The base Premium trim offers more than the necessary essential features but we recommend going a step further for the 2022 Audi Q5 Premium Plus trim. It adds more driver assistance features, more interior creature comforts, and the premium B&O sound system for less than a $4,000 price hike. If budget isn't a constraint, opting for the Executive package will just cost $2,850 over the $75,895 MSRP and add the Matrix LED headlights and more interior features to the SUV. 

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The price of the 2022 Audi Q8 is on the high end for the luxury midsize SUV class, and it's nearly the same as the all-electric Audi e-Tron Sportback. - Cars.USNews

The 2022 Audi Q8 will continue the same 3 trim configuration lineup from the previous year, which are the Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims. The prices have not climbed much from last year and the MSRP of the 2022 Q8 starts from $71,995 onwards for the base trim and goes up by 10 grand to $82,095 for the flagship Prestige trim. Under the hood, the 335 hp 3.0L turbocharged V6 engine and the 8-speed automatic transmission remain unchanged too and Quattro AWD is standard as expected.

Part of the changes this year include the addition of more driver assistance and safety tech as standard across all the trim levels. Furthermore, the base trim also gets the bigger 21-inch alloy wheels as standard fitment. In the upper trims, the extended leather upholstery package for the armrest and door panels has been standard which makes the 2022 Q8 well worth the price. The base Premium trim adds a wireless charging pad, heated steering wheel & surround-view camera system with the $1,150 Convenience package.

While the $2,850 Executive package offers Matrix LED headlights, heated rear seats, rear-window sunshades, and a leather armrest for the Premium Plus trim. The Luxury package on the other hand adds even more creature comforts like massaging front seats, acoustic windows, more leather trims, and simulated suede headliner to the top Prestige model for another $5,950. All-wheel steering, 23-speaker B&O audio system & Night vision camera system, all are exclusive options with the Q8 Prestige models. 

Also Read:

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• 2022 BMW ALPINA XB7 SUV: Expected Release, Price, MPG, and Performance

The Q8 has the sharp and precise steering of a smaller sports car. - Kelley Blue Book

Keeping things unchanged, the 2022 Audi Q8 comes with the same 3.0L turbocharged V6 engine coupled with a 48V mild-hybrid assist system as standard. Hooked up to an 8-speed automatic transmission, the 335 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque are put on all four wheels via the Quattro AWD drivetrain as standard. For more power, there is an SQ8 model that offers a 500 hp V8 engine while the most dynamic RS Q8 uses the same V8 engine to churn out 591 hp.

The power distribution is done swiftly and smoothly. Overall, the Q8 2022 handles like a breeze and does not feel much like an SUV crossover. Instead, the driving experience is sublime with minimum body roll. The mild-hybrid system offers that quick burst of power in the low revs which ease out as you move up the rev range. The ride quality is plush and gets even better with the optional air suspension system. The steering is quick to respond and although the slight understeer would not bother buyers, the lack of feedback will. 

Though you get just 335 hp under the hood, the 2022 Q8 manages to impress with a 0-60 MPH time of 5.3 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 14.0 seconds.  It can also tow up to 7700 pounds when equipped with a towing package. If that seems slow, the best option would be to drop north of 100 grand to pick up the RS Q8 that offers a 0-60 MPH time of 3.7 seconds. The SQ8 is only marginally slower with a 0-60 MPH time of 4.3 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 12.2 seconds. 

Compared to the rest, the BMW X6 outperforms the rest in accelerating off the line while the Audi Q8 picks up the pace in the quarter-mile. The Mercedes GLE-Class is the most powerful ride of the lot and costs less as well. The Porsche Cayenne is the quintessential driver's car with its precise handling but is actually the slowpoke despite bearing the high price tag in this lineup.

