Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Audi SQ8 Status
Specs
Class: Premium Midsize SUV
Nation of Manufacture: Slovakia
Colour: Sakhir Gold Metallic
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 142
Actual-world gasoline economic 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 degree evaluated, and will not replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of the complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Huge & Tall Consolation | |
| Huge Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Huge & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Huge” score based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score based mostly on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 500-horsepower, 4.0-liter |
| Engine Sort | Turbocharged V8 |
| Transmission | 8-Pace computerized |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 15/21/17 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gasoline sort: Premium Fuel
Base worth: $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 Honest Good Very-Good Glorious
Execs and Cons
The nice: 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 overlook which, was keen on the time period, “extra betterer.” A factor that could be described as extra betterer, at the very least by a teen, 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.
When you ignore the worth 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 positive car.
Coupe Crossover
Earlier than we focus on what it’s that makes the SQ8 so particular, we must always speak a little 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” therapy 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 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, nonetheless, 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 customary with a 335-horsepower turbocharged V6 rated at 355 horsepower and outfitted with 48-volt “delicate hybrid” expertise. This engine is non-obligatory on the Q7, and mates completely to an 8-speed “Tiptronic” transmission and Audi’s quattro AWD system. The delicate hybrid system supplies additional 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 an “S” efficiency variant. It’s a singular trim degree boasting much more energy, and a extra athletic chassis. The development 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 degree, and simply over $106,000 for the higher outfitted Status.
Check Automobile
Shopper 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 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 automobiles with business’s most interesting interiors, the SQ8 boasts a singularly premium cabin. Our take a look at car got here outfitted 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 large Audi a premium clubby really feel that impresses each passenger as they enter the automobile.
Room and Consolation
There’s loads of grownup area within the first seating row, and enormous sufficient door openings to make coming into the automobile a easy affair. Rear seat area, regardless of the cut-down roofline, is adult-person beneficiant. Briefly: The SQ8 will make 4 occupants very glad, 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 related 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 answer some inputs, an irritating trait, particularly in a luxurious car.
Steering Really feel
Audi has, for many years, been appreciated for constructing automobiles with pure, feedback-rich steering really feel, and the SQ8 may be very a lot on level right here. There’s a little bit heft to the steering, together with the type of partaking return-to-center motion often reserved for sports activities automobiles. Nothing right here for an everyday commuter to concern, 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, journey someway makes the SQ8 really feel extra, not much less, luxurious. And drivers who put a price on feeling in command of their automobiles will recognize 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 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 sturdy. Like, exotic-car sturdy. 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, nonetheless, 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 will not be the tip of the Q8 efficiency story, nonetheless. 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 overview one quickly.
Audi versus Lamborghini
Whereas $125,000 is some huge cash for a midsize crossover, it’s truly an affordable worth for a car with this a lot efficiency potential. And, comparable automobiles from BMW and Mercedes-Benz can price far 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 albeit indulgent—car to drive, fanatics on the lookout for one thing extra of their each 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 Shopper Information critiques.
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2025 Audi SQ8 Status Footage
Click on beneath for enlarged pictures
