Audi RS Q8 vs Skoda Kodiaq

What's the difference?

The Audi RS Q8 Performance is a lot - of everything. It offers lots of power, lots of performance, lots of space and lots of luxury. But it’s also a lot of money, and at more than $250k it’s not going to be on everyone’s shopping list. It’s a very niche proposition for a small group of buyers. For those select few, those who want a lot of everything and who crave the ultimate of whatever product they’re buying, then the RS Q8 Performance is going to be a very tempting proposition - even if they never set any lap record in it.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

The new Skoda Kodiaq Select 140TSI is a quiet achiever. It may not be as flashy as some of its rivals, and the engine won’t knock your socks off, but it delivers where it counts. This is a well-rounded seven-seater that’s comfortable, practical and cleverly equipped with more standard features than you’d typically expect from a base grade. If you’re after a family SUV that flies under the radar but ticks all the right boxes, the Kodiaq deserves a close look.

We don’t refer to ‘facelifted’ cars for no reason, the RS Q8 Performance has a number of visual changes.

These include a new Audi ‘singleframe grille’ and new front bumper design, with a new Matt Carbon trim package available to highlight that.

There’s also a new rear bumper design as well as new digital daytime running lights at the front and digital OLED lights at the rear.

The unique forged alloy wheels are another design change, but also bring a functional element. Measuring 23 inches they do a good job of filling out the wheel arches and give the RS Q8 Performance a purposeful stance and good proportions. But they are also 5kg lighter per wheel than the 22-inch rims on the RS Q8, saving unsprung weight to help the ride and handling.

Inside, Audi hasn’t made any dramatic changes to the design, which is fine because the brand does some of the best cabins on the market in terms of look and feel.

What is new is an aluminium inlay and an optional RS interior design package which provides a unique finish to the seats, with contrasting stitching, for an additional $4100.

From the outside, the new Kodiaq looks more athletic than bulky, with a long and low stance that gives it a sleeker profile than many of its taller, boxier rivals.

The new restyled grille, 19-inch alloy wheels, and distinctive C-shaped LED tail lights give it an understated but handsome roadside presence. This is an SUV that favours quiet confidence with a European flair.

Step inside, and the cabin continues that design language with a stylish, angular dashboard and a well-considered layout that’s both practical and premium in feel. The black leather upholstery, crisp technology displays are complemented by Skoda’s clever new multi-function rotary dials.

Even in the base Select grade, the interior punches above its price point.

While it’s easy to get swept up in the power and speed of the RS Q8 Performance, it’s important to remember that it’s an SUV and it needs to offer ‘utility’ as well as ‘sports’. 

With that in mind, the front seat occupants are well looked after with supportive and comfortable sports seats, with a good amount of small item storage spaces. 

The rear seats are surprisingly comfortable, despite the sloping roofline of this ‘coupe-style’ SUV. Audi has cut recesses into the ceiling to create more headroom, so it will be fine for anyone under six-foot tall. Despite there being five seat belts, this is realistically more of a four-seater for adults, although three smaller kids could squeeze across the back.

There’s also a pair of cupholders, two USB-C ports, a 12-volt outlet and your own climate controls for the rear passengers.

As for the boot, again it loses some volume because it’s not a wagon-style SUV, but there’s still a decent, square floor space with a claimed 605 litres of capacity.

So, overall the Q8 obviously isn’t the most practical version of an SUV, but it does well given its focus on style.

The Kodiaq does a solid job of blending family friendly space with clever design. Up front, there’s plenty of room to stretch out, and the wide door apertures combined with a 187mm ground clearance make getting in and out a breeze.

The front seats are genuinely comfortable, with thick padding, supportive side bolsters, extendable under-thigh supports and heating for both front occupants, which is a nice inclusion at this price point. The driver’s seat is also electrically adjustable with memory, which adds a layer of convenience.

Skoda has a reputation for smart storage and the new Kodiaq continues that trend. There’s a sunglasses holder, an umbrella nook inside the drivers door, removable rubbish bins in each front door pocket and a handy dual glove box set-up. The centre console offers a mix of deep storage, two cupholders and lots of charging options, including two USB-C ports and dual wireless charging pads, plus a third USB-C near the rearview mirror.

That said, the tech experience hasn’t been completely seamless. The 13.0-inch multimedia display looks sharp, but the touchscreen can be laggy at times. The three multi-function dials, while clever in theory, aren’t always intuitive in practice. Changing functions on the go can be fiddly, and I found the climate control system occasionally unresponsive — the ‘sync’ function worked inconsistently and for some reason, we couldn’t always unlock or adjust the rear climate control.

On the plus side, the system includes built-in sat nav, wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. CarPlay connected easily and stayed stable throughout the week.

