Compare the2024 Acura RDXVS 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron

Both the RDX and the Q8 e-tron have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Acura RDX is safer than the Audi Q8 e-tron:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Acura RDX is safer than the Audi Q8 e-tron:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the RDX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the Q8 e-tron. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Q8 e-tron ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Acura pays for scheduled maintenance on the RDX for 2 years and 24,000 miles. Acura will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the Q8 e-tron.

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 RDX’s reliability 39 points higher than the Q8 e-tron.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 14 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Acura higher than Audi.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura fourth in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 19th.

The RDX stops much shorter than the Q8 e-tron:

The RDX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The Q8 e-tron doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The RDX A-Spec handles at .82 G’s, while the Q8 e-tron 55 Launch Edition pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the RDX’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the Q8 e-tron’s (38.9 feet vs. 40 feet).

For greater off-road capability the RDX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Q8 e-tron (8.2 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the RDX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Acura RDX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1800 to 2000 pounds less than the Audi Q8 e-tron.

The RDX is 5.6 inches shorter than the Q8 e-tron, making the RDX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The RDX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Q8 e-tron doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The RDX has 1.5 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom and 1.1 inches more front shoulder room than the Q8 e-tron.

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q8 e-tron with its rear seat up (31.1 vs. 28.5 cubic feet). The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q8 e-tron with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 56.4 cubic feet).

The RDX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Q8 e-tron’s (1500 vs. 0 pounds).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 6% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

The RDX’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Q8 e-tron’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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

Consumer Reports rated the RDX’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Q8 e-tron’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Acura RDX has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

The Acura RDX outsold the Audi Q8 e-tron by almost five to one during 2023.