The 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron is what happens when a traditional luxury SUV quietly goes electric, and gets better at it the second time around. Audi took its original e-tron SUV, renamed it Q8 e-tron, fitted a larger battery, tweaked the motors, and polished the ride. The result is a deeply refined, whisper-quiet EV that finally has the range to match its price tag, especially appealing once it hits the used market at a discount.
Two body styles, one mission
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron overview
Key 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron numbers
Audi’s first e-tron SUV was comfortable but compromised by its 220-ish mile range. The 2024 Q8 e-tron fixes that with a higher-density battery pack (about 106 kWh usable), updated motors, and improved efficiency. The Q8 name aligns it with Audi’s flagship gas Q8, and that’s how it feels: a cushy, quiet, premium family hauler that happens to plug in instead of fill up.
Q8 e-tron vs. Q8 Sportback e-tron
Same bones, slightly different personalities
Q8 e-tron SUV
Traditional SUV profile with a squarer rear and a bit more headroom for taller passengers.
- EPA range up to the mid-280s miles depending on wheel choice
- More upright cargo area, easier for pets, strollers, and bulkier gear
- Styling leans practical and understated rather than dramatic
Q8 Sportback e-tron
Sloping roofline trades a bit of cargo volume for sleeker looks and slightly better efficiency.
- EPA range up to 296 miles, or ~300 miles with the Ultra aero package
- Sportier stance and more design drama
- Still a hatchback, so loading is easy, just a little lower roof at the back
Trim shopping tip
Battery, range, and real-world efficiency
The Q8 e-tron’s upgrade story starts with the battery. Audi kept the same physical space between the axles but switched to higher-energy-density cells and smarter battery management. Usable capacity climbs to around 106 kWh, versus roughly 86.5 kWh in the original e-tron. On paper, that lifts the EPA range to:
- Q8 e-tron SUV: up to about 285 miles
- Q8 Sportback e-tron: up to about 296 miles
- Q8 Sportback e-tron Ultra (aero wheels, efficiency tune): up to about 300 miles
What that range feels like day-to-day
Efficiency ratings
The EPA rates the Q8 e-tron SUV in the low-to-mid 80s MPGe combined, while the Sportback can climb into the high 80s MPGe in its most efficient form. That’s a clear improvement over the original e-tron’s high‑70s scores but still behind class leaders like the Tesla Model X or some Hyundai/Kia EVs.
Real-world energy use
Expect somewhere around 2.3–2.6 mi/kWh in mixed driving for most owners. Gentle city use can do better; high‑speed interstate runs or heavy winter use will do worse. The good news: the Q8’s big pack means you won’t be watching the range meter like a hawk every mile.
Cold-weather reality check
Charging: home, public, and road-trip reality
Good news: Audi didn’t just stuff in a bigger battery; it also improved charging hardware and software. The Q8 e-tron can charge quickly enough to make road trips comfortable and home charging straightforward, if you set things up properly.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron charging at a glance
Approximate times from low state-of-charge under ideal conditions.
| Charging type | Power | 0–100% est. | 10–80% est. | Best use case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 (120V outlet) | 1.4 kW | 2+ days | Not practical | Emergency top-up only |
| Level 2 home (standard) | 9.6 kW | ~13 hours | ~9 hours | Overnight charging at home |
| Level 2 home (optional) | 19.2 kW | ~6–7 hours | ~4–5 hours | Fast home charging with 80A circuit |
| DC fast charge | Up to 170 kW | ~60–70 minutes | ~31 minutes | Road trips and long-distance travel |
Actual charging times vary with temperature, charger quality, and starting state of charge.
Home charging tip
On a DC fast charger that can deliver its peak 170 kW, Audi quotes about 31 minutes to go from 10–80%. That’s competitive, though not class-leading, and the charging curve is well managed, power stays high for much of the session instead of tapering immediately. On a good charger, you can knock out a restroom break, grab a snack, and be back on the road with well over 150 miles in the bank.
Fast-charging caution
Performance and driving feel
On paper, the Q8 e-tron’s numbers are solid: about 402 hp and 490 lb-ft from its dual‑motor setup, standard quattro all‑wheel drive, and 0–60 mph in the low‑to-mid 5‑second range depending on trim and wheel/tire choice. In the real world, it feels exactly like a high-end Audi should: calm, unhurried, and unflappable.
How the Q8 e-tron drives
Less stoplight dragster, more long‑legged grand tourer
Ride & refinement
The air suspension soaks up broken pavement, and the cabin is exceptionally quiet, even by EV standards. Think of it as a rolling library with great seats.
Handling
Steering is light but accurate, and the Q8 e-tron feels secure rather than playful. It’s a tall, heavy SUV; Audi wisely tunes it for confidence, not corner carving.
Noise levels
An acoustic windshield, available dual-pane side glass, and good aero keep wind noise to a whisper. The loudest thing is often the climate control fan on a hot day.
Braking and regen feel
Interior, comfort, and in-car tech
Slide into the Q8 e-tron and you’re in modern Audi land: crisp lines, solid materials, and a sea of screens. It’s not the sci‑fi minimalism of a Tesla, and that’s exactly why many buyers like it, physical controls are limited but still present where you want them, and everything feels properly screwed together.
