Quick answer: The 2024 Audi Q8 starts at $73,700 for the base Premium trim and goes up to $81,800 for the top Prestige trim, before options and destination fees. The luxury mid-size SUV delivers 335 horsepower from its mild-hybrid V6 engine, offering standard quattro AWD and an EPA combined fuel economy of 19 mpg. While it excels in cabin luxury, a Marginal IIHS rating in the updated moderate overlap front crash test is a key safety consideration.
Key takeaways:
The 2024 Audi Q8 features a standardized powertrain across all U.S. trims: a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine producing 335 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and standard quattro all-wheel drive. According to official specifications from Audi USA, this mild-hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) setup integrates a 48-volt electrical system to recover energy during deceleration and smooth out the engine stop-start transitions.
To give you a complete picture of the base vehicle, the key technical specifications are summarized in the table below:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 3.0-liter Turbocharged V6 with 48V MHEV |
| Horsepower | 335 hp @ 5,000 to 6,400 rpm |
| Torque | 369 lb-ft @ 1,370 to 4,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed Tiptronic Automatic |
| Drivetrain | quattro All-Wheel Drive |
| Seating Capacity | 5 Passengers (Two Rows) |
| Cargo Volume (Seats Up) | 30.5 Cubic Feet |
| Cargo Volume (Seats Folded) | 60.7 Cubic Feet |
| Maximum Towing Capacity | 7,700 Pounds (with Towing Package) |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 22.5 Gallons |
The 48-volt system utilizes a belt alternator starter connected to a lithium-ion battery. This allows the Q8 to coast with the combustion engine deactivated at highway speeds under low-load conditions. While the mild-hybrid system improves refinement, it does not allow the vehicle to drive solely on electric power. For drivers who want to tow, the standard towing package provides a trailer hitch receiver and seven-pin connector wiring harness, making it easy to utilize the full 7,700-pound capacity.
For the 2024 model year, the gasoline-powered Audi Q8 receives a mid-cycle refresh that focuses on exterior styling and standard safety technology. The updates are designed to bring the vehicle in line with the brand's electric flagship models.
The primary updates for the 2024 model year include:
Previously, U.S. buyers had to purchase expensive optional equipment groups to get active lane-keeping and adaptive cruise. By standardizing these features, every model in the Audi Q8 lineup now offers standard level-2 driver assistance capabilities, improving long-distance highway comfort.
The 2024 Audi Q8 accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds according to official manufacturer estimates. Power delivery is linear and immediate, with peak torque arriving at a low 1,370 rpm, minimizing turbo lag during city acceleration. The standard steel-spring suspension delivers a balanced, comfortable ride, while the optional adaptive air suspension allows the driver to adjust the ride height by up to 3.5 inches for off-road clearance or highway aerodynamics.
However, fuel efficiency remains a notable drawback for this heavy SUV. According to the EPA, the Q8 returns fuel economy ratings of 17 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined. Real-world testing conducted by MotorTrend confirms these numbers, averaging 19 mpg in mixed driving conditions.
With a large 22.5-gallon fuel tank, the Q8 offers an estimated highway range of 517 miles. It is important to note that premium unleaded gasoline is required, which increases long-term ownership costs compared to mid-size SUVs that run on regular fuel. When compared to the older 2022 Audi Q8 specs or the older 2023 Audi Q8 predecessor, the EPA fuel economy ratings have remained unchanged, reflecting the carryover nature of the V6 powertrain.
The interior of the 2024 Audi Q8 utilizes Audi's signature MMI touch response system. This layout features a 10.1-inch upper display for navigation and audio controls, and an 8.6-inch lower display dedicated to climate control and text input. Both screens feature haptic and acoustic feedback, which vibrates slightly when clicked to confirm selections. While this setup looks modern, it can require more visual attention from the driver than traditional physical buttons.
Standard cabin amenities include leather seating surfaces, wood trim, heated front seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The cargo area provides 30.5 cubic feet of space behind the second-row seats, which expands to 60.7 cubic feet when the rear seatbacks are folded flat. While this is plenty of room for luggage, it is significantly less than traditional mid-size luxury SUVs due to the sloping rear roofline.
Upgrading through the trim levels alters the cabin's audio and comfort features. The Premium trim comes with a standard ten-speaker sound system, while the Premium Plus adds a 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium 3D audio system. The Prestige trim adds dual-pane acoustic glass for the side windows, which reduces wind and road noise to create a quiet highway cabin.
For safety evaluations, the 2024 Audi Q8 presents a mixed profile. The SUV performed well in traditional crashworthiness categories but received lower marks in updated testing protocols. Additionally, the vehicle has been subject to two safety recalls issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
According to the IIHS official crash test profile, the 2024 Audi Q8 earned Good ratings in the passenger-side small overlap front test, the driver-side small overlap front test, and the updated side-impact test. However, in the updated moderate overlap front crash test, the Q8 earned an overall rating of Marginal.
This updated IIHS test places a second dummy in the rear seat behind the driver. The evaluation revealed that during the crash impact, the rear passenger's lap belt migrated upward from the pelvis onto the abdomen, which increases the risk of internal abdominal injuries. Furthermore, the shoulder belt tension registered high forces on the dummy's chest, resulting in a Marginal rating for rear-passenger restraints.
U.S. models of the 2024 Audi Q8 are subject to two active recalls related to safety systems:
The 2024 Audi Q8 is offered in three primary trim levels for the U.S. market: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. All trims share the same V6 engine and quattro AWD system, with pricing and standard equipment details listed below:
Note:All listed prices are base MSRPs and exclude the mandatory $1,195 manufacturer destination charge, taxes, title, dealer fees, and optional equipment packages.
The 2024 Audi Q8 positions itself as a style-focused luxury vehicle. Because it shares its chassis, V6 engine, and suspension design with the three-row Audi Q7, choosing the Q8 is primarily a design decision. You sacrifice 5.2 cubic feet of maximum cargo capacity and the third-row seat of the Q7 to gain the coupe-like styling and wider stance of the Q8.
When compared to its direct luxury coupe-SUV competitors, the Q8 offers a balanced value:
For buyers looking at older model years, checking the 2021 Audi Q8 review or the 2019 Audi Q8 review can help compare used prices, which have depreciated significantly. Buyers seeking the latest updates can review the 2025 Audi Q8 successor review to determine if the newer model year upgrades are worth the price premium.
Expert view:The Q8 is a solid choice for buyers who want the styling of a coupe-SUV but require comfortable rear-seat legroom for adults. However, buyers should check the vehicle's history report to ensure that both NHTSA airbag recalls have been completed by an authorized dealer.
The 2024 Audi Q8 shares its platform and 3.0T V6 engine with the proven Q7, showing average long-term reliability. Audi provides a standard 4-year or 50,000-mile warranty.
The 2024 Audi Q8 features updated exterior styling for the front grille and headlights, and adds standard adaptive cruise control with lane centering across all trim levels.
The Premium Plus trim is the best value, adding ventilated seats, a 360-degree camera system, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system for a $4,100 premium over the base model.
Both share the same platform and engine, but the Q7 offers three rows of seats and more cargo space, whereas the Q8 features a sportier sloping roofline and two rows.
The EPA estimates the 2024 Q8 55 TFSI at 17 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined. It requires premium unleaded fuel.
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