Item: Used Audi Q8 2018-present
Rating: 4
Author: What Car? Team

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/gle-coupe/4x4/used-review/n17873">Mercedes GLE Coupé</a> may be the best in terms of boot space, but it's based on the old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/gle/estate/used-review/n989">GLE</a>, which in turn was a facelifted&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/m-class/4x4/used-review/n17880">M-Class</a>. This means it doesn’t benefit from all the latest technology that allows the Q8 to handle so well.

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x6/estate/used-review/n903">BMW X6</a>, on the other hand,&nbsp;handles incredibly well and offers&nbsp;some stonking diesel engines. Its interior isn't as accommodating, but it does feature&nbsp;BMW's&nbsp;iDrive infotainment system, which is one of the best in the industry.&nbsp;

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<h2 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/audi/q8">Find a used Audi Q8 with What Car? &gt;&gt;</a></h2>

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What is it like?

Ownership cost

Advice for buyers

Our recommendations

Alternatives

<h3 dir="ltr">Front shock absorber fork</h3>

There has been a problem found with the casting of the front shock absorber forks from the factory. This applies to a small number of Q8s built between 27 November 2018 and 18 December 2018.&nbsp;Any <a href="http://audi">Audi</a> dealer will be able to tell you if your car is affected.

<h3>Connection between steering shaft and steering rack can work loose</h3>

A small number of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q7/4x4/used-review/n813">Q7</a> and Q8 models built between 1 June 2015 and 28 February 2019 could have a problem where the bolts connecting the steering rack and steering shaft can work loose. Speak to an Audi dealer to find out if your vehicle is affected by this because it'll need to be inspected by a technician if it is.

<h3>Gearbox oil leak</h3>

Oil may escape from a faulty join in the gearbox oil line of Q8s manufactured from 1 September to 31 December 2019. Speak to an Audi dealer to find out if your car is affected, because the line will need to be replaced to solve the problem.

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The Q8&nbsp;is a little too neiche&nbsp;to have appeared in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2020-what-car-reliability-survey-luxury-suvs/n20065">luxury SUV&nbsp;section</a> of the latest What Car? Reliability survey, however, the Q7 upon which it is based scored highly and managed to secure second place overal.

Audi as a brand didn't do quite so well and only manged to finish in 22nd place&nbsp;out of 31 car manufacturers. That still puts it ahead of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/mercedes-benz">Mercedes</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/land-rover">Land Rover</a>, though.

If you'd&nbsp;like to see the full reliability list, head to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2020-what-car-reliability-survey/n20042">What Car? Reliability Survey</a>&nbsp;pages for more information.

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Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV have all won their classes at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards in recent years, while the TT coupé is the most decorated car in the history of the ceremony.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

Premium&nbsp;SUVs that&nbsp;look like&nbsp;rakish&nbsp;coupés are all the rage, and the Audi Q8 is one of the best, with fine handling and a classy interior

Used Audi Q8 2018-present

<h3 dir="ltr">MPG</h3>

Heavy fuel bills are par for the course; the Q8 has similar fuel economy figures to its rivals, with the 50 TDI officially getting 33.2mpg&nbsp;and the 55 TFSI getting 26.4mpg.

<h3 dir="ltr">Car tax (VED)</h3>

You’ll need to be well-heeled&nbsp;to run a Q8, and not just because every version attracts the top rate of road tax that applies between years two and six. You can find out more about the current<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/car-tax-changes-in-2019-%E2%80%93-what-do-i-need-to-know/n1153"> road tax costs&nbsp;here</a>.

<h3 dir="ltr">Servicing</h3>

Audi servicing costs should be pretty reasonable, especially when compared to those of a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/mercedes-benz">Mercedes</a>. At the time of writing, a fixed price plan for two services of a Q8 costs £629, while the equivalent for the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/gle/estate/used-review/n22629">GLE</a>&nbsp;is&nbsp;£888.

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Fine handling and a classy interior make the Audi Q8 a fine premium SUV-coupé choice, but just be aware that the excellent Q7 is more practical and a lot cheaper

At the time of writing, prices for an <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/audi">Audi</a> Q8 start at £45,000 for a 2018 50 TDI S Line. If you're interested only in a petrol Q8, you will need to spend at least £56,000 to get into one because most buyers have opted for the more economical diesel.

To keep up to date with used Q8 prices, use our free valuation tool to make sure you're getting the best deal.&nbsp; 
 
Check the value of a used Audi Q8 with <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/valuations/">What Car? Valuations</a>

<h3 dir="ltr">Engine</h3>

At the moment, the engine range is limited to one petrol and one diesel. Of these, the 50 TDI diesel is the best option, because of its blend of refinement, performance and economy.

