2023 Audi RS Q8 First Test: The Soft Core of a Hardcore SUV

Compared to its platform mates, the 2023 Audi RS Q8 (591 hp/590 ft-lb) landed next to last with a 3.5-second 0-60-mph time. Only the Bentley Bentayga S (542 hp/568 lb-ft) was "slower" with its 3.6-second performance. The Lamborghini Urus (641 hp/627 lb-ft), Urus Performante (657 hp/627 lb-ft), and Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT (631 hp/626 lb-ft) all managed to reach 60 mph in just 3.0 seconds flat. All four used launch control to reach 30 mph in 1.1 to 1.2 seconds, but the quicker three each weighed about 500 pounds less than the RS Q8.

As one would guess from available horsepower, the 2023 RS Q8 (11.9 seconds at 116.0 mph) drove past the Bentayga S (12.1 seconds at 113.6 mph) in the quarter mile. We break the 11.3-second tie for third place by looking at their trap speeds at the finish line. The Urus crossed at 120.1 mph, the Cayenne Turbo GT at 121.0, and the Urus Performante claimed top spot with 121.3 mph. These roughly 5,000-pound SUVs think they're muscle cars—and would leave many of those in the dust.

Short stopping distances from 60 mph often correlate with wide, grippy, manufacturer-spec (not off-the-shelf) tires and oversized brake rotors, preferably made of a carbon-ceramic composite. So, make sure to check the box for fat, Velcro-grip tires for all MLB platform contenders. All but one clamped carbon brake disks, standard on the Lamborghinis and Porsche but an $8,500 option on the Audi. At just 104 feet, the RS Q8 beat the two Lamborghinis' 107- and 108-foot stops and just barely edged the Cayenne Turbo GT's 105-foot best. The carbon-ceramic-less Bentayga needed 114 feet to come to rest. These are all impressive when you consider the physics involved.

We sometimes call our figure-eight test "a racetrack in a bottle" because it neatly combines acceleration, braking, corner entry, steady cornering, and corner exit into one third-mile-long lap. We also derive a two-way average lateral acceleration figure from the opposing 200-foot-diameter skidpads. All four brands feature torque-vectoring all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering that undoubtedly contribute to their extraordinary performances.

As its name implies, the Lamborghini Urus Performante claims top spot with a 23.1-second lap time and a two-way skidpad average of 1.08 g. A tenth of a second later, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT tripped the timer at 23.2 seconds and a 1.07 g skidpad best. The base Urus's 23.5-second lap and 1.01 lateral g demonstrate the performance gap to its more focused brother. At 24.3 seconds and with a 0.98 g skidpad average, the Audi RS Q8 earns it fourth place. Lastly, the Bentley Bentayga finished its lap in 25.0 seconds flat with 0.91 g in lateral grip.

To give you some perspective on these impressive lap times, the bookends are a 2021 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, which posted a 23.1-second lap, matching the Urus Performante, and a 2023 Nissan Z Performance, which earned a 25.0-second lap, the same as the Bentley Bentayga.

It's clear the 2023 Audi RS Q8 isn't at the pointy end of performance for the platform shared by the other automakers. It's midpack, and that's just fine. After driving at the track to get these test results, over the mountains on the way home, on the highway, and around town for a week, it's safe to say that it is the "just right" performance luxury SUV of Goldilocks lore. Where the Bentley Bentayga S may offer more luxury, it also costs almost $100,000 more. The look-at-me Lamborghini Urus and especially rough-riding Performante variant are fractionally better performers and more than $100,000 more costly. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT comes the closest to the best all-around performance-to-luxury ratio. The Cayenne also has nine other variants to choose from, which helped it earn the No. 2 spot in our luxury midsize SUV rankings. Where does this leave the Audi RS Q8?

The Audi RS Q8 shines in its ability to cover all the bases simultaneously: performance, luxury, comfort, technology, and styling. Is 3.5 seconds to 60 mph not quick enough? Pshaw! It confidently chased down sports cars in the mountains with its active roll stabilization. Then with its air-spring adaptive-damper suspension and dual-pane laminated glass, it silently floated over the highway under the control of adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist. The intuitive and responsive dual center console touchscreens and Virtual Cockpit instrument panel are among the best offered. Finally, its stealthy fastback styling will remain tasteful for years to come. For those who can afford it, we think this is the best all-around pick in this niche category.