Audi Q7 vs Q8: Performance, Tuning, and Reliability

Audi has a suite of SUVs ranging from a Q3 to the e-tron. When it comes to choosing which Audi SUV fits your vehicle needs the best, it could come with a lot of research. If you are in the market for an Audi SUV, your options are the Q7 vs Q8. They have similarities and differences, which we will be going over in this article. Specifically, we will go over price, size, performance, fuel economy, reliability, safety, and more.

Audi Q7 vs Q8 – The Basics

The Audi Q7 was first introduced in 2002, but wasn’t produced until 2006, and is still being produced today. Known as a mid-size luxury SUV, the Q7 was Audi’s first SUV offering. There have been two generations of the Q7: the first generation was built on the PL71 platform, while the second generation was built on the VW MLB Evo platform. The first generation received a facelift in 2010 and the second generation received one in 2020. Both facelifts included updated exterior aesthetics and updated technology and aesthetics in the interior. Audi offers the standard Q7 or an upgraded SQ7 at a higher price tag. The trims available are Audi Premium, Audi Premium Plus, and Audi Prestige.

The Audi Q8 introduced the latest amongst the Audi SUV models in 2018 to directly rival the BMW X6 and Mercedes GLE coupe. The Q8 is a mid-size luxury coupe SUV and happens to be our favorite SUV Audi offers. Since it was introduced recently, there is only one generation, the 4M. The Q8 is expected to surpass the A8 in units sold in the near future. Audi offers three separate variations: Q8, SQ8, and RS Q8. Like the Q7, the trims available are Audi Premium, Audi Premium Plus, and Audi Prestige.

Audi Q7 Generations

• 4L Q7 (2006 – 2014)
• 4M Q7 (2015 – Present)

Audi Q8 Generations

• 4M Q8 (2018 – Present)

Now that you’ve seen what generations both models have to offer, we’ll jump into the most important consideration when it comes to purchasing a vehicle, price.

Audi Q7 vs Q8 Price

Since the Q8 has only been around since 2018, there is only one generation to compare prices on. That is the 4M Q7 and the 4M Q8. In this section, we will be going over new vehicle prices, going off of 2022 model years, and used vehicle prices for ease of reference. A Premium Audi Q7, base model, with a 45 TFSI engine starts at $57,500, while a Prestige Audi Q7 with a 55 TFSI engine starts at $73,700. A Premium Audi Q8, base model, starts at $70,800, while a Prestige Audi Q8 starts at $80,900. Now if you wanted the sportiest version of both models, the Prestige Audi SQ7 starts at $93,500, while the Audi RS Q8 starts at $119,900. Certainly not chump change and a big purchasing decision.

When it comes to the used Audi Q7 vs Q8, pricing is pretty much consistent with new prices. With that, we mean the Q8 tends to be quite a bit more expensive. For a 4M Q7, prices range from $29,998 – $77,998* with an average price overall of $45,000, depending on model year and mileage. For a 4M Q8, prices range from $59,998 – $76,998* with an average price overall of $45,000, depending on model year and mileage. Unfortunately, there isn’t much of a sample size for the Q8’s as there is for the Q7’s, but you get the gist. The Q8 is more expensive on the new and used side. So, is the Audi Q8 worth the extra money? We’ll jump into more considerations below, including size, performance, and more.

*At the time of writing this article, we believe we are in a market where used vehicles are inflated, so consider that when seeing the used prices above. 

General Q7 & Q8 Topics

Q7 vs Q8 Size

Below are some basic details about the size and weight differences seen between the 2022 Audi Q7 and the 2022 Audi Q8.

Many would think the Q8 is larger than the Q7 because with many other brands the larger the number, the larger the vehicle. For example, the BMW X5 is larger than the BMW X3, or the Ford F-250 is larger than the F-150. Okay, you get the point. Although the Q7 is only 3″ longer and 1″ taller, it includes a third-row seat capable of seating 7. Since the Q8 is a coupe SUV, it only has two rows of seating. So it’s either going with the Q7 to seat 7 or going with the coupe look and settling for 5 seats. Personally, we love the coupe look, but it also better suits our lifestyle. Two other things that stick out to us on the size specs are cargo space and towing capacity.

We know it may not be too common to pull something large behind an SUV, but we also know that this could be a big selling point. The Q8 is capable of pulling up to 7,700 lbs, while the Q7 is only capable of pulling 4,400 lbs. Unless you go for a 55 TFSI, towing capacity can get up to 7,700 lbs. So if you find yourself towing more often, the Q8 may be the way to go.

