Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro 2024 Review
Audi’s new plug-in hybrid luxury family SUV promises strong performance and high efficiency, but has its limitations in the real worldIt’s already the poshest SUV Audi sells in Australia, and now the Q8 has a new selling point with the introduction of plug-in hybrid petrol power. The new Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro combines a petrol V6 with an electric motor to purportedly provide the best of both worlds – strong performance and low consumption, including a pure-electric driving range. It does so while pertaining to Audi’s well-executed exterior and cabin design, first-rate tech and safety. It’s seemingly a knock-out punch on paper, but the real-world equation isn’t quite as compelling.
How much does the Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro cost?
The 2024 Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro sits atop the regular Q8 line-up in Australia, available in one highly-specified trim and priced at $148,375 plus on-road costs.
That effectively positions the new Q8 PHEV $15,000 upstream of the diesel-powered Q8 50 TDI (from $132,269 plus ORCs) and the petrol-powered Q8 55 TFSI (from $133,569 plus ORCs).
With Audi recently repositioning its e-tron SUV under the Q8 banner, only the Q8 e-tron exceeds the plug-in hybrid in the line-up, priced from $153,900 plus on-road costs.
The Q8 60 TFSI e quattro competes directly with other plug-in hybrid large luxury SUVs like the BMW X5 xDrive 50e (from $149,900 plus ORCs), Land Rover Defender 110 P400e (from $139,300), Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe (from $129,950), Porsche Cayenne e-Hybrid (from $154,600) and Volvo XC90 PHEV (from $128,990).
What equipment comes with the Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro?
Introduced to Australia as part of a facelifted 2024 Audi Q8 range, the Q8 60 TFSI e quattro sports a new ‘Singleframe’ grille, tweaked bumpers, all-new Matrix LED headlights, optional OLED tail-lights, modernised badging and fresh wheels.
There’s also plenty of black highlights courtesy of a black exterior styling package, as well as privacy glass, panoramic sunroof, electric tailgate, heated front seats, three-zone climate control, Valcona leather upholstery, LED interior lighting, illuminated door sill trims, puddle lights and much more.
The Q8 60 TFSI e quattro is backed by Audi’s five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty in Australia. According to the manufacturer, a five-year/75,000km servicing plan will set owners back $3570 based on 12-month/15,000km intervals.
Our test car wears metallic paint ($2300), 22-inch alloy wheels ($2300) and a full leather package ($8900).
How safe is the Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro?
The 2024 Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro is very safe, backed up by a five-star ANCAP safety rating awarded in 2019.
The regular safety kit includes a full suite of airbags (eight in total), adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and traffic jam assist, 360-degree cameras with kerb view function, Audi pre-sense front and pre-sense rear (incorporating autonomous emergency braking and rear cross traffic assist), Audi active lane assist, Audi side assist with cross traffic assist, collision avoidance assist and turn assist plus intersection assist.
What technology does the Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro feature?
The 2024 Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro lives up to its positioning where tech and gadgets are concerned.
Infotainment comprises two central haptic displays – a 10.1-inch screen up top controlling key tech and vehicle functions, underslung by a separate 8.6-inch display for climate – plus a virtual cockpit display and head-up display in front of the driver.
There’s also digital radio, sat-nav, wireless and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system as standard.
Furthermore, the infotainment system can now run apps from third-party providers like Spotify and Amazon Music without needing to dial up Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
What powers the Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro?
The 2024 Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro takes the 250kW 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6 from the Q7 and Q8 and adds a 100kW/400Nm electric motor that draws energy from a 17.9kWh lithium-ion battery.
Total claimed outputs for the plug-in hybrid powertrain are 340kW and 700Nm.
Acceleration from 0-100km/h takes 5.4sec, while the pure-electric driving range is a claimed 59km (based on the more lenient NEDC cycle) – 47km using the WLTP standard – but more on that shortly.
An eight-speed automatic transmission and Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system are included.
One big talking point with the battery is that it can only be charged via AC power, effectively ruling out public DC fast-chargers. Using an AC connection, it will take owners about 2.5 hours to fully replenish the battery.
How fuel efficient is the Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro?
The 2024 Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro’s efficiency is largely academic and will depend on your proximity to chargers and the length of your commute.
