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Photo of a Audi Q8

Audi Q8

Q7 bones, 7:36.698 Nürburgring lap: the RS Q8 performance.12

Researched October 28, 2026 from 32 sources

Also called

  • the cheaper UrusApplied to the RS Q8 for its lower price than its Lamborghini relative.3
  • Racing Utility VehicleABT's label for its tuned RSQ8 Signature Edition, linking its road-going SUV to its racing roots.4

At a glance

0400800
228–800 hpPower
0510
3.2–7.1 s0–100 km/h
0175350
208–315 km/hTop speed
05001,000
500–1,000 N·mTorque
01,2502,500
2,070–2,481 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.471012

Engine
3.0 L V6 or 4.0 L V8, gasoline/diesel; V6 plug-in hybrids7
Layout
Front-engine, all-wheel drive; five seats711
Gearbox
8-speed Tiptronic automatic (ZF 8HP)7
Built at
Volkswagen Bratislava Plant, Slovakia7

The story

Audi created the five-seat Q8 for style-conscious buyers who could skip the Q7's third row. Its MLB Evo platform also underpins the Q7, Lamborghini Urus, Porsche Cayenne and Bentley Bentayga.156

2017: Detroit and Geneva preview the Q820172019: SQ8 TDI brings 900 Nm · RS Q8 debuts at the LA Auto Show20192020: Gasoline SQ8 and first Q8 plug-ins20202022: 96 ABT Signatures carry trophy fragments20222023: Q8 gains selectable light signatures20232024: TFSI e gets a 25.9 kWh gross battery · 7:36.698 at the Nürburgring2024 Audi Q8 concept: 2017Audi Q8 conceptAudi Q8 Sport concept: 2017Audi Q8 Sport conceptAudi Q8 (Mk1): 2018–presentMk1 201620172018201920202021202220232024202520262027
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones17811
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
2017Audi Q8 concept
2017Audi Q8 Sport concept
2018–presentAudi Q8 (Mk1)
2017Detroit and Geneva preview the Q8
2019SQ8 TDI brings 900 Nm
2019RS Q8 debuts at the LA Auto Show
2020Gasoline SQ8 and first Q8 plug-ins
202296 ABT Signatures carry trophy fragments
2023Q8 gains selectable light signatures
2024TFSI e gets a 25.9 kWh gross battery
20247:36.698 at the Nürburgring
  1. 2017

    Detroit and Geneva preview the Q8

    The Q8 concept debuts in Detroit, then Q8 Sport appears in Geneva; design chief Marc Lichte says the latter is 95 percent production-ready.78

  2. 2019

    SQ8 TDI brings 900 Nm

    A 4.0 L biturbo diesel V8 launches with 429 hp and 900 Nm; a 48-volt electric compressor fills in boost at low revs.7

  3. 2019

    RS Q8 debuts at the LA Auto Show

    With 592 hp, it hits 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds; air suspension and four-wheel steering come aboard. Dynamic Plus allows 305 km/h.79

  4. 2020

    Gasoline SQ8 and first Q8 plug-ins

    The gasoline SQ8 makes 500 hp and tests at 3.6 seconds to 60 mph. The 55/60 TFSI e plug-ins add 375/455 hp; the 55 claims 45 km electric range.1011

  5. 2022

    96 ABT Signatures carry trophy fragments

    ABT's RSQ8 Signature Edition reaches 800 hp and 1,000 Nm; each of 96 cars carries a fragment of Johann Abt's first winning trophy.4

  6. 2023

    Q8 gains selectable light signatures

    The September update brings laser-assisted HD Matrix LED headlights and OLED rear lights with four selectable designs.12

  7. 2024

    TFSI e gets a 25.9 kWh gross battery

    Updated plug-ins claim up to 90 km electric city range; all-wheel steering and active roll stabilization become options for the first time.13

  8. 2024

    7:36.698 at the Nürburgring

    The 631-hp, 850 Nm RS Q8 performance sets a production-SUV lap record and becomes Audi Sport's most powerful production combustion model.2

Every generation

  • Audi Q7
    Audi Q7
  • Audi Q8 Sport concept
    Audi Q8 Sport concept2017
  • Audi Q8
    Mk12018–present

Power over the years

From 282 hp to 800 hp in 4 years.

