Top Safety PickTop Safety Pick criteria

2020 Audi Q8

large SUV / 4-door SUV

Award applies only to vehicles with specific headlights

2020 Audi Q8 4-door SUV
2019 Audi Q8 shown

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Side: updated test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Standard system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Standard system
Superior

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning
  • Optional lane departure prevention

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2019-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Audi Q8 3.0T Premium Plus 4-door 4wd

The Audi Q8 was introduced in the 2019 model year. The Q8 is derived from the Q7, but it has a more sloping roofline and only two rows of seats instead of three. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Volkswagen/Audi.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTN1815
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 2
Footrest (cm) 5
Left toepan (cm) 3
Brake pedal (cm) 3
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 0
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 0
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 2
Upper dash (cm) 3
Lower instrument panel (cm) 4

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTN1815
Head
HIC-15 196
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm) 7
Maximum Nij 0.22
Chest maximum compression (mm) 26
Femur (kN)
Left 0.0
Right 0.0
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.24
Right 0.23
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.3
Right 1.0
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 48
Right 86

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2019-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2019 Audi Q8 3.0T Premium Plus 4-door 4wd

The Audi Q8 was introduced in the 2019 model year. The Q8 is derived from the Q7, but it has a more sloping roofline and only two rows of seats instead of three. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Volkswagen/Audi.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP1831
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 5
Footrest (cm) 7
Right toepan (cm) 4
Center toepan (cm) 2
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 0
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 5
Upper dash (cm) 2
Right lower dash (cm) 2

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP1831
Head
HIC-15 194
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm) 10
Maximum Nij 0.21
Chest maximum compression (mm) 26
Femur (kN)
Left 0.0
Right 0.2
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.29
Right 0.21
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.0
Right 1.7
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 51
Right 48

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP1831
Head
HIC-15 219
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.9
Extension bending moment (Nm) 8
Maximum Nij 0.24
Chest maximum compression (mm) 27
Femur (kN)
Left 0.1
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 0
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.34
Right 0.25
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.1
Right 0.8
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 36
Right 43

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2019-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Audi Q7 3.0T Premium Plus 4-door 4wd

The Audi Q7 was redesigned for the 2017 model year (no 2016 model was produced). Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Volkswagen/Audi. The ratings also apply to the Audi Q8, introduced in the 2019 model year. The Q8 is derived from the Q7, but it has a more sloping roofline and only two rows of seats instead of three.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF1601
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 1
Left (cm) 0
Center (cm) 1
Right (cm) 1
Brake pedal (cm) 1
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) 0
Rearward (cm) -7
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF1601
Head
HIC-15 174
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.1
Extension bending moment (Nm) 11
Maximum Nij 0.23
Chest maximum compression (mm) 31
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.5
Femur force - right (kN) 0.3
Knee displacement - left (mm) 7
Knee displacement - right (mm) 0
Maximum tibia index - left 0.57
Maximum tibia index - right 0.60
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 1.9
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 1.5
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 64
Right 43

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2019-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Audi Q7 3.0T 4-door 4wd

The Audi Q7 was redesigned for the 2017 model year (no 2016 model was produced). Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test conducted by Volkswagen/Audi. The ratings also apply to the Audi Q8, introduced in the 2019 model year. The Q8 is derived from the Q7, but it has a more sloping roofline and only two rows of seats instead of three.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS1601
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -27.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS1601
Head HIC-15 65
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Compression (kN) 0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 34
Lateral force (kN) 1.2
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 29
Average deflection (mm) 26
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.74
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.23
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 1.1
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.6
Combined force (kN) 2.6
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.2
L-M moment (Nm) 46
A-P moment (Nm) -18

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS1601
Head HIC-15 54
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.5
Compression (kN) 0.4
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 19
Lateral force (kN) 1.1
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 26
Average deflection (mm) 15
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.31
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.19
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 1.0
Acetabulum force (kN) 2.2
Combined force (kN) 2.8
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.4
L-M moment (Nm) 105
A-P moment (Nm) 14

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2019-24 models

Tested vehicle: 2023 Audi Q7 3.0T 4-door 4wd

The Audi Q7 was redesigned for the 2017 model year (no 2016 model was produced). Side 2.0 ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2023 Q7 conducted by Volkswagen/Audi. The ratings also apply to the Audi Q8, introduced in the 2019 model year. The Q8 is derived from the Q7, but it has a more sloping roofline and only two rows of seats instead of three.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS2313
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -26.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS2313
Head
HIC-15 86
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Compression (kN) 0.5
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 28
Lateral force (kN) 1.2
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 24
Average deflection (mm) 22
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.08
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.22
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 4.2

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS2313
Head
HIC-15 40
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.4
Compression (kN) 0.2
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 11
Lateral force (kN) 0.6
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 28
Average deflection (mm) 20
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.91
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.48
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 3.6

About the side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2019-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2017 Audi Q7 3.0T Premium 4-door 4wd

Rating applies to the Audi Q7 (tested) and the structurally similar Audi Q8.

Overall evaluation
Curb weight4,946 lbs
Peak force24,749 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio5.00

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Power leather seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Power leather seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 22
Distance below top of head (mm) 6
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 10.9
Head contact time (ms) 61
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 0
Max neck tension (N) 223

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 2 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • Premium Plus trim equipped with HD Matrix design LED package
  • Prestige trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair on the sharp right curve and inadequate on the gradual right and both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on the gradual left and gradual right curves and inadequate on the sharp left and sharp right curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Premium Plus trim equipped with HD Matrix design LED package
  • Prestige trim
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2019-23 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 85.2 m None
Straightaway left edge 54.7 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 47.7 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 40.5 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 47.0 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 44.1 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 156.1 m
Straightaway left edge 137.3 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 72.5 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 72.7 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 53.3 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 54.3 m

Trim level(s)

  • Premium trim
  • Premium Plus trim
Low-beam headlight typeLED reflector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit Excessive glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the left side of the road and fair on the right side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve and fair on the sharp right and both left curves.

The low beams created excessive glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and fair on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on the gradual right and gradual left curves and inadequate on the sharp right and sharp left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway, on both left curves and on both right curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • Premium trim
  • Premium Plus trim
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2019-22 models
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 89.6 m None
Straightaway left edge 65.9 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 67.9 m 107.7%
250m radius left curve, left edge 60.7 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 53.9 m 309.2%
150m radius left curve, left edge 50.8 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 146.8 m
Straightaway left edge 134.9 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 71.9 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 71.8 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 54.3 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 53.9 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

System details

  • Standard Audi Pre Sense Front

Package name

  • Standard Standard

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2020-23 models

Superior
Superior
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 11 mph.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

System details

  • standard Pre sense front

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2019-24 models

Superior
Superior

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 10 mph.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision. A warning was issued 2.3 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2019-24 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim3.0T Premium
Seat type leather

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trim3.0T Premium
Seat type leather
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
not too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 74
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 82
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 71
Lower anchor B
Open access rated Yes
Depth Visible
Force (lbs) 0
Clearance angle (degrees) 76
Tether anchor
Location Middle seatback
Confusing hardware present Yes
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 Yes
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation