2024 Audi Q8 60 TFSI e Plug-in Hybrid Review

Sitting at the top of the ICE-powered Audi SUV range globally, the Q8 is the handsome, less practical five-seat sibling to the Q7. Sharing its platform and drivetrains, though not its seven-seat layout, the Q8 is offered with a wide range of powerplants – diesel, petrol and even two V8 options. Well, Audi has launched yet another option: a plug-in hybrid in the hope of snagging buyers not quite ready for an EV. Does the 2024 Audi Q8 60 TFSI e make sense in the local Audi lineup? Let’s find out.

It’s no secret that plug-in hybrids aren’t the most popular powertrain choice in Australia. With 7,796 PHEV sales so far this year, plug-in hybrids are enjoying a 131 per cent increase compared to 2023 – though electric car sales are at 27,952 for the same time period. Despite this, Audi says that there’s still a market for PHEVs locally and some other car makers like Jaguar Land Rover agree. Let’s look at the plug-in hybrid Q8 in greater detail.

How much does the 2024 Audi Q8 60 TFSI e cost to buy?

In Australia, the 2024 Audi Q8 range is offered in three different models (plus the SQ8 and RS Q8 above them): the entry-level 50 TDI, mid-spec 55 TFSI and the top-spec 60 TFSI e plug-in hybrid tested here. Pricing starts at $138,900 plus on-road costs for the 50 TDI, $140,300 +ORC for the 55 TFSI and the PHEV tested here starts at $152,500 +ORC or around $167,000 drive away, depending on location.

Q8 60 TFSI e standard equipment:

• 21-inch alloy wheels with a tyre repair kit
• Adaptive air suspension
• Automatic dusk sensing all-LED exterior lighting
• Automatic rain-sensing wipers
• Heated and auto-folding mirrors with passenger side automatic dipping in reverse
• Keyless entry and push button start
• Electric tailgate with kick-to-open functionality
• Rear privacy glass
• Panoramic glass sunroof
• Gloss black exterior trim
• Tri-zone climate control with rear air vents
• ‘Valcona’ leather upholstery
• Heated and electrically adjustable front seats with driver’s memory functionality
• Powered steering column
• Leather steering wheel with paddle shifters and gearknob
• 12.3-inch digital driver’s display
• 8.6-inch climate control touchscreen
• 10.1-inch touchscreen with Audi Connect Plus services including online traffic information with hazard alert, destination entry via myAudi or Google Maps, parking information, weather and fuel prices
• Head-up display
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Satellite navigation with live traffic
• AM/FM/DAB+ digital radio
• Audi Connect Plus Security & Assistance services including car finder with remote signal, remote lock & unlock, emergency call and online roadside assistance
• 4x USB-C ports (2x per row of seating)
• 730-watt 17-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system
• 30-colour cabin ambient lighting
• Wireless phone charger
• Various driving modes, including the PHEV-specific EV driving, auto hybrid, battery hold and battery charge
• Automated regenerative braking
• Auto-dimming rear mirror

Q8 60 TFSI e standard safety equipment:

• Eight airbags
• Auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist and intersection assist
• Low-speed front and rear automatic braking
• Lane keeping assistance with lane departure warning
• Matrix adaptive high beam
• Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert (both with braking)
• Adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist
• Adaptive lane guidance
• Driver attention monitoring
• Traffic sign recognition
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Rear occupant alert
• Safe exit warning
• Alarm
• Front and rear parking sensors
• 360-degree surround view camera
• Semi-autonomous parking functionality
• First aid kit and warning triangle

The 2024 Audi Q8 range received a five-star ANCAP rating in 2019 with scores of 93 per cent for adult protection, 88 per cent for child protection, 71 per cent for vulnerable road user protection and 75 per cent for safety assist.

