Compare the2024 Audi Q8 e-tronVS 2023 Chevrolet Bolt

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Q8 e-tron’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Bolt doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi Q8 e-tron are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Chevrolet Bolt doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Q8 e-tron and Bolt have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Q8 e-tron has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The Bolt’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Q8 e-tron has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Bolt doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Q8 e-tron has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Bolt doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The Q8 e-tron has Car-to-X Services, a system that seemlesly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The Bolt doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure.

The Q8 e-tron has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Bolt’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Q8 e-tron has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Assist and Automatic Brake Activation automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Chevrolet charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Bolt and the Bolt’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

Both the Q8 e-tron and the Bolt have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

The Audi Q8 e-tron weighs 2174 to 2477 pounds more than the Chevrolet Bolt. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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

	Q8 e-tron	Bolt
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	323	440
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.6 inches
Neck Compression	67 lbs.	76 lbs.

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 Audi Q8 e-tron is safer than the Chevrolet Bolt:

	Q8 e-tron	Bolt
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	44	74
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	117 lbs.	132 lbs.
Hip Force	236 lbs.	297 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	123	205
Spine Acceleration	44 G’s	59 G’s
Hip Force	579 lbs.	978 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	8 inches	10 inches
HIC	279	330

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

The Audi Q8 e-tron achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Bolt has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Warranty

The Q8 e-tron comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Bolt’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Q8 e-tron’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and unlimited miles longer than the Bolt’s (12/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

Reliability

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 Q8 e-tron’s reliability 24 points higher than the Bolt.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 1 place higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

Engine

The Q8 e-tron’s standard electric motors produces 202 more horsepower (402 vs. 200) and 224 lbs.-ft. more torque (490 vs. 266) than the Bolt’s electric motor. The SQ8 e-tron’s standard electric motors produces 296 more horsepower (496 vs. 200) and 451 lbs.-ft. more torque (717 vs. 266) than the Bolt’s electric motor.

As tested in Car and Driver the Audi Q8 e-tron (base engine) is faster than the Chevrolet Bolt:

	Q8 e-tron	Bolt
Zero to 60 MPH	5.2 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter Mile	13.8 sec	15.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	101 MPH	92 MPH
Top Speed	124 MPH	93 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Q8 e-tron with its standard motors can travel longer on a full charge than the Bolt (285 miles vs. 259 miles).

The Q8 e-tron has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The Bolt doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

Transmission

The Q8 e-tron’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Bolt doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Q8 e-tron’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Bolt:

	Q8 e-tron	Bolt
Front Rotors	15.7 inches	10.9 inches
Rear Rotors	13.8 inches	10.4 inches

The Q8 e-tron’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Bolt are solid, not vented.

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

	Q8 e-tron	Bolt
70 to 0 MPH	181 feet	191 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	131 feet	138 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	134 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Q8 e-tron has larger standard tires than the Bolt (255/50R20 vs. 215/50R17). The Q8 e-tron’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Bolt (265/45R21 vs. 215/50R17).

The Q8 e-tron’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Bolt’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q8 e-tron has standard 20-inch wheels. Only 17-inch wheels are available on the Bolt. The Q8 e-tron offers optional 21-inch wheels.

The Q8 e-tron has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the Bolt; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Audi Q8 e-tron has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Chevrolet Bolt has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Q8 e-tron has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Bolt’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The Q8 e-tron has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Q8 e-tron flat and controlled during cornering. The Bolt’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The front and rear suspension of the Q8 e-tron uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the Bolt, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The Q8 e-tron has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Bolt’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Q8 e-tron has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Q8 e-tron’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 Bolt doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q8 e-tron’s wheelbase is 12.7 inches longer than on the Bolt (115.1 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Q8 e-tron is 6.2 inches wider in the front and 6.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Bolt.

The Q8 e-tron 55 Launch Edition handles at .85 G’s, while the Bolt LT pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Q8 e-tron 55 Launch Edition executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Bolt (26.6 seconds @ .71 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Q8 e-tron has a 2.7 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Bolt (8.1 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the Q8 e-tron to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The front grille of the Q8 e-tron uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Bolt doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Q8 e-tron has 9.1 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Bolt (103 vs. 93.9).

The Q8 e-tron has 3.9 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom, 3.1 inches more rear legroom and 4.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Bolt.

Cargo Capacity

The Q8 e-tron has a much larger cargo volume than the Bolt with its rear seat up (28.5 vs. 16.6 cubic feet).

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Q8 e-tron’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Bolt doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Q8 e-tron. The Bolt doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Q8 e-tron’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Bolt doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Towing

The Q8 e-tron offers up to a 4000 lbs. towing capacity. The Bolt has no towing capacity.

Servicing Ease

The Q8 e-tron uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Bolt uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 13% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 16th.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Q8 e-tron, the memory system makes it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver and front passenger’s seat positions, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle. The Bolt doesn’t offer a memory system.

The Q8 e-tron’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Bolt doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The Q8 e-tron Prestige has a standard heads-up display that projects speed in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Bolt doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Q8 e-tron’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Bolt’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Q8 e-tron the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Bolt can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Q8 e-tron’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Bolt’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Q8 e-tron’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Bolt’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Q8 e-tron to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Bolt doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the Q8 e-tron is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Bolt’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Q8 e-tron’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Bolt offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Q8 e-tron has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Bolt. The Q8 e-tron also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Bolt.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the Q8 e-tron keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Bolt doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The Q8 e-tron has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Bolt.

The Q8 e-tron Prestige/Launch Edition has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Bolt.

The Q8 e-tron’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Bolt doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the Q8 e-tron and the Bolt offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Q8 e-tron has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Bolt doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Q8 e-tron Prestige/Launch Assist’s Intelligent Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Bolt doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi Q8 e-tron, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Chevrolet Bolt isn't recommended.