Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Audi SQ8 Status
Specs
Class: Premium Midsize SUV
Nation of Manufacture: Slovakia
Coloration: Sakhir Gold Metallic
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 142
Actual-world gas economic system: 16.1 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B |
| Energy and Efficiency | A |
| Match and End | A |
| Gasoline Economic system | C- |
| Worth | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not mirror Client Information’s impressions of your entire mannequin lineup. | |
| Large & Tall Consolation | |
| Large Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Large & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Large” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 500-horsepower, 4.0-liter |
| Engine Sort | Turbocharged V8 |
| Transmission | 8-Velocity computerized |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gas economic system: 15/21/17 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gasoline kind: Premium Gasoline
Base value: $97,600 (not together with $1295 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: Particular paint ($595), Status Bundle ($7300), S Sport Bundle ($6000), Bang & Olufsen audio system ($4900), Luxurious Bundle ($3700), 23-inch alloy wheels ($2500), Evening Imaginative and prescient Assistant ($2500), Black Optic Bundle ($1100)
Worth as examined: $127,490
Audio-System High quality
Poor Honest Good Very-Good Glorious
Execs and Cons
The nice: Low-compromise high-performance enjoyable
The nice: Crossover utility, opulent cabin, refined nature
The not so good: Glitchy Bluetooth operation
Overview
I’ve heard the phrase elsewhere, however a household younger’un, I neglect which, was keen on the time period, “extra betterer.” A factor that may be described as extra betterer, no less than by a teenager, could be asking for a spoonful of ice cream, and being handed a sundae. One thing that’s extra betterer is one thing that’s higher than anticipated, and with out compromise or draw back.
In the event you ignore the worth tag, and that’s a reasonably large if, the Audi SQ8 is such a factor—no less than in comparison with the usual Audi Q8, which is already a mighty wonderful automobile.
Coupe Crossover
Earlier than we talk about what it’s that makes the SQ8 so particular, we must always discuss a bit about what this luxurious midsize crossover is all about.
Q8 versus SQ8
New to the North American marketplace for 2019, the Q8 (no S) is Audi’s “coupe” remedy of the popular Q7 midsize crossover. As such, the Q8 traded a little bit of rear-seat headroom for a sexier, extra rakish roofline, and shed the 7’s 3rd-row seat in trade for a stubbier, sportier profile. Regardless of its “larger” quantity, the Q8 is considerably smaller than the Q7 inside and outside.
The Q8 is dearer than the Q7, nevertheless, and boasts extra gear, and extra base energy. Freshened for 2024, the Q8 was handled to up to date styling inside and outside, in addition to new LED headlights.
Engines
The Q8 skips the Q7’s base 4-cylinder engine, and comes normal with a 335-horsepower turbocharged V6 rated at 355 horsepower and outfitted with 48-volt “delicate hybrid” know-how. This engine is optionally available on the Q7, and mates solely to an 8-speed “Tiptronic” transmission and Audi’s quattro AWD system. The delicate hybrid system offers further energy when transferring away from a cease, and in addition helps to easy engine cease/begin operation.
What the Q8 has that the Q7 doesn’t is a “S” efficiency variant. It’s a singular trim degree boasting much more energy, and a extra athletic chassis. The advance in sporty really feel is profound, and there may be little or no compromise required of the driving force or passengers. Extra betterer, bear in mind?
V8 Energy
Key to the SQ8’s performance-flagship mission is its easy, highly effective V8 engine. The turbocharged 4.0-liter 8-cylinder mill produces an Audi-claimed 500 horsepower, although that determine could also be conservative.
Costs and Trim Ranges
Whereas the bottom Audi Q8 begins round $76,000, bidding for the SQ8 beings at a sobering $99,000 for the Premium Plus trim degree, and simply over $106,000 for the higher outfitted Status.
Check Automobile
Client Information lately spent every week behind the wheel of an SQ8 Status in Sakhir Gold Metallic and that includes plenty of expensive choices and packages. All advised, our well-equipped SQ8 got here in at $127,490, together with vacation spot cost.
Cabin
Whereas upstart luxurious makers together with Genesis have been encroaching on Audi’s declare to outfitting its autos with trade’s most interesting interiors, the SQ8 boasts a singularly premium cabin. Our check automobile got here outfitted with the $3700 Luxurious Bundle, which amongst different options features a wholesome does of further leather-based. The deft melding of suede, conventional leather-based, and quilted seating surfaces give the massive Audi a premium clubby really feel that impresses each passenger as they enter the automobile.
Room and Consolation
There’s loads of grownup house within the first seating row, and huge sufficient door openings to make getting into the automobile a easy affair. Rear seat house, regardless of the cut-down roofline, is adult-person beneficiant. In brief: The SQ8 will make 4 occupants very joyful, even on a protracted journey.
Connectivity
The SQ8 infotainment system shouldn’t be with out its bugaboos. This driver couldn’t maintain his mobile phone Bluetooth related to the automobile, and spent appreciable time reconnecting, a factor which proves particularly annoying previous to quick journeys. We additionally discovered the touchscreen gradual to reply to some inputs, an irritating trait, particularly in a luxurious automobile.
Steering Really feel
Audi has, for many years, been appreciated for constructing vehicles with pure, feedback-rich steering really feel, and the SQ8 may be very a lot on level right here. There’s a bit heft to the steering, together with the form of partaking return-to-center motion normally reserved for sports activities vehicles. Nothing right here for an everyday commuter to worry, just a bit visceral suggestions to assist enliven the day by day drive.
Experience and Dealing with
As for the suspension, the sporty crossover’s barely agency, much less floaty, experience by some means makes the SQ8 really feel extra, not much less, luxurious. And drivers who put a price on feeling answerable for their autos will respect this level. Except some pleasant engine and exhaust noise, the SQ8 is simply as quiet within the cabin as lesser Q7s and Q8s. And, about that engine…
Energy and Efficiency
Regardless of the SQ8’s general goodness, it’s the V8 engine that’s the star of the present. Sure it sounds good, and sure, it’s easy, however additionally it is actually robust. Like, exotic-car robust. Rated at 500 horsepower, the SQ8 reaches 60 mph from a cease in an Audi-claimed 4.0 seconds. That’s loopy fast for a crossover. Extra spectacular, nevertheless, is how easily this muscle-bound crossover goes about its enterprise. Stomp the pedal and the SQ8 merely flies ahead. Transmission shifts are silky easy, and the engine polished and refined. The SQ8 is sort of electric-car easy, however by some means extra partaking.
RS Q8
The extra betterer SQ8 shouldn’t be the top of the Q8 efficiency story, nevertheless. Additionally out there, although for rarified cash, is the RS Q8, a limited-production Q8 variant that boasts an eye-watering 631 horsepower. Hopefully we’ll assessment one quickly.
Audi versus Lamborghini
Whereas $125,000 is some huge cash for a midsize crossover, it’s truly an affordable value for a automobile with this a lot efficiency potential. And, comparable autos from BMW and Mercedes-Benz can value far more. Additionally, the Urus crossover, constructed by Audi company cousin Lamborghini isn’t a lot faster than the SQ8, and lists for no less than $100,000 extra.
Worth
Whereas we discover the mainstream Q8 to be an entirely satisfying—and albeit indulgent—automobile to drive, fans on the lookout for one thing extra of their day by day driver will do effectively to check drive the SQ8. Within the phrases of younger relative, “It’s extra betterer.” Click on ere for extra Client Information opinions.
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2025 Audi SQ8 Status Photos
Click on beneath for enlarged photos
