2021 Audi RS Q8

Entering into its second year of production, 2021 MY of the Audi RSQ8 remains extremely competitive and modern. But with a less intuitive infotainment system and rather lackluster braking capabilities, the performance SUV from the house of Audi still has considerable ground to cover to stand confidently against the likes of the 2021 Jaguar F-Pace SVR, 2021 Porsche Cayenne Turbo, and 2021 BMW X6M.

The RS Q8 comes in just one trim with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine and the AWD Quattro system as standard. A single trim means that for the six-figure sum of money you pay you to get everything, from a premium audio system to the latest in infotainment and safety tech with a powerful engine. At $114,500 the Audi RS Q8 feels heavily equipped and has its performance potential to vaunt. However, if you could forego performance and still want the raw magnetism of the design, the Audi Q8 could make for a viable alternative.

Audi leaves out no features, a single trim comes with almost everything that they could manage to fit in to keep the car well equipped, and fun to drive at all times. From a standard all-wheel-drive system to the most luxurious appointments in the interior and tech-savvy gadgets there is something to keep everyone occupied. 

The list of available optional packages and their features are listed in the table below:

Which Trim should you buy?

There is only a single trim available for the 2021 Audi RS Q8 as it is the performance version of the Q8 and comes equipped with everything that one might consider as being premium. There is a slew of packages to choose from all of which add a little bit more to the convenience and comfort factor in a rather performance-focused SUV. Most of the packages are a decision of personal choice, but we would suggest opting for the Driver Assistance Package to add to the existing load of safety features for a safer and more reliable experience.

The 2021 Audi RS Q8 is a performance SUV so there is no lack of power. It shares the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine as the Urus, but in the RS Q8, the engine is tweaked a little to put out 591 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. There is also a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that comes with regenerative braking. The power is managed by an eight-speed automatic transmission. The transmission sends 40 percent of engine power to the front wheels while the remaining 60 percent is sent to the rear wheels. The standard AWD Quattro system also manages to keep the distribution of power in control depending on the driving situation and it can manage to send up to 70 percent power to the front and up to 85 percent to the rear. 

The engine is capable enough to pull the beast to 60 MPH in 3.7 seconds, and it tops off at 155 MPH. With the ceramic brake upgrades, you can take it up to 190 MPH, which matches the mechanically similar to the Lamborghini Urus. The gearbox is smooth and offers a sharp response; there is no drop in power between the gear changes. There are manual paddle shifters present behind the steering which give you an enhanced feeling of autonomy and with available custom RS1 and RS2 driving modes you can control the responsiveness of the throttle and transmission.

Each performance SUV in the segment is essentially similar in powerttrain setup and come equipped with a V8 engine, 8-speed automatic transmission, and an all-wheel-drivetrain.While the 2021 Jaguar F-Pace SVR is the only supercharged engine unit available in the segment, the 2021 BMW X6M produces highest power output at 600hp and manages a torque value of 553lb.-ft.

In terms of acceleration capabilities, it is rather difficult to declare a certain winner, with all four SUVs managing the 0-60 mph run in the sub-4-second category and even the quarter-mile timings differ by a matter of a millisecond. 

How well does the 2021 Audi RS Q8 handle?

The engine is not the only thing that would keep you involved in the RS Q8; the intelligent Quattro AWD system makes the drive quite fun. The signature Quattro system is very intelligent; it allows the car to have a smaller turning radius at a lower speed and provides agility and stability at higher speeds. 

However, on-track performance focussed cars are very good, but on the regular roads, it is not generally as comfortable due to the stiff suspension. Audi uses adaptive air suspension but the toggle of a button changes the setting according to the roads. It does a pretty good job of flattening out bumps and uneven road surfaces while when in sports mode the suspension stiffens up just enough to make the drive more sharp yet comfortable. The tilt and telescopic electric steering wheel feel defined and responsive and come with a heating option to it. 

