Audi Q8 review: The days of the large SUV are definitely numbered - could this be the best one before its extinction?

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Dinosaurs may be extinct, but we're still intensely fascinated by them – from frightening Tyrannosaurus Rex to swift and wily Velociraptors and languid long-necked leaf eating Diplodocus.

Indeed the Jurassic Park movies, which feature many such extinct creatures brought back to life in the present day, are among the biggest grossing movies ever. 

Dinosaur bones and fossils are among the most popular exhibits at natural history museums. And many children have much-loved dinosaur toys, models and books.

So it was with a degree of trepidation, and glee, that I climbed behind the wheel of three big and beefy Audi SUVs that – unless there is a sudden and dramatic change of political heart about the drive to full electrification by 2035 – are themselves heading towards extinction. And soon.

Is this Audi's last take on the massive SUV? Ray Massey has been driving the updated Audi Q8 - a motor that's destined for extinction quite soon

As many car companies fall over themselves to showcase only their latest all-electric creations, Germany's Audi says there's still plenty of life yet in its flagship Q8 and SQ8 family of vast petrol and diesel luxury sports utility vehicles.

So if they are heading towards extinction they are going out with a bang – though not quite as big as the one caused by the asteroid hitting Earth and blamed for the demise of the dinosaurs some sixty-five million years ago.

Audi has just carried out a significant refresh of the popular Q8 petrol and diesel series. But will they be the last of the line? Audi won't say yet. And here's the rub.

The update is a significant refresh of the popular Q8 petrol and diesel series. But will they be the last of the line? Audi won't say yet...

The German car giant said it will only be launching new electric cars from 2026. That means the Q8's time might soon be up

Audi has said it will launch its last petrol-powered models in 2025. That means every new Audi model launched from 2026 will be electric powered only.

READ MORE: Where are the small cheap electric cars? Manufacturers accused of prioritising expensive battery SUVs that are 'too big and bulky for British roads' 

So, if there IS to be a totally new – and last - generation petrol and diesel Q8 line-up, it will have to be launched by 2025. If so, it could continue to be sold new from showrooms for up to eight years - as Audi has committed to ending the sales of all internal combustion engine vehicles by 2033.

If there ISN'T to be a new generation of Q8 petrol and diesels, then this current refresh will probably see the Q8 range out to the end.

And remember, Audi already has the all-electric Q8 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron in its electric portfolio.

One of the deciding factors for Audi could be the slower-than-hoped take-up by customers of new electric cars – exacerbated by high prices during a cost of living crisis, and the failure of public charging points to keep pace. 

Germany's powerful motor industry has already been ringing alarm bells to both its own government, and to the EU. 

The UK has already pushed back the demise of pure petrol and diesel sales from 2030 to 2035. 

And Audi sold more than 110,000 vehicles here last year alone, with 20 new models on the way by 2025, of which more than half will be fully electric.

Ray travelled to Cape Town in South Africa to be among the first people to test the new Q8 series. He drive three different versions - the diesel, petrol and hot SQ8

What's the Q8 like to drive?

Over two days I drove all three Audi Q8 and SQ8 variants during the global launch held on the beautiful coastal, wine-land and mountain roads in and around Cape Town in South Africa [read more below as to why the launch has taken place there].

The 3.0-litre V6 petrol and diesel versions of the Q8 with a 48-volt mild hybrid system are priced from £75,500 to £99,900 on the road and come in three trim levels: S-Line, Black Edition and Vorsprung.

Ray Massey pictured with the revised Audi Q8 - a luxury SUV model that starts from just over £75,000 in the UK

The Q8 50 TDi diesel has a 286 horsepower oil-burning engine with heaps of pulling power. - though its smoothness makes it feel more like a petrol

The monumental Q8 diesel can accelerate from rest to 62mph in 6.1 seconds and up to a top speed of 150mph - that's sports car performance from a motor that can easily fit two dogs in the boot

The range-topping 4.0-litre V8-powered SQ8 start from £97,245 for the Black Edition version up to £116,795 for the fully-stocked Vorsprung.

All are linked to an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox and feature quattro permanent all-wheel drive.