In the second row, my eight-year-old had no trouble hopping in and out, and while the seats are on the firmer side, they’re still comfortable enough for long drives. Amenities are strong with two USB-C ports, a 12-volt socket, map pockets with device holders, and retractable sunblinds. There’s also a removable centre shelf between the seats that works as a clever storage solution, and the bench is wide enough to take advantage of all three top-tether anchor points.

And I have to call out one of my favourite Skoda features, the pop-out door edge protectors! This is the first time I’ve seen them in action and they’re brilliant. They automatically deploy as you open the door, helping prevent bumps and dings, which is a lifesaver for parents with energetic kids (like mine) who fling doors open with zero hesitation.

As with most three-row SUVs in this segment, the Kodiaq’s third row is best suited to kids. Adults can technically squeeze in but space is limited, with legroom and headroom both tight. It’s worth noting there are no directional air vents, USB charging ports or top-tether anchor points in the third row either, which might be a downside for some families.

Boot space, on the other hand, is a strong point. Even with all seven seats in use, there’s still a very usable 340L of cargo capacity which, is enough for a few school bags or a compact pram. There’s also an underfloor compartment for storing the cargo cover and space-saver spare tyre, which keeps things tidy. Fold the third row down and the capacity jumps to a generous 910L, giving you loads of room for family gear, groceries, or weekend luggage. The powered tailgate is another welcome convenience, especially when your hands are full.

Excluding the limited-edition ‘Launch’ variant, the new Kodiaq range consists of just two core grades and we’ve been family testing the entry-level 140TSI Select.

With a list price of $54,990 before on-road costs, the Select trim undercuts many of its key seven-seat rivals. The Hyundai Santa Fe kicks off at around $56,000, while the Kia Sorento Sport+ starts from $58,430, giving the Kodiaq a slight edge on paper when it comes to affordability.

Of course, it can’t compete with sharply priced Chinese contenders like the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max, which starts from just $40,990. But where the Skoda claws back ground is in its blend of space, smart storage solutions and the refined European design-flavour that the brand is known for. This makes it an appealing pick for families wanting practicality without compromising on quality.

Despite being the entry point into the Kodiaq range, the 140TSI Select comes impressively well-equipped and it doesn’t feel like a ‘base model’.

There’s black leather upholstery, a leather-accented steering wheel, heated front seats, a power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory functionality, and rear privacy glass. Three-zone climate control keeps everyone comfortable, and the powered tailgate adds convenience for a busy family life. Skoda even throws in carpet mats as standard, which is a small but appreciated touch.

On the technology front, the Select features a crisp 13.0-inch touchscreen multimedia display and a 10.0-inch digital instrument cluster. Satellite navigation is included, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus multiple device-charging options throughout the cabin. That includes two ventilated wireless charging pads up front, USB-C ports in each row, and a handy extra USB-C port near the rearview mirror, perfect for plugging in a dash cam without messy cables.

The cabin feels thoughtfully laid out, modern, and mostly user-friendly, particularly if you're hopping out of an older SUV. All up, it delivers a lot of bang for your buck, especially when compared with similarly priced, or even more expensive, competitors.

This is the latest iteration of Audi’s twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine - and it’s a beauty.

While this engine is used in a variety of models, for the RS Q8 Performance Audi has taken power to 471kW with 850Nm of torque, which, as mentioned earlier, makes it the most powerful internal combustion engine Audi has ever offered in a production car.

That’s also a big boost over the previous RS Q8, which managed 441kW/800Nm, and is only just shy of the 485kW/850Nm offered by its ‘cousin’, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT.

Audi claims that the RS Q8 Performance will launch 0-100km/h in just 3.6 seconds and keep going to an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. We tried to test the acceleration time on a closed circuit, but driving into a very strong headwind the big SUV could manage only 4.4 seconds - which is still a very quick time given its size and luxury.

The engine is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and Audi’s trademark quattro all-wheel-drive system to help smoothly transmit so much power to the road.

The Select is all-wheel drive and powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, producing 140kW and 320Nm. On paper, that’s a solid output for a family SUV, but in practice the power delivery can feel a little underwhelming at times.

The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is quick to shift but isn’t always smooth. It tends to upshift early, especially when you’re accelerating, which can dull performance and make the engine feel less responsive than it should. It's not sluggish, but it doesn’t feel particularly eager either — especially when loaded up with passengers or gear.

Unfortunately you don’t get the most powerful production engine without some trade-off, and for the RS Q8 Performance that means significant fuel consumption. The official fuel economy rating is a very thirsty 12.2L/100km, but that's the best-case scenario too. If you partake in some spirited driving that unleashes the full potential of the engine will result in a higher rate of premium unleaded being consumed by the big V8. We saw returns in the high teens across our time, but that was largely open road driving, so we’ll reserve final judgement for an extended test drive across more varied conditions.

