2025 Audi RS Q8 Review

It looks like a smart, fit individual in corporate attire and not some gym monkey in neon sneakers. On the surface, it's a gentle giant with a shmuck face, but it won't scare your kids. Unless you want it to. Because underneath, lies a 640PS Nürburgring record-breakerâ€"a machine that takes the fight to Lamborghini and Porsche without breaking a sweat. Because that engine is shared with them!

Design & Presence
Audi has mastered aggressive subtlety, and the RS Q8 embodies that art. The single-frame gloss black grille isn't obnoxious; it's just properly imposing. The Matrix headlights pierce the darkness like a sniper scope, while the sleek alloy wheels (up to 23 inches depending on the boxes you tick) sit snug in those flared arches.

At the rear, OLED taillights bring futuristic flair, but the oval RS exhausts are where the real story lies. Unlike the Urus, which always feels like it's screaming for attention, the RS Q8 can whisper or roar at will. 

The best part? It still maintains that sleeper vibe, something the RS2 and RS6 had been famous for over generations. If you are the rare, tasteful bloke who is looking to upgrade from an RS6 Avant, the RS Q8 deserves your attention and money.

Interior & Tech
Step inside, and it's typical Audi excellenceâ€"flawless fit and finish, Alcantara, carbon fibre, and Valcona leather everywhere. The RS bucket seats are supportive without being punishing, and the sporty steering wheel reminds you that this isn't just another luxury SUV.

Tech-wise, Audi's Virtual Cockpit Plus brings performance telemetry, a lap timer, and an RS-specific HUD. And the white bands in the Speedo and Tachometer look great! As before, the twin-screen MMI infotainment system is sharp but requires a firm poke, and while the Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system is phenomenal, it's almost redundant when the twin-turbo V8 starts singing.

Engine & Performance
This is where things get properly unhinged. 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. 640PS - only 26 less than an Urus. 850Nm - same ballpark as the Urus. 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds - Urus does it in 3.5; even Iron Man won't be able to tell the difference. It is restricted to a top speed of 250kmph, but you can butter Audi to unlock a 305kmph top whack similar to the Urus to unlock the full potential of this V8.  These are numbers that put many supercars to shameâ€"but without the theatrics or brutality of a Lamborghini. The eight-speed Tiptronic shifts effortlessly, and the Quattro AWD ensures that all 850 Nm of torque gets put down without any drama.

In Comfort mode, it's as docile as a well-trained pooch, but flick it into RS mode, and it becomes a full-blown autobahn missile. But it works pretty well in India, too. Unlike older Quattro systems that have felt a bit nose-heavy, the RS Q8 feels alive, with power distribution that makes it neutral, balanced, and incredibly quick out of corners.

Ride & Handling
Fun fact: The RS Q8 was the fastest production SUV around the Nürburgring when it debuted, proving that it isn't just about straight-line speed. Despite its 2.4-tonne weight, the RS Q8 feels smaller and more nimble when pushed. The active anti-roll bars, rear-wheel steering, and Quattro sport differential work in unison, making it corner with shocking precision.

The red RS badge trumps the Quattro nameplate here, eliminating any of the classic AWD understeer. The front end is razor-sharp, and the rear rotates just enough to keep things entertaining. And if you're worried about rough roads, the adaptive air suspension makes sure it never feels punishingâ€"even on Indian tarmac. The Auto driving mode is a mind reader, fine-tuning everything from power delivery to suspension settings based on your driving style - on the fly. It's like having a pit crew constantly adjusting your car in real-time.

And while it may be an RS-badged SUV, Audi still gave it an All-Road mode. Not that you'll be rock-crawling in a ₹2 crore performance SUV, but the ability to handle rough terrain without a tantrum is impressive.

Verdict - The Ultimate Sleeper Super SUV!
Summing it up, the RS Q8 is the spiritual successor to the legendary RS6 Avant, wrapped in an SUV shell. It brings Urus-level performance, RS6 stealth, and supercar embarrassment potentialâ€"without the flashiness or impracticality. If you want an SUV that can haul your family in luxury while humiliating Italian marquees at traffic lights or drag strips, this is it. Just don't expect it to come cheap.