Has there ever been a stranger amalgamation of ideas than that of the SUV and coupe? Before you both scream yes and reel off a list as long as your arms I should stress that I am asking in a purely automotive sense.

Now that I’ve added a little context, I think we can all agree that the answer is a resounding no. After all, the two types of cars are at opposite ends of the motoring spectrum: the SUV is rugged, slab-sided and often ungainly, while the coupe is svelte, lithe and low-slung.

And yet, here we are: The existence of the BMW X6, Mercedes GLE Coupe, Porsche Cayenne Coupe and, now, the car being reviewed here, the Audi Q8.

It’s based on the Q7 and, indeed, shares the same wheelbase but, thanks to more conservative overhangs at the front and rear, is a little shorter overall. It’s coupe-mimicking styling also means that there isn’t room for a third row of seats.

The Q8 is available with a choice of either a V6 petrol or a V6 diesel. If you want something with a little more grunt you’ll need to look at the V8-powered SQ8. There are also just two trim levels: S Line and Vorsprung, both of which are pricey enough to make the average car-buyer’s eyes water.

Still, if you are in the market for a high-rise coupe you’ll want to read on and find out just how the Q8 stacks up against its rivals.

Audi’s reputation for build quality is second-to-none, and justifiably so. The Q8’s cabin is certainly a luxuriously-appointed space to spend a few hours in. It really is immaculately conceived and constructed, with a stunning gloss black fascia that stretches across the width of the car, lots of soft-touch, tactile man-made and natural fabrics as well as plenty of metalwork to enjoy.

There are also lighting strips in the doors to add a little pizzazz when you’re driving at night. It’s customisable too, with an extensive colour palette that should accommodate all tastes. Come on, this stuff is important.

There are no fewer than three high-res LCD screens to feast your eyes upon. There are two touchscreens stacked vertically in the centre of the console in a set-up that is much like Jaguar Land Rover’s Touch Pro Duo, although the lower of the two screens has greater functionality in the Audi, plus you get the brilliant Virtual Cockpit display as standard.

Those two centre screens are at the heart of the company’s latest MMI infotainment system. There is no longer a rotary dial and physical buttons. Instead, all the functions bar audio volume and power are handled via the touchscreens. It isn’t ideal, particularly operating the air-con which is accessed via the lower screen, because although there’s helpful haptic feedback to confirm a successful button press, there’s no way of knowing which button unless you look, and it’s a long way down.

Aesthetically, it looks stunning but looking as good as it does isn’t without its compromises.

Speaking of compromises, those coupe-like looks come with a few of their own, particularly that sloping roofline and fastback-alike rear end. Consequently there’s a little less headroom in the back than you would find in the Q7 but, because the Q8 shares exactly the same wheelbase, there’s still a generous amount of legroom.

If you’re sitting in the rear of the car you also get to enjoy reclining backrests.

It doesn’t, however, share the same luggage capacity thanks to that more aggressively-angled rear windscreen and shorter overhang. The rear seats do slide forward to maximise the boot space available, or you can fold them (almost) flat.

Up front there is room for passengers of all shapes and sizes. Both front seats adjust electrically and offer enough flexibility that it’s easy to get yourself comfortable. The steering wheel adjusts for reach and rake – again electrically – so no one should have any issues finding a driving position to suit. To help make sure you arrive at your destination relaxed and stress-free, those front seats are heated and ventilated and provide a massage function.

Anyone expecting a sporty drive to match the styling won’t be disappointed. The Q8 with the 286PS V6 diesel under the bonnet is mighty quick. Quick enough, in fact, to embarrass some hot hatches.

It pulls strongly from low down in the rev range and sounds purposeful, if a little muted, when you do accelerate hard. Refinement is, in fact, excellent whatever speed you’re doing but it particularly impresses when you’re cruising along a motorway where the only sound you’ll hear, unless your other half is regaling you with entertaining stories about, well, whatever it is they talk about, is a little wind noise focused around the door mirrors.

There is a question mark around the performance of the eight-speed automatic gearbox which can be a little slow to react when you’re trying to overtake. The delay between pressing the accelerator and the gearbox kicking down is a frustrating one and will test your patience as well as, possibly, your courage.

Even selecting Sport mode doesn’t eradicate the problem entirely and, in fact, the quickest way to swap ratios is to do it yourself using either the stubby selector or the paddles behind the steering wheel.

The handling impresses, though, with the Q8 exhibiting very little body roll in corners while the Quattro four-wheel drive system provides a huge amount of traction. The steering feels sharp, too, with a reassuring amount of weight to it.

While it is enormously efficient, it isn’t much fun. You don’t get a lot of feedback through the steering wheel and while the optional air suspension does a good job of reining in body roll in Dynamic mode, the laws of physics will not be denied, and you will be quickly reminded of the Q8’s two-tonne bulk when you try to change direction quickly

The low-speed ride is quite firm, even on the air suspension, but it is never uncomfortable. Sharp-edged potholes and expansion joints are more noticeable than in the Q7, but there is no crashing or banging.

Four-wheel steering is available as an option, or standard on Vorsprung trim and it’s safe to safe that the only benefit you’re likely to really appreciate is the tighter turning circle, although it does promise increased stability at motorway speeds and a sharper turn-in.

The Q8 is an imposing car. And it needs to be, because it’s facing some equally imposing opponents. It isn’t cheap but you do get an impressive bit of kit for your money. The quality of the cabin is imperious but, while split-screen infotainment system looks incredible, it can be a little fiddly to operate.

Still, if you want a high-riding SUV that eschews slab-sided profile for a sportier coupe-like look and your pockets are deep, then the refined, spacious and stylish Q8 will certainly tick all the relevant boxes.

Audi Q8 50 TDI Quattro 286PS Vorsprung tiptronic

Price: £84,910

As tested: £88,755

Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel

Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic

Max power: 286PS

Max torque: 600Nm

Max speed: 152mph

0-62mph: 6.3sec

Combined (mpg): 32.1 – 32.8

Emissions (CO2): 178g/km

For more information visit www.audi.co.uk