Braking Performance

The mammoth-like SUV needs good braking power to stop. The 2021 RS Q8 comes with quite big rotors; it has 16.5 inches of ventilated rotors up front and 14.6-inch rotors at the rear. For an additional cost of $8,500, Audi will change the regular brakes to Carbon-Ceramic brakes which improves braking performance drastically. And there is also a color choice for the brake calipers. The improved braking setup has a dual purpose, as it also increases the top speed of the SUV to 190 MPH.

While the official halting distances are not known yet, but comparing the brake sizes, and weight it would be safe to assume that Jaguar F-Pace SVR would have the least stopping distance thanks to the big brakes up front and rear and lighter curb weight as compared to its competitors. 

The 2021 Porsche Cayenne and BMW X6M also have an appreciable braking system in place. However, we expect them to perform better than the 2021 Audi RS Q8, credit to its lighter curb weight. 

The 2021 RS Q8 can not compete with cars like the Toyota Prius in terms of fuel economy. However, its 48-volt hybrid assistance system does make improve its performance diminutively. The rivals in the segment are only tad-bit impressive, butwhen you buy any car like the RS Q8 you might be well aware of the consequences, the major one being low fuel efficiency. Official figures state that it returns 13/19/15 MPG for city/highway/combined cycles. It has a 22.5-gallon fuel tank which is bigger than most of the rivals and allows for better range and fewer fuel stops averaging 337 miles when driving under combined conditions. 

The 2021 Jaguar F-Pace SVR is the most efficient vehicle on the block averaging combined efficiency of 18 MPG, followed closely by the 2021 Cayenne Turbo that is rated at 17 MPG. However, the Porsche does feature a larger fuel tank that has a total capacity of 23.7 gallons, allowing it to cover the maximum range in the segment. The X6M on the other hand is the least efficient and has a smaller fuel tank, which causes it to lurk at the bottom of the table. 

Audi is well known and acknowledged for its interior build quality. It is seen in the RS Q8 as well; draped in premium materials like Nappa leather and optional Alcantara leather seats, the best in class interior fitting, and premium build quality which sees no rattles or squeaks inside the cabin for a long time period. 

The design of the interior is modern and attractive. There is a lack of physical buttons inside the cabin as most of the functions and information are displayed on screens. A 12.3-inch screen is present in front of the driver which displays all the important driving information, a 10.1-inch screen performs all the infotainment functions, and an 8.6-inch screen houses all the climate controls which in reality takes off most of the physical buttons. RS Q8 can seat 5 people in two rows and be at the top of the Audi’s SUV lineup, it is loaded up to the brim in terms of interior features.

While the seating capacity of five passengers amongst the segment is standard, the interior space differs with each SUV. The 2021 Audi RS Q8 manages best-in-class space for both rows while maintaining a decent cargo space of 30.5 cubic feet. Amongst the lot, the 2021 Jaguar F-Pace SVR has the highest cargo capacity at 33.5 cubic feet, while the BMW and Porsche remain at the lower end of the segment. 

Standout interior features:

• Leather-wrapped dashboard
• Rear-window sunshades
• Heated and Ventilated front seats
• Quad-zone automatic climate control
• Power soft-closing doors

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The 2021 Audi RS Q8 comes with a 10.1-inch infotainment head unit that controls all the functions. It comes paired to a premium 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen system which is quite soothing and will provide a rich music hearing experience inside the cabin. There is no lack of features in the system and the touch screen is easy to get the hang of and offers accurate responses. Navigation is also present as a standard option and for an additional cost, you can upgrade the sound system from 17 to a 23 speaker 3D surround sound system by Bang & Olufsen. 

Further features of the system include:

• 10.1-inch infotainment display
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Bluetooth connectivity
• 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• MMI navigation
• Voice control

Audi has given their cars a distinct look with the bigger front grille. 2021 RS Q8 comes with a trim-specific single-frame grille which has RS-specific honeycomb details and a large air intake grille towards the bottom of the front bumper. Present on the sides of this grille is Audi’s signature HD-Matrix LED headlights which have one of the most beautiful designs. They are standard on the RS Q8. Also available as standard is a panoramic sunroof, which gives the SUV a roomy and premium look and 22-inch wheels provide commanding control on the trot and also add to the visual appeal. Bigger 23-inch wheels are also available in the optional packages. 

