When Audi pulled the wraps off the mid-engine R8 supercar almost 20 years ago, I thought it was one of the coolest cars on Earth—and I’ll stand by that today, for the most part. The idea of a car built on Lamborghini’s exotic bones, then gone over with Audi’s perpetually handsome and surgically clean design was, and still is incredibly appealing. I’ve always been fond of the Audi Q8 and its distinctly squat silhouette for this same reason, whose underpinnings we initially saw in the Lamborghini Urus. So, my expectations for this Lamborgnini-est of all Q8s, the 2025 Audi RS Q8 Performance, were fairly lofty.

What’s new for 2025?

True to its name, performance has been at the centre of the RS Q8’s tweaks for 2025. Power is up slightly this year, now rated at 631 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque from the familiar 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. Audi also exerted some effort on saving weight, with a lot of that coming in the form of a new, lighter, and more importantly, louder exhaust system. It can sound as authoritative as it looks; the styling of the RS Q8 has also been updated to match the tweaks the Q8 and SQ8 received last year.

Another hardware highlight is the addition of a new centre differential. It more aggressively metres power to the front or rear axles on the fly, where it can then be further metered out left or right to make the most out of available traction. Further aiding handling is a new electronic roll stabilization system called eAWS, placing powerful electric motors in the split front and rear sway bars. This actively increases tension as needed for optimum handling balance and body control in a given situation. The RS Q8 also gains a new 48-volt mild hybrid system for 2025, and can even regenerate a small amount of energy when not being driven.

How does the RS Q8 drive?

I didn’t get to use much of this. Our test vehicle had prominent front and rear dash cams added on, which is not something we have ever seen before in any press vehicle ever, regardless of cost or calibre. I’m well aware some vehicles have dash cameras built in, but these are integral to their safety systems and are installed at the factory. The dash cams on this tester, on the other hand, were part of Audi’s accessory catalogue and installed after assembly.

Not knowing why the cameras were present or who was monitoring their recordings, I was unable to even begin tasting the fruits of Audi’s labours to make the RS Q8 a proper performance machine. This is an extremely fast machine with capabilities beyond the abilities of most, and well beyond the confines of the Ontario Highway Traffic Act. With a potentially hostile witness on board, it could not be done at all. So I instead focused on how the RS Q8 Performance performed puttering around at pedestrian speeds, since that’s what most of these will do for most of their lives, anyway.

OK, how does it really drive?

I’m pleased to report that thanks in no small part to the clever eAWS system and Audi’s own deft hand at chassis calibration, the ride comfort is astonishing for an 5,400-pound SUV wearing 23-inch wheels. Every ultra-high performance SUV inevitably has at least a bit of an edge to it, but the RS Q8 deftly sidesteps anything even resembling harshness and delivers comfort seemingly without compromise.

Just because it lacks edginess doesn’t mean it has no edge; the new exhaust system fulfills that need quite neatly. It’s exactly what you want a mighty V8 to sound like: deep-throated, chunky, and tough. It’s authoritative but not aggressive with an overly hard warble or overcompensating crackling, just a suitably menacing grumble. There’s no posturing here, carrying itself with composed energy that has nothing to prove. The RS Q8 is a surprisingly smooth and charismatic thing.

Beyond that, it’s standard Audi fare, which isn’t a bad thing. The eight-speed automatic is slick, the driving assist tech works well even if it leaves a bit to be desired next to what BMW’s doing, and the infotainment is easy enough to use and generally snappy. While we tend to detest dedicated climate control screens, the RS Q8’s works fine in practice. Interior fit-and-finish is lovely and there’s a healthy amount of space for you and yours, and a decent amount of cargo room for their stuff. I don’t think Audi knows how to build an impractical car, let alone one that isn’t handsome or drives well.

Is the RS Q8 worth it?

In an increasingly stacked segment, the 2025 Audi RS Q8 Performance still stands out in its own, subtle way, and definitely holds its own against its rivals both from outside competitors and its own corporate siblings. Our tester maxed out at $177,900 as-tested before freight, fees, and any taxes. It’s a tall order to be sure, but if you went anywhere else within the massive Volkswagen family, you’d need to pony up a lot more to get anywhere close to what this thing can do. I just wish I could have experienced it for myself, because what little I did get to enjoy was delicious.