Thankfully there’s a fairly large 85L fuel tank, so if you can hit the claimed average you can get a theoretical 696km of range.

The Kodiaq has an official combined fuel consumption figure of 9.2L/100km, and paired with a 58-litre fuel tank it has a theoretical driving range of about 630km. It's not as long-reaching as some seven-seat SUVs (especially diesel-powered rivals), but it's not terrible.

After my usual mix of urban errands and a couple of longer highway trips, my real-world fuel use averaged 8.7L/100km. Not too shabby.

Obviously the RS Q8 Performance is all about speed, Audi made its intention clear by sending it to the Nurburgring to set a new SUV lap record for an SUV. But the reality is most owners are unlikely to hit the racetrack in the RS Q8, so what’s it like on the road?

In a word? Impressive.

While the engine is undoubtedly the star attraction offering up so much effortless performance, the RS Q8 Performance wouldn’t be so quick around the Nurburgring or as nice to drive on the road without its highly advanced chassis systems.

It has an array of technology to help it handle, it has active air suspension, adaptive dampers, active roll stabilisation and all-wheel steering, which help to make this big SUV handle like a much smaller car.

The suspension does a remarkable job of providing a compliant ride on such large alloy wheels, while also providing responsiveness.

The handling is certainly helped by the all-wheel steering, which gets the rear wheels to turn in the opposite direction to the fronts at low speed (below 50km/h), but in the same direction at high speed (above 80km/h), making the big SUV feels much more direct when changing direction.

As for the overall experience, that’s helped by Audi’s surprising decision to actually remove some of the sound insulation, which allows you to hear the engine even more than you ordinarily would. This really plays to the dynamic nature of the RS Q8 Performance.

As I mentioned earlier, the powertrain is adequate but not impressive. The engine can over-rev at times, and it feels like there’s limited reserve when you really push it, though it’s far from gutless. It’s an odd one as you do have enough grunt to overtake safely on the open road, and it’s generally fine for a vehicle of this size, but it’s not particularly eager or lively.

The suspension strikes a good balance. It’s soft enough to smooth out bigger bumps and rough patches without feeling too floaty. At the same time, you still get decent feedback through the steering, and the Kodiaq corners reasonably well with minimal body roll.

Speaking of steering, it’s on the softer side and not as sharp as I’d prefer, but it’s responsive enough to make city driving and tight car park manoeuvres easy. Visibility is good all-around from the driver’s seat, which is good.

Noise levels are typical for a large SUV. Road and wind noise are noticeable, especially at higher speeds, but the cabin remains quiet enough to have a conversation in the middle row without raising your voice. If you’re sitting in the third row, though, you might have to ask people to repeat themselves from time to time. Still, it’s a comfortable space to spend time in.

The Select grade comes with a reversing camera, but the image quality isn’t great. The camera view seems skewed to the left, which caught me off guard occasionally. I found myself relying more on the mirrors and good old-fashioned looking around when parking.

The Skoda Kodiaq is covered by a five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing done in 2024 and features nine airbags, which includes side chest airbags for the front and middle rows, but the curtain airbags don’t cover the third row, which is disappointing for a family SUV.

The Select grade showcases a healthy safety features list including emergency lane keeping aid, rear cross-traffic alert and side exit assist. Most of the safety items aren’t intrusive for daily driving but the lane-keeping aid can feel sporadic with when it activates and it adjusts the wheel firmly, which takes a bit to get used to.

Other standard safety equipment includes blind-spot monitoring, q reversing camera, front/rear parking sensors, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, driver attention warning and alert, intelligent seatbelt reminders, two ISOFIX child seat mounts and three-top tether anchor points.

The Kodiaq is equipped with autonomous emergency braking with forward collision warning (pedestrian, backover, cyclist, motorcycle and car) and is operational from 4.0 – 85km/h (up to 250km/h for car detection).

Despite the extra power and fancy new brakes, the RS Q8 Performance costs the same to service as the existing RS Q8.

That means $4690 for Audi’s five-year service plan, and $5720 for the Audi Advantage.

The latter package includes an extra two-year, unlimited kilometre warranty on top of Audi’s five year/unlimited km coverage. It also includes two extra services and two more years of roadside assistance, to keep you covered for seven years total.

That’s good, but it’s still an extra cost when many mainstream brands already offer seven years of coverage as standard.

The Kodiaq is backed by a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty that is better than the five-year cover you’ll find on some of its rivals.

Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, and Skoda offers pre-paid service packs for up to seven years. These average out to around $393 per service, which is competitive for this segment and helps take the guesswork out of maintenance budgeting.

The Kodiaq runs on 95 RON premium unleaded, which is worth factoring into ongoing costs.