Audi Q8 e-tron Long Term Review, April 2025 Report

When it comes to the world of luxury EVs, today, there are quite a few options that are vying for your money. We’ve been fortunate enough to have some of the most premium EVs in India be part of our long term test fleet and over the past month, we got to spend time with the Audi Q8 e-tron.

What landed up in our garage is the non-coupe version of the Q8 e-tron in the larger battery-equipped and the faster ’55’ variant. This brings with it a massive 114kWh battery that’s connected to 408bhp motor that can propel this luxe-barge from a standstill to 100km/h in just 5.6 seconds. While the specs may make you believe that this is the typical, explosive and heavy EV - the reality couldn’t be more different.

What’s clear after spending time with the Q8 e-tron is that the approach has been one that focuses on being understated and soothing. Starting with the looks, the unpretentious design can be attractive based on how much do you like your EV to stand out. To me, the wide grille paired with the new 2D logo and the light signature makes it looks rather handsome. Our unit also came with the self-levelling logos on the wheels which is a nice feel-good feature to have.

On the inside, though, the experience was mixed. While the quality, feel, fit and finish leave nothing to complain, it is the on-board tech that makes this otherwise luxurious EV feel a generation behind. The fully touch-based air-con controls, the resolution of the screen and the overall experience feels like it needs a big update. What doesn’t help its case either is the overly sharp brake pedal which I simply could not come around to using in a smooth fashion. The bite is so sharp and sudden that after a while you just want to stop bobbing your head and take a “break.”

It’s redemption comes in the form of factors like a spot-on driving position, direct-feeling steering, space in the back seat despite having the massive battery underneath the floor, and a sizeable frunk space as well. And let’s not forget, with the range on offer, range anxiety is a thing of the past. Overall, the Q8 e-tron comes across as a car for those who don’t want to stand out of the crowd with their EV and prioritise things like the car being comfortable, well-built and makes no compromise in practicality.

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