Serene, Solid, and Tight-Road Ready: The 2024 Audi Q8 E-Tron Up-Close

The EV market is getting a bit crowded, with many of the usual players in the game boasting models with solid range and efficiency. The 2024 Audi Q8 E-Tron arrives on the scene with improved aerodynamics, new fast charging capability, and sweet roomy cruiser vibes. Much like the gas-powered Q8, the e-tron sits at the top of the range and smartly instills a unique sense of glamour.

The 2024 Audi Q8 E-Tron Up-Close

The Car and Driver review team got behind the wheel of the Sportback Launch Edition and avidly reported back to the 4-wheel-loving masses on their thoughts! They tested the dark-chrome S line trim with orange-piped leather interior, boasting a redesigned grille and headlights that bode well with the now slightly wider body. The new styling changes also reduce drag, also courtesy of the brand-new wheel designs. There is also brand-new bodywork around the wheel that provides resistance against incoming wind during the drive.

“Discs of Tron?” the Q8’s during-drive manners

The experienced testers from The Drive magazine got to wind through 200 miles of scenic Northern California roads, which would be an excellent location to let this new Audi fully unwrap. They were able to embark on some twisty segments north of San Francisco on the Pacific Coast Highway, no doubt enjoying the e-tron’s 5.3-second zero to 60 time. Here they reflected that the power output had a progressive characteristic, allowing for a satisfying extra push during the midrange.

They drove the Sportback S Line with its 265-wide Continental summer tires, offering excellent ride quality with the air suspension set to “comfort”. Any sudden bumps in the road were effectively smoothed out, minus the disjointed sensation that many other EVs suffer from. It was decided that the favorite setup was dynamic mode with the gear selector set to S, which drops the car to its lowest ride height and massively firms up the suspension.

The lowdown on the battery-powered bravado:

The 2023 e-tron models averaged around 225-226 miles of range, and this year has seen a drastic improvement. There is now an EPA-estimated 285 miles for the standard version, and 296 miles dialed in for the Sportback. The new model’s rear motor gets extra windings that allow it to create a stronger magnetic field that adds up to more torque, and a drop in energy consumption.

The 2024 Q8’s DC fast-charging time should be able to go from 10 to 80 percent in around 31 minutes. Paddles on the steering wheel are a straightforward way to adjust brake-energy regeneration, and expert drive testers have ranked the overall brake feel as “grabby and fantastic.” The Q8’s interior thrives on a design that could be a bit more brash but still has a subtle and easygoing character.

A few other sharply innovative + tech-rich additions:

Audi also beefed up the Q8’s 4-wheel, five-link fully independent suspension, and there’s also now a much quicker steering ratio. Now you are working with 14,6:1 as opposed to the outgoing model’s 15.8:1, which is quite a bit more agile than its massive curb weight would dictate. As they set themselves to the always-thrilling task of throwing the car around tight corners, the steering wheel’s feedback was able to provide some fitting weight when they drifted off-center.

While eagerly pressing the throttle down, the Q8 offered up a firmly grounded sensation, with its weight well-dispersed even during sudden braking. The team then got to move on to the Q8 e-tron Prestige, wrapped in 21-inch all-season tires. This EV was a bit on the boxier side, and once the drivers switched to D and put the air suspension back to comfort, the amazing noise-canceling powers of the vehicle were evident.

Other reflections post-Redwoods cruise:

The Drive.com team was somewhat amazed to look down after a run through the lush Sequoias of the Redwoods and realize that they had just over 30 miles left to go! The Q8 was so pleasant to drive that they completely lost track of their allotted time. With a combined 402 horsepower from two motors, they concluded that this is the ideal amount of power for an SUV of this size. It’s not so salacious that you need to back off in fear if you find yourself getting in a bit heavy-footed.

Since the crew had to stop several times due to road construction, the e-tron Prestige’s massaging seats were excellent at killing time while offering comfort. For level 2 home charging, the standard 9.6-kW unit refills the battery in about 13 hours, with an optional 19.2-kW setup completing the task in just half that time. The Q8 e-tron will undoubtedly be a “joy to drive fast or slow.” Car aficionados worldwide have enjoyed watching this brand mature with undeniably graceful age. Audi’s approach has recently grown into high-end vibe-inducing creations that have a touch akin to Lexus and BMW, yet with their own luxurious personality.

Is the 2024 Audi Q8 E-Tron adequate for today’s driver?

The Kbb team claimed that the Q8 e-tron is a “dazzling luxury SUV with everything we love about Audi but electrified.” Rivaling the Mercedes-EQ EQE SUV, the BMW iX, and the Cadillac Lyriq, you can choose from your preference for a practical SUV, sleek sport back body, or this high-performance SQ8. With its increased battery capacity andcharging performance, it seems to offer the perfect balance of substance and capability. Tell us what you think about the Q8 e-tron in the comments below, or check out another article about the 2021 Audi A4.