Between 34mph and 99mph, the Q8 can coast with the engine off for up to 40 seconds when the driver takes his or her foot off the accelerator – achieving a fuel saving of up to half a litre per 62 miles. 

I took a first spin in the Audi Q8 50 TDi diesel, whose 286 horsepower oil-burning engine has useful pulling power - though had a few of us seasoned motoring hacks fooled into thinking we'd mistakenly got into the petrol version, such was its silky smoothness.

And the fact it's no slouch. This monumental diesel can accelerate from rest to 62mph in 6.1 seconds and up to a top speed of 150mph - that's sports car performance from a motor that can easily fit two dogs in the boot!

Will it fit in my garage? Audi's new SQ8 

Price: Black Edition - £97,245/Vorsprung -£116,795

(Q8 range: from £75,500 to £99,900)

Length: 5006mm

Width: 1995 mm

Height: 1708mm

Wheelbase: 2996 mm

Weight: 2440kg

Engine: 4.0 litre petrol TFSI

Power: 507 horsepower

Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic

Drive: Quattro permanent all-wheel drive.

Acceleration (0-62mph): 4.1 seconds

Top speed: 155mph

Fuel economy: 22.4mpg

CO2 emissions: 285g/km

Wheels: 23-inch

Suspension: Advanced suspension package including adaptive air sports suspension and all-wheel steering as standard

Then it was into the Q8 55 TFSI petrol version with the 340 horsepower powerplant that propels it from 0 to 62mph is an even sprightlier 5.6 seconds up to an electronically governed top speed of 155mph.

While it definitely felt more sprightly than the diesel, it has nothing on the third and final version I test drove in the African sun.

Moving up a significant notch, I clambered into the top of the range SQ8.

Its massive politically-incorrect 507 horsepower V8 is almost worthy of a 'trigger warning' for green campaigners of a nervous disposition.

Riding on vast 23-inch wheels, the top of the range SQ8 goes like the clappers. But it's also effortless, shifting its enormous bulk swiftly and smoothly, like its bodywork is made of paper.

From rest to 62mph takes just 4.1 seconds, and again the top speed is restricted to 155mph - though you get the feeling it could continue going well beyond the speed Audi has limited it to.

Once more, there's a gorgeous deep rumble from the pulsating eight-cylinder engine, with a gutsy growl also coming from the two pairs of twin exhaust pipes at the rear. It's something we're soon going to miss when electrification takes over entirely.

But then there's the huge fuel bills, which most people will be glad to see the back of. Fuel economy is - unsurprisingly - a thirsty 22.4mpg with planet-busting CO2 emissions of 285g/km.

All-wheel steering on SQ8 Vorsprung helps it manoeuvre more easily with a tighter turning circle and - like its huge powerplant - helps to mask the hulking mass of this monstrous SUV.

If none of these offer enough power for you, an updated race-inspired RS Q8 will be launched next year and promises to deliver performance that will allow you to embarrass plenty of Porsche owners, it will be that quick.

The £97,000 SQ8 has a massive politically-incorrect 507 horsepower V8 is almost worthy of a 'trigger warning' for green campaigners of a nervous disposition

Riding on vast 23-inch wheels, the top of the range Audi SQ8 goes like the clappers. But it's also effortless, shifting its enormous bulk swiftly and smoothly, like its bodywork is made of paper

Let there be light... 

Design upgrades to the revised Q8 are what you'd describe as 'evolutionary' rather than radical.

Audi has made tweaks to the air-intakes, grille, trim accents, and the front bumper. There are five new alloy wheel designs from 21 inches to a mighty 23 inches on the SQ8 I drove.

But worthy of special mention are the high-definition HD Matrix LED lights. They have a whopping 24 LEDs per headlight.

And the best feature is the 'laser light' system. This can be personalised by the driver with a choice of four selectable daytime running light 'signatures' to suit your mood or personality. The same at the rear.

The rear lights have a new safety feature too. 

If a car, bicycle or pedestrian gets within two meters of your car when it's stationary – such as at traffic lights or when parking – sensors trigger a flashing light alert at the back. That's smart, though given the size of the Q8, a cyclist will need to have their eyes firmly shut to not see one up ahead!

