2022 Audi RS Q8

The 2022 Audi RS Q8 is available only in one trim. It is priced at $115,595 and is available with a plethora of standard features and a few add-on packages. It gets 22-inch 10-V-Spoke star design wheels, automatic projector-beam daytime running LED headlamps, front and rear fog lamps, LED brake lights, dual-touchscreen infotainment system, 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium 3D sound system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto integration, 4G LTE Hotspot compatibility, heated and ventilated front sport seats, perforated Volcana leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, 8-way power-adjustable front seats, memory settings for driver’s seat, door mirrors and steering wheel, keyless entry, roof rails, a power liftgate, rear lip spoiler, etc.

It also gets multiple safety and driver-assist features as standard which will be discussed in detail further. Apart from the standard features, some additional packages are also available on the 2022 Audi RS Q8. They include the Black Optic package, Carbon Optic package, Ceramic brake package, Executive package, Driver assistance package, and the newly introduced RS-Design package. Out of which the Executive package now includes features like traffic recognition and intersection assist. The RS-Design package will get you faux-suede Alcantara upholstery on the center console, steering wheel, and shift knob. striped seatbelts and carpeted floor mats with RS logo. 

Which Trim should you buy?

Well, trim-wise you don’t have many options here but the way you build your 2022 Audi RS Q8 is vital. We recommend you to go for the Driver Assistance Package, Black Optics, and Carbon Ceramic Brake package to increase the performance of your RS Q8. In terms of luxury make sure to check out what the Executive, Luxury, and RS-Design packages have in store.

Release Date 

The 2022 Audi RS Q8 is expected to be released by the fall of 2021. The expected MSRP of the 2022 Audi RS Q8 is $115,400. 

The 2022 Audi RS Q8 hosts a ridiculously powerful 4.0L Twin Turbo V8. Its scintillating power is capable of producing 591 hp and has a maximum torque output of 590 lb-ft. This engine is mated to a seamless 8-speed ZF automatic transmission and the power is sent to all four wheels as standard thanks to the legendary Quattro AWD system. It doesn’t stop there! The RS Q8 is also fitted with a 48-volt electric motor making it a hybrid system. This is done to boost fuel economy.

The 2021 RS Q8 managed to go from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. This is the fastest in the segment alongside the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S. However, it is the slowest to complete a quarter-mile. It takes 12.2 seconds to do so while the fastest is again the Merc which takes only 11.9 seconds. Nevertheless, this one is a rocket on wheels considering its size.

Audi RS Q8 is fast! There are no two ways about it. The hybrid setup helps accelerate instantly. The 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox is intelligent enough when to upshift and downshift. When you press the throttle hard, the engine is ever so eager to show what it is capable of doing. 

The steering is an electric power-assist speed-sensing type, which helps you maneuver the SUV with ease and confidence. Moreover, you have Four-wheel steering in the RS Q8 which helps cornering and agility. The adaptive auto-leveling air suspension is highly reliable. It soaks in the bumps so efficiently that it is hardly noticeable.

*2021 MY data used for reference

The Cayenne Turbo is the most expensive SUV among its rivals. Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S is the most powerful on paper with its stupendous 603 hp engine; also features a hybrid system just like the RS Q8. Nonetheless, RS Q8 offers similar performance to the Merc thanks to the legendary Quattro AWD tech. Cayenne Turbo is the least powerful on paper but it offers nearly similar performance as to the Audi RS Q8. BMW X6 M produces more power than the outgoing model year at 600hp but its torque output is still low. In the segment, it is difficult to ascertain a definitive winner in terms of acceleration as all contemporary SUVs clock similar timings in both tests.

The hybrid nature of the 2022 Audi RS Q8 is basically to improve the fuel economy but it hardly does well against its rivals. It manages to provide 13 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highways. This results in a combined fuel economy of 15 mpg. But it does not seem a big compromise when you compare it with the kind of performance that it offers. People buying an Audi RS Q8 will worry more about the performance and luxury it offers than the mileage. With a 22.5-gallon fuel tank, RS Q8 can do 427 miles on the highway.