Despite mild hybridization, the Q8 is less efficient than much of its competition with comparable engines.- Edmunds

The 2022 Audi Q8 packs ample power, but fuel frugality is not one of its strong suits like most luxury SUVs. You get EPA estimated 18 MPG in the city, 23 MPG on the highway, and 20 MPG combined. Upgrade to the SQ8, and these MPG figures drop to 15 MPG in the city, 21 MPG on the highway, and 17 MPG combined. The 2022 Audi RS Q8 is the full-blown gas guzzler as the MPG figures further drop by 2 MPG in all respects and offer 15 MPG combined.

All of the versions are clubbed to a 22.5-gallon fuel tank which seems short-handed as you get an overall combined driving range of 450 miles with the standard 2022 Q8. Though most of us would have wanted a bigger fuel tank even if it was an optional extra, Audi has decided against that decision. Therefore, the maximum driving range is limited to just over 500 miles on the highways which is a tad bit lower than its rivals. 

Compared to the rest, the BMW X6 sets the tone with the best MPG figures. The GLE-Class and the Audi Q8 offer the exact same fuel tank capacity which keeps the competition truly cutthroat. The 2022 Porsche Cayenne, being the corporate cousin to the Q8 manages to offer a bigger fuel tank and marginally poor gas mileage. 

In typical fashion, Audi has crafted a sophisticated and sturdy environment inside the Q8. - Car And Driver

The 2022 Audi Q8 comes is packed with one of the best interior designs and high-quality materials for the automaker. The interior boasts a premium design and comfort. The leather-wrapped steering wheel comes with mounted controls. The passengers get an ample amount of head, shoulder, and legroom and the seats are very well cushioned and the base model can be upholstered as per the customer’s choice. For a couple of hundred bucks extra, you can get Rock Gray cross-stitching along with up to 7 interior color options.

As you move up to the Premium Plus trim, features like 4-zone climate control, LED ambient lighting, and lumbar control gets added. The panoramic sunroof is also available as standard from the Premium Plus trim onwards. The 2022 Q5 Prestige trim upgrades the best features of the moniker by offering Valcona leather upholstery as standard. The rear seats are also as spacious as the front and even the tall guys will find no hassles in finding a comfortable seating position. Aiding practicality, you also get a spacious 30.5 cu-ft of cargo space as well.

In this lineup, the Mercedes takes the top spot for offering the most spacious trunk while the Cayenne Coupe compromises the most with its sloping roofline. The BMW X6 is the original SUV coupe that started the trend and yet packs lesser space than the Q8. Additionally, the X6 offers lesser cargo space as well. In terms of travel entertainment, the Audi 2022 Q8 offers a 10.1-inch upper touchscreen infotainment system and an 8.6-inch lower touchscreen infotainment system as standard.

The infotainment system is paired to a 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound System. The sound system is quite enthralling and packs the punch that you would expect from it. The UI has a learning curve to it but is fairly straightforward when you get used to it. There is a lot of connectivity like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, USB, WiFi, and Bluetooth as well. Some of the notable interior features inside the 2022 Audi Q8 are:

• 18- way power, heated and ventilated front seats
• Sliding, reclining, and split-folding 40/20/40 rear seatbacks 
• Three-spoke multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles
• Panoramic sunroof with power sunshade 
• Four-zone automatic climate control
• Audi virtual cockpit MMI Navigation plus
• MMI touch response with dual center displays (10.1" upper and 8.6" lower)
• 17-speaker 730-Watt Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium sound system
• Audi Smartphone interface - wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration
• Audi Connect Care & 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot

Audi has designed a decidedly handsome exterior for the Q8, which draws attention no matter where you go.- CarBuzz

Audi got it right on the first try itself when designing the Q8. For 2022, the already handsome and bold-looking Audi Q8 offers a wide range of up to 14 paint color options. Also, the base Premium trim gets the 21-inch alloy wheel package as standard as well. Though the moniker slots above the Q7, the dimensions of the Audi 2022 Q8 are smaller than the Q7 which are befitting of a midsize crossover SUV.