Q8 60 TFSI e options:

• Black roof rails: $700
• Soft close doors: $1,500
• Black suede headlining: $3,400
• Oak wood inlays: $400
• Full leather package (leather on the dashboard, centre console and door trims and rear sunblinds – fitted to our test car): $8,900
• Black exterior styling package: $1,850
• 1,920-watt 23-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system: $12,100
• 22-inch S Line wheels: $2,300 (fitted to our test car)

Q8 60 TFSI e colour range:

• Carrara White: $0
• Glacier White: $2,300
• Satellite Silver: $2,300
• Dragon Orange: $2,300
• Daytona Grey: $2,300
• Navarra Blue: $2,300
• Mythos Black: $2,300
• Waitomo Blue: $2,300 (fitted to our test car)

Perhaps surprisingly for some, there are actually quite a few plug-in hybrid competitors to choose from for the Q8 buyer: the mechanically-similar Volkswagen Touareg R ($129,990 +ORC) and Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid ($154,900 +ORC) both use the same platform as the Q8, while the Range Rover Sport P460e Dynamic HSE ($188,716 +ORC) also uses a six-cylinder petrol plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

However, we think that the Range Rover Velar P400e Dynamic HSE ($143,508 plus on-road costs) is the Q8 60 TFSI e’s main rival because it too is a style-driven option in the Land Rover range. While the Q8 60 TFSI e’s $15,000 jump over the Q8 55 TFSI looks big, compared to the Velar, it looks like solid value for money because buyers must spend over $10,000 in options on the Velar to equip it to the standard of the Q8. Some of those options include a $4,400 Technology Package with adaptive high beam, a head-up display and a fully-digital driver’s display, as well as a $1,040 750W Meridian sound system, $400 front fog lights, $900 rear privacy glass and a $850 hands-free tailgate.

How efficient is the 2024 Audi Q8 60 TFSI e?

Powering the 2024 Audi Q8 60 TFSI e is a 250kW/450Nm 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol V6 engine that’s mated to a 100kW/400Nm electric motor, which draws its power from a 17.9kWh lithium-ion battery mounted underneath the boot floor for a claimed EV range of 47km (WLTP). Also featuring in the Volkswagen Touareg R, the total system output is 340kW of power and 700Nm of torque, and the claimed 0-100km/h sprint time is just 5.4 seconds – not bad for a 2,585kg (tare) brute like the Q8. The Q8 60 TFSI e can’t be DC fast charged, instead its maximum is just 7.4kW on an AC plug for a 0 to 100 per cent charge in 2.5 hours. The Velar uses a 297kW/640Nm powertrain and 19.2kWh battery for a claimed 5.4 second 0-100km/h sprint time and a 69km all-EV range.

As with all plug-in hybrids, the fuel economy of the Q8 60 TFSI e will depend on how much it’s charged. Audi claims a 2.6L/100km rating (WLTP) and 60g/km for CO2, but that’s with a full battery – the Velar is rated at 2.2L/100km and 51g/km in the same situation. We achieved an EV-only range of 40km – not far off the 47km claim – and overall consumption in our week with it (and fully charging it) was 7.3L/100km. That’s obviously nowhere near the claim, but not bad for a 340kW almost 2.6-tonne SUV. The Q8 has an 85-litre fuel tank and uses minimum 95RON premium unleaded.

What is the 2024 Audi Q8 60 TFSI e like to drive?

Behind the wheel of the Q8 60 TFSI e is a largely serene experience, thanks to its excellent noise suppression and grunty drivetrain. Its ride quality is largely pretty good too despite the huge optional 22-inch wheels of our test car – you can thank the standard air suspension for that, which takes most of the harshness out of the big bumps and broken road surfaces that are common locally. At lower speeds, smaller bumps aren’t felt much at all. The steering is quite light, despite the weight, but pleasingly direct.

Unfortunately, like a lot of plug-in hybrids, the driving experience of the Q8 60 TFSI e is not as positive as the regular Q8 thanks to its 400kg of extra weight over the non-PHEV Q8 55 TFSI on which it’s based. The extra weight makes the Q8 60 TFSI e feel quite heavy from behind the wheel, and although the handling is good, it never feels like it wants to corner hard or have some fun. The Q8 60 TFSI e is best at cruising in quiet luxury with the Q8 55 TFSI feeling sprightlier and more dynamic.

The engine itself in the Q8 60 TFSI e is excellent, just like it is in the Q8 55 TFSI. It makes a great noise and it’s quite refined from a noise perspective, though the integration with the PHEV system could be more refined as sometimes there’s a noticeable gap or sluggishness going from petrol to electric power, for example. That’s probably because the electric motor is integrated into the transmission, so responses can be a touch laggy when you really need action. Switching the drive mode to dynamic helps this feeling because the Q8 is now set to maximum power mode, but that also firms up the suspension.