The interior of the Audi is what you'd expect - incredible luxury, lots of soft-touch quality materials and a raft of digital displays

As soon as you get into the car, you instantly feel the comfort and cossetted sensation that Audi is arguably better at than all its rival

Command and control from a stylish cabin

Parking your backside in the Q8, you instantly feel the comfort and cossetted sensation that Audi is arguably better at than all its rivals.

The feeling of control in the commanding and luxuriously stylish interior is unmatched.

And though my route took me to the very tip of the isolated and windswept Cape of Good Hope – almost at the very bottom of the African Continent – the experience is of feeling at the very top of the world.

What's our verdict? 'The green lobby will of course be having palpitations at the mere thought that such gas-guzzling leviathans will continue taking up road space that would be better served with bicycles,' says Ray

Ray believes there will be a mad dash of drivers trying to get their hands on cars like this towards the end of the decade, meaning there should be plenty of life in this old dinosaur yet

Cars & Motoring verdict

The green lobby will of course be having palpitations at the mere thought that such gas-guzzling leviathans will continue taking up road space that would be better served with bicycles. They hate SUVs with a vengeance – even the electric ones.

But having spent a lot of my time recently driving a large variety of EVs, there is something really elemental – and quite naughty but nice in this puritanical hair-shirted age in which we currently live - about getting behind the wheel of a big, comfortable, powerful, old-school 4x4.

The SQ8 alone does itself no favours with thirsty fuel consumption (the phrase ‘fuel economy’ being somewhat inappropriate in the circumstances), and sky-high CO2 emissions. I can hear the wailing already from Greta Thunberg and her followers. But that’s easily drowned out by exquisite V8 rumble from the engine and twin exhaust pipes as you squeeze the accelerator with your right foot and roar down the road with a satisfying glow and a smile on your face.

The Q8 family also has plenty of proper buttons and dials – and a head up display. You are not faced with the constant distraction of having to swivel your head towards a central widescreen display to navigate through countless menus just to change the air-con or switch on the fog-lights. It’s a blessed relief.

And in a world where ‘carbon offsetting’ is considered by environmentalists to be an acceptable compromise – effectively planting trees to pay for your sins of emission – then the tax system which punishes motorists through fuel duty and VAT on petrol and diesel and through vehicle excise duty (VED) on higher emitting cars, should assuage some green guilt.

Of course, only a favoured few will be able to enjoy such delights. With prices starting at more than £70,000 and soaring to well over £100,000 this is a luxury far beyond the reach of most motorists on modest incomes struggling to make ends meet during a cost of living crisis and soaring fuel prices.

But the politics of envy are no reason to dismiss magnificent beasts like the Audi Q8 and SQ8. Football stars from humble backgrounds are quick to splash out on such expensive cars which have an aspirational appeal. And ownership may be only a lottery win away.

My prediction is that there will be a mad dash to secure last of the line models internal combustion engines – if for no other reason than to sit on them for as long as possible until the teething issues with electric vehicles and their usage – particularly the inadequate charging infrastructure – sort themselves out.

Which suggests there’s still plenty of life in these old dinosaurs yet.

If you're questioning 'why South Africa' for the global launch of this luxury car range, consider this... 

The reliably sunny weather is one reason. 

The superb and varied roads in this breathlessly beautiful country, which put Britain's potholed monstrosities to shame, is another. 

And, given the weakness of the South African Rand, firms paying bills in Western currencies make it a relatively cheaper gig than doing it in Europe. 

There's a benefit to the host nation too – the global launch is putting much needed money into a country which, despite decades since the ending of apartheid and the hope that came with Nelson Mandela, is still a country of stark economic contrasts and living standards, not helped by regular headlines about much reported-on allegations of corruption and incompetence at the highest levels.

Electricity is rationed too and there were 'outages' – power cuts – while I was there, which is why hotels have their own generations to fill in when the current from the grid goes off. 

So if you were driving a pure electric Audi, rather than one of the petrol or diesel Q8 'dinosaurs' like I was, you might find yourself in difficulty out in the African bush, or even the UK's urban jungle.