Audi’s popular large SUVs, the seven-seat Q7 and five-seat Q8, have been given a light refresh with a number of enhancements to their design, styling, and technology integration. The Q8 is available in the 50 TDI S line, 55 TFSI S line, and the updated plug-in hybrid 60 TFSI e S line.
Completing the updated portfolio is this the sporty SQ8 TFSI model, with the new high performance RS Q8 also now available. The Audi SQ8, known for its blend of performance and luxury, has received notable updates that enhance its sporty character and driving dynamics.
Design-wise, the SQ8 features distinctive S-specific elements, including a more aggressive front bumper, larger air intakes, and quad exhaust tailpipes. These elements not only emphasise the vehicle’s sporty nature but also enhance its aerodynamic efficiency. This SQ8 is finished in the optional Audi Sport Paint ($1,600) called Sakhir gold, metallic and it really needs to be viewed in the sunshine to appreciate the colour. The sandy gold paint is nicely contrasted with roof rails in black ($900), the high-gloss black exterior styling package plus ($2,550), and 23” Audi Sport alloy wheels in multi-spoke S-design black metallic ($3,000).
The SQ8 model stands out with innovative lighting technology, including Audi laser light and digital OLED rear lights available for the first time as an option. One very cool feature is the ability to configure the Audi laser light daytime running lights and OLED rear lights with various signatures that can be changed within the infotainment system. This features a unique lighting design that is demonstrated in the front and rear lights with a coming home and leaving home animation.
The quattro SQ8 continues to be powered by a potent 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine, delivering 373 kW of power and 770 Nm of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in an impressive 4.1 seconds. Press the start button and there’s a chunky exhaust note on cold start, that settles in a gentle rumble. This high-performance engine is complemented by a sport-tuned adaptive air suspension sport and all-wheel steering, which provide exceptional handling and agility and a comfortable ride.
The drive modes available include Efficient, Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and, Individual. I of course spent the week in Dynamic mode and this meant I used a tad more than the official combined fuel use, which is 11.9L/100km, my number was 16.7L/100km. Under the Individual mode you can adjust the drive system, suspension, steering, and engine sound between comfort and dynamic settings for your personal preference. One feature that the Audis have that I love is the vehicle starts in your last selected drive mode, which means no need to select your preferred mode every time you get in the vehicle. One area where Audi could improve though is how the drive mode is indicated on the 12.3-inch virtual cockpit, it’s written in small letters in the taco and I would like to see it indicated by a different design for each mode on the digital driver’s dash.
Beyond the soft close doors and keyless entry, the interior of the SQ8 combines sporty elegance with advanced technology, offering a dynamic and luxurious driving experience. It features S sport seats upholstered in black Valcona leather, contrasted with diamond patterned rock grey stitching. Exclusive materials, like this optional inlay in matt carbon twill ($1,950), create a sophisticated and dynamic cabin environment. From the controls on the side of the front seats you can adjust recline, forward/back, seat height, four-way lumbar support and turn on the massage seats. Press the seat image on the lower screen to open more seat options with power adjustment for cushion and seat back bolster adjustment, front leg extension. The front seats are also heated and cooled, with the cooling being adequate and relatively quiet when operating.
As the driver I have a bit of a love hate relationship with the SQ8’s sport leather steering wheel with powered steering column adjustment. It’s heated, which is great on these cold winter mornings and it’s lovely to hold thanks to the perorated leather. But I really don’t like flimsy plastic wheel-mounted paddle gear selectors for the 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox. The same goes for the materials used in the cabin, I like the carbon fibre, metal speaker covers and Dinamica, but I can’t stand the gloss black plastic on the centre console and dash as it almost instantly attracts dust and finger marks.
My golden SQ8 also had the optional Sensory Package ($14,400) that adds the brilliant Bang & Olufsen 3D Advanced Sound System with 23 loudspeakers and a total of 1,920 watts. Along with a Dinamica headlining, massage function on front seats with three massage types, wave, pulse, and stretch, heated outer rear seats, full leather package, and manual sunshades on the rear windows. It also adds an air quality package that includes ioniser and perfume, two high-quality perfumes and available in four different intensities, but I don’t think this is really needed because the Audi cabins always smell very pleasant to me.
