2026 Audi Q8 Price, Redesign, Changes

2026 Audi Q8 Price, Redesign, Changes – Drivers who may otherwise choose alternative “sporty” lifestyle SUVs for sale, including the Mercedes GLE Coupe and BMW X6, are drawn to the 2026 Audi Q8, a large and opulent SUV crossover that is nearly exclusively intended for road usage. The main target market is undoubtedly Mercedes and BMW “coupe-style” 4x4s, although purchasers of the Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover Sport may also want to explore the Q8.

Audi’s largest coupe-SUV, the Q8, is designed to be a stylish and comfortable cruiser that keeps firmly on the asphalt, much like other vehicles in its class. Additionally, the interior design of the Q8 prioritizes style over functionality, making it less useful than the Audi Q7, which shares the same basis.

The streamlined appearance of the Q8, which is shorter, wider, and lower than its boxier stablemate, has an eight-sided grille, swoopy headlights, and large wheelarches that are allegedly based on vintage Quattro race cars. It also has a little more aggressive style. The rakish “fastback” tailgate, roof spoiler, and full-width LED lighting strip on the back limit the boot’s use. The Q8 can only accommodate five passengers, in contrast to the Q7, which also prohibits a third row of seats.

In 2026, the Q8 had a makeover that included a few more minor cosmetic changes. Wider side intakes, redesigned exhausts, and new grille designs are some of the modest cosmetic alterations that identify the facelifted automobile.

Either a 3.0-liter TDI 50 diesel engine or a 3.0-liter TFSI 55 gasoline engine may power the basic Q8. The economy of this large SUV is increased by the mild-hybrid diesel’s capacity to completely shut down the engine when coasting between 34 and 99 mph. Quattro four-wheel drive is standard on all Q8 models. 2026 Audi Q8 Price

2026 Audi Q8 Redesign and Update Plan

Exterior & Interior

The 2026 Audi Q8 has significantly outscored the drab-looking 2026 Q7. The Q8 looks more upscale and luxurious thanks to features like the aggressively sculpted bumpers, the larger front grille, the new LED headlamp designs, the full-width lighting strip above the boot lid, and the frameless side windows.

A few small design changes were made to the Q8 by Audi in 2026. The most noticeable changes are the new grilles, bigger side intakes, redesigned tailpipes, and a new emblem, even if the appearance is essentially the same.

The inside of the Q7 has been improved once again, and the A8 limousine served as a major inspiration for the genuinely amazing ambiance. The whole façade is focused on the MMI Touch dual-screen infotainment system that we are used to from earlier Audi models, and there is an abundance of piano black trim and brushed metal finishes on exhibit.

Like in earlier generations, the infotainment is shown on the top 10.1-inch screen, while the bottom 8.6-inch screen controls more basic functions like the climate control and vehicle setup settings. Additionally, it can read handwriting, which many right-handed drivers may find too much to handle; in other European markets, it makes far more sense to have the steering wheel on the left.

The Q8 also comes equipped with Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, which swaps out the conventional instrument cluster with a large, full-color screen that can be customized with high-resolution navigation maps or instrument graphics. It is opulent, modern, and very costly, yet it is not a sports-focused setting. However, we were surprised to find a small bend and squeak when we poked several of the plastics. The Q8 is built on the common MLB Evo platform of the Volkswagen Group, which enables all of its electronics and technology systems.

The cabins of the powerful SQ8 and RS Q8 are essentially the same, albeit having more power and oomph than the basic models. The interiors are actually quite similar. This means that you are effectively paying extra for better performance because the interior quality hasn’t improved. The Q8’s infotainment system is rather well-equipped, as one might anticipate. Among the offered features are a well-equipped music system, voice control, DAB audio, internet access, and full smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

2026 Audi Q8 Specs

Engine & Performance

Given that they share the same foundation and engine, it is not unexpected that the 2026 Audi Q8 feels a lot like its stablemate on the road. If you want a big SUV that you can maneuver and drive well, that’s fantastic, but if you want something more enjoyable, it’s not so wonderful. Despite the Audi’s greater comfort advantage, the BMW X6, Porsche Cayenne, and Range Rover Sport are all more visibly sporty.

The Q8’s sophisticated adaptive air suspension, which, when adjusted to its softest setting, provides decent roll resistance and moderate compliance in corners, is standard on all cars sold in the UK. The Q8’s ride quality is slightly rougher around the edges while in Dynamic mode, despite its exceptional traction and ability to handle bends with little body roll. The benefits are difficult to discern and the drawbacks are significant unless you’re on a perfectly level surface. We also remarked that the bigger 22-inch wheels were a touch unstable at modest speeds. However, because of its extremely well-muted engine compartment and almost little wind or road noise, the Q8 is incredibly silent when driving.

Even though it feels precisely like every prior Audi, the steering is precise and sensitive to inputs, even if there is almost no road sensation via the steering wheel rim. The eight-speed automatic gearbox, which is a torque converter rather than a dual clutch, was a touch hesitant at first.

