Audi Q8 e-tron SUV - Practicality & boot space

At just over 4.9 metres long, the Audi e-tron is a very large car, comfortably longer than the 4.7m Audi Q5 and only a little shorter than the 5m Audi Q7. Unlike the brand's largest SUV, though, the e-tron doesn’t offer seats for seven, preferring to provide lavish room for those in the second row.

Audi e-tron interior space & storage

The e-tron's 2,928mm wheelbase (the distance between its front and rear axles) is claimed to offer ample interior space for five occupants, and we found even taller second-row occupants to have plentiful headroom. The same is true for those in the front seats, where the driver is assured of a comfortable seating position and excellent visibility – even if those virtual door mirrors seem an ergonomic step backwards.

There's generous interior storage, with a large central cubby between the front seats, although items in it seem prone to falling out and getting lodged between the cubby and the seats. The redundant transmission tunnel between the seats is a reminder this platform was designed for combustion-engined versions first, however. Clean-sheet rivals like the BMW iX feel less cocooned upfront as a result of their flat floor layout.

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Boot space

The Audi Q8 e-tron has one of the biggest boots in this class, even if it’s down by a few litres versus its predecessor – on paper at least. 

Measuring 569 litres, the e-tron’s boot is roughly the same size as you’ll find in a Jaguar I-Pace, but quite a bit bigger than a Mercedes EQC or even a BMW iX. You can fold the Audi’s seats nice and easily to uncover a maximum 1,637-litre load bay – again, slightly down on the pre-facelift car.

As before, there is space (62 litres) under the bonnet, which is particularly handy for storing the charging cables. It means you don’t have to fret if you’ve got a boot full of belongings, as they’re always within easy reach should you need to juice up with a quick splash and dash at the local supermarket.

Towing

Audi quotes a 1,800kg towing limit for the Q8 e-tron, but that can't match the Tesla Model X and its 2,250kg figure, and falls a long way short of the diesel Audi Q5's 2,500kg maximum. Still, very few electric cars are rated for towing – the Jaguar I-Pace is one example – so it’s pleasing to know the Audi is capable of pulling a trailer should you need it.