0200400600800 2018202020222024 hp 2018 · 282 hp · Q8 50 TDI2019 · 228 hp · Q8 45 TDI2019 · 335 hp · Q8 55 TFSI2019 · 429 hp · SQ8 TDI2019 · 592 hp · RS Q82020 · 375 hp · Q8 55 TFSI e2020 · 455 hp · Q8 60 TFSI e2020 · 500 hp · SQ8 TFSI2022 · 800 hp · ABT RSQ8 Signature Edition (tuned)2024 · 388 hp · Q8 55 TFSI e battery update2024 · 631 hp · RS Q8 performance 800 hp ABT RSQ8 Signature Edition (tuned) 282 hp Q8 50 TDI
24711131415
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2018282Q8 50 TDI
2019228Q8 45 TDI
2019335Q8 55 TFSI
2019429SQ8 TDI
2019592RS Q8
2020375Q8 55 TFSI e
2020455Q8 60 TFSI e
2020500SQ8 TFSI
2022800ABT RSQ8 Signature Edition (tuned)
2024388Q8 55 TFSI e battery update
2024631RS Q8 performance

Versions

7 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Q8 Premium Plus

    Standard

    Q8 Premium Plus

    2019

    335 hp

  • Standard

    Q8 S line / Black Edition / Launch Edition / Vorsprung

    2024

  • SQ8 TDI

    Performance

    SQ8 TDI

    2019–2020

    429 hp
  • ABT RSQ8-R

    Limited

    ABT RSQ8-R

    730 hp

    125 built

  • Limited

    ABT RSQ8 Legacy Edition

    750 hp

    125 built

  • Limited

    ABT RSQ8 Signature Edition

    2022

    790 hp

    96 built

  • Limited

    RS Q8 Qatar Special Edition

    2022

    20 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • A continuous rear light bar crosses a black tailgate panel.522
  • Sail-shaped rear pillars echo the original Quattro coupe.1
  • Boxy flared wheelarches recall the Sport Quattro rally car.5
  • The low roof stays fairly level before dropping toward the rear pillars.22

Year by year

  1. 2024 facelift

    Reshaped bumpers and larger front intakes; base grilles get teardrop inserts, while S line and SQ8 TFSI get L shapes.712

  2. 2024 facelift

    Optional HD Matrix laser headlights show blue accents; these and optional OLED taillights offer four selectable signatures.712

  3. 2024 facelift

    Flat white-and-black rings replace chrome; B-pillar labels identify the model, derivative and technology.712

  4. 2024 facelift

    Sakhir Gold, Ascari Blue and Chili Red paints arrive, alongside five new wheel designs from 21 to 23 inches.712

  5. 2024 RS Q8 facelift

    3D honeycomb grille; available checkered-flag daytime lights and OLED rear lamps with five selectable signatures.27

Don’t confuse it with

  • Audi Q7

    The Q8 is shorter, lower and wider than the Q7, with a sloping roofline.7

  • Photo of a Audi Q8
    Q8
    Photo of a BMW X6
    BMW X6

    BMW X6

    Look for BMW's kidney grille and a swoopier roof; the Q8 keeps a squarer rear roofline.6

  • Photo of a Audi Q8
    Q8
    Photo of a Audi Q8 e-tron
    Audi Q8 e-tron

    Audi Q8 e-tron

    The e-tron suffix identifies a separate battery-electric family, originally sold simply as e-tron.7

Against its rivals

  • Q8 vs BMW X6 xDrive35i

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    Q85.7 s
    BMW X6 xDrive35i5.8 s
    23
  • Mercedes-AMG GLE43

    Q8 vs Mercedes-AMG GLE43

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    Q85.7 s
    Mercedes-AMG GLE435.2 s
    23
  • BMW X6 xDrive30d M Sport

    Q8 vs BMW X6 xDrive30d M Sport

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    Q86.2 s
    BMW X6 xDrive30d M Sport6.4 s
    6
  • Lamborghini Urus

    Q8 vs Lamborghini Urus

    Power

    Q8500 hp
    Lamborghini Urus641 hp
    10

Prices

Value today $25.3K–$81.5K2627

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$50K$100K$150K 201820202022202420262028 Value today: $25,250–$81,500 2019 · $68,395 · US Q8 Premium, base2019 · $72,395 · US Q8 Premium Plus, base2019 · $77,545 · US Q8 Prestige, base2019 · $90,440 · US Q8 S-Line, as tested2020 · $89,995 · US SQ8, base2020 · $95,495 · US SQ8 Prestige, base2020 · $107,490 · US SQ8, as tested 2019 · $68,395 · US base price, 2019 model year 2024 · $81,500 · 2021 RS Q8, 17k miles, ceramics; front damage, BaT2025 · $70,000 · 2021 RS Q8, 10k miles; recovered after theft, BaT2025 · $82,000 · 2024 SQ8 Prestige, 14k miles, BaT2025 · $73,000 · 2021 SQ8 Prestige, 4,800 miles, BaT2026 · $78,000 · 2024 SQ8, 7k miles, S Sport; open recall, BaT2026 · $25,250 · 2019 Q8 Premium Plus, 69k miles; open recall, BaT2026 · $81,500 · 2023 RS Q8, 30k miles, Carbon; clean Carfax, BaT2026 · $60,000 · 2026 Q8, mileage 2,543, Bidbus $82.0K BaT, 2025
510171823262729303132
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2019Launch price$68,395US base price, 2019 model year
2019Price when new$68,395US Q8 Premium, base
2019Price when new$72,395US Q8 Premium Plus, base
2019Price when new$77,545US Q8 Prestige, base
2019Price when new$90,440US Q8 S-Line, as tested
2020Price when new$89,995US SQ8, base
2020Price when new$95,495US SQ8 Prestige, base
2020Price when new$107,490US SQ8, as tested
2024Auction sale$81,5002021 RS Q8, 17k miles, ceramics; front damage, BaT
2025Auction sale$70,0002021 RS Q8, 10k miles; recovered after theft, BaT
2025Auction sale$82,0002024 SQ8 Prestige, 14k miles, BaT
2025Auction sale$73,0002021 SQ8 Prestige, 4,800 miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$78,0002024 SQ8, 7k miles, S Sport; open recall, BaT
2026Auction sale$25,2502019 Q8 Premium Plus, 69k miles; open recall, BaT
2026Auction sale$81,5002023 RS Q8, 30k miles, Carbon; clean Carfax, BaT
2026Auction sale$60,0002026 Q8, mileage 2,543, Bidbus
2026Value today$25,250–$81,500

