2025 Audi RS Q8

Overview

Don't let the 2025 RS Q8's styling fool you: Under its restrained exterior lies the same running gear as the ferocious, outrageous Lamborghini Urus SUV. Based on the standard Q8 SUV, the RS Q8 dials in Lambo-chasing performance, with a twin-turbo V-8 engine kicking asphalt through an eight-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive. Handling is sharp and effortlessly fun, but the RS Q8 can also mind its manners and provide a comfortable commute when you need it. The cabin is slathered in premium materials and stuffed with tech, including several digital displays and connectivity features. As the halo vehicle for Audi's SUV lineup, the RS Q8 commands a premium price, but while its six-figure bottom line may look shocking, consider that a Urus costs $100,000 more.

What's New for 2025?

The RS Q8 receives a styling refresh for 2025 to bring it in line with the Q8 and SQ8 models, which were facelifted last year. Gone is the standard RS Q8 and in its place is the new 631-hp Performance trim. The Performance model not only offers more horsepower, but it also comes with a mechanical center differential, a specially tuned exhaust system, and a unique suspension that uses electric motors to help stabilize the RS Q8 in corners.

C/D Expert Tip:

If this year's model is largely unchanged and you're comfortable with a lightly used car, you may want to consider shopping previous model years. A one-to-three-year-old model will likely have a warranty and it'll cost less than buying new.

C/D Rating:8.5/10

2024 Audi RS Q8

Shop for a 2024

C/D Rating:8.5/10

2023 Audi RS Q8

Shop for a 2023

C/D Rating:8.5/10

2022 Audi RS Q8

Shop for a 2022

Shop All Used Audi RS Q8

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The RS Q8 Performance comes with a six-figure price tag, but its performance, styling, and feature content are worth the investment—if you value white-hot SUVs, of course. An adaptive air suspension system, 22-inch wheels, heated-and-cooled front seats, and a 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo system are all standard.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The RS Q8 Performance's twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 produces 631 horsepower compared with the SQ8’s 500 horses. The RS Q8’s engine pairs with Quattro all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission, and there's also a 48-volt hybrid system working behind the scenes to improve fuel efficiency. The Performance also comes standard with a mechanical center differential and an electromechanical active roll stabilization system that uses electric motors to add more roll stiffness into the suspension system as needed in hard cornering. When we drove the RS Q8 Performance on both the road and the racetrack, we found it to deliver impressively balanced handling, even quicker acceleration than before, and lots of grip. It can also settle down when you want to cruise, as it delivers a pleasant ride when you put the suspension in its softer settings.

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0-60-MPH Times

When we tested the RS Q8, it blasted to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds, matching the hundred-grand-more-expensive Urus we previously tested.

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Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

EPA fuel-economy estimates for the RS Q8 are a dismal 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway. That's the price you pay for the RS Q8's epic performance. The Performance RS Q8 did overachieve in our real-world 75-mph highway fuel economy test, though, with a 22-mpg result. For more information about the RS Q8's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

The RS Q8's five-seat cabin is mostly the same as the Q8's, although it has some special trim pieces and sportier, more aggressively bolstered front seats to hold you in place while cornering. There are also RS logos sprinkled throughout. Passenger and cargo space carries over unchanged from the regular Q8 model, which means plenty of legroom and headroom for adults in both rows of seats. In our testing, the Q8 held eight carry-on suitcases behind its rear seat and 23 in total with the rear seat folded.

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Infotainment and Connectivity

The Audi Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster and dual-touchscreen MMI interface have certain RS-specific displays that can show information such as torque and power output, lap times, and g-forces. Other than that, the RS Q8 offers the same technology offered in the Q8, including standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and SiriusXM satellite radio.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Audi offers several driver-assistance systems on the RS Q8 as standard, including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. For more information about the RS Q8's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
• Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Standard adaptive cruise control

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Audi offers an average standard warranty that, when compared with other premium brands, looks pretty basic. Jaguar offers more value here, with longer warranties and five years of complimentary scheduled maintenance.

• Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled maintenance

Specifications

Specifications

2025 Audi RS Q8 Performance
Vehicle Type: front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $137,495/$155,440

ENGINE

twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 244 in³, 3996 cm³
Power: 631 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 627 lb-ft @ 2300 rpm

TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 17.3-in vented, cross-drilled, carbon-ceramic disc/14.6-in vented, cross-drilled, carbon-ceramic disc
Tires: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
295/35ZR-23 (108Y) Extra Load A0

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 117.9 in
Length: 197.7 in
Width: 79.0 in
Height: 67.5 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 53/52 ft³
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 60/33 ft³
Curb Weight: 5394 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 3.1 sec
100 mph: 7.9 sec
1/4-Mile: 11.5 sec @ 119 mph
130 mph: 14.0 sec
150 mph: 20.5 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.2 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.5 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.0 sec
Top Speed (mfr claim): 190 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 142 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 283 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.98 g

C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 13 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 22 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 490 mi

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 16/14/20 mpg

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

More Features and Specs