- Dual central touchscreens (one for infotainment, one mostly for climate and seat controls) plus Audi’s excellent Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster
- Available Bang & Olufsen 3D audio that does genuine justice to music and podcasts
- Comfortable, supportive front seats with available ventilation and massage on higher trims
- Generous use of soft-touch materials, open-pore wood or aluminum trim, and subtle ambient lighting
Touchscreen overload?
Infotainment and connectivity
The Q8 e-tron offers the expected suite of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, and connected services. Audi’s interface is clean and responsive, though not quite as flashy as some rivals. Over‑the‑air updates and a robust app experience make it easy to precondition the cabin and check charging status from your phone.
Comfort on long drives
Where this Audi really shines is on the highway. The combination of excellent seats, low noise levels, and a relaxed chassis tune gives it that old‑school luxury car vibe, just without the fuel stops. If your family spends a lot of time chewing through miles, this is one of the more serene electric SUVs you can buy.
Space, practicality, and towing
The Q8 e-tron is a two-row SUV, so if you need a third row, you’ll be shopping elsewhere. But for four adults and their stuff, it’s an easy fit, with good legroom front and rear and plenty of adjustability in the front seats.
Practicality snapshot
Approximate interior and cargo figures for the Q8 e-tron SUV.
| Area | Approx. figure | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger space | Comfortable for 4–5 | Plenty of room for adults in both rows |
| Cargo behind 2nd row | Mid‑50s ft³ | Big enough for family road trips and Costco runs |
| Cargo with seats folded | Around 60 ft³ | Flat load floor handles bikes, gear, and small furniture |
| Frunk | Tiny | Enough for a charging cable and a few odds and ends |
| Towing | Up to ~4,000 lb (approx.) | Fine for a small trailer or pop‑up camper, but range will drop notably |
Exact numbers vary slightly by body style and whether seats are folded.
Towing with an EV
Safety and driver-assistance tech
As you’d expect in a modern luxury SUV, the Q8 e-tron comes stacked with safety and driver-assistance features. Exact bundles vary by trim, but you’ll typically find:
- Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist
- Adaptive cruise control with stop‑and‑go
- Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert
- Surround‑view camera system on higher trims
- Available park assist and traffic‑jam assist features
Long-distance ally
Costs, depreciation, and the used Q8 e-tron market
New, the 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron lines up squarely in premium territory. Depending on trim and options, you’re generally looking at pricing that starts in the mid‑$70,000s and climbs quickly once you add packages, bigger wheels, and that tempting Bang & Olufsen audio. But here’s the twist: big luxury EVs tend to depreciate hard in the first few years.
What ownership really costs
Where the Q8 e-tron stings, and where it saves
Purchase price
New pricing is premium-luxury money. Many buyers will be better served waiting 2–3 years and scooping one up used once depreciation has done its work.
Running costs
Electricity is cheaper than gas in most U.S. markets, and there’s no oil to change. Tires and brakes will still cost real money on a nearly 6,000‑lb SUV, though.
Maintenance & repair
Audi’s build quality is strong, but out-of-warranty repairs at a luxury dealer are rarely cheap. A used Q8 e-tron with documented service history and a clean battery-health report is your safest bet.
Why the used market is so attractive
Who the 2024 Q8 e-tron is (and isn’t) for
Great match if…
- You value comfort and quiet over maximum acceleration.
- You want a luxury SUV that just happens to be electric, rather than a spaceship on wheels.
- You have dependable home charging and mostly do trips inside the 200–250‑mile window.
- You’re eyeing a lightly used example to let someone else eat the steepest depreciation.
Better to look elsewhere if…
- You need three rows of seats on a regular basis.
- You obsess over maximum range and want 330+ miles between charges.
- You’re after the sharpest, sportiest drive in the segment.
- You don’t have reliable access to home or workplace charging.
Bottom line
Buying a used Audi Q8 e-tron with Recharged
Because the Q8 e-tron is expensive new and depreciates quickly, it has all the makings of a standout used EV, if you choose the right example. That’s where Recharged comes in.
How Recharged helps you buy smarter
1. Verified battery health
Every used Q8 e-tron listed on Recharged includes a <strong>Recharged Score</strong> battery-health report, so you’re not guessing about hidden degradation or an abused fast-charging history.
2. Fair market pricing
Recharged benchmarks each vehicle against the broader market, helping you see whether that loaded Prestige-spec Q8 e-tron is truly priced right, or just shiny.
3. EV‑specialist support
From explaining home charging setups to comparing Q8 SUV vs. Sportback, Recharged’s EV specialists walk you through the nuances a traditional dealer might gloss over.
4. Financing and trade‑in options
If you’re moving out of a gas SUV, you can get <strong>financing, trade‑in, or even consignment</strong> handled in one place, all through a fully digital experience.
5. Nationwide delivery
Found the right Q8 e-tron a few states away? Recharged can coordinate <strong>nationwide delivery</strong>, so the only big trip your Audi takes is on its way to you.
The 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron hits its stride as a used buy: long‑enough range, truly luxurious manners, and pricing that becomes far more sensible after a few model years. If your idea of an EV is a calm, quiet, endlessly comfortable family SUV, and not a gadget on wheels, it deserves a serious look. With the right charging setup at home and a clear view of battery health from a Recharged Score, it can be one of the most satisfying electric SUVs you’ll own.