Audi claims a fuel consumption average of just 2.6L/100km. However, with a pure-electric range of up to 59km (NEDC) – or a more realistic 47km (WLTP) – once you’ve expended all the electricity on-board you are effectively driving around in a heavier petrol-powered vehicle.
Over a 514km trip, which included lots of highway driving and country roads, we averaged 9.1L/100km. That came after first exhausting the electric power (which lasted 39km) and then using a combination of combined petrol-electric juice and petrol power alone.
An 85-litre fuel tank means a combined range easily exceeding 800km in practice.
What is the Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro like to drive?
The 2024 Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro drives much like any other Q8 model, which is no bad thing.
Aided by adaptive air suspension fitted standard, the PHEV’s ride quality – even on 22-inch wheels – is controlled and compliant, and there is a light, user-friendly veneer to all of the key controls.
We took issue with the accelerator pedal of our test car, which felt quite tepid upon pulling away from a standstill.
Otherwise, the driving environment is serene and controlled with no perceptible change from inside the cabin as the vehicle switches between electric or petrol power.
There are four different driving modes separate to the Drive select functions: EV driving, Auto Hybrid, Battery Hold and Battery Charge.
Irrespective of driving mode, outside noise is supremely hushed on different surfaces and the Q8 changes direction admirably, especially considering its circa-2400kg kerb weight.
Our 24-hour loan period didn’t extend to any serious dynamic duties this time round, but in isolation the Q8 feels heavier and a tad more lethargic than pure combustion versions of the Q8, and not as clever or adaptable on-road as the recently updated Q8 e-tron.
Can the Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro go off-road?
It can, so long as your definition of off-road is mostly limited to light gravel roads or gentle slopes.
The 2024 Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro comes armed with a hill hold function and hill descent control, plus the clever quattro all-wheel drive system, though a minimum ground clearance of 205mm ultimately puts paid to any serious off-road endeavours.
What is the Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro like inside?
Audi is still one of the best at interiors, and the new 2024 Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro is a compelling case in point.
From the use of different materials to the dazzling haptic displays, comfortable seats and consistent panel gaps, there are no complaints about the way the Q8 is put together.
The integration of technology is done well, too. And although it is shy on physical switchgear and buttons, the haptic displays are an effective replacement.
But in all its efforts to combine the best of both worlds, there is some compromise: the boot is 100 litres smaller than combustion equivalents because of the underfloor battery (505L with the second-row seats in place), while the front seating area lacks the cavernous storage of the Q8 e-tron.
Space in the first two rows is quite accommodating and indeed suitable for families, with ISOFIX attachment points on the rear outboard pews and three top-tether strap points across the rear bench.
It’s a lush environment and one that will easily accommodate four adult passengers on longer journeys.
Should I buy an Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro?
The 2024 Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro makes a serious statement on paper, but ultimately falls short in practice.
The hefty pricing premium, limited electric range, weightier dynamics and smaller boot are just some of the compromises prospective buyers are going to have to make.
And when the regular petrol and diesel Q8s are similarly efficient in practice – unless your trips are mostly short and you are diligent at recharging the battery – it makes the additional spend for the PHEV a lofty ask.
Or, taken another way, you could have a pure-electric Q8 e-tron for similar money.
To make the Q8 60 TFSI e quattro truly worthwhile, you’d want a real-world EV range closer to 100km for Aussie pundits to seriously consider one. But in many respects, the ship has sailed.
2024 Audi Q8 60 TFSI e quattro at a glance:
Price: $148,375 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: 3.0-litre V6 turbo petrol-electric
Output: 250kW/450Nm (electric motor: 140kW/400Nm)
Combined output: 340kW/700Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Battery: 17.9kWh lithium-ion
Range: 47km (WLTP)
Fuel: 2.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 60g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)
Related: Audi Q8 PHEV priced
Related: Audi Q8 sharpens up
Related: Audi Q8 e-tron pricing and specs
Related: Audi Q5 55 TFSI e 2023 Review
- Lush interior and wonderfully understated exterior design
- Family-friendly proportions and cleverly executed layout
- Can be efficient if tailored to your driving habits, but claimed 2.6L/100km is largely academic
- Limited electric driving range, and battery can only be charged via AC connection
- Feels heavy and ultimately dynamically dull on-road, smaller boot than regular Q8
- Will take a long time (if ever) to recoup $15,000 premium over standard petrol and diesel Q8
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