2023 Audi Q8
Overview
The 2023 Audi Q8 is the latest in the German marque’s endeavors in the luxury SUV space, combining lively performance with sleek luxury looks and plenty of tech goodies to match. If the “Q8” moniker sounds a bit familiar, that’s because it shares part of its namesake with Audi’s luxury sedan flagship, the A8. Quite fitting considering the Q8 also serves as the top gas-powered SUV series for the Audi brand. Unlike the Q7, however, the Q8 is strictly a two-row affair with only five places for a driver and four passengers.
The Perfect Ride For…
The trendsetter. Inside and out, the 2023 Audi Q8 exudes confidence and sophistication. You’ll find plenty of recognizable design cues borrowed from other Audis throughout the lineup, including the visually distinctive LED tail lamp and headlamp designs. You can upgrade the Q8’s hunkered-down looks with the available S line style package, which includes glossy black exterior trim and a set of 22-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels with flashy red brake calipers. Step inside and you’ll find an interior that’s classic Audi in execution. There are several trim options to choose from, including distinctive leather seats with a massage function. Available 4-zone climate control adds an incredible level of fine-tuning when it comes to driver and passenger comfort.
Drive and Handling
Regardless of which options you choose, you’ll find just one engine under the hood of the 2023 Q8. The engine in question is a twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine with 24 valves per cylinder and variable valve timing technology. The end result is a healthy output of 335 horsepower and a generous 369 pound-feet of torque. Power flows through a smooth and responsive 8-speed automatic transmission to all four wheels, courtesy of Audi’s iconic Quattro all-wheel drive system. The Q8 also comes with a 48-volt hybrid assist system that gives the SUV incredible efficiency.
Adaptive dampers on all four wheels not only give the 2023 Q8 confidence-inspiring handling but also a compliant ride that leaves you and your passengers satisfied on long drives. The Prestige trim ups the ante with an adaptive air suspension that’s customizable via Audi drive select. This feature even lets you lower the rear at the press of a button, making it easier to load and unload items from the Q8’s generous cargo area. The Q8 is no slouch when it comes to towing duties, either. An available towing package nets the luxury SUV with up to 7,700 pounds of maximum towing capacity, along with a built-in tow hitch receiver and a 7-pin electrical connector.
Key Features
MMI Touch Response
Like many other Audi vehicles, the 2023 Q8 also has the marque’s twin touchscreen display system. The primary touch screen gives you all of your infotainment and navigation features with fast haptic feedback, responsive voice commands, and seamless smartphone compatibility via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The lower secondary touch screen is where the climate controls reside, plus this screen also comes equipped with handwriting recognition.
Driver Assistance Features
As you’d expect in a high-end luxury SUV, the 2023 Audi Q8 has many advanced safety and driver assistance features. These include Remote Park Assist Plus, which lets the Q8 automatically move into and out of parking spaces, both parallel and perpendicular. You can even activate the feature on your smartphone while you’re outside of the vehicle. Other features include a 360-degree camera view system, adaptive cruise control with lane guidance, and Night Vision Assistant, which projects thermal images onto the digital driving display under nighttime or dark driving conditions.
Alternative Options
Drivers looking for a full-sized SUV with similar appointments should explore the Audi Q7. If you want something smaller for city driving, the Audi A3 is a great choice for drivers who want to keep costs lower without sacrificing luxury. Need to see them all up close? Contact the Audi Silver Spring team online today or visit our showroom. We'd be happy to give you an in-depth look at the entire Audi lineup.
Image Credit: Audi