Audi Australia’s 2026 lineup continues to grow, with the headline act being the arrival of the Audi RS Q8, a new variant positioned just below the flagship RS Q8 performance. It’s part of a wider model rollout that also includes the A3 TFSI quattro and Q7 S line editions, but make no mistake: the RS Q8 is the star of the show.
Priced at $230,900 before on-road costs, the RS Q8 combines brutal V8 performance, imposing design, and everyday luxury in one massive package. However, questions remain about its value and weight compared to rivals and even Audi’s own RS Q8 performance.
Big power, slightly less madness
At the heart of the 2026 Audi RS Q8 is a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, shared with the performance variant and a few other Audi Sport flagships. Here, it produces 441 kW and 800 Nm of torque, paired with an eight-speed tiptronic automatic and Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system.
The result? A claimed 0–100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds, barely 0.2 seconds slower than the RS Q8 performance. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h, though the optional dynamic package can raise that figure.
| Specification | Audi RS Q8 | Audi RS Q8 Performance |
| Engine | 4.0L twin-turbo V8 | 4.0L twin-turbo V8 |
| Power | 441 kW | 471 kW |
| Torque | 800 Nm | 850 Nm |
| 0–100 km/h | 3.8 sec | 3.6 sec |
| Brakes | Steel discs | Carbon ceramic |
| Price (before on-roads) | $230,900 | ≈$261,000 |
Despite being the “entry-level” RS Q8, the power difference is small, and that’s both a blessing and a curse. Buyers save roughly $30,000 but get 98% of the performance, which is great value in a vacuum. However, with the near-identical figures, the new variant risks overlapping too closely with its sibling, potentially confusing buyers about which one to choose.
Design and details
Visually, the RS Q8 keeps the same muscular stance and coupe-like proportions that made the original so striking. Audi hasn’t reinvented the shape; instead, it’s refined it with sharper lighting, subtle updates, and new finishes.
Key exterior updates include:
- HD Matrix LED headlights with Audi laser light
- OLED rear tail lights with signature animations
- New wheel options – six-Y twin-spoke design in four finishes:
- Matte Neodymium Gold
- Silk Matte Grey with Gloss Turning
- Metallic Black (fully painted)
- Burnished Metallic Black with Gloss Turning
Underneath, the RS Q8 rides on adaptive air suspension and includes active roll stabilisation, helping disguise its considerable bulk. Even so, this is a 2.3-tonne SUV, and no amount of electronic trickery can entirely hide that weight on tight roads.
The braking setup reflects the same balance between performance and practicality, 420mm front steel discs clamped by 10-piston red calipers, with 370mm discs at the rear. The performance model gets carbon-ceramic brakes, but the standard RS Q8’s steel setup is still serious stopping gear.
Inside the Audi RS Q8
Step inside, and you’re greeted with the expected Audi Sport treatment, high-quality materials, solid fit and finish, and dual touchscreens dominating the dash. The digital cockpit and MMI interface are sharp and responsive, though the lack of physical buttons for climate and media controls might annoy some traditionalists.
Expect the usual RS flourishes: perforated leather steering wheel, embossed sports seats, contrast stitching, and customisable drive modes via the RS button. The driving position remains commanding, and despite the coupe-like roofline, the cabin remains spacious, a reminder that the RS Q8 still doubles as a practical family hauler.
Performance and drive
Audi’s 4.0-litre V8 is a masterpiece of controlled fury, quiet and refined at low speeds, ferocious when provoked. The RS sport exhaust (standard) helps deliver a deep, thunderous soundtrack, though some may find it a touch too muted compared to AMG or BMW M rivals.
The quattro system sends power to all four wheels with remarkable precision, aided by rear-wheel steering and torque vectoring. It’s still a heavy SUV, but it masks its size well, gripping hard through corners and launching off the line with a level of composure few vehicles in its class can match.
That said, ride comfort can vary. On 23-inch wheels, the air suspension feels firm over rough surfaces, and the car’s size makes city driving less effortless than you’d hope. It’s breathtakingly capable but not exactly agile.
Ownership and warranty
Like all new Audi models sold in Australia, the RS Q8 comes with:
- Five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty
- 12-year bodywork corrosion warranty
- Audi Experience membership for the warranty period, giving access to exclusive events and offers
The ownership package is solid, though servicing costs for RS models tend to be steep, something potential owners should budget for.
Verdict
The 2026 Audi RS Q8 proves that luxury and power can coexist, but also that excess has its limits. It’s blisteringly fast, beautifully built, and surprisingly usable, yet it doesn’t bring much new to the table compared to the RS Q8 performance.
For most buyers, this version will make more sense: it’s cheaper, nearly as quick, and just as luxurious. But if exclusivity and bragging rights matter, the performance model still reigns supreme.
Either way, the RS Q8 reinforces Audi’s reputation for building some of the most sophisticated performance SUVs on the market, equal parts brute and brain, even if not everyone needs this much of either.
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