Audi RS Q8 review

Pretty much everything about the Audi RS Q8 is huge, from the performance to the price to the car itself. Indeed, Audi admits that it couldn’t have made it any wider than it has, because it wouldn’t have fit through the factory paint shop.

This is a sports SUV that’s as imposing as it is powerful, then, with the latter element down to a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V8 that develops 592bhp – 212bhp more than you get in a Porsche 911 Carrera.

The RS Q8’s engine isn’t just big, though; it’s also clever, shutting down half of its eight cylinders to save fuel when they’re not needed. What’s more, the car features a mild hybrid system which recoups some of the energy that would normally be lost when slowing down and allows you to coast for up to 40sec at a time with the engine off.

Add in trick suspension that’s designed to both minimise body lean and maximise comfort, and there’s no shortage of tech. But how does the RS Q8 stack up against rivals such as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, BMW X6 M Competition and Porsche Cayenne Turbo Coupé?

That’s what we’ll be exploring in this review. And remember, if you do decide to buy the RS Q8 or any of its rivals, be sure to check out our New Car Buying service which puts you in touch with What Car? approved dealers and saves you the hassle of haggling.