Audi Q8 55 TFSI e V6 (381 Hp) quattro tiptronic

The 2021 Audi Q8 sits in a corner of the SUV market that is growing in popularity. This premium ride is classified as a midsize luxury crossover SUV coupe and comes powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder gas engine mated to a 48-volt lithium-ion battery hybrid system. This handsome car competes with other coupe-style SUVs such as the Porsche Cayenne Coupe. As an equally luxurious but slightly less practical SUV than the Audi Q7, the Q8 offers loads of desirability for its starting price of $68,200. The Q8 rides beautifully and, on the open road, it makes for a convincing cruiser with enough performance on tap for most situations. It should be noted that the Q8 can feel sluggish in town, but it is a small issue, and the plush interior and generous amounts of tech make up for it. The infotainment system can get distracting but is easier to operate once you're used to it, and this mild-hybrid coupe-SUV also offers good interior space and is nearly as practical as a conventionally-styled SUV.

The 2021 Audi Q8 is the flagship of the brand's SUV range, and for 2021, it comes with a few new standard features. Audi side assist and pre sense rear are now standard on the base trim. The optional Convenience package now includes a heated steering wheel and top-view camera on the base model. Premium Plus models now add a standard heated steering wheel, and the Executive package available to this model includes heated rear seats, leather-upholstered armrests, adaptive cruise assist, Audi active lane assist, and HD Matrix-design LED headlights.

Audi has designed a decidedly handsome exterior for the Q8, which draws attention no matter where you go. This sleek SUV comes packed with a ton of exterior features from the base model upward. The Premium derivative features 20-inch five-double-spoke design wheels, full LED headlights with high-beam assist, and a power rear liftgate. Premium Plus models add 21-inch five-segment-spoke design wheels. The Prestige Plus includes LED taillights with animation. The Black Optic package on the Premium Plus adds 22-inch Audi Sport wheels, red brake calipers, along with unique front and rear bumper inserts, black roof rails, and black trim around the side windows. The S line package (not available on the base trim) includes S line fender badges, illuminated door sill inlays, and 21-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with contrasting gray and partially polished finish wheels.

Color options play a massive role in the overall styling of a car, and with the Q8 being such a beauty, it would make sense that Audi has bestowed this SUV with a great number of exciting paint colors that will suit every taste. The 2021 Q8 is offered with two complimentary colors, namely Carrara White and Night Black. For metallic colors, you'll have to cough up an extra $595. The metallic range includes Dragon Orange, Florett Silver, Galaxy Blue, Glacier White, Samurai Gray, Vicuna Beige, and Orca Black. On Premium Plus variants, the stunning Navarra Blue Metallic becomes available when you go for the S Line package, while Daytona Gray Pearl is added to the palette as well and costs $595. Navarra Blue is the color to go for here.

Performance is equal across the trim range, with each car benefiting from the same turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder power and eight-speed transmission. The total power output for this engine is a respectable 335 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, which gets sent to all four wheels via a quattro all-wheel-drive system. Power from this engine is ample once you start moving, and most will feel satisfied with what is offered here. The Audi Q8 SUV might weigh over 5,000 pounds, but it still has some get up and go: the 0-60 sprint takes only 5.6 seconds, which is a tenth of a second quicker than the base Porsche Cayenne Coupe. However, the more affordable BMW X6 is faster. The Q8 will continue on to a limited top speed of 130 mph. In most gears, the Audi feels faster than the Porsche, which is an impressive feat considering the fact that the Cayenne Coupe is lighter. Being an SUV, the Q8 offers a pretty decent towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, which should be enough to haul a premium caravan to Florida for the holidays.

Price Range (MSRP): $68,200 - $100,000.