Used 2020 Audi Q8 Premium Plus for sale 

When you buy a 2020 Audi Q8, you get to choose from three trim levels, the entry-level Premium, mid-range Premium Plus, and the fully-loaded Prestige. Prices for the three trims start at $68,200, $72,200 and $77,700 respectively. The Premium trim is very well equipped with luxury amenities but for an even higher degree of indulgence, you can upgrade to the higher trims which unbox enhanced suites of comfort and opulence. As of now, the Q8 is being offered with just a 3.0 Liter V6 that is standard across all trims.

However, a more powerful SQ8 and the bonkers RS Q8 will be joining the party very soon.

A 3.0 liter V6 making 335 horses and 369 ft-lbs of torque, might not seem enough for a flagship SUV but it is very comfortable in moving this 5000 lbs machine around town. The engine is also accompanied by a 48-volt hybrid assist system that aids the unnoticeable engine start/stop. Power delivery is smooth and linear with an ample amount of torque, however, there is a slight hint of lag down the lower rpm range. Part of the engine's complaint is also shared by the 8- speed automatic transmission. 

The transmission is smooth in its operation but is not as quick as the Porsche or the Beemer. In normal driving modes, it is very notchy with its upshifts and feels clumsy at times, mostly around city speeds and starting off from a stop. However the same is not true for highway cruising, where the powertrain seems very relaxed and composed, silently working in the background.

The sluggishness of the powertrain is only visible in normal driving modes. Shift the Q8 into Dynamic mode and things change pretty quickly. The engine awakens and throttle response gets much sharper. Audi is also offering an individual mode with the Q8 for a more tailored driving experience.

How fast is it?

5000 lbs of weight riding on a 3.0 liter V6 with 335 horses is certainly not a sports car composition. The overall tuning and the hesitant transmission make the Q8 more of a relaxed highway cruiser than a brisk starter. However, living up to its sporty appeal, the 2020 Audi Q8 races from 0-60 miles in just 5.6 seconds which is quite impressive.

The other three coupe SUVs in the competition are similarly equipped to the Q8 in terms of the power plant and they also weigh above 4600 lbs. However, in straight-line acceleration, the GLE 43 AMG, and the X6 top the list with their 5.1 and 5.2 seconds 0-60 mile run respectively. Better aerodynamics, slick transmission and a slightly lighter body than the Q8 is what makes these two cars quicker than the handsome Audi.

How does the Audi Q8 Ride and Handle?

The 2020 Audi Q8 very well compensates for its occasionally blank powertrain by its impressive ride quality. Ride quality is smooth and silent with minimal noise and vibrations inside the cabin. The Audi Q8 drives just like a luxury flagship SUV should. The stiffer suspension that also gets active damping as standard is very nicely tuned and allows the Q8 to tackle corners with ease.

The optional adaptive dampers provide extra flexibility and added stability that keeps the body roll fairly under check. When dressed with the adaptive dampers, the Q8 glides over potholes and muddy terrains with utmost ease. However, the massive 22 inch wheels might be solid to look at, but they do invite some bumps inside the cabin on certain occasions.

There are also different driving modes available that retune the throttle response and adjust the adaptive dampers accordingly to the driving needs. The steering is lightweight which is surprising for an SUV this size but is very precise in its business. The fact that the steering has a great on-center feel, makes highway cruising much more delightful. 

Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system sends 60 percent of the power to the wheels on most occasions unless the front tires need more traction. This Quattro function reduces the nose-heaviness of the bulky Q8 and makes it much more nimble on the road. 

What about the Audi Q8's Braking performance?

With 14.8 and 13.8 inches discs at the front and rear respectively, the 2020 is equipped with the largest set of discs among its rivals. All four corners are secured with ABS and the brakes in the Q8 are as wild as the car itself.

The pedal feels very firm with no signs of brake fade and it rewards the driver with maximum confidence even during worst braking circumstances.

We could not get the complete braking data of the other three vehicles in the competition, but the Q8’s stopping distance of just 113 feet from 60-0 is simply outstanding for a vehicle this heavy.

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It's very likely that most of the prospective buyers of the Q8 wouldn't even consider its mpg output. Well, for those who do, the Q8 is not the most promising among its segment. A combined fuel economy of 19 mpg is similar to the GLE 43 and the Cayenne Coupe but is slightly lower than the X6’s 23 combined mpg figure.

