Compare the2023 Land Rover Range Rover VelarVS 2023 Audi Q8

The Range Rover Velar’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Q8 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Range Rover Velar and the Q8 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras and rear cross-path warning.

The battery on the Range Rover Velar is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Range Rover Velar’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Q8’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Range Rover Velar’s reliability 20 points higher than the Q8.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Land Rover vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 46 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Land Rover higher than Audi.

The Range Rover Velar HST P400’s standard 3.0 turbo/supercharged 6-cylinder hybrid produces 60 more horsepower (395 vs. 335) and 36 lbs.-ft. more torque (405 vs. 369) than the Q8’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Range Rover Velar gets better mileage than the Q8:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Land Rover Range Rover Velar higher (7 out of 10) than the Audi Q8 (5). This means the Range Rover Velar produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Q8 every 15,000 miles.

The Range Rover Velar stops much shorter than the Q8:

The Range Rover Velar offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Q8; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

The Range Rover Velar has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Range Rover Velar’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The Q8 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Q8 Prestige (26.2 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 26.9 seconds @ .69 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Range Rover Velar’s turning circle is 4.3 feet tighter than the Q8’s (39.2 feet vs. 43.5 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Range Rover Velar has a 2.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Q8 (8.4 vs. 5.8 inches), allowing the Range Rover Velar to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Range Rover Velar w/Air Suspension’s minimum ground clearance is 4.1 inches higher than on the Q8 (9.9 vs. 5.8 inches).

The Land Rover Range Rover Velar may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 850 pounds less than the Audi Q8.

The Range Rover Velar is 7.7 inches shorter than the Q8, making the Range Rover Velar easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Land Rover Range Rover Velar amounts to more than styling. The Range Rover Velar has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .32 Cd. That is significantly lower than the Q8 (.39) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Range Rover Velar get better fuel mileage.

The Range Rover Velar has 2 inches more front headroom and .8 inches more rear headroom than the Q8.

The Range Rover Velar has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q8 with its rear seat up (30.9 vs. 30.5 cubic feet). The Range Rover Velar has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q8 with its rear seat folded (62.7 vs. 60.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Range Rover Velar easier. The Range Rover Velar’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.7 inches, while the Q8’s liftover is 33.7 inches.

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Range Rover Velar’s optional rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Q8 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the Range Rover Velar uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Q8 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the Range Rover Velar to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Q8 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Range Rover Velar has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Q8 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Land Rover Range Rover Velar will be $312 to $6293 less than for the Audi Q8.

The Land Rover Range Rover Velar outsold the Audi Q8/SQ8/RS Q8 by 11% during the 2022 model year.