Audi Q8 55 TFSI 2019 Review

To say that the new Audi Q8 drives like a sports car might be a bit of stretch, but the butch German SUV gives the idea a good nudge.

Based on the same MLB evo architecture that underpins the Lamborghini Urus and Porsche Cayenne, the Audi Q8 has sporty genetics and is an entertaining steer. The German SUV's nose tips eagerly into corners, the adaptive coil spring suspension and quattro all-wheel drive system providing a firm footing for the ultra-wide 285/45 tyres fitted to 21-inch alloy wheels. You can get 22-inchers if you want them, but only as part of an optional $11,000 package.

The steering isn't overflowing with feedback but given the vehicle's size and weight (it's big and fat) it can be confidently coaxed along challenging ribbons of asphalt. It's almost like a giant hot hatch in some ways: the firm suspension and potent 3.0-litre turbo V6 make the car feel smaller and more agile than it looks.

Drilling the throttle towards the conclusion of a long sweeping corner is a surprisingly satisfying process, the subdued thrum of the bent six adding a touch of drama to proceedings.

It's fast off the line too, with a claimed 5.9sec 0-100km/h sprint.

In the real world, and for most drivers, that acceleration time is likely to be around 6.5sec, but it still makes for a very rapid vehicle, via 250kW (at 5500rpm) and 500Nm of torque (at 2900rpm).

Not only does the almost five-metre-long (4986mm) German behemoth feel athletic, it looks athletic. The big, bold, octagonal grille is flanked by slim headlight clusters and big underslung air dams. If you see this visage in your rear-view mirror, you know it is not running a puny 2.0-litre engine.

In my book the designers have done a neat job of the rear and you'll notice more LED sculpting with vertical LED brake lights linked by a full-width rear LED light bar. This brings muscularity to the SUV's rump, not that it needed it.

The thickset Audi Q8 is a tabby cat's tooth shy of two metres wide (1995mm), which makes it wider than the Audi Q7 – but it's not quite as long (5052mm) nor is there a seven seat option.

As a cruiser the Audi Q8 does a top job.

The quiet, comfortable cabin and smooth powertrain conspire to create a comfortable and capable mile muncher. Overtaking is the high-riding wagon's middle name, the eight-speed automatic transmission always ready to pounce when the situation dictates rapidity.

Adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist make highway drives effortless but you'll pay for a fair whack of fuel over the course of a year. Consuming a combined 12.5L/100km during this week-long test (the claim is 9.2L/100km), the car's 48-volt mild-hybrid system is just that – mild.

A diesel option would be more efficient. The Audi Q8 50 TDI (210kW/600Nm) with its 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 is also priced at $128,900, but isn't quite as quick off the line.

During the morning commute the Q8 has pros and cons. The pros include a big, clear head-up display, traffic jam assist that takes care of acceleration, braking and mild steering duties and a super-sexy and very effective 360-degree, 3D camera system.

The cons? Without the addition of air suspension, which is only available as part of an $11,000 'premium plus' package, ride comfort can be a little firm at times.

The idle-stop system designed to save fuel when the vehicle is stationary shat itself on a couple of occasions. It would flick off, then on, then off again while stopped in traffic.

Time spent inside the Audi Q8 is not time wasted. It's absolutely gorgeous and a fitting evolution of Audi's interior design philosophy.

When you first hop into the car and hit the start button a tranquil melody plays briefly as all the screens power up. Usually favoured by Asian brands, this startup sequence is a bit different for Audi but not unwelcome… and then it's time for your eyes to feast on the glory of modern-day Teutonic interior design.

The traditional MMI control set, often incorporating four buttons and a dial, has been replaced by a pair of touchscreens dubbed 'MMI touch response'. As the name suggests touching either screen results in a mild pulse, or haptic feedback.

It's delightful.

The menu system is intuitive and I was whizzing through screens and figuring out all the digital nooks and crannies in minutes. The 10.1-inch top screen (infotainment) and 8.6-inch lower screen (climate control) are lovingly integrated into the dashboard and are finished with thick, high-quality glass whose satisfying 'click' when touched lends it a very premium feel.

These two touchscreens combine with a third LCD screen, a 10.2-inch virtual cockpit instrument cluster, to create a high-tech but highly functional automotive operations centre.

There are only a handful of 'hard' controls, 11 buttons in total, such as hazards lights and windscreen defogger. All the switchgear, the steering wheel and its control stalks have a premium feel to the way they actuate. I reckon the minimalist approach to the cabin, which seamlessly leverages high-tech wizardry, delivers one of the best-looking (and feeling) interior designs yet.

It's SUVs like this one and cars like the Lexus LS that take interior design to the next level. They are no longer cars, they’re designer micro-apartments.

Standard equipment includes things like tri-zone climate control, a 10-speaker stereo, all the new MMI touch response dual screen infotainment setup and virtual cockpit, a very good satellite navigation system plus heated and cooled power-adjustable leather front seats that are big and comfortable.

But this is where the Audi Q8's game begins to fall apart.

If you want a power adjustable steering column you'll have to pay $900. Massaging seats? Another $1050. Power assisted soft-closing doors? $1500. Woodgrain interior accents ($400) should be gratis, likewise a panoramic glass sunroof ($3550).

I know flagship vehicles are supposed to be exclusive and expensive but they're also supposed to have ALL the fruit, not just the mandarins and grapes.

There's a premium package ($11,000) that jacks up the price of the V6-powered Q8 significantly, by adding 22-inch alloy wheels, HD Matrix LED headlights, quad-zone climate control and a rear touchscreen, tinted windows and adaptive air suspension. The latter would dilute the cars rigid ride quality, but as far as I can tell is not offered as a standalone option. Natch.

Are Audi customers made of money? They'd want to be. The full leather package ($8900) ain't cheap and adds Nappa leather upholstery to the door armrests, centre console, dashboard, while adding electric sunblinds.

You want four-wheel steering? Another $4500, thanks. What about a thumping 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system with almost two kilowatts of acoustic muscle? That's $12,100.

Unless you choose black or white exterior paint, chuck another $2300 onto the price. The fancy Dragon orange metallic, Argus brown metallic, Floret silver metallic, Daytona grey metallic, Orca Black metallic, Galaxy blue metallic and Navarra blue metallic all cost extra.

In terms of practicality, the back seats of the Q8 SUV are spacious but as mentioned there's no seven-seat option like the Audi Q7 and the boot is smaller too – 605 litres versus the Q7's 770 litres. Fold the back seats down and the Q8 flagship offers 1755 litres which is pretty good for shifting bigger objects, and I got my bicycle in there without removing the front wheel, no dramas.

With big, bold lines and appealing proportions that haven't been seen on an Audi SUV this big for quite some time, the new flagship SUV is jam-packed full of luxury – very much like an Audi A8 wagon on stilts.

It can even tow a fairly big load, up to 3500kg (braked), with around 10 per cent towball limit (350kg).

The deluxe German SUV has decent levels of practicality and the raised rise height improves ingress and egress, loading cargo and outward vision. It's a delight to drive, quiet and refined, and looks amazing whether parking in a drive-way or cruising down to the beach house.

What it doesn't do is offer all the bells and whistles, which for a flagship SUV is somewhat disappointing.

How much does the 2019 Audi Q8 55 TFSI cost?
Price: $129,900 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 250kW/500Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 12.5L/100km (as tested)
CO2: 210g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: TBA