Skip advert
Advertisement

Audi Q8 review - Reliability & safety

Masses of safety equipment is available, but Audi Q8 owner satisfaction is tricky to predict

Carbuyer Rating

3.8 out of 5

Owners Rating
Be the first to review
Reliability & safety Rating

4.0 out of 5

There isn't a safety feature in Audi's armoury you can't specify on the Q8, either as standard or as an option, and it has a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. It's trickier to predict owner satisfaction – while the car itself is bound to please, neither its reliability nor Audi's customer service can be assured.

Audi Q8 reliability

The Q8 is still a fairly new model, which has a relatively unproven reliability and customer satisfaction record. Although it shares much with the Q7 under the surface, it occupies a position in the brand's range that has never previously been filled. Audi having never offered a model quite like this means there's no real precedent when it comes to owner satisfaction.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Audi's standings in our 2023 Driver Power owner satisfaction survey are pretty poor – it could only achieve 30th place out of 32 brands, below Mercedes, Land Rover and BMW. However, the statistic that 23% of Audi owners reported at least one issue with their car during the first year of ownership isn’t horrendous, and far better than Land Rover with 42%. Audi owners told Driver Power they weren’t happy with ride and handling, value or practicality, where the brand came near the bottom of the table. Its best scores were for visibility and rear legroom. 

Safety

All Q8 models come with lots of driver-assistance features, including lane-departure warning, a rear-view camera and hill-hold assist. The company is one of the front-runners in driver-assistance technology, and the semi-autonomous systems that underpin the Q8's 'Tour Pack' should significantly reduce driver workload, and therefore fatigue, on long or repetitive journeys.

The Q8 has been put through its paces by Euro NCAP and matched the Q7's performance, earning the full five stars. It achieved a 93% score in the adult occupant protection category and a high 87% for child occupant protection.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best?

Cheapest

  • Name
    50 TDI Quattro S Line 5dr Tiptronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £76,960

Most Economical

  • Name
    55 TFSI e Quattro S Line 5dr Tiptronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £83,285

Fastest

  • Name
    SQ8 TFSI Quattro Black Edition 5dr Tiptronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £98,760

Andy is Carbuyer's managing editor, with more than a decade of experience helping consumers find their perfect car. He has an MA in automotive journalism and has tested hundreds of vehicles.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Audi Q8 review – sleek luxury SUV, PHEV gets 50-mile EV range
Audi Q8 facelift
In-depth reviews
23 Jul 2024

Audi Q8 review – sleek luxury SUV, PHEV gets 50-mile EV range

Most Popular

Ford EcoBoost engines: reliability, problems and should you buy one?
Ford Puma EcoBoost front
Tips and advice
5 Nov 2024

Ford EcoBoost engines: reliability, problems and should you buy one?

Car tax: VED rates and increases explained 2024/25
Car tax
Tips and advice
4 Nov 2024

Car tax: VED rates and increases explained 2024/25

BMW M5 review – the most capable M5 ever is now a PHEV
BMW M5 Touring rear quarter cruising
In-depth reviews
5 Nov 2024

BMW M5 review – the most capable M5 ever is now a PHEV

Tips & advice

View All
Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?
Car dashboard symbols and meanings
Tips and advice
21 Oct 2024

Car dashboard warning lights: what does each symbol mean?

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps
Charging station
Tips and advice
23 Jul 2024

Electric car charging stations: public networks, charger types, apps and maps

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?
PCP vs HP
Tips and advice
17 May 2022

PCP vs HP – which type of car finance is right for you?

Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Average speed cameras: how do they work?
Tips and advice
21 Mar 2024

Average speed cameras: how do they work?

Best cars

View All
Top 10 best car interiors
Peugeot 208 hatchback
Best cars
25 Jun 2021

Top 10 best car interiors

Top 10 best electric cars 2024
Best electric cars
Best cars
16 May 2024

Top 10 best electric cars 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024
The best cheap-to-run cars 2023
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

Top 10 best cheap-to-run cars 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024
Fastest hot hatchbacks hero
Best cars
2 Jan 2024

The UK's top 10 fastest hot hatchbacks 2024