<h3 dir="ltr">Specification</h3>

We’d recommend sticking with the cheapest trim, S line, because it feels just as luxurious as the Black Edition&nbsp;and Vorsprung&nbsp;specs, but is considerably cheaper to buy.&nbsp;

Our favourite <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/make/audi">Audi</a> Q8: 50 TDI S line

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<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Logical and beautifully built interior, with great infotainment</li> <li>More than enough space for five passengers or, even better, seven</li> <li>Strong performance along with impressive efficiency</li> <li>Composed handling that limits any feeling of unwieldiness</li></ul>

We class a luxury SUV as being anything where our pick of the range costs more than £45,000 – and at this price point, buyers' expectations are high. So, as well as all of the qualities that make regular SUVs such well-rounded choices –&nbsp;such as decent space for passengers and luggage, a classy interior and robust materials – we also want a cosseting ride, the latest driver assistance technology and enough space to really stretch out.

The Land Rover Discovery proves that you don't need to spend a lot of money to get a luxurious SUV, but if you've got a bit more to spend, the Audi Q7 is perennially popular among buyers, and with good reason. Or, at the very top of this market, there are newer additions such as the BMW X7 to consider.

Luxury SUV

The Q8 is a pretty recent addition to the used car market, but you should still give any example&nbsp;a thorough inspection. Pay particular attention to the wheels and tyres, because even the smallest rims are 21in&nbsp;and it’ll cost a small fortune to fit fresh tyres. It isn’t just because of the size of them;&nbsp;it’s also to do with the fact that every model has four-wheel-drive, so you need to keep the same type of tyre on all four wheels for safety reasons. So, if you're swapping brands or types of tyre, you’ll have to change all four at the same time.

Make sure the interior is in good order, too, and that the carpets and leather are free from marks and stains. Also, the digital screens will cost a lot to replace if they're scratched, so make sure you clean them only as per the instructions in the owner’s manual.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Isn’t it amazing that when someone comes up with a good idea, everyone copies it immediately afterwards. You see it in fashion, cooking, music and cars. The Audi Q8 is a prime example of the latter, having been created to take on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x6/estate/used-review/n903">BMW X6</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/gle-coupe/4x4/used-review/n17873">Mercedes GLE Coupé</a> in the burgeoning market for luxury high-riders with coupé-inspired styling.

Engines choices are a little limited, with only a 282bhp 3.0-litre diesel (badged 50 TDI) or a 335bhp 3.0-litre turbo&nbsp;petrol (55 TFSI), plus the&nbsp;bonkers 427bhp 4.0-litre diesel in the sporting&nbsp;SQ8.&nbsp;The standard diesel is discerning enough, with smooth running at idle and under full acceleration, plus&nbsp;plenty of performance. The petrol offers&nbsp;punchy acceleration,&nbsp;but you'll pay for that at the pumps.

Entry-level S line Q8s have near enough everything you could ever wish for, including&nbsp;21in alloy wheels, LED headlights, Audi's Virtual Cockpit digital display, heated front sports seats and adaptive air suspension. Pushing the boat out a little further are Black Edition cars, which have slightly larger 22in alloys, a black exterior styling package, a panoramic glass roof, four-zone climate control and Virtual Cockpit Plus (the same as the normal system but with a couple of extra views). Finally, the top-of-the-range Vorsprung has cooled front seats, plusher leather, a Bang &amp; Olufsen stereo and all-wheel steering.&nbsp;

The Q8 has a sportier&nbsp;edge than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q7/4x4/used-review/n813">Q7</a>, and this is reflected in its ride. It’s never uncomfortable, but you feel lumps more, even when the adaptive suspension is set in its most compliant&nbsp;Comfort mode.

Handling is really rather good for such a hefty vehicle, with minimal body roll through the corners. Mind you, the Q8 is a not-too-distant relation of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/lamborghini/urus/estate/review/n17868">Lamborghini Urus</a>, which perhaps explains why it's able to carve through turns with little fuss. SQ8 models are even better, because it has active anti-roll technology that helps keep the car flat through bends. Vorsprung models go one stage further by introducing all-wheel steering, which noticeably tightens the Q8's turning circle.

The Q8 has a beautifully finished interior featuring all the finest soft-touch plastics, leathers and metal finishes in the Audi parts catalogue. The only difference with the Q8 is the introduction of Audi’s new dual-touchscreen layout. This replaces all the physical buttons and dials with touchscreens&nbsp;that give&nbsp;haptic feedback. It isn’t as easy to use as the old rotary dial setup, however, and shows up fingerprint marks really badly in direct sunlight.

Space isn’t an issue for passengers in the rear seats, unlike similarly styled rivals. The lower roofline of an SUV-coupé&nbsp;can eat&nbsp;into the head room, but the Q8 is good for even tall adults, plus it has a massive amount of leg room. The boot betters the X6's for overall capacity&nbsp;but trails that of the GLE Coupé. There shouldn't be any&nbsp;complaints from anyone in the front, though.

If you're interested in finding a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars/audi/q8">used Q8</a>, or any of the other <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-reviews/category/luxury-suv">luxury SUVs</a>&nbsp;mentioned here, head over to the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/used-cars">Used Car Buying</a> pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at a great price.

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Used Audi Q8 2018-present review

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Audi Q8 4x4?