Skip advert
Advertisement

Audi Q8 - MPG, CO2 and running costs

A full-size luxury SUV is never going to be cost-efficient. It’s on a par with rivals, though

MPG, CO2 and Running Costs rating

3.4

How we review cars
RRP
£78,690 £119,480
Avg. savings
£7,618 off RRP*
Find your Audi Q8
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

​The two engine options in the standard Audi Q8 line-up give buyers the choice of petrol or diesel power – the latter with mild-hybrid electric assistance. As you’d expect the 50 TDI diesel is markedly more efficient, offering a best of 34.9mpg on the WLTP combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 213g/km.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The petrol powered 55 TFSI will be quicker but it’s also a fair bit thirstier, coming in at 27.2mpg. It’s also more polluting at a rate of 253g/km of CO2. As prices start from around £73,500, all versions of the Q8 cost £570 a year in VED road tax for years two to six of ownership. You won’t get off lightly on Benefit-in-Kind tax if you’re a company perk driver either – the Q8 is in the highest percentage tax bracket whether you choose petrol or diesel power.

Unsurprisingly, neither the SQ8 nor RS Q8 are exactly eco-friendly performers, with official economy and CO2-emission figures of 23mpg and 289g/km, and 21.2mpg and 307g/km, respectively.

Mild-hybrid tech comes as standard in the diesel-powered Q8. There’s a lithium-ion battery under the boot floor, which is regenerated under braking. When coasting between 34mph and 99mph, the diesel engine’s stop-start tech cuts fuel and progress is maintained using the belt drive starter motor.

Insurance groups

The high price and strong performance of the Audi Q8 ensures high insurance premiums, too. The entire lineup, including the SQ8 and RS Q8, sits in insurance group 50. Although it is very closely related, the Audi Q7 sits as low as group 44 in entry-level S-Line spec. 

Depreciation

Our expert data suggests that the lower-spec Q8s should fare reasonably well after three years and 36,000 miles, retaining around 50 per cent of their initial value. The range-topping Vorsprung performs worse, though, returning around 42-46 per cent. It’s important to remember that all Q8s have a high list price, so it could still cost quite a lot when the time comes to sell yours on.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    50 TDI Quattro S Line 5dr Tiptronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £78,690
Select car

Most Economical

  • Name
    50 TDI Quattro S Line 5dr Tiptronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £78,690
Select car

Fastest

  • Name
    SQ8 TFSI Quattro Black Edition 5dr Tiptronic
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £100,530
Select car

New & used car deals

Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,135Avg. savings £5,882 off RRP*Used from £14,496
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,040Avg. savings £2,827 off RRP*Used from £8,958
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £17,915Avg. savings £3,834 off RRP*Used from £7,451
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,540Avg. savings £3,974 off RRP*Used from £14,490
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Toyota Land Cruiser review
Toyota Land Cruiser - main image

Toyota Land Cruiser review

The latest Toyota Land Cruiser is more sophisticated, stylish, and tech-laden, but gives up none of its predecessor’s capability
In-depth reviews
20 Jan 2025
EV discounts: are they a short-term solution with long-term problems?
Vauxhall Corsa Electric front corner driving

EV discounts: are they a short-term solution with long-term problems?

Optimistic residual value projections for EVs have left vehicle leasing firms “millions and millions” out of pocket
News
18 Jan 2025
Car brands with the most recalls: BMW tops the UK recall chart in 2024
BMW 530e - front cornering

Car brands with the most recalls: BMW tops the UK recall chart in 2024

Did you receive a letter alerting you to a potentially dangerous car fault? Here are the car brands that sent the most out
News
17 Jan 2025