Audi

Premium quattro

Premium Plus quattro

Prestige quattro

Q8 e-tron

The Audi Q8 e-tron is a luxury midsize electric SUV competing directly against the Mercedes EQS SUV and BMW iX. Rebranded from the e-tron in 2023, it carries forward a refined, quieter cabin and improved range while maintaining Audi's characteristic build quality. Reviewers consistently praise its exceptional interior refinement and composed highway ride, though its efficiency and real-world range figures draw scrutiny relative to rivals at this price point.

Interior quality and material fit-and-finish rank among the best in the electric SUV segment, with Edmunds and Car and Driver both citing it as a benchmark for luxury feel

Exceptionally hushed cabin at highway speeds, aided by acoustic glass and extensive sound insulation

Dual-motor AWD delivers confident, predictable handling with 402 hp across all three trims

Large 115 kWh gross battery pack and improved aerodynamics over the original e-tron contribute to a 285-mile EPA range

MMI infotainment system is praised for its logical layout and physical shortcut controls that reduce touchscreen dependence

285-mile EPA range trails key competitors at similar price points, including the BMW iX xDrive50 which exceeds 300 miles

Maximum DC fast-charging speed of 170 kW is slower than rivals like the Hyundai EQ90 or Kia EV9, meaning longer charging stops on road trips

Starting price of $75,600 for the base Premium quattro is high for a vehicle that does 0-60 in 5.4 seconds, a figure that feels modest against peers in this segment

Cargo space is limited relative to its exterior dimensions, with the sloping roofline reducing rear headroom and practicality compared to more upright electric SUVs

Polestar

Long Range Dual Motor

Long Range Dual Motor Performance

Polestar 3

The Polestar 3 is a premium electric SUV competing against the BMW iX, Volvo EX90, and Mercedes EQE SUV in the $70,000–$80,000 segment. Built on a shared Volvo platform and manufactured in the U.S., it emphasizes Scandinavian interior restraint and a driver-focused chassis tune. Reviewers at Car and Driver and MotorTrend consistently highlight its composed, car-like handling dynamics as a standout trait for an SUV of this size, alongside a genuinely high-quality cabin that punches above its price point.

Chassis tuning draws consistent praise from reviewers for delivering unusually agile, planted handling for a large electric SUV, with well-controlled body roll

Interior material quality and minimalist design are frequently ranked among the best in the segment, featuring a curved 14.5-inch center display running Google-based infotainment

Standard Long Range Dual Motor delivers 315 miles of EPA-rated range at $73,400, competitive against similarly priced rivals like the BMW iX xDrive50

489 hp and 510 hp outputs across the two trims provide confident real-world passing and highway performance without requiring the Performance upgrade

Qualifies for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit due to U.S. assembly in South Carolina, reducing effective entry cost to approximately $65,900

Performance Pack reduces EPA range from 315 miles to 279 miles while adding only 21 hp and 0.2 seconds off the 0–60 time, making the $6,000 premium difficult to justify on paper

Rear passenger headroom is tighter than expected for the vehicle's exterior footprint, a criticism noted by Edmunds in their interior space assessment

Cargo volume trails some competitors in the segment; the lack of a front trunk is a recurring complaint given the price tier

Software and over-the-air update reliability has drawn criticism from early owners on forums and in InsideEVs coverage, with some reporting feature inconsistencies post-update

	Audi Q8 e-tron	Polestar Polestar 3
Body type	SUV	SUV
Trims	3	2
Starting price	$75,600	$73,400
Max EPA range	285 mi	315 mi
Max power	402 hp	510 hp
Quickest 0–60	5.4 s	4.6 s
Federal tax credit	Not eligible	$7,500 eligible
Drive options	Dual-Motor AWD	Dual-Motor AWD
	Full Audi Q8 e-tron specs →	Full Polestar Polestar 3 specs →

Audi Q8 e-tron vs. Polestar Polestar 3