The Audi Q8 was introduced into Audi’s lineup as a mid-size luxury SUV in 2018 and remains available through today. The Q8 is known for its unique styling and for having the features consumers expect from SUVs, including towing. But what is the towing capacity of a Audi Q8?
The Audi Q8 has a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds to 7,716 pounds depending on the model year.
There’s a bit more to know about Audi Q8 towing capabilities which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
2023 Audi Q8 Towing Capacity
The 2023 Audi Q8 can tow 7,716 lbs across all trim levels and configurations.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2023 Audi Q8 can tow.
| Audi Q8 Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| Premium | 7,716 lbs / 3,500 kg |
| Premium Plus | 7,716 lbs / 3,500 kg |
| Prestige | 7,716 lbs / 3,500 kg |
You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.
Here’s a video showing the Audi Q8 being put to a real-world towing test:
Audi Q8 Braked Vs. Unbraked Towing Capacity
All vehicles have different towing capacities based on whether or not you’re towing a trailer that has trailer brakes installed.
Trailer brakes allow the trailer to stop faster than if only the vehicle is using its brakes, allowing the vehicle to tow more weight, so braked towing capacity will always be higher than unbraked towing capacity.
Audi Q8 Braked Towing Capacity: up to 7,716 lbs.
Audi Q8 Unbraked Towing Capacity: 1,750 lbs.
Audi Q8 Towing Capacity Factors
There are a few factors that affect the Audi Q8 tow capacity.
Model Year
The Q8’s tow capability varied a very small amount by year and generation.
The 2023 model year had a towing capability of 7,716 pounds, while all earlier model years topped out at 7,700 pounds.
While this is barely a difference in the Q8’s towing ability, it is still important to note.
Number of Passengers
A big factor in calculating your vehicle’s towing capacity is how many passengers you’re carrying, which directly calculates into the vehicle’s GCWR.
This is true of all vehicles, not just the Audi Q8, so always take into consideration the total load of your passengers and gear in addition to what you’re towing.
Audi Q8 Tow Package Info
Does The Audi Q8 Have A Tow Package?
Audi offers a Q8 towing package which includes the following:
- Tow Hitch Receiver
- 7-Pin Connector / Wiring Harness
Can You Install A Trailer Hitch On a Audi Q8?
If you plan on towing anything with your Audi Q8, you’ll need a tow hitch and wiring harness.
Depending on what you’re towing, you’re going to need a ball mount (aka a trailer ball hitch) so you can attach items for towing.
Make sure to get the right trailer ball size that matches your hitch and trailer.
Audi Q8 Tow Hitch
Trailer hitches come in different hitch classes, which are rated for different vehicle sizes and weight limits.
The Audi Q8 uses a Class 3 trailer hitch which can handle up to 8,000 pounds.
Here’s a great ball mount option so you can hook up different types of trailers for towing with your Q8:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. Rated to tow 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight and 350 pounds tongue weight, this ball hitch offers dependability for your towing setup (weight capacity may change if trailer ball is removed)
- VERSATILE USE. This trailer hitch ball mount comes with a 1-1/4-inch shank to fit virtually any industry-standard 1-1/4-inch receiver. The ball mount has a 3-1/4-inch drop, 2-inch diameter ball, 1/2-inch hitch pin hole and 7-1/4-inch overall length
- READY TO TOW. Hitching up your trailer is easy with this ready-to-use trailer hitch ball mount. It comes with a pre-attached tow ball for ready coupling and a trailer hitch pin to securely mount onto your hitch receiver
- CORROSION-RESISTANT. For long-lasting use, this ball hitch is protected with a durable black powder coat finish, and the trailer ball has a polished chrome plating. These finishes resist damage from rain, dirt, road salt and other corrosive threats
- EASY TO INSTALL. To install the trailer hitch ball mount on your vehicle, simply insert the shank into your vehicle's 1-1/4-inch hitch receiver. The rounded shank makes installation easy
Audi Q8 Trailer Hitch Installation
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions when installing a trailer hitch on your Q8.
Audi Q8 Trailer Hitch Installation Cost
If you’re considering having a tow hitch added to your Q8, expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed (excluding the cost of the tow hitch and wiring harness).
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.
Hitch Receiver Vs Rear Step Bumper Towing
Some vehicles allow for bumper towing, which means you can mount a tow hitch ball directly on the bumper instead of installing a tow hitch to the vehicle’s frame.
Can I Bumper Tow With a Audi Q8?
The Audi Q8 stock bumper is not rated for bumper towing, so you’ll need to install a frame-mounted hitch like the one we listed earlier in this guide or an aftermarket bumper with a hitch ball on it.
How Do I Know If My Audi Q8 Has A Tow Package?
You can start by looking under the rear bumper of your Q8 to see if you notice a trailer hitch or trailer ball.
That will give you a good indication of if you have a tow hitch already installed on your Q8.
Another way to research this is by checking the paperwork that came with your vehicle or taking it to a local dealer to see what’s installed.
Make sure to have your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) handy if you call the dealer so they can look up the exact specs and whether or not your vehicle has any towing packages or features installed on it.
2022 Audi Q8 Towing Capacity
The 2022 Audi Q8 can tow 7,700 lbs across all trim levels and configurations.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2022 Audi Q8 can tow.
| Audi Q8 Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| Premium | 7,700 lbs / 3,500 kg |
| Premium Plus | 7,700 lbs / 3,500 kg |
| Prestige | 7,700 lbs / 3,500 kg |
2021 Audi Q8 Towing Capacity
The 2021 Audi Q8 can tow 7,700 lbs across all trim levels and configurations.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2021 Audi Q8 can tow.
| Audi Q8 Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| Premium | 7,700 lbs / 3,500 kg |
| Premium Plus | 7,700 lbs / 3,500 kg |
| Prestige | 7,700 lbs / 3,500 kg |
2020 Audi Q8 Towing Capacity
The 2020 Audi Q8 can tow 7,700 lbs across all trim levels and configurations.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2020 Audi Q8 can tow.
| Audi Q8 Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| Premium | 7,700 lbs / 3,500 kg |
| Premium Plus | 7,700 lbs / 3,500 kg |
| Prestige | 7,700 lbs / 3,500 kg |
2019 Audi Q8 Towing Capacity
The 2019 Audi Q8 can tow 7,700 lbs across all trim levels and configurations.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2019 Audi Q8 can tow.
| Audi Q8 Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| Premium | 7,700 lbs / 3,500 kg |
| Premium Plus | 7,700 lbs / 3,500 kg |
| Prestige | 7,700 lbs / 3,500 kg |
2018 Audi Q8 Towing Capacity
The 2018 Audi Q8 can tow 7,700 lbs across all trim levels and configurations.
Refer to the chart below to find how much your 2018 Audi Q8 can tow.
| Audi Q8 Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
| Premium | 7,700 lbs / 3,500 kg |
| Premium Plus | 7,700 lbs / 3,500 kg |
| Prestige | 7,700 lbs / 3,500 kg |
Data Accuracy
We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official Audi Q8 Owner’s Manuals on Audi’s website and have checked all data thoroughly for accuracy.
Having said that, we still recommend you refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual yourself before towing with your Audi Q8.