*2021 MY data used for reference

The 2022 Audi RS Q8 can roam around for 337.5 miles (combined). The Merc is fitted with the same sized fuel tank but due to its better fuel economy, it attains a better-combined range of 382.5 miles. However, the largest fuel tank is offered by the Porsche Cayenne Turbo. It is fitted with a 23.7-gallon fuel tank which in return gives it the best range of 402.9 miles (combined) in the segment. 

The interior of the new RS Q8 is not much different from that of the standard Audi Q8. However, it receives some special treatment. Special trim pieces aggressively bolstered front seats, and sportier accents are seen throughout the interior. Apart from that, Audi is known for its luxurious and attractive interior, and the RS Q8 doesn’t disappoint. The dashboard is elegantly designed, leather upholstered and it is filled with high-tech features and high-quality materials. These include a piano back instrument panel with carbon fiber, wood and aluminum accents, and soft-touch leather surfaces.

The seats are highly comfortable and spacious. There’s ample space in terms of headroom, and legroom in both the front and rear seats. The front seats are 8-way power-adjustable and they come with heating and ventilation functions. Moreover, Memory settings are available for the driver’s seat, door mirrors, and steering wheel. The seats are covered in perforated Valcona leather upholstery which is of top-notch quality. If this doesn’t satisfy you, then the optional packages like the RS-Design package, Luxury package, Executive package enhance some existing features and add some extra luxurious features.

*2021 MY data used for reference

The 2022 Audi RS Q8 has one of the best cargo spaces in the segment. It can accommodate 30.5 cubic feet of luggage behind its second row of seats. The rear seats have 40/20/40 split-folding functionality, which increases the space on offer further. The AMG GLE 63 S has a tall profile which allows it to have the best headroom in the segment for both the front and rear rows; moreover, it offers the best cargo space in the segment at 33.3 cu ft. Typical to every Porsche vehicle, the interior space of the Cayenne is not yet known, however, its cargo capacity is the lowest in the segment just behind the BMW X6 M. 

Standout interior features:

• Perforated Volcana leather upholstery
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Heated leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Multicolor ambient cabin lighting
• Four-zone automatic climate control
• Front massaging seats
• Memory settings

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The 2022 Audi RS Q8 features a dual-touchscreen display with an MMI interface as its infotainment system. To be more precise, it is a 10.1-inch upper touchscreen display and an 8.6-inch lower touchscreen display. There is a virtual cockpit which is Audi’s instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. Opting for the Executive package will also add a head-up display. So all in all, there are a lot of screens equipped with the latest tech inside the RS Q8. The upper screen mostly displays infotainment functions and camera systems and the lower screen is mostly for climate control and other car functions.

The system itself can be tricky to use and getting used to. It feels tailored made for tech-savvy individuals. The display is crisp and crystal clear and the touch response is fantastic. It is paired to a whopping 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium 3D sound system. If you don’t find that impressive (which is unlikely), then an optional 23-speaker audio system is also available.

Standout infotainment features:

• 10.1-inch central touchscreen display
• Premium Bang & Olufsen sound system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
• Navigation system with real-time traffic display
• SiriusXM Satellite radio
• Wireless smartphone charging pad
• Audi Connect 4G LTE Hotspot compatibility
• Voice commands

The exterior of the Q8 in general is inspired by its cousin the Audi Q7. The RS Q8 adds some sporty touches to the Q8’s exterior which helps it stand out from the line-up. For 2022 MY, the exterior is unchanged. The styling is subtle yet highly attractive. The front fascia comprises a huge blacked-out honeycomb grille with blacked-out Audis 4 rings. It is accompanied by sleek and aggressively styled automatic projector-beam daytime running LED headlamps, LED fog lamp, front lip spoiler, wide air intakes, and a huge sloping hood. The side profile of the 2022 Audi RS Q8 will help you notice the subtle body lines, the sloping roofline, and the sporty stance of the SUV. 

