MODEL
Audi RS Q8
NHTSA safety across every Audi RS Q8 model year we cover.
Across the 5 model years of the Audi RS Q8 we cover (2020 to 2024), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2023 at 84 on the NHTSA Safety Index, and the lowest is the 2022 at 79. 17 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Audi RS Q8 is a high-performance luxury SUV that occupies one of the most exclusive corners of the full-size segment. Aimed squarely at drivers who want supercar-rivaling performance wrapped in a practical, premium body, this flagship RS model blends aggressive styling with serious driving dynamics. It competes against the likes of the Lamborghini Urus and Porsche Cayenne Turbo, targeting affluent buyers who refuse to compromise between speed and utility.
The RS Q8 cuts an impressive figure on paper, but the safety data from NHTSA tells a more complicated story that shoppers at this price point deserve to hear clearly. The best Safety Index we recorded across our 2020 to 2024 coverage window is 84 out of 100, achieved in the 2023 model year, with performance bands ranging from Strong down to Average depending on the year. That is a respectable but not class-leading score for a vehicle in this segment and price bracket. Crash-test star ratings are largely incomplete, with frontal and side ratings listed as not rated across the best available year, leaving only a 4 out of 5 rollover rating to anchor the picture. That gap in NHTSA crash-test coverage is a meaningful concern for safety-conscious shoppers who want full independent verification. The recall count across covered years stands at 17, which is a notable figure for a low-volume, specialized model. Buyers should carefully verify which recalls apply to any specific vehicle they are considering and confirm all remedies have been completed. On a more reassuring note, owner complaints total just 2 across all covered years, with zero reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths among those filings. Those are unverified allegations, but the low volume does suggest owners are not experiencing widespread safety-related issues. Bottom line: the RS Q8 has real gaps in its crash-test record that prevent a confident full endorsement on pure safety grounds.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the RS Q8 as one of the most thrilling and capable performance SUVs on the market, praising its extraordinary straight-line speed, composed handling, and richly appointed interior. Most acknowledge it as a technical showcase for Audi engineering. Criticisms tend to center on its considerable size and weight rather than on outright safety concerns.
- The RS Q8 has not received full NHTSA frontal or side crash-test star ratings across our covered model years, meaning key independent crash-protection data is simply missing for this vehicle.
- The 2023 model year produced the best Safety Index score in our coverage window at 84 out of 100, but earlier and later years fall into the Average band, so model year selection matters when prioritizing safety.
- Seventeen recalls have been issued across the 2020 to 2024 model years. Given the low production volumes of this model, that is a high recall count, and any prospective buyer should run a VIN check on NHTSA's database to confirm all open recalls have been addressed.
- Owner complaint volume is very low at just 2 total filings, with no reported crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths among those unverified allegations, which is a modestly reassuring signal despite the incomplete crash-test picture.
Most-recalled year on record: 2021 Audi RS Q8 with 7 recalls.