Audi’s flagship SUV, the 2022 Q8, is a flashier alternative to the Q7. The car comes with an impressive 335-hp V-6 powertrain and a sportier roofline than the Q7. The compromises made on the Q8 might hurt its practicality quotient.
While the car still has a considerable amount of space in it, it might seem like a step down from the three-row q7. It has a slick dash and lots of desirable tech features. It can be safe to say that the car is quite fun to drive.
You get a high riding capacity and super lively driving responses. With prices starting from $13,000 higher than the Q7, you might find it to be more on the expensive side of things. However, that’s to be expected conserving how fashionable it is.
You can get the premium for $70,300 and the Premium Plus for $74,200. The Q8 Prestige trim starts from $80,400, and the V8-powered SQ8 comes in at a whopping $92,500. Lastly, if you are looking to get the best out of this line, you will need to part with $119,000, so you can get the top-performance model.
The 2022 Audi Q8 has a top speed of 250 km/hr. Each of the models comes with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 that delivers 335 horsepower. You can expect 369 pound-feet of torque from the Quattro all-wheel drive and eight-speed automatic transmission.
With the standard 3.0-liter engine, you will get a towing capacity of up to 7,700 pounds when fully outfitted. Are you looking for cars that are similar to Audi’s flagship? Fortunately, there is a lot of competition in the section of the market, so you should be able to get a lot of options.
My personal favorites are the BMX X6, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, and the 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport.
1. The 2022 BMW X6
Coming in at $65,050, the BMW X6 is a fair competitor to the Audio Q8. The car features a sports activity body that accommodates five passengers. It comes with a rear-wheel drive, unlike the Q8’s all-wheel drive.
The engine is an inter-cooled turbo gas/electric I-6 that delivers a 13 MPG City / 26 MPG highway fuel consumption. You can think of the X6 as the Don Corleone of coupe-like SUVs. It has had a lot of imitators over the years, including Audi and Mercedes, which is probably why it’s quite similar to the Q8.
The Bimmer boasts a pair of sublime engines. You can choose between a 335-hp six-cylinder and a 523-hp twin-turbo V-8. If you are a thrill seeker, you may want to go for the latter. However, you should be prepared to pay the price. Both engines feature auto-transmission and are quite entertaining to drive.
Better suited for extroverts, this car has a luxurious interior that strongly compares to that of the Q8.
2. 2021 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Looking for something slightly cheaper than the Q8 but offering similar comfort and performance? It might be a good idea to go for the Ranger Rover Sport. The car comes in at $69,500, and it features a coupe sport utility body.
You will get a high-performing four-wheel drive powered by an inter-cooled turbo gas/electric I-6 engine. When it comes to fuel efficiency, you get similar performance to the Q8, with a city MPG of 15 and highway figures around 28.
Much like the Q8, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport is a mid-size luxury SUV that accommodates five passengers. It has a max cargo capacity of 59.5 cubic feet when the back seat is folded down. You can think of this car as a mild hybrid.
By now, you are beginning to see just how similar it is to the Q8, which also has an electric side to it. The engine will give you somewhere around 355-hp. You can also get a plug-in hybrid variant that delivers 398 hp.
If you want to go for the maximum horsepower, you can look into the autobiography trim that packs 518 horses. All engines come paired with four-wheel drive and the eight-speed auto transmission.
3. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
The GLE is another good option if you are looking for something similar to the Q8. It’s also significantly cheaper, with prices starting from $54,750. The GLE features a sports utility body, and it’s powered by an Intercooled Turbo that takes Premium Unleaded I-4.
It delivers city MPGs of 15, and on the highway, you will get 26MPG. The best way to describe it would be a rear-wheel drive, no-compromise SUV that packs excellent performance, tones of style, and a spacious interior. The Mercedes GLE is a mid-size, five-seater mid-size luxury SUV that squares off quite well against the Audi Q8.
Thanks to the car’s 255-hp 2.0-liter turbo-4, you will be able to 60 mph in 7.0 seconds. The majority of shoppers will be served quite well by the GLE. You will get a lot of nice trimming on the base model, including standard synthetic power front leather seats, double 12.3-inch screens, navigation, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay compatibility.
