Why the Audi RS Q8 Performance Still Reigns Supreme

[Source: Autotrader]

The automotive world is changing quickly. Nearly every performance vehicle today seems to come with a plug, a battery pack, or some form of electrification. That raises an interesting question: Is there still room for a high-performance SUV powered by a traditional twin-turbo V8? Last month we shared a review of the Audi RS Q8 Performance by Edmunds. They loved the SUV. Now a more recent review has been posted on the Autotrader YouTube channel. They confirm that despite being an aging model, the RS Q8 still shines.

The latest RS Q8 Performance isn’t simply another fast SUV. With 631 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque from its 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, Audi’s flagship SUV reaches 60 mph in less than three and a half seconds and can continue all the way to 190 mph. More impressively, it currently holds the Nürburgring production SUV lap record for gasoline-powered SUVs.

RS Q8 Performance Details

Audi also gave the RS Q8 Performance a subtle refresh for 2026. A redesigned grille, updated front and rear bumpers, HD Matrix LED headlights with laser technology, new rear lighting signatures, and available 23-inch wheels help distinguish the model without dramatically altering its familiar appearance. The Ascari Blue test car suits the muscular proportions perfectly.

Of course, an Audi wearing an RS badge is expected to do more than accelerate in a straight line. Standard quattro all-wheel drive, all-wheel steering, active anti-roll stabilization, adaptive air suspension, and the Audi Sport differential work together to make the large SUV feel surprisingly agile. Autotrader even described it as feeling more like a sports car than an SUV, while still retaining the ability to transform into a comfortable long-distance cruiser at the touch of a drive mode button.

A Couple Criticisms

The review wasn’t entirely without criticism. The infotainment system and Virtual Cockpit are beginning to show their age compared with Audi’s newest interior technology, and the touchscreen response isn’t quite as quick as drivers have come to expect. Fuel economy is another unavoidable downside. Real-world consumption hovered around 15 mpg, with spirited driving dropping into single digits, hardly surprising for a 631-horsepower V8, but certainly something prospective owners should consider.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway is that the RS Q8 Performance doesn’t try to justify itself through efficiency. Instead, it celebrates excess in the best possible way. The V8 soundtrack, effortless acceleration, and remarkable dual personality remind enthusiasts why Audi Sport’s gasoline-powered flagships remain so special. Even when compared with rivals like the BMW X5 M, Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 S, Range Rover Sport SV, and even the Lamborghini Urus, Autotrader concluded the RS Q8 Performance more than holds its own while offering exceptional value within this rarefied segment.

Still a Winner

For Audi enthusiasts, that’s ultimately the point. The RS Q8 Performance may not be the most rational vehicle Audi builds, but rationality has never been what the RS badge is about. It’s about engineering excellence, outrageous performance, and putting a smile on your face every time you press the accelerator. As long as Audi continues building vehicles like this, there will always be a place for a twin-turbo V8 in the enthusiast community.