Skip advert
Advertisement

Audi RSQ8 review - interior and tech

Audi Sport’s RSQ8 is its biggest and heaviest model yet, but the brand is on form recently so could this actually be an entertaining SUV?

Evo rating
Price
from £103,750
  • Deeply impressive powertrain, transmission calibration and response. Feels expensive and fully loaded
  • It can’t hide the extra 300kg it weighs over an RS6, yet it’s less practical and more expensive

The RSQ8’s interior is identical to that of both the standard Q7 and Q8, and architecturally very similar to that of the A6, A7 and A8 too, but don’t think of this as a compromise. It’s bang up to date, beautifully constructed and easy to use – so long as you don’t mind a touchscreen or two. Bespoke elements for the RSQ8 include RS sports seats that are firm, supportive, but comfortable in that German performance car way.

Advertisement - Article continues below

UK RSQ8s will be available in three fairly distinct trim levels, including the basic RSQ8, Carbon Black and Vorsprung Edition, each with their own styling treatments. The Carbon Black model features plenty of carbon trim in the cabin, while the Vorsprung swaps that out for the unusual, but not unpleasant grained wood trim. It might sound a little old-fashioned, but the RSQ8’s black-panel interior relegrates it to a secondary finish that’s a nice contrast to the otherwise rather sterile aesthetic.

Interior technology is properly top-notch. Those missing a physical input method needn’t worry, as the extra digital real estate, and user interface developed by Audi’s engineers, make it an easy, unintimidating system to interact with. It’s far easier to use than those found in Mercedes and BMW rivals, but it’d be advisable to invest in a microfibre cloth if you’re averse to fingerprints.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

The new Porsche 911 Carrera S accelerates faster than a GT3
Porsche 911 Carrera S (992.2) – front
News

The new Porsche 911 Carrera S accelerates faster than a GT3

Porsche has pulled the covers off the new 992.2-generation Carrera S, packing GT3-beating acceleration and a £119,800 price tag
8 Jan 2025
2025 VED car tax: what you'll be paying
VED car tax 2025
Advice

2025 VED car tax: what you'll be paying

The latest car tax changes explained, including new pricing for EVs and hybrids and increased prices for higher-emission vehicles
3 Jan 2025
BMW M2 Fast Fleet test – five months in the cut-price 'M4 Lite'
evo Fast Fleet BMW M2 G87
Long term tests

BMW M2 Fast Fleet test – five months in the cut-price 'M4 Lite'

It was divisive in its concept and its delivery, but our M2 played a strong long-term game
6 Jan 2025