The Q8’s 19 mpg combined doesn't seem too big a grouse considering its hefty mass. If Audi updates the 8-speed automatic transmission with a faster and more efficient one, the Q8 should be then able to deliver more solid mpg figures.

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The Q8 is a luxury SUV coming from Audi and is soaked in opulence just as it should. The dashboard is soaked in soft-touch leather and also gets contrast stitching that goes very well with the interiors. The standard leather seats are all-day comfortable and also greets occupants with ample all-around room. Talking about seats, the front chairs are very well padded and offer great comfort and support, whereas the rear bench has a very healthy recline angle. 

The base Premium’ trim gets heated eight-way power front seats and four-way power lumbar adjustment for driver. However, the top Prestige trim can be equipped with up to 18-way heated and ventilated power individual contour comfort front seats including power lumber, adjustment seat memory, and massage functions. Also available is an optional Cold weather’ package that brings in heated rear seats along with heated three-spoke multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles.

Since the Q8’s exterior silhouette is not as dramatic as the other three contenders, it does have some edges over its rivals. With Audi’s thoughtful interior placements and the chopped rear seats, the Q8 offers a better rear-seat room than its rivals. Further enhancing the occupant's comfort, the rear seats can also be slid back and forth by 5.1 inches for even better room.

How good is the Infotainment system?

The Audi Q8 gets the familiar minimalistic interior layout and infotainment system that is also seen in the latest generation of other Audi’s. Gone are the knobs and buttons, and there is a pair of screens slashed right in the middle of the dashboard. A 10.1-inch upper screen regulates almost all the multimedia stuff along with navigation, while the lower 8.6 inches takes care of the climate controls and seat adjustments. The infotainment system is intuitive to operate and the menu, as well as icons, are very neatly laid out. The graphics are very crisp and clear. However, the shiny glass surface does invite some unwanted glare.

Audi’s 12.3 inch fully digital virtual cockpit is standard and it aids the driver with a multitude of information. Also part of the standard feature tray is 4G LTE mobile hotspot, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. For audiophiles, there is a 10-speaker audio system in the Premium, whereas the Premium Plus and Prestige get the booming 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium sound system.

What features to expect on the inside?

The Q8 can be considered as the flagship SUV for the brand. With that in mind, Audi has embellished a plethora of features on the inside of the Q8. Some of the most notable features include

• Three-spoke multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles
• Power tilt and telescopic adjustable steering column with memory 
• Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash Natural Wood inlays
• Auto-dimming interior rearview mirror with digital compass
• Panoramic sunroof with power sunshade 
• Ambient LED interior lighting package
• Sliding, split-folding 40/20/40 rear seatbacks with adjustable recline 
• Four-zone automatic climate control
• 18- way power, heated and ventilated individual contour comfort front seats including power lumber, adjustment seat memory and massage functions
• 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system.
• Heated rear seats

Can the Q8 carry a lot of Cargo?

The Q8 shares its wheelbase with the Q7, but its dynamic design incorporates a body length that is shorter than the Q7 even with the third row scraped off. The 2020 Q8 offers a cargo area of 28.6 cu-ft behind the second row which is smaller than the Q7 but fairly considerable among its class.

The loading bay isn't that low and it will be easier to put luggage and goods in the cargo area. The remote closing cargo door, adds to the convenience of loading stuff in the Q8.

When compared to its rivals, the Audi Q8 surpasses them all very comfortably in terms of the cargo area. The Q8 is not only the most generous in the standard cargo compartment but also in terms of space with the rear seats folded down. A comparatively longer body than its rivals, coupled with a slightly unconservative coupe style with a small hump at the rear, gives the Q8 a certain edge over its rivals.

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Talking about the Q8’s exterior design, well, you won't be able to avert your gaze once you spot this beauty. Audi’s entire product range does have significant linearity in its exterior sheet, but the new Q8 breaks away from that trend. Compared to the humble and conservative Q7, on which it is based, the Q8 is more sleek, stylish and aggressive. The Q8 also incorporates some familiar body lines, but the fact that it is 3.0 inches shorter in length to the Q7 integrated with a curvy roofline gives it a very distinctive persona.

