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 gasoline financial system: 16.1 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B |
| Energy and Efficiency | A |
| Match and End | A |
| Gas 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 stage evaluated, and will not mirror 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-Pace automated |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline financial system: 15/21/17 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas sort: Premium Fuel
Base worth: $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)
Value as examined: $127,490
Audio-System High quality
Poor Truthful Good Very-Good Wonderful
Professionals and Cons
The good: Low-compromise high-performance enjoyable
The great: Crossover utility, opulent cabin, refined nature
The not so good: Glitchy Bluetooth operation
Assessment
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 is perhaps described as extra betterer, at the very least by a teen, can 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.
Should you ignore the value tag, and that’s a fairly large if, the Audi SQ8 is such a factor—at the very least in comparison with the usual Audi Q8, which is already a mighty nice automobile.
Coupe Crossover
Earlier than we talk about what it’s that makes the SQ8 so particular, we must always speak slightly 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” therapy 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 change for a stubbier, sportier profile. Regardless of its “greater” 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 commonplace 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 completely to an 8-speed “Tiptronic” transmission and Audi’s quattro AWD system. The delicate hybrid system offers additional energy when shifting away from a cease, and likewise helps to clean engine cease/begin operation.
What the Q8 has that the Q7 doesn’t is a “S” efficiency variant. It’s a singular trim stage boasting much more energy, and a extra athletic chassis. The development in sporty really feel is profound, and there’s 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 clean, 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 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 business’s best interiors, the SQ8 boasts a singularly premium cabin. Our check automobile got here geared up with the $3700 Luxurious Bundle, 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 each passenger as they enter the automotive.
Room and Consolation
There’s loads of grownup area within the first seating row, and huge sufficient door openings to make getting into the automotive a easy affair. Rear seat area, regardless of the cut-down roofline, is adult-person beneficiant. In brief: The SQ8 will make 4 occupants very completely happy, even on a protracted journey.
Connectivity
The SQ8 infotainment system will not be with out its bugaboos. This driver couldn’t hold his mobile phone Bluetooth linked to the automobile, 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 automobile.
Steering Really feel
Audi has, for many years, been appreciated for constructing vehicles with pure, feedback-rich steering really feel, and the SQ8 could be very a lot on level right here. There’s slightly heft to the steering, together with the form of partaking return-to-center motion often reserved for sports activities vehicles. Nothing right here for a daily commuter to worry, just a bit visceral suggestions to assist brighten up the each day drive.
Experience 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 charge of their autos will respect this level. Aside from 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 total goodness, it’s the V8 engine that’s the star of the present. Sure it sounds good, and sure, it’s clean, 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 clean, and the engine polished and refined. The SQ8 is nearly electric-car clean, however one way or the other extra partaking.
RS Q8
The extra betterer SQ8 will not be 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 assessment one quickly.
Audi versus Lamborghini
Whereas $125,000 is some huge cash for a midsize crossover, it’s truly an inexpensive worth for a automobile with this a lot efficiency potential. And, related autos from BMW and Mercedes-Benz can price way more. Additionally, the Urus crossover, constructed by Audi company cousin Lamborghini isn’t a lot faster than the SQ8, and lists for at the very least $100,000 extra.
Worth
Whereas we discover the mainstream Q8 to be an entirely satisfying—and admittedly indulgent—automobile to drive, lovers on the lookout for one thing extra of their each 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 critiques.
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2025 Audi SQ8 Status Footage
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