To say that Audi knows a thing or two about making SUVs would be an understatement. The German carmaker admittedly got into the SUV game later than its peers – with the Q7 in 2006 – but Audi did have the solid foundations needed for an SUV ready since the 80′, from its rallying days. The quattro all-wheel drive system remains one of the most effective offroad drive systems around. Over the years, Audi improved and innovated upon its flagship SUV – which brings us to today. Globally launched in 2018, the Q8 picked up the flagship mantle and quite recently, received a mid-life facelift. While the updates are mild, a question kept ringing inside my head – Has Audi built the perfect SUV? It started with the moment I first laid eyes on the Q8.
The Audi Q7 managed to pull the elite crowd with its clean lines and the Q8 plays on that trend well. It is a good-looking SUV and the facelift keeps it looking fresh. Interestingly, the India-spec Q8 does not get the hexagonal grille but a new one with chrome inserts. It does get the new Laser lights with HD Matrix LED. The laser high beam comes on above 70kmph and offers a longer throw while the matrix headlamp consists of 24 LED segments that adjust according to oncoming vehicles ensuring you do not blind them. The new LED DRLs and OLED tail lamps can be customised in four ways and offer quite the visual drama while starting up. What was impressive is the choice of 21-inch wheels wrapped in high-profile tyres which while improving the look, does not compromise on ride quality. Design-wise the Audi Q8 will age well and is one of those rare SUVs that will look good even a decade down the line. It now gets a new luxurious Sakhir Gold paintjob that offers a distinctive Middle Eastern vibe.
The interiors remain unchanged, except for the option of aluminium, wood, or carbon fibre trim. The gloss black finish on the dashboard looks contemporary but there are a lot of places where I would have preferred Audi use metal trimmings instead of plastic, the paddle shifters for example. Also dashboard aside, the rest of the interior trim feels decidedly plasticky. It’s not something I’d like to see in an SUV that’s going to cost a crore and a half rupees on-road. On that topic, while the raised centre console is a cool touch, the lack of deep storage spaces is disappointing. One thing I like though is the driving position thanks to the comfortable seats and the view through the narrow windscreen constantly reminding you that you are driving a sporty yet comfortable SUV.
The dashboard has been carried over from the last decade so there are no curved screens and it continues to feature the two MMI screens and a large touchscreen for AC controls. While the interface isn’t as ostentatious as the competition, I like the haptic feedback for the AC and centre console. Also, Audi has retained physical buttons for most important controls, a good move. It does have ample features, the notable ones being four-way climate control, 730-watt, 7-speaker Bang and Olufsen 3D audio, power latching doors and parking assistance that allows you to park in three different configurations. Surprisingly it does not get heated, ventilated or massage seats or even ADAS system which the global-spec Q8 does. It does get eight airbags as standard though.
No diesel option here which is a shame given that its competitors offer both diesel and petrol powertrain options. That said, the 3.0-litre V6 is not one to be scoffed at. The direct-injection turbo-petrol motor puts out 340PS and 500NM to all four wheels via an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox and quattro drive system – enough for this full-size SUV to hit 100kmph in 5.6 seconds. That’s impressive for an SUV weighing a shade over 2.1 tonnes! It does miss that mid-range punch but the impressive gearbox makes sure you are in the meat of the powerband. It’s the star here – offering quick, intuitive and seamless shifts. Besides being refined, a cool feature of this mild-hybrid powertrain is its ability to shut down at cruising speeds to improve fuel efficiency. The powertrain elevates the SUV’s ability to effortlessly munch miles and sit above triple-digit speeds all day long.
Complementing the powertrain is the taut chassis. It shares its MLB Evo platform with the Bentley Bentayga, Lamborghini Urus and Porsche Cayenne after all. Interestingly the India-spec A8 does not get air-suspension, opting for adaptive damper control instead. Between that and the switch to 21-inch wheels from the 19-inch ones on its predecessor, you’d expect the ride quality to degrade. However, it features higher profile tyres which complement the electronically controlled shock absorbers that offer a surprisingly comfortable ride. The SUV is well-behaved at high speeds and corners as well, with quick-acting dampers and quattro drive ensuring ample grip with minimal body roll. I really liked the steering wheel – well-weighed, decently quick and precise. A special mention of the brakes, they offer good bite and do a good job of getting the SUV to halt without drama. I really like the way the Q8 manages to shrink itself around you when you drive it – a trait I experienced in BMW SUVs and one that’s my yardstick for assessing good driver’s cars.
The facelifted Audi Q8 retails at Rs 1.18 crore ex-showroom, undercutting the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS by quite a margin. Of course, it’s not quite as polished as the X7 or as ostentatious as the GLS. What it is is a fantastic everyday driver’s SUV, one you’d enjoy driving to work and not mind ferrying your family of four for the weekend getaway. While it does not punch through the glass ceiling, it does just about everything right and I reckon its understated demeanour will be its greatest calling card. Is it the perfect SUV? I think it comes pretty close.