However, some of the basic car’s dynamic difficulties are eased by the more powerful SQ8. It has rear-wheel steering and electronic roll stabilization technology to aid increase agility in turns. This allows the driver to turn into corners more sharply and gives them the confidence to keep driving through and back out again. Together with the quattro four-wheel-drive system, the massive tires at each corner contribute to the bags of additional traction.

Audi has the 592bhp RS Q8 in case the SQ8 isn’t strong enough. The large SUV can drive like an actual Audi Sport car thanks to its 4.0-liter V8 engine and state-of-the-art driving technology.

Highlights include RS carbon-ceramic brakes, adaptive sports air suspension, electromechanical active roll stabilization, quattro all-wheel drive, all-wheel steering, and a quattro sport differential, but none of them lessen the RS Q8’s main issue, which is its 2.4-ton curb weight.

There are two engine options available for the standard 2026 Audi Q8 model. The 3.0-liter V6 diesel 50 TDI is the first. With 282 horsepower and state-of-the-art mild-hybrid technology, it is a very well-built and smooth automobile. It accelerates really quickly as well. The top speed is 150 mph, and it takes 6.1 seconds to go from 0 to 62 mph. The alternative is a 3.0 V6 55 TFSI gasoline engine that delivers 335 horsepower. The Q8 will be able to reach 62 mph in 5.9 seconds as a result.

A 4.0-liter petrol V8 engine that generates 500 horsepower and 770 Nm of torque powers the more powerful SQ8. This enables the large coupe-SUV to reach a peak speed of 155 mph and accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 4.1 seconds.

In contrast, the slightly crazy RS Q8 still features a TFSI V8 petrol engine, but it has been modified to produce 592 horsepower and 800 Nm of torque. This yields a 0-62 mph sprint time of 3.8 seconds, which is similar to a supercar’s. Additionally, the RS Q8 has a peak speed of 155 mph. 2026 Audi Q8 Price

2026 Audi Q8 Fuel Economy

The base 2026 Audi Q8 range offers customers a choice between two engine options: diesel or gasoline with mild hybrid electric assistance. The 50 TDI diesel, which has a maximum WLTP combined cycle efficiency of 34.9 mpg and CO2 emissions of 213 g/km, is obviously considerably more efficient.

The gasoline-powered 55 TFSI is faster, but it consumes a lot more fuel and only gets 27.2 mpg. At 253g/km of CO2, it is also more polluting. The starting price of all Q8 versions is around £73,500, and the VED road tax for years two through six of ownership is £570. Being a business perk driver does not free you from Benefit-in-Kind tax because the Q8 is in the highest percentage tax bracket, regardless of whether you pick gasoline or diesel power.

According to its claimed economy and CO2-emission estimates of 23 mpg and 289 g/km, respectively, and 21.2 mpg and 307 g/km, respectively, the SQ8 and RS Q8 are not very environmentally friendly vehicles.

The Q8, which runs on diesel, is equipped with mild hybrid technology by default. Under the trunk floor is a lithium-ion battery that recharges when the vehicle brakes. The belt drive starting motor keeps the action going while the diesel engine’s stop-start technology conserves gasoline when coasting between 34 and 99 mph.

2026 Audi Q8 Safety Features

As one might anticipate from an Audi flagship, the massive SUV body is packed with safety features. Adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, front and side collision avoidance, and the capacity to match speed restrictions by identifying road signs are all features of the premium Audi Tour package.

Five systems around the city can detect incoming and rear-facing cross-traffic, exits, lane changes, and cars approaching from the side. When driving at modest speeds, a Park Plus Assist kit will automatically park the vehicle and prevent bumps.

Similar to the Q7, which it shares a platform with, the Q8 received a flawless five-star rating from Euro NCAP’s crash testing, scoring an astounding 87 percent for child safety and 93 percent for adult occupant protection. Our most recent Driver Power customer satisfaction poll did not include the 2026 Audi Q8, yet the brand ranked a dismal 30th out of 32 in our rankings of the top automakers. For any brand, let alone a premium one, this is a rather bad performance. 2026 Audi Q8 Price

Conclusion

Customers who are prepared to ignore its pretty evident packaging concessions will find the 2026 Audi Q8 to be an exceptional luxury SUV that is opulent, elegant, and luxurious. Despite having five seats and a significantly smaller trunk, it nonetheless occupies roughly the same amount of space on the road as a Q7 SUV. It has a more dynamic and modern look than its main competitor, the BMW X6, but it is less agile on the road and doesn’t provide the driver any greater participation or engagement.

However, the Q8 delivers exceptional refinement, excellent driving qualities, a fantastic interior atmosphere, and a nice ride (as long as you stay out of Dynamic mode) with its twin touchscreen interior and opulent amenities. For drivers who value comfort and style above driving like a sports car, this makes it a very alluring option.

Note: The details included in this blog post are derived from pre-release material that was accessible when the article was written. If you want the latest information, you should check official sources or call your nearest dealership.

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