Review: Audi Q8 e-tron – A Stunning Electric SUV with Dynamic Handling but Lacking in ADAS Technology

The Audi Q8 e-tron is an exciting new entrant in the luxury electric vehicle segment in Vietnam. With its distinctive Audi design, this vehicle exudes modernity and delivers an engaging driving experience. However, a notable shortcoming lies in its ADAS system, which could be improved to match the overall excellence of this electric car.

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Exterior Design – Sleek, Sophisticated, and Modern

While luxury electric vehicles on the market today, such as the Porsche Taycan, lean towards sportiness and the Mercedes-EQ towards opulence, the Audi Q8 e-tron focuses on modernity and precision in its exterior design.

The Audi Q8 e-tron boasts a sleek and sophisticated exterior design.

The Audi Q8 e-tron maintains the signature rigid character lines from front to back, emphasizing the strength of this electric SUV. It also incorporates Audi’s DNA with its large Single Frame grille featuring a hexagonal pattern, integrated LED daytime running lights, LED Matrix headlights, and elongated taillights, creating a distinctively modern and recognizable look.

The Audi Q8 e-tron has a unique SUV-coupe design, resulting in a youthful appearance. Its front end is designed with a square shape, the rear end tapers slightly downwards, and the body is elongated, reminiscent of wagon-style vehicles.

The SUV-coupe design of the Audi Q8 e-tron makes it visually appealing from the side profile.

This model boasts impressive dimensions, with a length of 4,915 mm, a width of 1,937 mm, a height of 1,633 mm, and a wheelbase of 2,928 mm. Compared to the combustion engine-powered Audi Q8, the Audi Q8 e-Tron is shorter, narrower, and lower but has a higher weight of 2,682 kg compared to the Audi Q8’s 2,194 kg. This weight difference is expected due to the substantial weight of electric vehicle batteries.

Despite the large 21-inch wheels, the Audi Q8 e-Tron delivers a smooth and comfortable ride.

In Vietnam, the Audi Q8 e-Tron is equipped with impressive 21-inch alloy wheels, giving it a formidable presence. However, it’s worth noting that these wheels are paired with 265/45-R21 tires, ensuring a smooth and comfortable ride for passengers.

Conveniently located at the A-pillar, the Audi Q8 e-tron has two charging ports on either side, allowing the driver to choose the most suitable and convenient port for charging.

The CSS type-2 charging ports on both sides of the Audi Q8 e-tron offer added convenience for charging.

Interior Amenities – Sleek, Refined, and Fully Equipped

The interior of the Audi Q8 e-tron is a technological haven, packed with modern conveniences to cater to discerning Vietnamese customers. Notable features include the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, or Virtual Cockpit, behind the steering wheel, which offers multiple interfaces and the ability to display maps directly in the driver’s line of sight.

The interior of the Audi Q8 e-tron is sleek, refined, and packed with modern technology.

At the center is a large 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Below it is an 8.6-inch touchscreen that controls the climate settings. Both screens feature haptic feedback, providing a physical response similar to pressing mechanical buttons.

The Virtual Cockpit in the Audi Q8 e-tron offers a range of customizable information displays.

The Audi Q8 e-tron also features a quad-zone automatic climate control system, allowing each occupant to adjust the temperature to their preference. In terms of audio, the vehicle is equipped with a premium 17-speaker B&O sound system, ensuring a rich and immersive listening experience.

The flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters adds a sporty touch to the interior.

The 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system is the focal point of the center console.

The 8.6-inch touchscreen below controls the climate settings.

Another notable feature is the electronic gear selector and paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. As an electric vehicle, the Audi Q8 e-tron does not use a traditional automatic transmission, so there are no gear ratios to shift through. Instead, the paddle shifters control the level of regenerative braking, allowing the driver to maximize energy recovery or control the vehicle’s speed when descending slopes.

The panoramic sunroof enhances the sense of spaciousness in the Audi Q8 e-tron.

Additional amenities include a panoramic sunroof, manual sunshades for the second-row passengers, a 360-degree camera system, LED ambient lighting, and cruise control with speed limiting functionality.

However, it is a bit disappointing that the Audi Q8 e-tron does not come equipped with advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), only offering standard safety features such as ABS and TSC.

Powerful Performance and Impressive Range

In terms of performance, the Audi Q8 e-tron is equipped with two electric motors, one on each axle, providing all-wheel drive capability. It delivers a maximum output of 408 horsepower and 664 Nm of torque, enabling it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.6 seconds, or 5.6 seconds in Boost mode, and reach a top speed of 220 km/h.

The Audi Q8 e-tron’s electric powertrain eliminates the need for a traditional transmission.

With a large 106 kWh battery pack, the Audi Q8 e-tron offers an impressive range of 487 to 582 kilometers on a single charge, according to the WLTP standard. Charging times are also efficient, taking approximately 31 minutes to charge from 10% to 81% using a 170 kW charger. When compared to its rival, the Mercedes-EQE, which has a range of around 3,900,000,000 kilometers per charge, the Audi Q8 e-tron offers a more extensive range.

During a test drive, our reporters experienced the Audi Q8 e-tron’s impressive acceleration across all speed ranges, thanks to the immediate response of its electric motor. Additionally, the vehicle’s sound insulation was commendable, effectively minimizing road noise, even with the large 21-inch wheels.

The Audi Q8 e-tron’s suspension system strikes a perfect balance between stability and comfort. It handles corners confidently at speeds between 70 and 90 km/h while smoothly absorbing bumps and vibrations from uneven road surfaces. Overall, the Audi Q8 e-tron offers a harmonious blend of sportiness and comfort.

In conclusion, the Audi Q8 e-tron is an exceptional electric luxury vehicle that embodies modern design, youthful style, and the elegant aesthetics associated with the Audi brand. It is currently available in Vietnam with a starting price of 3.8 billion VND.

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