Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Audi SQ8 Status
Specs
Class: Premium Midsize SUV
Nation of Manufacture: Slovakia
Shade: Sakhir Gold Metallic
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 142
Actual-world gas financial system: 16.1 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B |
| Energy and Efficiency | A |
| Match and End | A |
| Gasoline Financial system | C- |
| Worth | B |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not replicate Client Information’s impressions of your complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Huge & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” 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 Kind | Turbocharged V8 |
| Transmission | 8-Velocity computerized |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gas financial system: 15/21/17 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gasoline kind: Premium Gasoline
Base value: $97,600 (not together with $1295 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at car: Particular paint ($595), Status Package deal ($7300), S Sport Package deal ($6000), Bang & Olufsen audio system ($4900), Luxurious Package deal ($3700), 23-inch alloy wheels ($2500), Evening Imaginative and prescient Assistant ($2500), Black Optic Package deal ($1100)
Worth as examined: $127,490
Audio-System High quality
Poor Truthful Good Very-Good Wonderful
Execs and Cons
The good: Low-compromise high-performance enjoyable
The great: 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 overlook which, was keen on the time period, “extra betterer.” A factor that is perhaps described as extra betterer, not 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.
For those who ignore the worth tag, and that’s a reasonably large if, the Audi SQ8 is such a factor—not less than in comparison with the usual Audi Q8, which is already a mighty high quality car.
Coupe Crossover
Earlier than we talk about what it’s that makes the SQ8 so particular, we should always speak a bit of 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 favored 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 change for a stubbier, sportier profile. Regardless of its “increased” quantity, the Q8 is considerably smaller than the Q7 in and out.
The Q8 is dearer than the Q7, nevertheless, and boasts extra tools, and extra base energy. Freshened for 2024, the Q8 was handled to up to date styling in and out, in addition to new LED headlights.
Engines
The Q8 skips the Q7’s base 4-cylinder engine, and comes customary with a 335-horsepower turbocharged V6 rated at 355 horsepower and geared up with 48-volt “delicate hybrid” know-how. This engine is non-compulsory on the Q7, and mates solely to an 8-speed “Tiptronic” transmission and Audi’s quattro AWD system. The delicate hybrid system gives additional energy when transferring away from a cease, and likewise helps to easy engine cease/begin operation.
What the Q8 has that the Q7 doesn’t is an “S” efficiency variant. It’s a singular trim stage 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, keep 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 stage, and simply over $106,000 for the higher geared up Status.
Take a look at Automotive
Client Information not too long ago spent per week behind the wheel of an SQ8 Status in Sakhir Gold Metallic and that includes a variety of expensive choices and packages. All instructed, 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 automobiles with business’s most interesting interiors, the SQ8 boasts a singularly premium cabin. Our take a look at car got here geared up with the $3700 Luxurious Package deal, which amongst different options features a wholesome does of additional 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 every passenger as they enter the automobile.
Room and Consolation
There’s loads of grownup house within the first seating row, and enormous 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. Briefly: The SQ8 will make 4 occupants very blissful, even on a protracted journey.
Connectivity
The SQ8 infotainment system is just not with out its bugaboos. This driver couldn’t maintain his cellphone Bluetooth linked to the car, and spent appreciable time reconnecting, a factor which proves particularly annoying previous to brief journeys. We additionally discovered the touchscreen gradual to reply to some inputs, an irritating trait, particularly in a luxurious car.
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 of heft to the steering, together with the sort of partaking return-to-center motion often reserved for sports activities vehicles. Nothing right here for a daily commuter to concern, just a bit visceral suggestions to assist brighten up the every day drive.
Journey and Dealing with
As for the suspension, the sporty crossover’s barely agency, much less floaty, experience one way or the other makes the SQ8 really feel extra, not much less, luxurious. And drivers who put a price on feeling in command of their automobiles will respect this level. Except for 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 it is usually 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 extra partaking.
RS Q8
The extra betterer SQ8 is just not the tip of the Q8 efficiency story, nevertheless. Additionally accessible, although for rarified cash, is the RS Q8, a limited-production Q8 variant that boasts an eye-watering 631 horsepower. Hopefully we’ll evaluate one quickly.
Audi versus Lamborghini
Whereas $125,000 is some huge cash for a midsize crossover, it’s really an affordable value for a car with this a lot efficiency potential. And, comparable automobiles 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 not less than $100,000 extra.
Worth
Whereas we discover the mainstream Q8 to be an entirely satisfying—and albeit indulgent—car to drive, fans searching for one thing extra of their every day driver will do properly to check drive the SQ8. Within the phrases of younger relative, “It’s extra betterer.” Click on right here for extra Client Information critiques.
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2025 Audi SQ8 Status Photos
Click on under for enlarged pictures
