2025 Audi RS Q8 Review – Price, Specs, Performance & Features
Overview
Don’t let the simple look of the 2025 Audi RS Q8 fool you. It has a lot of power underneath, the same kind that powers the insane Lamborghini Urus SUV. This RS Q8 is built on the regular Audi Q8, but it’s been upgraded to give high performance that can easily compete with sports cars. It runs on a twin-turbo V8 engine, connected to an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, making it both fast and smooth.
It handles sharp turns well, but can also drive comfortably when you’re just cruising. Inside, the cabin feels very high-end with quality materials and lots of tech, including digital screens and smart features. Since this is Audi’s top SUV, it comes at a high price. But when you compare it to the Urus, which costs over $100,000 more, it suddenly seems like a pretty good deal.
What’s New for 2025?
Audi redesigned the RS Q8 for 2025 to match the revised Q8 and SQ8 models. They removed the regular RS Q8 version and replaced it with a stronger one called the RS Q8 Performance.
This new version doesn’t just look better — it also comes with:
- More horsepower (631 hp)
- A mechanical center differential for better control
- A special exhaust system for a sportier sound
- A new suspension that uses electric motors to keep the car stable when turning
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2025 Audi RS Q8 Performance starts at $137,495.
Even though it’s expensive, this SUV gives you power, style, and premium features that make it worth the price, especially if you like fast SUVs.
Here’s what you get as standard:
- Air suspension that adapts for a dynamic and comfortable ride
- 22-inch wheels
- Heated and cooled front seats
- A 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system for amazing audio
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Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The Audi RS Q8 Performance comes with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that delivers a massive 631 horsepower. That’s a big jump compared to the SQ8, which has 500 horsepower. This power is sent to all four wheels through Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system, along with a smooth eight-speed automatic transmission. There’s also a 48-volt mild-hybrid system working in the background. It doesn’t add power directly, but it helps the engine save fuel, especially when coasting or stopping in traffic.
What makes this SUV even more advanced is its mechanical center differential, which helps better control power between the front and rear wheels. It also has an electromechanical active roll stabilization system. That sounds technical, but basically, it uses electric motors to reduce body roll in tight turns, keeping the SUV steady and planted during hard cornering.
The RS Q8 Performance seemed exceptionally well-balanced when we drove it on the racetrack and on the street. It accelerates faster than the previous model, grips the road confidently, and still manages to stay comfortable when you switch the suspension to its softest setting. Whether you’re pushing it hard or just cruising around town, it handles both roles with ease.
0–60 MPH Time
The RS Q8 Performance only took 3.1 seconds to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour during testing. That’s lightning-fast, especially for a big SUV—and it’s just as quick as the Lamborghini Urus, which costs over $100,000 more.
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Fuel Economy
This kind of power comes with a price—fuel economy. According to EPA estimates, the RS Q8 gets about 14 miles per gallon in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. That’s pretty low, but expected for a high-performance SUV like this. However, in a real-world highway test at 75 mph, it managed 22 mpg, which is slightly better than expected.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo Space
Inside, the RS Q8 keeps the same five-seat layout as the regular Q8 but adds some sporty touches. The front seats are specially designed with more side support to keep you comfortable and secure during sharp turns. There are also RS badges placed throughout the cabin, giving it a more performance-focused vibe.
As for space, there’s plenty of legroom and headroom in both the front and back seats, making it great for long drives. It might fit eight checked bags behind the back seats in cargo testing. When the back seats were folded down, it could hold up to 23 bags, which makes it just as practical as it is fast.
Infotainment and Technology
The RS Q8 is packed with tech. It features Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, a fully digital instrument cluster that can show things like power, torque, lap times, and even G-forces. It also comes with Audi’s dual-touchscreen MMI system, which controls everything from navigation to media and climate settings.
Other standard tech features include:
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Built-in navigation
- 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot
- SiriusXM satellite radio
The system is quick and easy to use once you get the hang of it, and everything looks sleek on the high-res screens.
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Safety and Driver Assistance
The Audi RS Q8 Performance is not just about power and speed—it also comes with important safety features to help keep you and your passengers protected on the road. Audi includes many of these safety systems as standard, meaning you don’t have to pay extra for them.
Some of the key safety features include:
- Automated emergency braking that can identify people and bring the vehicle to a stop when necessary.
- Lane-departure warning that alerts you if you start drifting out of your lane, plus lane-keeping assist to help gently steer you back.
- Adaptive cruise control automatically modifies your speed and maintains a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.
If you want to learn how the RS Q8 performed in crash tests, you can visit the websites for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Warranty and Maintenance
Audi offers a decent warranty package, but when compared to some luxury rivals, it’s not the most generous. For example, Jaguar offers longer coverage and free scheduled maintenance for five years, which Audi doesn’t.
Here’s what Audi provides:
- Basic warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Scheduled maintenance: Not included (you’ll need to pay for it yourself)
Specifications
Full Specs and Performance Details – 2025 Audi RS Q8 Performance
Vehicle Type:
Front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door SUV (also called a “wagon”)
Pricing:
- Starting price: $137,495
- Tested model price: $155,440 (with options and upgrades)
Engine and Power
- Engine Type: 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8
- Build: Aluminum block and heads with direct fuel injection
- Horsepower: 631 hp at 6000 RPM
- Torque: 627 lb-ft at 2300 RPM
This engine delivers massive power, and it feels extremely strong from low speeds all the way to high speeds. It is quick and smooth, making it ideal for both fast acceleration and daily driving.
Transmission
- Type: 8-speed automatic
- It shifts quickly and smoothly, whether you’re cruising or going full throttle.
Suspension and Brakes
- Front/Rear Suspension: Control arms in front, multi-link setup in the rear
- Brakes: High-performance carbon-ceramic discs
- Front brakes: 17.3 inches
- Rear brakes: 14.6 inches
- These brakes provide excellent stopping power even at high speeds.
Tires
- Brand: Pirelli P Zero PZ4
- Size: 295/35ZR-23
These are high-performance tires designed for grip, stability, and confidence at any speed.
Dimensions
- Wheelbase: 117.9 inches
- Length: 197.7 inches
- Width: 79.0 inches
- Height: 67.5 inches
- Passenger Space: 53 ft³ front, 52 ft³ rear
- Cargo Space: 60 ft³ with seats down, 33 ft³ with seats up
- Weight: 5394 pounds
This is a big, heavy SUV, but it handles like something much smaller and more agile.
Tested Performance Results (Automerse)
- 0–60 mph: 3.1 seconds
- 0–100 mph: 7.9 seconds
- 1/4 mile: 11.5 seconds @ 119 mph
- 0–130 mph: 14.0 seconds
- 0–150 mph: 20.5 seconds
- Top speed (claimed by Audi): 190 mph
- Braking 70–0 mph: 142 feet
- Braking 100–0 mph: 283 feet
- Skidpad (cornering grip): 0.98 g
These figures show the RS Q8 Performance’s outstanding speed and control given its size.
Fuel Economy
EPA Ratings:
- City: 14 mpg
- Highway: 20 mpg
- Combined: 16 mpg
Real-world testing (75 mph highway):
- Observed MPG: 22
- Estimated Range on Highway: 490 miles
As expected from a high-powered V8 SUV, the fuel economy isn’t great in the city, but it performs a bit better on the highway than official numbers suggest.