The rear end of the RS Q8 houses animated LED taillights with dynamic turn signals and accompanying both the taillights are small faux vents present just below them. A bigger faux vent is present in the rear bumper which has the signature oval tailpipes present and to finish off the sport look a roof-mounted rear spoiler finishes off the look. 

The 2021 RS Q8 is the heaviest SUV in the segment at 5,490 lbs. It is also the longest SUV at 197.3 inches and sports a wheelbase that extends 117.9 inches. While its ground clearance is not known, the Audi is one of the taller SUVs in the segment. However, with these kinds of dimensions, the RS Q8 is a tad bit difficult to maneuver in cramped conditions and tight parking spots.

The lightweight of the Jaguar helps in giving it better fuel economy and braking performance, while the high ground clearance of the BMW makes it a capable and better-performing off-roader. In addition, at 81.5 inches, the 2021 F-Pace SVR is the widest vehicle in the segment but manages the shortest wheelbase at 113.2 inches. Both statistically and visually, the 2021 Porsche Cayenne Turbo is a smaller vehicle than its competitors.

Some standout exterior features of the 2021 Audi RS Q8 include:

• Animated LED taillights with dynamic turn signals
• S specific Quad tailpipes
• 22-inch alloy wheels
• Sunroof
• LED head- and taillights
• Optional 23-inch Titanium Wheels
• Towing Package

For a car that stays in the six-figure price tag, there should be no concern about the safety factor. The base Audi Q8 managed to score a full five-star rating and bagged the recognition of being IIHS’s “Top Safety Pick”. However, the 2021 Audi RS Q8 has not been tested by the federal and non-federal agencies owing to its price tag and exclusivity. But the RS Q8 feels heavily equipped and there is no lack of safety tech in the SUV. Its standard features include up to seven airbags, including overhead rollover airbags, traction control, and stability control which are integrated with the intelligent Quattro system, LED headlights, and hill descent control.

More advanced features that come as standard in the RS Q8 include:

• Front and rear parking sensors
• Rear-cross traffic alert
• Surround-view camera
• Lane departure warning
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Frontal collision preparation

For an additional cost of $1,750, you can equip the car with the driver assistance package that adds a few extra features further improving safety by adding features such as traffic sign recognition and intersection assistance.

2021 Audi RS Q8 vs 2021 Jaguar F-Pace SVR

The special vehicle operations division of JLR has done a pretty good job of beefing up the standard F-pace. They give a glorious soundtrack with the V8 and made it lighter which makes it perform better in terms of fuel economy. However, it fails to match the excellent build quality, modern-looking interior, and more equipped RS Q8. But the Audi is more expensive than the 2021 Jaguar F-Type SVR, so choosing between them is more of a choice in terms of personal liking as both are excellent performers and have their own sets of pros and cons. 

2021 Audi RS Q8 vs 2021 BMW X6 M

The 2021 BMW X6 M also gives a tough competition to the 2021 Audi RS Q8. One thing is for sure, Audi is the better looking one, as the X6 M looks like the BMW X5 which has had the rear end chopped off. The Bimmer is also as powerful as the Audi but has less torque and both the cars offer an exciting and fun to drive experience thanks to the intelligent all-wheel-drive system. 

2021 Audi RS Q8 vs 2021 Porsche Cayenne Turbo

Audi and Porsche share the same underpinnings, as they come from the same parent company. While 2021 Porsche Cayenne Turbo has a distinct character that makes it more agile, nimble, and sophisticated than the RS Q8, it lacks power and performance. Even with the same underpinnings they are not the same in any manner but are equally fun to drive.

Despite being similar to the Lamborghini Urus, 2021 Audi RS Q8 is drastically different in almost every way apart from the mechanical similarities. It costs way less than the Italian counterpart, and the Audi badge present on the front and the rear means comfort, elegance, and premium build quality. It has offered a thrilling driving experience, incredible off-road capabilities. It also comes with a spacious interior and practical trunk and has the most modern and technologically advanced features and pieces of equipment fitted inside.