When buyers look at luxury cars, they are likely to expect them to be great cars that have great specs and are packed with features, and they expect them to be expensive. As a general rule, car buyers also know that the more expensive a car is, the more likely it is to be a good vehicle. Unfortunately, that’s not really the case with luxury midsize SUVs, as the most expensive option may not be the best.
The 2023 Audi Q8 is going to be very expensive
Luxury cars aren’t going to be cheap, but they don’t have to be expensive either. and according to US News, the 2023 Audi Q8 is currently the most expensive 2023 model in the luxury midsize SUV segment. The Audi starts at just under $72,000, and that makes its asking price much higher than most of its peers.
Furthermore, the Q8 is not only more expensive than luxury SUVs from Asian automakers like Lexus and Acura, but it is also more expensive than luxury SUVs from European luxury automakers like BMW and Mercedes. The BMW X5, for example, starts at less than $62,000, while the Land Rover Defender starts at around $52,000.
On top of that, the Q8’s top price is also among the highest in the segment. The Audi’s top price can be $123,000, which beats the X5’s $110,000 top price and the Defender’s $115,000 top price.
The 2023 Audi Q8 isn’t a bad SUV by any means, but it’s not the best
Overall, though, the Q8 isn’t a bad car, according to US News. It has an overall score of 8.0 out of 10, but that alone makes it the eighth best midsize luxury SUV. Like many other Audis, the Q8 is a great car in terms of how it handles and how comfortable it is. The Q8 starts with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that makes 335 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, and that’s more than enough for everyday driving.
Audi offers two twin-turbo V8 options that boost the car’s power to over 500hp, both of which make for great fun to drive. The Q8 also drives well, and its interior is luxurious and packed with features. Leather upholstery is standard, as are two touchscreens, one 10.1-inch and one 8.6-inch.
However, there are two reasons why the Q8 ranks modestly. The first is its price, as it is significantly more expensive than its peers, but not significantly better than them. The other is its fuel economy. The Q8 gets around 21 mpg combined with the standard engine, and that’s below average for the segment.
These are the best luxury midsize SUVs on the market
By comparison, US News says that two of the best luxury midsize SUVs for the 2023 model year are the BMW X5 and the Genesis GV80. The X5’s $62,000 price tag makes it $10,000 cheaper, and the GV80’s $55,000 price tag makes it about $17,000 cheaper. Both luxury SUVs have an overall score of 8.4 out of 10, and oddly enough, both have the same little problem.
Both the BMW and Genesis offer third-row seating, but both third-row options are cramped. Other than that, though, the X5 and GV80 are excellent luxury midsize SUVs that can do what the Q8 can, but at a cheaper price. The X5 starts with a 335-hp engine and drives well while sporting a plush interior. Similarly, the GV80 starts with a 300-hp engine, and it also drives well and has a great interior.