Lastly, cargo space. We understand the range for the Q7 is quite vast, but that is because it has a third-row seat. So to break it down, with all rows up, the cargo space is 14.2ft³. With the third-row seat down, the cargo space is 35.7ft³. With the third and second row of seats down, the cargo space increases to 69.6ft³. Now the Q8 without any seats folded down has 30.5ft³ of cargo space which is more than the Q7 without any seats folded. But it has less with the second row of seats down coming in at 60.7ft³.

Audi Q7 vs Q8 Performance

For consistencies sake, we will be using the 2022 Q7 and 2022 Q8 performance specs.

Engines, Drivetrain, & Fuel Economy

Q7 Performance

A base Audi Q7, or a Premium 45 TFSI quattro®, features a 2.0T engine that puts out 248hp and 273lb-ft of torque. However, there is an option for a 55 TFSI on all the Q7 trims: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. The 55 TFSI is a 3.0T V6 engine that puts down 335hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Both of these engines offer an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission with Audi’s quattro® AWD system. The 45 TFSI engine gets 20mpg in the city and 25mpg on the highway for a combined mpg of 22 with a 22.5gal fuel tank. While the 55 TFSI engine gets 18mpg in the city and 23mpg on the highway for a combined mpg of 20 with a 22.5gal fuel tank.

Q8 Performance

A base Audi Premium Q8 and Prestige Q8 have the same 3.0T V6 engine that puts down 335hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. This engine has an eight-speed Tiptronic® automatic transmission and is equipped with Audi’s quattro® AWD system. This engine gets 18mpg in the city and 23mpg on the highway for a combined mpg of 20 with a 22.5gal fuel tank.

Q7 & Q8 Reliability and Common Problems

Audi Q7

The Q7’s overall reliability is average. JD Power rated it 3 out of 5 when it comes to reliability and RepairPal rated it a 2.5 out of 5. This puts the Q7 8th out of 19 in the luxury full-size SUV category. The more you are paying for a vehicle, the higher maintenance is going to be, that’s just the nature of vehicles nowadays. The average annual repair cost of an Audi Q7 is $1,185. If you are in the market for a used Q7, we would advise looking at a 2006, 2010, 2016, and 2019-2021 model years if possible.

Common problems that are seen in Q7s are as followed: Ignition coil and spark plug failure, N80 valve failure, premature CV boot failure, timing chain tensioner failure, and fuel pump flange failure. If a Q7 is properly maintained, we’ve seen them last up to 150,000-200,000 miles. Older Q7s had diesel engines in them and if you can get your hands on one of those, we’ve seen them last up to 300,000 miles.

Audi Q7 Common Engine Problems & Reliability

Audi Q8

The Q8’s overall reliability is average. Unfortunately, since the Q8 was introduced recently there isn’t much information to go off of. However, JD Power has rated the Q8 at 79 out of 100, which is classified as average. As a general rule of thumb, we would advise avoiding the first Q8 production year so Audi can figure out all of the bugs. The same thing goes with common problems, there aren’t very many reported common problems as of the writing of this post aside from issues with the power equipment, ECUs, and in-car electronics.

Q7 vs Q8 – Which is Better?

When it comes to which SUV is better, we feel this is a little subjective. The reason we say that is because it all depends on what the consumer’s lifestyle looks like. So in short, if you are someone that needs a third-row seat, go with the Q7. The nice thing with the Q7 is that you can get the same engine as the Q8 with a few thousand more dollars. In our mind, the only advantage that the Q8 has over the Q7 is the coupe aesthetic, which we love. Both models have equal safety and technology features. So, it simply comes down to what you are needing in a vehicle. Are you seat 6 or 7 passengers regularly? Then go with the Q7. If not, and are looking for more standard cargo space without folding any seats down? Then go with the Q8. It really is all personal preference.

Audi Q7 vs Q8 Conclusion

To wrap this article up, we hope the information provided will assist in your purchasing decision. Both models have their similarities and differences and, depending on consumer lifestyles, different pros and cons. If you have any experience with either model and mind sharing your feedback in the comments below, please do. Do you prefer the Q7 that seats more or the Q8 coupe SUV? This will assist any future readers to choose between the Audi Q7 vs Q8.