Audi Q8 / Q8 Sportback (4M “second facelift” — Model-Year 2025)
Audi’s flagship coupé-SUV—more style-led than the Q7—undergoes a final combustion-era refresh before the next, fully-electric generation arrives. Updates: reshaped “3-D” Singleframe grille, L-shaped air-intake bumpers, optional HD-Matrix LED with laser spot, new rear OLED light signatures, and the quicker MIB 3.5 infotainment on an 11.6-inch touch display. The MLB-evo platform, adaptive air suspension (standard in Italy) and optional all-wheel steering carry over.
| Engine (EU 6e) | Output / Torque | 48 V M-HEV | Drive | Gearbox | 0-100 km/h | WLTP |
|---|
| 45 TDI 3.0 V6 | 231 hp • 500 Nm | yes | quattro | 8-AT | 7.1 s | 8.2 L/100 km |
| 50 TDI 3.0 V6 | 286 hp • 600 Nm | yes | quattro | 8-AT | 6.1 s | 8.4 L/100 km |
| 55 TFSI 3.0 V6 | 340 hp • 500 Nm | yes | quattro | 8-AT | 5.4 s | 10.1 L/100 km |
| SQ8 4.0 V8 TFSI | 507 hp • 770 Nm | yes | quattro sport diff | 8-AT | 4.1 s | 12.4 L/100 km |
| RS Q8 4.0 V8 TFSI | 600 hp • 800 Nm | yes | quattro sport diff | 8-AT | 3.8 s | 13.5 L/100 km |
Boot: 605 L (Q8) / 530 L (Sportback) — up to 1 755 L seats-down. Towing: 3 500 kg (V6) / 3 300 kg (V8).
Strengths
| PRO | Why it matters |
|---|
| Commanding yet tasteful design | Coupé silhouette without excess; OLED tails give a distinctive night signature. |
| Lounge-grade interior | Triple-screen black-panel dash, Valcona or Dinamica trim, open-pore wood, 30-colour ambient lighting. |
| Plush ride & hushed cabin | Air suspension + rear-steer soak bumps; 65 dB at 130 km/h on porous tarmac. |
| Efficient V6 diesels | 50 TDI returns ~8 L/100 km at 140 km/h and >900 km range. |
| Thrilling yet civil V8 | SQ8’s 507 hp delivered with refined bass, sport diff tames body roll. |
| Comprehensive ADAS | Pedestrian AEB, stop-and-go ACC, lane-centring, lane-change and trailer assist all standard in “Tour” pack. |
| Practical boot | 605 L with a load-height-lowering “Easy-load” mode (-55 mm). |
Weaknesses
| CON | Typical remark |
|---|
| Hefty mass (2 290 kg, 55 TFSI) | Higher tyre wear and inertia; needs braking room in tight bends. |
| Costly extras | Laser lights, B&O 3D Advanced, 23-inch wheels, Dynamic-Plus pack can add €15 k+. |
| Smaller Sportback boot | –75 L and a narrower opening hinder bulky suit-cases. |
| Oil thirst (55 TFSI V6 petrol) | About 0.4 L every 4 000 km judged “within spec.” |
| No incentives above €70 k | High registration tax; hefty super-tax on V8s in Italy. |
| Mild regen only | Max −0.3 g; full stop still needs the brake pedal. |
Typical maintenance
| Job | Parts | Labour | Interval |
|---|
| LongLife 0W-30 oil + filter | €220 | €130 | 30 000 km / 24 mo |
| Tiptronic oil + filter | €370 | €230 | 80 000 km |
| Brake fluid + Haldex | €130 | €150 | every 3 yr |
| Iridium plugs (55 TFSI) | €140 | €90 | 60 000 km |
| Front discs + pads (50 TDI) | €380 | €180 | ≈ 65 000 km |
| 285/40-22 tyres | €1 650 / set | – | 35 000 km |
Price list (OTR)
| Model | Engine | Price |
|---|
| Q8 45 TDI quattro Business | 231 hp | €90 600 |
| Q8 50 TDI quattro S-line | 286 hp | €97 900 |
| Q8 55 TFSI quattro S-line | 340 hp | €101 800 |
| SQ8 quattro | 507 hp | €129 900 |
| RS Q8 | 600 hp | €155 700 |
Sportback +€1 900.
Known issues & fixes
| Issue | Fix |
|---|
| NOx sensor faults (TDI) | ECU update + sensor replacement. |
| Passenger-side dash creaks | Felt-strip kit (TPI 206 8372). |
| Steering shimmy 120-150 km/h | Wheel balance + front-arm bush check (TPI 207 0458). |
| Head-lamp condensation | New vents from MY 25; lamp swap if moisture >24 h. |
| MIB 3.5 OTA loop | 12-s reset + SW 2860_12 patch; head-unit replaced if needed. |
Extended verdict
Luxury & presence – The Q8 remains a rolling lounge: whisper-quiet, supremely cushioned and trimmed to near-A8 standards, yet with coupé swagger enhanced by animated OLED rears.
Powertrains – The 50 TDI is the mile-muncher, covering 900 km on a tank at around 8 L/100 km. The 55 TFSI adds V6 zest but needs oil top-ups and attracts Italy’s power tax. Performance seekers get a cultured yet potent V8 in the SQ8, or outright Urus-level pace in the RS Q8—bring wallet and tyres.
Tech & ADAS – MIB 3.5 feels as snappy as BMW’s new iDrive or Mercedes MBUX, although Audi still shuns a flashy AR head-up. Level-2+ assistance is smooth and confidence-inspiring, but full L3 autonomy awaits regulation.
Practicality & costs – Lower and sleeker than a Q7 yet still five-adult capable, the Q8 sacrifices some boot height—more so in the Sportback. Running costs mirror rival big SUVs; a 5-year/150 000 km extended warranty is wise, especially for V8s. Used-car demand stays strong for diesel S-lines and SQ8s; petrol V6s are softer because of tax.
Bottom line: choose the 2025 Q8 if you want a prestige SUV that blends near-limousine comfort, quattro security and understated style, while still towing 3.5 t and shrugging off winter roads. If ultimate efficiency, IMAX-style screens or hyper-SUV drama top your list, alternatives such as Mercedes EQE SUV, BMW iX, or Lamborghini Urus might beckon—but for holistic luxury with daily usability, the Q8 remains a benchmark in the premium maxi-SUV class.
Audi Q8: pros, cons, costs and common fixes 
