What looks like a school-run SUV delivers 471kW, 850Nm and track-day credibility.
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What looks like a school-run SUV delivers 471kW, 850Nm and track-day credibility.
I’ve always judged a car on a few non-negotiables. Performance comes first, practicality must be present, and comfort matters more than people are willing to admit. If it just so happens to hide a V8 under the bonnet, that’s a serious bonus. And if you can live with it every day and take it to the track without excuses, then you’re truly onto something special.
Take the Audi RS Q8 for example. We find ourselves in an era where most manufacturers are downsizing their engines, but it continues to stand tall with a superb V8.
In Performance trim, the RS Q8 is the pick for those who find the Lamborghini Urus and Bentley Bentayga too loud, too obvious, or just too over the top. It’s understated, almost anonymous at first glance, until you prod the throttle and unleash the beast lurking beneath the surface. If it weren’t for the red brake callipers, the large oval exhaust pipes, and the RS Q8 badge at the back, you’d easily mistake it for a regular Q8. And I’m convinced that’s a deliberate move by Audi.
On the road, the Audi settles into its role as a proper highway cruiser with surprising ease. At a steady pace, it’s quiet, composed and effortlessly comfortable, swallowing long-distance trips without drama. It’s one of those SUVs you look at and genuinely ask yourself what on earth 471kW and 850Nm are doing in what could also qualify as a school-run SUV.
Press the accelerator, and the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 responds with serious intent, deploying all that power with an addictive mix of shove and sound. It storms from 0-100km/h in just 3.6 seconds, yet it never feels like it’s trying to intimidate. Everything is calm, controlled and remarkably confidence-inspiring, thanks largely to the Quattro all-wheel-drive system working seamlessly with the 8-speed automatic transmission.
Take it to the track, and the story gets even more astounding. At Aldo Scribante Raceway during the 2025 Speed Week, the RS Q8 surprised everyone. Despite its size and weight, it carried itself with real composure, coming out of corners with impressive grip and holding its own far better than most high-performance sedans. It doesn’t entirely ignore the laws of physics, but it conceals its weight remarkably well and that’s what makes it special.
It’s an SUV that cruises highways in comfort, embarrasses sportscars in a straight line, and can still show up at a circuit and impress.
Flip open the pillar-free doors, and you’re welcomed into an interior that strikes a fine balance between dynamism and luxury. It pushes the performance envelope without trying too hard. Red stitching is everywhere, Alcantara covers key touchpoints, and carbon fibre adds further performance credibility, all tied together by RS badges on the seatbacks. It has what it takes without overdoing it.
The RS Q8 really shines as an all-rounder when you look at what it brings to the table. Practicality is spot on, and despite the sloping roofline suggesting otherwise, rear headroom isn’t compromised. There’s more than enough space and kit to justify daily-driver duties. The good news is that while digitisation is very much present, Audi has resisted going fully touch-only, keeping physical buttons on the steering wheel and haptic controls for the HVAC on the lower screen. It’s a thoughtful balance that still makes sense day to day.
Sure, over R3 million doesn’t exactly look like a bargain at first glance, and that’s only fair since it sits as the flagship of Audi’s RS lineup. But when you start comparing it to what competitors like the Lamborghini Urus, Bentley Bentayga, or even some high-end Porsche SUVs are costing, suddenly it makes a lot more sense, and honestly, it feels like a bargain in comparison.
Don’t even worry about fuel economy. This is a performance SUV, so if you’re buying it, you’re buying it for the power, and economy is hardly the point.
The RS Q8 Performance is the kind of SUV that hits every note: it’s fast, practical, comfortable, and effortlessly cool. It’s a car that makes sense on paper but delivers thrills far beyond expectations, a rare combo in today’s world of SUVs. If you have the means, this is the one worth having.
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