Audis aren’t my thing. They tend to come off as being clinical and cold, dispassionate, unexpressive, and restrained. You have to move up to the S or RS models to get into an Audi that feels alive and dynamic. Strangely enough, the push to electric vehicles not only makes sense for Audi, but also highlights the best qualities of the brand, which are on full display with the 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback.
The Q8 e-tron Sportback is one of the first Audis where I’ve found myself understanding why people pay an exorbitant amount of money to get the German brand with its four rings logo. And as much as I hate the whole coupe trend for SUVs, it works for the Q8 e-tron. I don’t truly understand why the Q8 e-tron Sportback is so appealing, but all I know is that it is.
What The 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback Does Well
The 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback feels like a true luxury vehicle. Duh. That’s to be expected from Audi, but even in the world of high-end EVs that attempt to shock instead of coddle, the Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback clearly looks to pamper and does a great job of doing just that.
A Plush, High-End Feel
Between the Q8 e-tron Sportback’s upscale materials, high-tech features, and unblemished ride quality, the electric SUV delivers a luxurious feel. The all-electric SUV’s cabin remains remarkably hushed on the road, too, allowing passengers to whisper to one another at highway speeds.
The Q8 e-tron Sportback may not have the same striking interior design as some of its competitors, but dramatic lighting and gorgeous wood trim are consolation prizes.
Two Rows Of Roomy Seats
Comfortable seats, high-end convenience features, and spacious seats make the 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback’s cabin a nice place for long drives. The massaging front seats are especially noteworthy, while they also have a dizzying number of adjustments.
Despite having a Sportback design with a sloping roofline, the Q8 e-tron Sportback still has roomy rear seats. Only the tallest adults will find fault with the amount of interior space the SUV offers.
A Good Amount Of Range
The 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback may not have the same versatility as the regular Q8 e-tron, but it delivers more range. The Sportback is rated at up to 300 miles, while the Q8 e-tron can travel up to 285 miles of range. These are good figures for a large SUV and more than enough for a road trip.
The Q8 e-tron Sportback also has quick charging times. Finding a 170-kW fast charger will result in the gaining 80% of its battery pack in roughly 30 minutes.
What The 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback Doesn’t Do Well
As a large electric SUV that starts at nearly $79,000, the 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback certainly isn’t cheap. Get the range-topping Prestige trim, and shoppers are looking at spending $90,000 before options. That’s a lot of money, especially at a time when the mere act of living is so expensive. When you factor in the Q8 e-tron Sportback’s high price tag and flagship status, the SUV fails in a few key areas.
A Little Too Much Tech
Screens, screens, and more screens. The 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback’s cabin is dominated by screens and it can be a bit of tech overload at times. The screens look great and they’ll certainly impress the in-laws, but they’re tricky to live with, especially the SUV’s dual-screen setup on the center console. Getting to certain settings is difficult and the touch-capacitive controls aren’t as intuitive as physical controls.
If there’s one defense of Audi’s touch-capacitive controls, it’s that they deliver a positive and satisfying click when engaged. They mimic physical controls far better than other touch-sensitive buttons on sale, but at that point, what’s wrong with physical buttons?
Look Elsewhere For Performance
The beauty of electric powertrains is that they bring sprightly performance even if the horsepower figure isn’t impressive. The 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback has dual electric motors that make 355 horsepower and 414 pound-feet of torque. Putting the SUV into Sport mode brings 402 hp and 490 lb-ft of torque for a short burst.
The power figure isn’t spectacular, but the SUV’s zero-to-60 mph time of roughly 5.2 seconds feels more than peppy enough. In the real world, the Q8 e-tron Sportback feels quick and snappy. It may lose a drag race against other EVs and sports cars, but daily drivability is king.
The Verdict
The 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback is a great electric SUV because it doesn’t try to do too much. It’s not an all-encompassing flagship with melt-your-face performance, radical styling, or cutting-edge tech. Audi’s clearly stuck with its guns and has focused on what it does best – high-end interiors, a plush ride quality, excellent fit and finish, and just the right amount of design to get noticed.
Well-rounded and similar to a gas-powered SUV, the 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron Sportback has broad appeal as an EV and should convert luxury shoppers.