The SQ8 also benefits from the latest multimedia interface touch response system that you can adjust to your personal tap pressure preference. Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connects your phone seamlessly to the 10.1-inch infotainment screen and the Android Auto worked well for me. There’s a wireless phone charger under the arm rest with two USB-C ports as well. In the centre console under a flip up cover there are two cup holders with removable bases for easy cleaning, a wireless key charger and a slot to hold the key and one 12V socket. There are also good-sized drink bottle storage cubbies in the front doors.
The rear seats have manual recline and forward/back adjustment and there was ample head and leg room for me, but I would have liked a bit more under thigh support. There are two ISOFix/three rear tether child seat restraint points and if not is use the centre seat folds down as an arm rest with slim cup holders in it, but you do get good size drink bottle storage cubbies in rear doors.
Rear passengers have dual zone digital climate controls for temperature, mode and air speed and you can also adjust the rear climate controls and seat heating from front screen as well. There are B pillar vents and two central vents with individual direction control and on/off controls. Below the central air vents there are two USB-C ports and one 12V socket. What this socket isn’t is a cigarette lighter, but even so the SQ8 does have ash trays in the arm rest, which can be used as little bins instead for your children’s rubbish.
The gesture open tailgate didn’t work for me on the SQ8, and the powered tailgate can be open/closed from the external button, on the key fob or in the cabin. The auto retracting cargo cover moves out of the way when you open the tailgate and there are buttons in the boot to raise and lower the SQ8 to help make it easier for you to lift items in, which is helpful because the boot is quite deep. The boot space has four substantial tie down points, one hook, two lights and one 12V outlet. Under boot floor is the removable partition cargo net, that locks behind the rear seats to prevent items from flying through the cabin in an accident, and a temporary use space saver spare tyre. If more space is required the rear seats have a 40:20:40 split fold mechanism with the release located on the side of the seat, but they do not lie completely flat.
Dual frontal, side chest-protecting airbags for front and second row outboard positions and side head-protecting airbags (curtains) for front, second and third rows are standard. For convenience you also get auto dusk sensing headlights, auto high beam, and auto rain sensing wipers. Plus, a 360-degree rear view camera with 360-degree parking sensors and 3D view option that allows you to virtually walk around the vehicle to observe if there are any obstacles present.
Advanced driver assistance systems are standard, providing safety and convenience on every journey. These include adaptive cruise control (set using stalk behind steering wheel), Audi side assist – blind spot warning system, rear cross-traffic assist, Audi pre-sense with autonomous emergency braking and Audi pre-sense rear. You have the option to configure the driver assist with maximum protection, or individual settings to turn on and off the distance warning, side assist, intersection assist, emergency assist, exit warning system or a basic profile, which is emergency assistance only.
The Audi Q7 and Q8 come with a peace-of-mind five-year warranty and twelve years manufacturer warranty for bodywork against corrosion perforation for new vehicles. Alongside warranty, Audi Australia also includes a complimentary five-year Audi roadside assistance as part of the purchase of a Q7, Q8, SQ7, or SQ8. During the warranty period, Audi owners receive a complimentary membership to Audi Experience, Audi Australia’s bespoke loyalty program offering access to exclusive events, intimate Audi Ambassador experiences, and premium partner offers.
Five-year service plans are available for $4,600 and customers also can purchase Audi Advantage, an Audi-exclusive program that allows owners to purchase two-year packages to extend their servicing, warranty, and roadside assistance for $4,170. New vehicle customers can purchase two-year programs back-to-back at the time of purchase, or at a later date up to 8 years old, to extend the current manufacturer warranty beyond the current 5-year period. This allows new vehicle owners the security of a full factory warranty for up to 9 years, which is transferable to future owners of their vehicle.
Pricing for the Audi SQ8 TFSI quattro tiptronic starts at $178,815 plus dealer delivery and on-road costs and as tested this sandy gold SQ8 was $203,215 plus dealer delivery and on-road costs. You can shop for your Build & Price your Audi SQ8 online or visit your preferred Audi dealer for more information.
| Pros | Cons |
| The impressive V8 engine | The flimsy plastic paddle shifters |
| Vehicle remembers your drive move selection | The gloss black plastic centre console and dash |
| You can configure the driver assistance features | The gesture open tailgate didn’t work for me |
Photographs by Driven Women Magazine.