A distended front fender and a giant grille with vertical slats add some anger to its face and the massive wheel arches housing the monstrous 20-inch wheels further accentuates its masculinity. With the optional wheel package, the rims can further be updated to 21 inches on the Premium and 22 on the Premium Plus and Prestige, respectively.

Also available are the ‘S Line Style’ and ‘S Line Plus’ packages that add S Line badges at the fender and the illuminated door sill inlays along with red brake calipers. The ‘S Line Plus’ also unlocks the ‘Black optic exterior package’ that brings along, a Singleframe grille mask, roof rails, side window surrounds and front/rear bumper trim. As far as the lighting units are concerned, they are again composed of high-tech lighting elements just like other Audi products.

It's the exterior appeal that makes the Q8 completely stand out among its competitors. Its coupe attire is not as tightly buttoned as in the X6, GLE Coupe and the Cayenne Coupe. A wide and muscular nose along with precisely carved curves give it a stylish and sturdy SUV look rather than the controversial full-blown Coupe SUV look.

What are the most notable Exterior features?

Being the flagship of brand Audi, the Q8 comes with a lot of embellishments on the outside. Some of the most notable features include

• Singleframe grille with body-colored mask
• HD Matrix-design LED headlights with animation
• LED taillights with animation
• Power adjustable, power-folding, heated exterior side mirrors with memory
• Aluminum-optic trim around exterior side windows
• Rear privacy glass
• Power tailgate with roof spoiler
• Headlight washers
• Power soft-closing doors 
• 22” inch 5-arm design wheels

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You expect a premium vehicle like the 2020 Audi Q8 to be as aptly equipped with safety features as is its design and build quality. Unsurprisingly, the Audi Q8 doesn't disappoint. With all the numerous advanced electronics and features this stylish Audi also incorporates some state-of-the-art safety features, that include -

Safety Features

• Advanced Airbag Protection System with 6 airbags
• Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) in rear seats
• Power central locking system with safety unlock feature if airbags deploy
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Offroad mode, secondary collision brake assist and traction control (ASR)
• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD) and brake assist
• Electromechanical parking brake
• Rearview camera
• Tire-pressure monitoring system
• Parking system plus (front and rear acoustic sensors)
• Anti-theft alarm system with immobilizer and motion sensor

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Audi Q8 vs BMW X6 sDrive40i

The BMW X6 was the first vehicle that sparked off the trend of ‘Coupe’ SUVs and is indeed the strongest competitor to the Q8. It has a very well built premium interior, a blasting engine, and a long list of standard features as well. The X6 also features a better transmission than the Q8 and also provides impressive handling and ride quality. However, where it lags behind the Q8 is practicality and design. The Q8 has a much better road presence along with an airy interior and a better cargo bay.

Audi Q8 vs Mercedes GLE Coupe

The GLE coupe is more like a hit and a miss composition. Yes, it has a premium build quality, powerful engine, and extensive tech features. Where the Merc disappoints is the non-talkative steering and its handling. The GLE coupe’s powertrain is not as enthusiastic as the Q8 and its body mass is more evident than the Q8 around corners. Overall, the Q8 is a better handling and more driveable car along with better looks and enhanced interior space. Finally, it has a much bigger cargo area than the Merc.

Audi Q8 vs Porsche Cayenne Coupe

One of the latest entrants to the ‘Coupe’ SUV league is the Porsche Cayenne coupe and this thing is a very serious contender in its segment. Carrying the Porsche’s heritage, no doubt it has a top-notch build quality and a peppier engine. In contrast to the Q8’s character which is more oriented towards comfort, the Cayenne Coupe is more dynamic and performance-oriented. Compared to the Q8, the Cayenne Coupe is more fun to drive machine with its energetic powertrain and agile handling. However, the Q8 aces ahead of the Porsche in terms of exterior design and practicality.

If you are out in the market, looking for a luxury SUV with a very high sense of style, opulence, and comfort, the Q8 is the one where your search should end. Apart from its eye-catching exterior design, the Q8 also offers one of the finest interiors in its class, combined with its space and practicality the Q8 makes for a compelling case if you want a style statement on wheels with space and practicality for an entire family.