In a time where SUVs are always dominating, the Audi Q8 came at the right moment and it has been in the market since 2019.
The last time I got acquainted with the Q8 was a few months after it was launched in the form of a 55 TFSI. To refresh your mind a bit, when the Audi Q8 launched locally, it was only available in a single derivative, the Q8 55 TFSI and, truth be told, the lack of a diesel variant was felt.
A few months later, Audi introduced the diesel-powered variant in the form of Q8 45 TDI and I spent some time with it to see if it makes a viable option.
From a design point of view, Audi designers did an outstanding job. It is robust and there is more to like than dislike about it. I won’t go into detail describing how it looks, the pictures serve that purpose.
At a length of 4.99 metres, a width of 2 metres and a height of 1.71 metres, it is wider, shorter and lower than its Q7 sister model and yes, it is not a small SUV coupe.
Space is never questioned in this instance, thanks to a wheelbase of nearly 3.00 metres, the Audi Q8 45 TDI offers a spacious interior. The boot is measured at a great 1 755 litres with the rear seat backrests folded flat and it was able to gulp a lot of my stuff, from luggage to a sizeable TV stand.
The interior is fitted with the brand’s latest MMI dual-touchscreen infotainment system that also lurks in other products that I have tested. The system allows Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
The cabin is short of buttons and physical rotary dials and I found that to be a bit of a distraction when fiddling with the infotainment system while driving as it requires the driver to take their eyes off the road.
The virtual cockpit comes standard and you can customise it in terms of what you want to be displayed.
The interior quality is top-notch. The electrically adjustable front sports seats with adjustable lumbar support and an extendable base provide good long-distance comfort, while the steering wheel also offers a huge range of movement to help you find the ideal driving position.
With the sloping roofline, one would expect the rear visibility to be reduced but that is not the case here. The visibility is excellent all around. Thanks to the light steering wheel and clear reverse camera, maneuvering the large SUV in and out of parking lots has never been that easy.
My test unit ran on optional 22-inch wheels and, trust me, you need those for a vehicle as large as the Q8. 20-inch tyres come standard and I honestly would recommend these if your Q8 will be spending most of its time off the tarmac.
There are a number of departments where the Q8 shines brightly. One being the fact that it is German; two, it is powered by a frugal V6 TDI motor; and three, it is luxurious and very comfortable.
The 3.0 V6 turbodiesel engine is the same 190 kW unit that lurks under the Volkswagen Touareg’s bonnet but slightly detuned to 183 kW and 600 Nm of whopping torque.
The transmission comes courtesy of a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission that sends all the amount of oomph to all four wheels via the Quattro system.
On the road, the Audi Q8 45 TDI cruises nicely with little to no drama at all. Plummet your right foot and there is a bit of a turbo lag, so one needs to be patient, especially during take-off and overtaking. The manual mode, as well as sport mode, seem to slightly solve that issue, thankfully.
I did not test the 0-100 km/h time but Audi claims the Q8 45 TDI hurtles from a standstill to 100 km/h in 7 seconds with the top speed coming in at 220 km/h.
In the fuel economy department, the Q8 45 TDI comes with a huge advantage when compared with its 55 TFSI counterpart – it is economical.
When the SUV was dropped off at the office, it was filled to the brim and the driving range was sitting at a heart-warming 900km+, thanks to the 85l fuel tank. A week with the car, I averaged 9.8l/100 km and the numbers would slightly drop on the highway. Those are huge numbers one would expect from a TDI engine but considering the Q8’s size, it is fairly understandable.
It was time to relocate to a new home and that 600 Nm torque came in handy during the towing spree.
There are five driving modes: Allroad, Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual. All the driving modes alter the ride height accordingly. For example, the ride height of the Q8 would increase significantly when the Allroad mode is selected and would drop massively in the Dynamic mode.
At over the R1.5 million price tag the Q8 45 TDI carries, it is worth the price and it is packed with a host of goodies to make up for the price. It is only offered as a 5 seater, so, sadly, buyers who are looking for more seats are left with no choice but to go for the Q7.
It’s frugality, style and comfort are what makes the Q8 45 TDI standout and if you can afford it, it’s worth having it behind your garage door.
