Audi Q8 e-tron 2023 Review

In recent years, competition in Malaysia's luxury electric vehicle market has become increasingly fierce, with the mid-to-large-size electric SUV segment being a key battleground for brands. Family users are looking for the environmental benefits of electric vehicles without compromising on space practicality and luxurious feel. As the flagship SUV of Audi's pure electric family, the 2023 Audi Q8 e-tron advanced 50 quattro promotes "upgraded range + extended luxury configurations" as its key selling points. This time, we have conducted a test drive to focus on verifying its overall performance under local road conditions and assessing its practicality in daily use scenarios.

From a distance, the Q8 e-tron advanced 50 quattro maintains Audi's family style with a stable and elegant design, but subtle adjustments give it a distinct electric vehicle identity. The front eliminates the traditional air intake grille and replaces it with a closed octagonal "single-frame" design. The chrome trim on the outer frame, paired with the black honeycomb structure inside, retains the luxurious feel while highlighting its electric characteristics. The LED headlights on both sides feature a new matrix design, with daytime running lights in a segmented shape, offering high recognizability when lit. The side body lines are smooth, with a waistline running through the body from the front fender to the rear, and the 20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels add a sense of strength to the side profile. The door handles adopt a hidden design, automatically extending at low speeds and retracting at high speeds, reducing wind resistance while enhancing the technological feel. At the rear, the through-type LED taillight design echoes the front. The dynamic turn signals inside the taillights light up sequentially when turning. The diffuser at the bottom of the rear bumper has a simple design, without the traditional exhaust layout of internal combustion engine vehicles, further reinforcing its electric identity. Overall, the exterior of the new model retains the imposing presence of a luxury SUV, while details have been optimized to highlight its electric features, aligning with the positioning of a flagship model.

Sitting inside, the interior of the Q8 e-tron advanced 50 quattro continues Audi's characteristic combination of technology and luxury. The multi-layer dashboard design features a soft leather material on the upper layer, complemented by stitching craftsmanship to enhance texture. The lower layer bears a piano lacquer panel, though it is prone to fingerprints, so regular cleaning is necessary. The center control area is equipped with a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the latest MIB 3 infotainment system. It supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and commonly used local navigation and music apps. Below it is an 8.6-inch touch screen controlling the air conditioning and vehicle settings, featuring clear operation logic and a quick response time. The instrument panel is a 12.3-inch full LCD display that can show information such as range, navigation, and driving modes, with a simple and legible interface design. The seats are wrapped in genuine leather, with the front seats offering electric adjustment and heating functions. They provide good lateral support, ensuring no discomfort during long drives. The rear seats are also spacious, with sufficient legroom (about two fists worth) and headroom (over one fist), meeting the seating needs of a family. For storage, the front center armrest box has a relatively large capacity and can hold items like phones and wallets. The door panel storage slots can accommodate two bottles of mineral water each. The trunk boasts a regular capacity of 569 liters, which can be expanded to 1,755 liters by folding down the rear seats, making it ample for daily shopping or long-distance travel storage needs.

The Q8 e-tron advanced 50 quattro is equipped with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, delivering a combined maximum power of 250kW and a maximum torque of 664N·m. The official 0-100km/h acceleration time is 6 seconds. During actual driving, the car accelerates very swiftly from a standstill; pressing the accelerator pedal provides an immediate power response with no turbo lag as found in traditional internal combustion engine cars. Mid-to-high-speed acceleration is equally strong, offering sufficient power reserves for effortless overtaking on highways with a deep press of the pedal. Driving modes include Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, and Off-road. In Comfort mode, the power output is smooth and suitable for daily commuting. Dynamic mode enhances throttle response and delivers more aggressive power output, catering to users seeking driving pleasure.

In terms of handling, the new car adopts an electric power steering system. The steering wheel has moderate weight, remaining light for easy maneuvering at low speeds and becoming more stable at high speeds, improving stability. Steering precision is high, and it provides clear road feedback during cornering. The chassis features a front five-link and rear multi-link independent suspension setup. The suspension is tuned for comfort and effectively absorbs most shocks when passing speed bumps or uneven roads, ensuring passengers feel minimal jolts. When cornering at high speeds, the suspension offers good lateral support, ensuring minimal body roll and maintaining commendable stability. During our test drive on suburban roads with consecutive curves, the vehicle's road-holding performance was outstanding, as the all-wheel-drive system optimally distributed power between the front and rear wheels to ensure grip in corners.

In terms of range and charging, the car is equipped with a high-capacity 114kWh battery pack, offering a WLTP range of 582km. We conducted a range test in mixed driving conditions: 60% urban roads and 40% highways, driving in Comfort mode with the air conditioning set to 24°C in automatic mode. The test results showed an actual range achievement rate of approximately 85%. Range performance was better in urban conditions, while there was noticeable range reduction on highways. For charging, the car supports 150kW DC fast charging, taking only 30 minutes to charge from 20% to 80%. Using a home AC charging station (7.2kW), it takes about 16 hours to fully charge, meeting daily charging needs.

In terms of noise control, the car performs excellently. Wind noise and tire noise are effectively suppressed at high speeds, allowing for uninterrupted conversations or music inside the cabin. The noise from the electric motor is almost negligible, only faintly audible during rapid acceleration. The energy regeneration system offers three adjustable levels: the first level provides a coasting feel similar to internal combustion engine vehicles, making it suitable for drivers accustomed to traditional cars; the third level provides strong deceleration, enabling almost one-pedal control of the vehicle, which helps enhance range. The overall driving and riding comfort is excellent, making it suitable for daily commutes or long-distance trips.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2023 Audi Q8 e-tron advanced 50 quattro are evident: its luxurious exterior emphasizes electric vehicle characteristics, while the interior balances technological sophistication with a sense of luxury. The car offers strong performance, stable range, and practical space to meet family needs. Compared to competitors in the same class, such as the BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz EQC, the Q8 e-tron advanced 50 quattro holds an edge in terms of power specifications, range, and space. Although its price is slightly higher, it offers richer features and outstanding value for money.

This car is suitable for family users who value luxury quality, performance, and range performance, especially those with long-distance travel needs; at the same time, its technological configurations and driving experience can also meet young users' pursuit of a sense of technology. If you are looking for a luxury electric SUV, the Q8 e-tron advanced 50 quattro is worth considering.