2025 Audi RS Q8
Our VerdictThe 2025 Audi RS Q8 is a seriously fast luxury SUV that feels just as comfortable on a racetrack as it does on the daily commute. It’s closely related to the Lamborghini Urus but keeps Audi’s cleaner, more understated look. With 631 horsepower, it’s wildly quick, though fuel economy and price definitely sting. Still, compared to its exotic cousins, it’s almost a bargain—and one of the few family SUVs that can genuinely feel like a performance car.
Power Enthusiasts, Luxury SUV Buyers Who Want a Supercar
Fuel Misers, Budget-Conscious Shoppers
The Case For
- Explosive acceleration (0–60 in ~3.4 seconds)
- High-tech, upscale interior with Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital gauges and premium materials
- Nearly as potent as a Lamborghini Urus but ~$100K less expensive
- Active anti-roll bars and rear-wheel steering help it corner surprisingly flat
Considerations
- EPA-rated just 14 mpg city / 20 mpg hwy
- Some tech is due for update
- Firm ride in daily use (especially with 23-inch wheels)
Who It's For
The Audi RS Q8 is the brand’s flagship performance SUV—essentially a Lamborghini Urus in an Audi suit. Its 631-hp twin-turbo V8 delivers supercar-level speed, while a five-seat luxury cabin, generous cargo space, and adaptive air suspension keep it family-friendly. With Quattro all-wheel drive and rear-wheel steering, it blends comfort, agility, and everyday usability into a true ultra-SUV.
Choose Your Specification
RS Q8
~$137KSupercar Speed, Everyday Luxury
The 2025 Audi RS Q8 comes in a single, fully loaded Performance trim starting around $137,000, with a 631-hp twin-turbo V8, Quattro AWD, adaptive air suspension, four-wheel steering, and carbon-ceramic brakes standard. Aggressive RS styling, a luxurious leather-trimmed interior, and high-end tech are included, with optional packages and a sport exhaust pushing the price toward $155K.
- Every 2025 RS Q8 comes with the full 631-hp engine, carbon-ceramic brakes, adaptive air suspension, sport differential, and more
- If you’re after a super-SUV that won’t break the $200K mark, the RS Q8 is the pick
- While the price is steep, the RS Q8 still stands out as a value in the exotic SUV world
Trim by Trim
Select your car trims and compare them instantly
| Specification | RS Q8 (Performance) |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 4.0L twin-turbo V8 (gas, mild-hybrid) |
| Horsepower (Driving Feel) | 631 hp @ ~6000 rpm |
| MPG (City/Hwy) | 14/20 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 people |
| Cargo Capacity | ~30 cu ft (≈60 cu ft with rear seats folded) |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic (Tiptronic) |
| MSRP | ~$136,000 |
| Car Type | Mid-Size Luxury SUV |
The Cost of Ownership
Here’s an estimate of ownership costs
Assumptions: Based on average U.S. driver (12,000 miles/year, fuel price ~$3.75/gal, good driving record).
From Every Angle
Exterior
5Muscular Stance with Stealthy Aggression
The RS Q8 blends luxury with aggression, taking the standard Q8’s coupe-like shape and turning it up a notch. A wide honeycomb Singleframe grille, huge air intakes, flared arches over massive wheels, and oval RS exhaust tips give it a menacing stance, while OLED taillights add a high-tech finishing touch.
Interior
4High-Tech, Luxe Cabin with a Sporty Edge
Inside, the RS Q8 features a sleek, high-tech Audi cabin with dual touchscreens, a 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit, and premium materials throughout. Alcantara, carbon fiber or metal trim, and heavily bolstered RS sport seats create a cockpit that’s both luxurious and performance-focused, with available heating, ventilation, and massage for long-distance comfort.
Safety
5Advanced Driver Aids, Top Crash Ratings
Despite its performance focus, the RS Q8 comes standard with a full suite of driver-assistance tech, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control with lane centering. These features make the 600+hp SUV easy and confidence-inspiring to drive every day.
Fuel Economy
2Thirsty V8
Fuel economy is the RS Q8’s main tradeoff. Its twin-turbo V8 and hefty weight result in EPA ratings of 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway (16 combined), with real-world driving often landing in the mid-teens. It also requires premium fuel, making running costs as hefty as its performance.
