,595 E-tron Sportback $78,995 SQ8 E-tron $90,995 SQ8 E-tron Sportback $92,600
Clean Fleet Report drove the 2024 Q8 Sportback E-tron Quattro, with the S Line package, to a base price of $89,395, including the mandatory $1,195 destination charge. With $6,795 worth of options, the total price came to $95,395.
Note: Under the inflation control law, the MSRP for electric vehicles must be $80,000 or less for SUVs, minivans, and trucks. All other electric vehicles must be priced at $55,000 or less. However, there are other caveats and limitations to qualifying for the federal tax credit, or state tax credit, so talk to your CPA before visiting an Audi dealer.
Notes: 2024 Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron quattro
The 2024 Audi E-tron is in its fifth year, but the first with the new name Q8 E-tron. The exterior is classic Audi of simplicity and elegance, and the luxurious interior is a place you’ll want to spend time. The equipment list is long, the driver safety systems are strong, and the infotainment system is excellent.
The Q8 E-tron rides smoothly and quietly, with the air suspension shifting from comfortable on the highway to firmer when in Dynamic mode. After driving 339 miles through Southern California, we’ve come to appreciate the Q8 E-tron as a pretty cool electric car. This review only begins to talk about the features available to customize your Q8 E-tron.
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The story of John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and Audi.
Disclosure:
The Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, usually for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on driving the new vehicle for one week. For this reason, we do not address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events that highlight new vehicles or technologies. As part of these events, we may be offered free transportation, accommodation or meals. We do our best to provide our honest vehicle reviews and news regardless of these incentives.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer best-in-class fuel economy, which leads us to focus on electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and diesel vehicles. We also offer those gas-efficient vehicles that rank among the best mpg in their class. In addition, we aim to provide reviews and news about the advanced technology and alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are committed to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your opinions at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.