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 7 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “7 minutes, 42 seconds at the Nordschleife”
    • “7:36.698 on the full Nordschleife”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 4 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 32 sources
  1. 2019 Audi Q8 Is What Luxury Sedans Have Become caranddriver.com
  2. Audi Sport GmbH’s most powerful SUVs: The new RS Q8 performance and the updated RS Q8 | audi.com audi.com
  3. Audi RS Q8 2025 review – an RS6 on stilts? | evo evo.co.uk
  4. The limited "RSQ8 Signature Edition" with 800 HP and 1,000 Nm - Audi Tuning, VW Tuning, Chiptuning von ABT Sportsline. abt-sportsline.com
  5. 2019 Audi Q8 Road Test and Review | Autoweb autoweb.com
  6. BMW X6 vs Audi Q8 | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  7. Audi Q8 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  8. What the Q8 Sport Says About Audi's Future motortrend.com
  9. 2020 Audi RS Q8 First Drive Review: The 591-HP Super-SUV | Automobile motortrend.com
  10. Tested: 2020 Audi SQ8 Drives like a Discount Lamborghini Urus caranddriver.com
  11. Used Audi Q8 (Mk1, 2018-date) buyer’s guide: refined but expensive to run | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  12. Expressive design and new lighting technology – the upgraded Audi Q8 | audi.com audi.com
  13. Maximum efficiency in ample space: the new Audi Q7 TFSI e quattro and Q8 TFSI e quattro | audi.com audi.com
  14. Audi Q8 nieuwe topmodel binnen Audi’s SUV-gamma nieuws.audi.nl
  15. Spitzen-Leistung: der Audi SQ8 TDI | Audi Medienportal audipress.ch
  16. New Audi Q8 facelift: range-topping SUV to start from £75k | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  17. 2024 Audi SQ8 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $78,000 on January 31, 2026 (Lot #228,443) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  18. 2021 Audi RS Q8 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $81,500 on September 5, 2024 (Lot #161,452) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  19. ABT RSQ8-R sold out at 125 units - Audi Tuning, VW Tuning, Chiptuning von ABT Sportsline. abt-sportsline.com
  20. ABT RSQ8-LE - Audi Tuning, VW Tuning, Chiptuning von ABT Sportsline. abt-sportsline.com
  21. Qatar exclusive: Audi RS Q8 Special Edition - Audi Club North America audiclubna.org
  22. Behind the Lines of the 2019 Audi Q8 motortrend.com
  23. 2019 Audi Q8 First Test: Polarizing Performer motortrend.com
  24. Q8 Unleashed | Audi Magazine Australia magazine.audi.com.au
  25. The Crew Motorfest Season 3 Content Overview ubisoft.com
  26. No Reserve: 2019 Audi Q8 Premium Plus for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $25,250 on February 11, 2026 (Lot #229,621) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  27. 2023 Audi RS Q8 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $81,500 on August 25, 2026 (Lot #259,586) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  28. Used Audi Q8 review - ReDriven redriven.com
  29. No Reserve: 2021 Audi RS Q8 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $70,000 on December 23, 2025 (Lot #224,616) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  30. 2026 Audi Q8 Auction Result #11790 - Bidbus bidbus.com
  31. 2024 Audi SQ8 Prestige for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $82,000 on November 8, 2025 (Lot #218,835) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  32. 4,800-Mile 2021 Audi SQ8 Prestige for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $73,000 on August 31, 2025 (Lot #207,849) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • audi.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • abt-sportsline.com
  • autoweb.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • motortrend.com
  • nieuws.audi.nl
  • audipress.ch
  • bringatrailer.com
  • audiclubna.org
  • magazine.audi.com.au
  • ubisoft.com

Photo credits

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