Audi Q8 E-Tron: Luxury EV Ranked Lowest for Customer Satisfaction, Facing Discontinuation
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Consumer Reports data reveals a surprising truth about the luxury electric vehicle market: the Audi Q8 E-Tron has earned the lowest customer satisfaction rating among comparable models, leading the German automaker to discontinue it after the 2025 model year. While Audi is renowned for its high-quality vehicles, the Q8 E-Tron has demonstrably underperformed expectations, especially in the critical areas of reliability.
Did you know? – The Audi Q8 E-TronS poor reliability scores, especially in the powertrain, considerably impacted customer satisfaction. This led to its discontinuation after the 2025 model year, despite its strengths in design and driving experiance.
Reliability Concerns Plague Audi’s Flagship EV
The Audi Q8 E-Tron received significantly lower reliability scores than its competitors, including the Lexus RZ and Genesis GV60. Notably, it also lagged behind other EVs in Audi’s own lineup, such as the Q6 E-Tron and Q4 E-Tron. According to the report, the powertrain and overall reliability of the Q8 E-Tron received the lowest possible scores.
While the vehicle achieved average ratings for its brakes, suspension/steering, and in-car electronics, it excelled in build quality and climate system performance. Though, these strengths were not enough to offset the fundamental concerns regarding its dependability.
Reader question: – Considering the Q8 E-Tron’s issues, what specific areas of the powertrain were most problematic? Share your thoughts on the impact of these issues on the overall driving experience and brand perception.
Model Year Discrepancies in Owner Satisfaction
Older model years of the Q8 E-Tron appear to have suffered the most. The 2024 model exhibited a particularly poor reliability score, directly translating to low owner satisfaction. The 2025 Q8 E-Tron showed a slight improvement in reliability, but owner satisfaction remained at the same low level as the previous year. Interestingly, the 2025 model achieved a “very good road test score,” indicating a high-quality driving experience despite the reliability issues.
Handling and Design: A mixed Bag
Despite the reliability concerns, Consumer Reports testing staff generally appreciated the Q8 E-Tron’s handling, though they rated it below other EVs like the BMW iX and the Jaguar I-Pace. The vehicle is available in two body styles: a conventional SUV and a sloping-roof “Sportback” version. Reviews consistently highlight the Q8 E-Tron as a comfortable, sporty, and visually appealing electric SUV – one of the best-looking in the current market.
Pro tip: – When considering an EV, research reliability data from multiple sources. consumer Reports and other outlets offer valuable insights into potential issues.Prioritize dependability alongside performance and aesthetics.
A Shifting Naming Strategy and a Long EV Lifespan
The vehicle debuted as the Audi E-Tron in 2019 and retained that name through the 2023 model year. In 2024, it was rebranded as the Audi Q8 E-Tron, a naming convention that aligned wiht Audi’s then-current strategy of using even numbers for EVs and odd numbers for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. This strategy has since been abandoned.
One analyst noted that the Q8
