2020 Audi Q8 Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

The SUV craze does not seem to be going away anytime soon. It makes sense, considering how incredibly practical these vehicles can be for a wide variety of people. For many consumers, however, practicality is not enough. They are looking for a little luxury as well.

This is why the 2020 Audi Q8 is such an attractive vehicle. It has a smooth ride, comfortable interior, and a strong standard engine. While it does not really have the equipment to be an off-roader, it is more than capable enough for most buyers.

There are a total of three different Audi Q8 trim levels. Some things are consistent throughout the line, such as the engine. Other things, like standard tech and safety equipment, vary between the models. Considering the price of the Audi Q8, buyers will want to be sure to find the trim level that checks all of their boxes without overspending.

To help with this goal, the following guide has been written to explain what buyers get with every trim level. Knowing the differences is ultimately the best way for a consumer to choose the right model for them.

Compare the 2020 Audi Q8 Premium vs Premium Plus. What is the difference?

The powertrain of the Audi Q8 Premium is a turbocharged 3.0L V6. It generates 335-horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The top speed for this athletic SUV is 130mph and it can go from 0-60 in just 5.6 seconds. All-wheel-drive is standard on all three trim levels, which is a major selling point for the Q8 in general.

Standard for the Premium, as well as the other trims, is an eight-speed automatic transmission. Making the powertrain even more impressive is the 48-volt hybrid-assist system, which is in charge of the stop/start tech. Properly equipped models of the Q8 Premium can tow up to 7,700 pounds, which is not a bad number for a luxury midsize SUV.

Striking 20-inch 5-arm wheels are found underneath the Premium trim of the 2020 Audi Q8. It also gets a tailgate roof spoiler and roof rails. Power-adjustable side mirrors with both heat and a memory function are standard as well. The Premium gives you a handy power liftgate.

Buyers will find LED lighting all over the Q8 Premium. The headlights are full LED and include high-beam assist. Swinging around to the back, there are LED taillights with dynamic turn signal indicators. The side mirrors even have LED integrated turn signals.

Once a potential buyer sits down inside the 2020 Q8, they discover that leather upholstery is standard. Front seats are heated with the driver getting 8-way power-adjustment as well as power lumbar support. The front passenger gets the power-adjustment but the lumbar support is sadly missing. Families with multiple drivers will also enjoy the standard driver's seat memory function. Yet another comfort feature that the Premium gives to buyers is tri-zone automatic climate control.

Audi is known for giving their vehicles a sophisticated style. The 2020 Q8 is no exception. Standard for the entry-level Premium are features such as ambient lighting, natural wood inlays, and aluminum door sill inlays. Useful and attractive stainless steel inlays are found in the cargo area.

Drivers will find it easy to fit the Q8 into their lives thanks to the standard Amazon Alexa, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay features. They can all be accessed and controlled using the dual-screen infotainment setup. The upper screen is 10.1-inches while the lower one is 8.6-inches.

Bluetooth is a handy feature for streaming music. Drivers can enjoy their music on a 10-speaker sound system. Another thing that music-lovers will love is the fact that HD and satellite radio are both standard for the Premium trim.

There are plenty of advanced safety features to be found in the Premium trim. It comes with rain and light sensors that can trigger the automatic wipers and headlights. Also standard is what Audi calls its Parking System Plus, which is essentially acoustic sensors for the front and rear of the vehicle. Lane departure is another standard feature.

Audi Pre Sense Front is also standard for the Premium. This feature uses a radar to detect potentially hazardous situations, such as a pedestrian darting out in front of the vehicle. When this happens, the feature is designed to alert the driver and also apply the brakes.

Option number two, known as the Premium Plus, has the same setup underneath the hood as the Premium trim. The wheels are larger though, with the Premium Plus getting 21-inch wheels standard. These wheels are available for the Premium as an add-on. Buyers who want even larger wheels can add 22-inch ones starting with the Premium Plus trim.

The side mirrors are largely the same on this trim but they do add a useful auto-dimming feature. Another noticeable difference involves the door inlays, which gain illumination for the Premium Plus model. While the ambient lighting in the Premium trim level is white, the Premium Plus trim upgrades to multicolor ones.

Seating surfaces get a pretty nice upgrade when moving up to this trim. The leather becomes perforated and both front seats add ventilation to their standard heat feature. The power-adjustment goes up to 12-way from 8-way, making it even easier for drivers to get their seat positioned just right. As a bonus, the front passenger gets lumbar support when sitting inside the Premium Plus trim.

It is hard to upgrade the already great tech features found in the Premium trim level but the Premium Plus manages to do so. Standard here is a 17-speaker Bang 7 Olufsen premium sound system. Also added to the cabin here is the Audi phone box. This handy features in a wireless charging pad and a cell signal amplifier rolled into one.