It also comes with a keyless start, LED headlights, and 19-inch wheels. If you plan to tow, your limit will be around 7,700 pounds.
4. The 2021 Porsche Cayenne
Are you a fan of Porsche? Porche’s $67,500 Cayenne is another impressive SUV that can match up to the Q8’s luxury and performance. With a sport utility body and all-wheel drive, this car comes with a lot of likable features that make it a great contender in the mid-size SUV range.
Powered by an Intercooled Turbo V-6, the car will give you 15 MPG City / 23 MPG highway, which is not too bad considering the sports moves and prodigious power. This will be a great option if you are looking for a vehicle that can carry your family in comfort.
This vehicle has a very particular set of skills. The driving enjoyment is unmatched despite the heavy curb weight. You will find that the car moves quite deliberately and gracefully.
All the models under the Cayenne label have a cohesive powertrain and varying levels of fuel efficiency. There are several engines to pick from, and if you are looking to go greener, you’ll be pleased to learn that there is a 455-hp plug-in hybrid. This variant is quite quick on the street.
5. 2022 Genesis GV80
The Genesis GV80 is another impressive mid-size luxurious SUV that’s similar to the Audi Q8. The car has a starting price of $49,700. If you are looking to get the V6-powered 3.5T AWD model, you should be ready to part with at least $60,100.
Powerful and fast, the SUV is powered by either a 4-cylinder or V6 engine. There are lots of perks to this vehicle. It offers two impressive powertrains and good gas mileage.
It also rides quite smoothly and handles better than you may expect. The inside of the vehicle is quite sublime. It undoubtedly has one of the finest cabins in its range.
If you are looking for rich styling, plush seats, advanced technological features, and plenty of room, this may be your vehicle. Like the Q8, the GV80 has attracted a lot of attention from those looking for high-end mid-size SUVs. Considering it costs less than the Q8, you will get more value if you go for this option.
Worried that it might not be as elegant as the Q8? Well, this car definitely doesn’t fall short when it comes to design. It features a stately design with lots of luxury amenities and finishes. Fortunately, the car is just as good under the hood as it looks on the outside.
It comes with a standard four-cylinder, but you can upgrade to a more powerful twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 option. The latter delivers an impressive 5.3-second run to 60 mph. If you are on the market for something just as posh as the Q8, this car should be on your list.
6. MG Gloster
Looking for another D2 segment that’s similar to the Audi Q8? You might want to look in the direction of the MG Gloster. This seven-seater SUV costs around USD 39,540. The car offers two engine options.
You can choose from the 2.0L turbo diesel/8-speed TC (two variants) or the 2.0L turbo diesel/ 8-speed TC (four variants). This engine delivers 215.01bhp@4000rpm, which might be a tad slower than the Q8 but still impressive considering the price.
The 2022 MG Gloster is a great Q8 alternative to consider. The MG Gloster delivers fuel efficiency of 8.4km per liter in the city and 10.8km per liter on the highway. This is a super comfortable and large well equipped SUV that offers good value for money.
7. Audi Q7
Choosing a luxury SUV can be a daunting task, especially when looking at cars from the same manufacturers. We can not talk about vehicles that are similar to the Audi Q8 and not mention the Audi Q7. If you are on the market for a vehicle that packs serious power and performance, then both the Audi Q7 and Q8 should be under your radar.
These two deliver the power that you need to feel to believe. The Q7 features a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that delivers a mighty 248 horsepower and goes from 0-60 MPH in 6.9 seconds. On the other hand, the Q8 offers a 3.0L twin-scroll, turbocharged 6-cylinder engine that packs 335 horses.
The Q8 can get you from 0 to 60 MPH in only 5.6 seconds. Both the Q8 and the Q7 come paired with an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, and they feature the popular quattro® all-wheel drive. The towing capacities are identical at 7,700 lbs. As you might expect, the Q7 is a bit cheaper. It starts at only $56,900.
