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 financial 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 automobiles in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not mirror Shopper Information’s impressions of the whole mannequin lineup. | |
| Large & Tall Consolation | |
| Large Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Large & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Large” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 500-horsepower, 4.0-liter |
| Engine Sort | Turbocharged V8 |
| Transmission | 8-Pace automated |
| 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 worth: $97,600 (not together with $1295 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: 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)
Value as examined: $127,490
Audio-System High quality
Poor Honest Good Very-Good Wonderful
Professionals and Cons
The good: Low-compromise high-performance enjoyable
The nice: 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 may 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.
If you happen to 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 advantageous automobile.
Coupe Crossover
Earlier than we focus on what it’s that makes the SQ8 so particular, we should always discuss 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 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 “greater” quantity, the Q8 is considerably smaller than the Q7 inside and outside.
The Q8 is costlier 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 commonplace with a 335-horsepower turbocharged V6 rated at 355 horsepower and outfitted with 48-volt “delicate hybrid” know-how. 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 further energy when transferring away from a cease, and in addition 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 advance in sporty really feel is profound, and there’s little or no compromise required of the motive 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 outfitted Status.
Take a look at Automotive
Shopper Information not too long ago spent every week behind the wheel of an SQ8 Status in Sakhir Gold Metallic and that includes a variety of dear 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 trade’s best interiors, the SQ8 boasts a singularly premium cabin. Our check automobile got here outfitted with the $3700 Luxurious Package deal, 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 large Audi a premium clubby really feel that impresses each passenger as they enter the automotive.
Room and Consolation
There’s loads of grownup house within the first seating row, and enormous sufficient door openings to make coming into the automotive 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 glad, 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 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 answer 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 a little bit heft to the steering, together with the type 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 each day drive.
Trip and Dealing with
As for the suspension, the sporty crossover’s barely agency, much less floaty, trip in some way makes the SQ8 really feel extra, not much less, luxurious. And drivers who put a price on feeling accountable for their automobiles will recognize this level. Apart 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’s also 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 clean, and the engine polished and refined. The SQ8 is sort of electric-car clean, however in some way extra partaking.
RS Q8
The extra betterer SQ8 is just not the top of the Q8 efficiency story, nonetheless. Additionally obtainable, although for rarified cash, is the RS Q8, a limited-production Q8 variant that boasts an eye-watering 631 horsepower. Hopefully we’ll evaluation one quickly.
Audi versus Lamborghini
Whereas $125,000 is some huge cash for a midsize crossover, it’s truly an affordable worth for a automobile with this a lot efficiency potential. And, comparable automobiles from BMW and Mercedes-Benz can price rather 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—automobile to drive, fans searching 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 Shopper Information opinions.
Take heed to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
2025 Audi SQ8 Status Footage
Click on under for enlarged photos
