Owner Review: Audi RS Q8 Pros & Cons After Three Years and 40K Miles
Even though this Audi RS Q8 owner has experienced quite a few issues over the past few years, he still loves his daily driver.
It goes without saying that those who covet a crossover or SUV have a plethora of choices out there these days, and we’d argue that there are probably far too many, in fact. That’s true not only on the mainstream side of the coin, but also, the more premium luxury segment, as brands like Audi have full lineups of utilities to offer in every size imaginable. This can make choosing one a bit more difficult, and as such, it’s always nice to see what actual owners think about their vehicles after having them for a few years and putting some miles on the clock – such as AudiWorld member methodtim, who recently posted a three year retrospective about his Audi RS Q8 in the forums.
Serving as a daily driver, this Audi RS Q8 has accumulated around 40,000 miles over the past three years, which the owner calls a “journey,” and notes that “it’s fun but finicky, and there’s nothing out there that’s quite better enough for me to move on (yet).” As is the case with any vehicle, there are some pros and cons that he’s discovered with the Audi RS Q8, which are quite informative for anyone in the market.
- Pros
– Consistently fast as stink when you want it to be, but also very comfortable
– The interior is just a very very nice place to be, even if it’s not all that practical from a storage standpoint
– Still a very unique car, compared to the X5 M, Cayenne, AMG, etc. you see on a regular basis
– Quite a sleeper as well, it’s very “if you know, you know” (minus the 23″ wheels, I guess)
– Overall just a really nice car and still a value compared to its cousins Urus, Cayenne V8, Bentayga, etc. - Cons
– MPG
– Could be louder
– The pedal is really, awfully dead (PedalBox fixes this somewhat, but it’s still awful compared to even a regular BMW)
– Really could be louder
– Reliability
That last con is a bit sticking point, because unfortunately, the OP has had a number of issues with his Audi RS Q8 since taking possession of it a few years ago. “I’ve owned a lot of cars from various countries, and to summarize – this particular car has, hands down, been the most unreliable, but with annoying issues (minus the time the alternator died). The car is not falling apart on me like my BMW E90 towards the end, but it’s been in the shop over and over and over again.” After taking delivery in April 2021, this owner quickly began experiencing issues that required multiple dealer visits, in fact.
- Issues
– June 2021: Trunk doesn’t open, trunk motor failure, replaced part
– December 2021: Persistent CEL – EVAP pump failure, replaced part
– 2022: Flagged shortcuts don’t “stick” — first software update didn’t fix the issue (but I got wireless Android Auto!)
– November 2022: Rear camera recall
– July 2023: Alternator failed while driving, causing complete failure of everything, stranded, towed, alternator replaced
– November 2023: Not broken, but expensive: 6k on brakes
– 2022- June 2024: Rear passenger door doesn’t unlock, sets off “central locking malfunction” error – multiple visits to dealership finally resulting in replacing door actuator
– June 2024: Excessive Coolant Temp warning – “vacuum change over valve” faulty, replaced (and replaced coolant thermostat too)
– June 2024: Headlight washer leak – replaced pipe
Despite this, the OP admits that he still “loves” his Audi RS Q8, which may come as a surprise to many people that tend to get frustrated when they experience a number of issues with their brand new vehicle. Regardless, this is a compelling machine that has plenty of performance on tap, and one that offers owners a stellar driving experience to boot. And, as we’ve seen over and over again throughout the course of history, some people are willing to put up with some small headaches for that sort of thing.
Photos: AudiWorld forums, Audi
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