8. Toyota Fortuner
Looking for something similar to the Q8 but larger and more rugged looking? The Fortuner can be a great alternative. This seven-seater vehicle packs some serious power. While they are not too similar, there are some features that are shared between these two vehicles.
The Q8 and the Fortuner are both D2-segment SUVs. In my opinion, the Fortuner really should be called the HiLux SUV. While it’s a seven-seater, this car is definitely not as comfortable as the Q8.
One of the only upsides is that it can go places that most SUVs will only dream about. This car is perfect for an off-road loving family. Nobody buys a car like the Fortuner accidentally.
For the right person, this car is exactly what an off-roader needs. Both the Q8 and the Fortuner have five-star safety ratings. They also feature turbocharged engines, though the Fortuner comes with a 2.8 liter naturally aspirated option.
The entry-level Fortuner is cheaper than the Q8, coming in at only $49,080.
9. 2022 Landrover Defender
Looking for a cheaper alternative to the Q8? Landrover certainly has your back on this one. The 2022 Land Rover Defender has a starting price of $47,700 for the two-door body and $50,500 for the four-door version. While this car is definitely cheaper, it still packs a lot of impressive features.
However, as you might expect, the Q8 comes on top in many categories. For instance, the Q8 packs 340 hp with 500 Nm torque, while the Defender comes in at 296 hp and 400 Nm torque. The Q8 also beats most of its competition when it comes to the top speed.
The Landrover only makes 191 kmph, compared to the Q8’s 250kmph.
10. BMW X7
When it comes to performance, both the X7 and the Q8 deliver some impressive power. Both models deliver 335 horsepower from twin-turbo six-cylinder engines. However, the Q8 generally wins this rivalry with its additional 39 pound-feet of torque.
You will also get a lighter frame with the Q8. The heavier body of the X7 can be a bit of a drag. Considering attaching a trailer to your vehicle? The Q8 is the obvious leader in this area as well.
You’ll get a towing capacity of up to 7,700 pounds with the Q8 compared to a lesser 5,950 in the BMW X7. Of all the SUVs similar to the Q8, the X7 comes a bit closer in terms of price. Starting at $74,900, the decision over which one to get will have to fall on the features.
How Many Colors Are There For the Audi Q8?
The Audi Q8 is available in 14 different colors. You can get one in Navvara Blue Metallic, Floret Silver Metallic, Daytona Gray Pearlescent, Orca Black, Dragon Orange Metallic, Cobra Beige Metallic, Deep black, Argus Brown Metallic, Samurai-Gray-Metallic, Glacier white Metallic, Matador Red, Vicuna Beige Metallic, Barrique Brown Metallic, and Carrara White.
What’s The Difference Between Audi C8 Variants?
There are several differences between the current variants. After Audi introduced the RS Q8, the manufacturers introduced the Q8 SUV and an entry-level Celebration variant. Despite the entry-level being a bit cheaper, it also comes adequately equipped.
For instance, it still features the HD Matrix LED headlamps and the connected LED tail lamps. You will also get the dual exhaust tips. However, unlike the Celebration variant, the car comes with smaller 19-inch wheels, unlike the 21-inch units that you get on the standard model.
You will also find several differences between the standard model and the Celebration variant. For instance, it doesn’t come with all-wheel steering and adaptive air suspension. You also won’t get the sensor-controlled luggage compartment release and the sound system that comes in on the standard.
Is the Audi Q8 a Good Purchase?
Considering that there have been a lot of complaints about the Q8 in previous models, you might not be in much of a hurry to get the Q8. However, you may want to know that there have been a lot of improvements. As a result, you won’t find a lot of complaints after 2019.
It’s still advisable to take the car for a test drive to see if you are comfortable with the power lag that a lot of owners describe. If that’s not a problem for you, then you can go for this SUV.
Which Variant Should You Avoid?
The car doesn’t have a lot of variants at the moment. Still, it’s not too difficult to root out the model that has received a lot of complaints. It might be a good idea to stay away from the 2019 model.
This is the one that received the most number of complaints than any other Q8. If you have plans to acquire one, you may want to be a bit cautious.