It sits on 22-inch 10-V-Spoke star design wheels and has a ground clearance slightly lower than that of the standard Q8. It also features such as heated side-view mirrors, roof rack rails, side sills, and express open/close power sliding and tilting sunshade. The sloping roofline gives the RS Q8 a coupe-like design which somehow makes its rear end highly attractive. It is characterized by connecting LED brake lights, a power liftgate, a rear lip spoiler, rear fog lamps, and dual ovular exhaust outlets. Some additional packages like the Black Optic package will add features like 23-inch wheels, black roof rails, and black exterior trim while the Carbon Optic package will get you carbon fiber trims on the rear lighting strip, rear bumper, front bumper inlays, and mirror housing.

*2021 MY data used for reference

The 2022 Audi RS Q8 is the longest SUV in the segment and is also the heaviest with a curb weight of 5,490 lbs. It shares the podium for the longest wheelbase of 117.9 inches with the Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S. BMW X6 M features the highest ground clearance of 8.3 inches. Cayenne Turbo is slightly smaller than the rest and this results in weight savings. GLE 63 S sits a bit wider and taller than the rest which explains why it has the best interior and cargo space in the lot.

Standout exterior features:

• Power liftgate
• Panoramic sunroof
• High-performance summer tires
• Sports exhaust system
• Black gloss exterior accent trim
• 22-inch 10-V-Spoke star design wheels

Individually, the 2021 RS Q8 hasn’t been crash-tested for it is expensive. However, the 2021 Q8 has been tested by both NHTSA and IIHS and it has earned some remarkable scores. It earned a full 5-star rating from the NHTSA and IIHS named it as a “Top Safety Pick” SUV, which is the second most prestigious tag that a vehicle can earn.

The RS Q8 is, however, better equipped than the base Q8 in terms of safety and driver-assist features. For the year 2022, it gets some additional driver-assist features as standard. It now comes with adaptive cruise control and a lane keep assist system as standard. 

Standout safety features:

• Electronic Stability Control
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Audi blind-spot side assist system
• Lane departure warning system
• Low tire pressure warning system
• Forward collision warning system
• 360-degree surround-view camera system
• Traffic sign recognition (optional)
• Night Vision Assistant
• Intersection assist (optional)

2022 Audi RS Q8 vs 2022 BMW X6 M

The 2022 BMW X6 M is a close competitor to the 2022 Audi RS Q8. Just like the RS Q8, the X6 M is the performance version of the composed X6. It features a bigger engine but is slightly underpowered in terms of torque as compared to the Audi. While the BMW possesses a highly attractive interior, its exterior styling is not as compelling as the RS Q8. Both deliver the same fuel economy and are highly desirable SUVs. However, if the price tag matters to you, then the BMW is almost $5000 cheaper than the Audi.

2022 Audi RS Q8 vs 2021 Porsche Cayenne Turbo

The 2021 Porsche Cayenne Turbo and the 2022 Audi RS Q8 belong to the same parent company and are very similar to each other in terms of numbers but have completely different personalities. The Porsche is underpowered when compared to the Audi. However, the Porsche is agile and exciting to drive. As far as the behind-the-wheel experience goes, we prefer the Porsche. Audi excels in interior tech and quality and has better cargo space as well but the Porsche is more fuel-efficient which might be a deal-breaker for some buyers. Overall, the Cayenne Turbo makes an excellent alternative to the RS Q8.

2022 Audi RS Q8 vs 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S

The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S is the SUV to beat. The Audi comes very close to beating it but falls short on some occasions. The Merc is the most powerful and the fastest SUV in the segment. While doing so, it also provides the best fuel economy in the segment. This in all seriousness is highly admirable. The Audi wins against the Merc in terms of exterior styling but the interior of the AMG GLE 63 S is a sight to behold. 

There’s no doubt that the 2022 Audi RS Q8 is a hell of a car. Its badass exterior styling poses a commanding road presence and its roaring V8 power is a mesmerizing experience. It does well against its competitors in many aspects. It is powerful, luxurious, and sporty simultaneously. It justifies its hefty price tag with its head held high. All of this praise suggests that the 2022 RS Q8 is a car you don’t want to miss out on.