As you’d expect for a $160,000+ drive away car, the active safety equipment features list in the Q8 60 TFSI e is lengthy and it’s also quite well tuned. The lane keeping assistance is well tuned, as is the adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist functionality. We also love how detailed the 360-degree camera is, and the 3D view is a nice touch – though we wish it had an accurate specification of your car. If you’re wishing to tow with your Q8 60 TFSI e, it impressively can tow a 3,500kg braked trailer with a 350kg downball weight (the same as the Q8 55 TFSI).

How practical is the 2024 Audi Q8 60 TFSI e?

As you’d expect for the company’s flagship ICE SUV, the interior of the 2024 Audi Q8 60 TFSI e is a real highlight. The quality is excellent, the integration of technology is great and it’s both very comfortable and practical. Of course, that’s not specific to the 60 TFSI e variant, but the Q8’s best attribute is definitely its interior. Fitted with the optional extended leather package, the interior of the Q8 feels great to touch with lovely leather trim on the dashboard and door tops, plus some suede inserts on the doors. Add that to the quality leather steering wheel and lovely tactile switchgear that Audi is known for and it’s an overall great place to spend time.

It’s positive news elsewhere inside the Q8 as well, with lots of storage places to store items. The door bins are large, as is the glovebox, while the box underneath the central armrest is also big. The front cup holders are a touch shallow, however, and there’s no under-centre console storage either.

Centre of the Q8’s cabin is a 10.1-inch touchscreen that uses the same software in other Audi products. It’s very easy to use, and the screen quality is great – plus, there are a lot of features available like weather and car parking availability thanks to the inclusion of live services. Below the main screen is a smaller screen for the climate control and while it is easy to use, it can be hard to see in bright sunlight and some button presses can take a few attempts.

Seat comfort in the front seat of the Q8 is excellent, thanks to the multi-way adjustable front seats – though, there’s no massaging functionality available, unfortunately. The Q8’s visibility isn’t amazing because of the high windows and thick pillars, but at least the side mirrors are large.

The back seat of the Q8 is spacious and comfortable, with more than enough space for two adults and three will fit reasonably well too, just beware of the big central transmission tunnel. Head- and legroom are excellent, while there’s also a third zone of climate control, a central armrest with cupholders, two USB-C and one 12V charging ports, big door pockets, map pockets and – if you select the extended leather package – electric sun blinds for the rear windows.

The boot of the Q8 60 TFSI e measures 505-litres with the seats up and 1,625L with them folded, which is 100L/130L seats up/down respectively less than the regular Q8 range as the PHEV battery is located underneath the boot floor and removes the under-floor storage of the regular Q8. It’s also 120L/68L less than the Velar with its seats up/down respectively. The Q8 60 TFSI e features side storage and hooks, as well as buttons to raise or lower the rear of the car to help load it for some handy extras, though no spare wheel.

What warranty covers the 2024 Audi Q8 60 TFSI e?

As with its other new cars, Audi Australia covers the Q8 with a five-year/unlimited km warranty with five years of roadside assistance. There is also an eight-year/160,000km warranty on the battery pack. The Q8’s service intervals are once-yearly/every 15,000km, whichever comes first. Audi doesn’t quote pay-as-you-go service pricing, but a five-year/75,000km service pack for the Q3 40 costs $3,570 for an average yearly service cost of $750.

Land Rover also covers its products with a five-year/unlimited km warranty with five years of roadside assistance and the battery is covered by an eight-year/160,000km warranty as well. Land Rover doesn’t quote pay-as-you-go service pricing, but a five-year/102,000km service package for the Velar PHEV costs $2,100 ($420 annually) and the service intervals for it are once-yearly/every 20,000km, which is more convenient than the Q8.

Should I buy a 2024 Audi Q8 60 TFSI e?

As we’ve seen with many other plug-in hybrids, the 2024 Audi Q8 60 TFSI e is a largely niche product thanks to its $15,000 premium over the regular Q8, its limited electric-only range and that unlike EVs, it can’t be DC fast charged so that topping up its battery will take a long time. But if you’re after a large luxury SUV that’s very comfortable, packed with standard equipment, is distinctive to look at and very good quality – and just happens to be a plug-in hybrid – the Q8 60 TFSI e may be perfect for you.

If the plug-in hybrid part of the 60 TFSI e is not for you, there’s still a lot to like about the Q8 range. It’s handsome, luxurious, well equipped, great quality, good to drive, very comfortable, safe and practical as well. For a luxury large SUV, the Q8 is a pretty good choice – and luckily for buyers, choice is the name of the game with its powertrain options.