At the front, the menacing-looking grille along with the LED headlamps will remain constant across all the trim levels. At the back of the Q8 2022, you get LED taillights as standard which get upgraded to Full LED with animation with the top tier Prestige trim. Furthermore, the adaptive suspension system allows you to alter the ground clearance which can go up to 8.7-inches at its highest.

While it may not look like it, the Audi Q8 is the heaviest ride of the lot while its cousin, the Cayenne is the lightest. The Mercedes matches the dimensions of the Q8 and is an equally great looker. The BMW X6 is the most compactly built vehicle and also has the lowest ground clearance. Some of the exterior features of the 2022 Audi Q8 are given below:

• Power adjustable, power-folding, heated exterior side mirrors with memory
• Aluminum-optic trim around exterior side windows
• HD Matrix-design LED headlights with animation
• Power tailgate with an integrated roof spoiler
• Singleframe grille with a body-colored mask
• 22-inch inch 5-arm design wheels
• LED taillights with animation
• Power soft-closing doors

It’s very safe. The NHTSA gives it a five-star overall rating, and the IIHS says it’s a Top Safety Pick.- The Car Connection

The 2022 Audi Q8 has not been crash-tested yet, however, the underlying structure remains unchanged, hence, the safety ratings from 2021 MY can suffice. The 2021 Audi Q8 scored a perfect 5-star rating in the NHTSA crash tests. With the IIHS, it received an overall "Good" rating along with the Top Safety Pick Award. 

Part of the changes this year include the addition of safety and driver tech as standard. The optional rear side-impact airbags are added as standard, tire pressure monitoring system, and other active driver-assist features. Also, the limited number of problems and recalls should ensure decent reliability for the 2022 Q8 in the long run. The following are the standout safety features in the 2022 Audi Q8:

• Forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking
• Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
• Lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
• Parking system plus (front and rear acoustic sensors)
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Offroad mode, secondary collision brake assist, and traction control (ASR)
• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD) and brake assist
• Electromechanical parking brake
• Front & rear parking sensors w/surround-view camera system

2022 Audi Q8 vs 2022 BMW X6

The BMW X6 is the one that started the SUV Coupe trend, and it still going strong. Backed by a lesser-powered engine than the Q8, it still manages to outperform its rival in acceleration runs. Furthermore, the BMW offers better MPG figures and safety tech. However, the Audi Q8 manages to outdo the Bimmer with the interior space, tech, and exterior look which can be deciding factors for many. Here, it boils down to brand preference to choose the winner.

2022 Audi Q8 vs 2022 Porsche Cayenne Coupe

The Porsche Cayenne Coupe is the corporate cousin to the Audi Q8 and shares the platform as well. While the Audi Q8 offers a lot of space in both rows, the rear headroom in the Cayenne is slightly problematic if you are anything over 6-feet tall. However, the Porsche one-ups its cousin 2022 Q8 by offering marginally better gas mileage, a bigger fuel tank, and the quintessential driver-centric behavior of being a Porsche at an 8 grand premium. Among the two, the Audi Q8 is the better investment.

2022 Audi Q8 vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class GLE 450

One of the latest entrants in the SUV world is the GLE-Class. Simply the most comfortable ride in the lineup, it is also the most luxurious and offers exactly the same fuel efficiency as the Audi. While it is priced lower than the Q8, the Mercedes offers an equivalent amount of interior room, and one of the best ground clearance as well. It isn't as entertaining to drive and GLE Coupe is limited to just the more expensive AMG GLE 53 model only, we prefer the Q8 over the Mercedes. 

The 2022 Audi Q8 is distinct and bold, yet practical and convenient. All set for launch in Fall 2021, the 2022 Q8 has a little something for every buyer without compromising on the things that matter. A comfortable interior, technologically rich, and a smooth performer on the road, it has everything you need from a midsize luxury SUV. So, we would definitely recommend you to buy the 2022 Audi Q8 for the encompassing package it offers.