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 gas financial system: 16.1 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B |
| Energy and Efficiency | A |
| Match and End | A |
| Gas 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 whole mannequin lineup. | |
| Large & Tall Consolation | |
| Large Man | A |
| Tall Man | A |
| Large & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Large” ranking based mostly on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking 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 gas financial system: 15/21/17 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gas sort: 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 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
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, not less than 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.
If you happen to ignore the value 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 discuss somewhat 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 “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 commonplace with a 335-horsepower turbocharged V6 rated at 355 horsepower and geared up with 48-volt “gentle hybrid” know-how. This engine is elective on the Q7, and mates solely to an 8-speed “Tiptronic” transmission and Audi’s quattro AWD system. The gentle hybrid system offers additional energy when shifting 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 development in sporty really feel is profound, and there may be little or no compromise required of the motive 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 geared up Status.
Take a look at Automobile
Shopper Information just lately spent every week behind the wheel of an SQ8 Status in Sakhir Gold Metallic and that includes a lot of dear choices and packages. All informed, 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 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 getting 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 completely satisfied, even on a protracted journey.
Connectivity
The SQ8 infotainment system isn’t with out its bugaboos. This driver couldn’t maintain his mobile phone Bluetooth related to the car, 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 car.
Steering Really feel
Audi has, for many years, been appreciated for constructing automobiles with pure, feedback-rich steering really feel, and the SQ8 could be very a lot on level right here. There’s somewhat heft to the steering, together with the type of partaking return-to-center motion often reserved for sports activities automobiles. Nothing right here for a daily commuter to worry, just a bit visceral suggestions to assist enliven the each day drive.
Experience and Dealing with
As for the suspension, the sporty crossover’s barely agency, much less floaty, trip someway makes the SQ8 really feel extra, not much less, luxurious. And drivers who put a price on feeling accountable for their automobiles will respect this level. Excluding 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’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, 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 someway extra partaking.
RS Q8
The extra betterer SQ8 isn’t 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 really an inexpensive value for a car with this a lot efficiency potential. And, related 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 admittedly indulgent—car to drive, lovers 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 ere for extra Shopper Information evaluations.
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2025 Audi SQ8 Status Photos
Click on beneath for enlarged pictures