Three significant upgrades are made to the standard safety aids of the Q8 when drivers pick the Premium Plus. The first is a top view camera system. It provides drivers with a virtual 3D view. The second is called Audi Side Assist. It is essentially a blind-spot monitoring system that alerts drivers if someone is approaching while they are trying to change lanes.

The third safety feature added is Audi Pre Sense Rear. It does the same thing as Audi Pre Sense Front but with using radar in the back of the vehicle. The system can detect an impending rear-end collision and take appropriate measures for keeping the vehicle's occupants safe.

This is the first trim level that offers the S-Line Style package. Also available on the top-of-the-line Prestige, this package gives the Q8 the larger wheels, all-season tires, specialized badging, and a more athletic exterior look. When this package is added, drivers can then decide to also add the S-Line Plus package. It gives the SUV front and rear red brake calipers along with black roof rails and a grille mask. Adding both packages also means getting 22-inch wheels instead of 21-inch ones.

The only other noteworthy package available for the Premium Plus is the Adaptive Chasis one. This gives the Q8 all-wheel steering and an adaptive air suspension. Utilizing air springs on the four corners of the vehicle, this suspension can lower the Q8 to improve aerodynamics by lowering the center of gravity. This package is also available for the Prestige trim.

Overall, the Premium Plus seems to offer a great deal more than the Premium, making it worth the additional money.

Compare the 2020 Audi Q8 Premium Plus vs Prestige. What is the difference?

The third and final option for buyers when it comes to the 2020 Audi Q8 is called the Prestige. It uses the same V6 that the other two trims have. Buyers will find the same 21-inch wheels that the Premium Plus trim have standard. The Prestige is also eligible for the 22-inch wheel upgrade.

Outside, the Prestige trim has a few noteworthy upgrades. The headlights have built-in washers, making it even easier to see and be seen in the dark. While the taillights are still LED, they now have animated turn signals built-in. Power soft-closing doors are also added.

There are not many interior upgrades for the Prestige trim. It does add a leather dashboard with attractive contrast stitching to the cabin. Rear side windows gain sunshades. The Prestige trim gives the buyer the option of upgrading to a 23-speaker premium sound system.

Where the Prestige trim may justify its extra cost is in safety features. Standard here is adaptive cruise control with predictive efficiency assist and traffic jam assist. Predictive efficiency assist uses information from the navigation system to predict situations where the Q8 will need to slow down.

A head-up display is also standard for the Prestige trim, as is traffic sign recognition. The final addition is called intersection assist. This feature can make intersections, which can be a hot spot for accidents, safer by using sensors to detect cross traffic. When a potential threat is detected, the intersection assist will alert the driver audibly and visually. Buyers who would rather go with the Premium Plus trim can get the adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and intersection assistant added in the available Driver Assistance package.

Going with the Prestige trim is the only way buyers can get the night vision assistant feature. It utilizes a thermal imaging camera to help detect pedestrians and larger animals in front of the vehicle in the dark. This feature works no matter the weather conditions thanks to the separate nozzle for washing it and the ability to be heated when it gets too cold out.

The Prestige trim is also the only one to offer the Luxury package for the 2020 Audi Q8. This package will add full leather to the cabin of the SUV. It also upgrades the front seats with 18-way power-adjustment and a luxurious massage function. Also added by this package is dual pane acoustic glass and an air quality system, which includes an ionizer.

When the Luxury package has been added, buyers can then further add the Design Selection package. It upgrades the upholstery to Sarder Brown perforated Valcona leather. The seats get gray contrast piping and stitching. Also added by this package are fancier wood inlays.

2020 Audi Q8: Which Trim to Choose?

After reviewing the differences between the three trims, it is a bit easier to decide which is the best value. The Premium trim is definitely impressive. It comes with the same standard engine as the upper trims and boasts a long list of tech and comfort features. At the same time, it may be lacking some of the features buyers are after when they are willing to spend the money for a luxury SUV.

The Premium Plus trim solves this issue. By adding things like ventilated front seats, a wireless charging pad, and a more advanced stereo system, this trim manages to feel more sophisticated. It also has more of the driver aids that buyers are starting to look for in a new vehicle.

As for the Prestige trim, it certainly has a long list of features. Buyers will have to ask themselves how important things like power soft-closing doors and a leather-wrapped dashboard really are in their daily life. Odds are, most consumers will find they can live without these things in order to save a little money.

The 2020 Audi Q8 Premium Plus is an overall impressive vehicle that offers drivers enough features to be considered a smart buy.