Tech & Infotainment
5Cutting-Edge Features, Some Quirks
The RS Q8’s tech highlights include Audi’s dual-screen MMI system with a 10.1-inch infotainment display, an 8.6-inch climate screen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and haptic feedback. A standout feature is the Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster, offering configurable views like classic gauges or full-screen navigation.
Performance & Handling
5Supercar in SUV Clothing
The RS Q8 earns its badge with a 631-hp, 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 that launches this nearly three-ton SUV to 60 mph in about 3.3 seconds and through the quarter-mile in the mid-11s. With a top speed of up to 190 mph when properly equipped, it delivers sports-car performance in a practical SUV package.
Warranty
3Solid but Unspectacular Coverage
The RS Q8 includes a standard 4-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty covering the powertrain, along with 4 years of roadside assistance. It’s in line with other German luxury rivals—solid, but not standout.
New This Year
- A 40 hp increase over last year’s RS Q8
- The 2025 RS Q8 wears a refreshed front end with a bolder grille and larger air intakes
- Audi made the formerly optional carbon-ceramic brakes, active anti-roll bars, a sport rear differential, and four-wheel steering standard on the ’25 RS Q8
- Both the front and rear lighting now offer five selectable light signatures
- A new shift indicator feature has been added to the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
Cars Similar to 2025 Audi RS Q8
Let’s see how the RS Q8 compares against two close competitors in the high-performance luxury SUV class: the 2025 BMW X6 M Competition and the 2025 Maserati Grecale Trofeo
2025 Audi RS Q8 (Performance)
2025 BMW X6 M Competition
2025 Maserati Grecale Trofeo| Aspect | 2025 Audi RS Q8 (Performance) | 2025 BMW X6 M Competition | 2025 Maserati Grecale Trofeo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | 631-hp twin-turbo V8; explosive acceleration with supercar-level straight-line speed | 617-hp V8; brutally fast with sharp, track-biased power delivery | 523-hp twin-turbo V6; quick, lighter, and more agile than raw-power rivals |
| Tech & Interior | Dual touchscreens and Virtual Cockpit; premium materials with aggressive RS detailing | Curved digital display; tech-heavy cabin with bold M performance styling | Elegant Italian interior; triple screens, premium leather, and distinctive Maserati design |
| Practicality | Spacious two-row SUV; generous rear seating and ~30 cu ft of cargo | Coupe roof limits space; usable but tighter rear and cargo area | Smaller footprint; adequate rear seats, best for light cargo and daily use |
| Comfort & Ride | Adaptive air suspension balances firm sportiness with excellent highway comfort | Very stiff suspension; prioritizes cornering precision over ride comfort | Well-tuned adaptive suspension; engaging yet compliant for everyday driving |
| Who’s It For | Buyers wanting extreme performance without flashy or aggressive styling | Drivers who value handling precision and aggressive character above comfort | Style-focused drivers seeking exclusivity and emotional driving experience |
| Best Choice For | Buyers wanting maximum performance and practicality Daily use without sacrificing supercar speed Understated luxury with extreme capability | Drivers prioritizing handling over comfort Aggressive styling and track-inspired feel Enthusiasts who value driver engagement most | Buyers seeking exclusivity and Italian character Emotional driving feel over raw power Standing out from German performance SUVs |
Asked & Answered
How fast is the 2025 Audi RS Q8?
Extremely fast. The RS Q8 can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in about 3.4 seconds.
What’s the difference between the Audi Q8, SQ8, and RS Q8?
They are three levels of the same vehicle. Think of the Q8 as the base luxury SUV – it comes with a 3.0L turbo V6 (~355 hp) and all the style and tech, but relatively ordinary performance. The SQ8 is the sportier mid-level version, which in 2025 has a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 making around 500 hp (similar to the engine in an Audi S8 sedan). It’s much quicker than a regular Q8 and adds some performance bits, but it’s still not the ultimate. The RS Q8 is the top-dog, high-performance model. It uses a more extreme tune of the 4.0L V8 (631 hp).
Who are the main competitors to the Audi RS Q8?
The RS Q8 competes in the rarefied “super SUV” category. Its closest rivals are the BMW X6 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S (and their more conventionally shaped siblings, the X5 M and GLE 63 SUV).