Summary: It’s big, bold and certainly not cheap but it’s an SUV that will appeal to a lot of people. As long as they can afford it.

2025 Audi SQ8 large luxury SUV

Pricing:  $178,000 (plus on road costs)

Options: Sensory package $14,000, 23-inch sport wheels $3000, Audi Sport paint $1600, Dynamic pack $10,900

Warranty: Five-years, unlimited kilometre warranty

Safety: not tested

Engine: 4.0-litre twin turbo petrol V8 engine with mild hybrid technology

Service intervals: 12 months or 15,000km

Power: 373kW @ 5500rpm

Torque: 770Nm from 2000-4000rpm

Transmission: ZF eight-speed auto, on-demand all-wheel drive

Body: 5006mm (long); 1995mm (wide); 1691mm (high)

Build country: Slovakia

Kerb weight: 2345kg

Towing capacity: 3500kg

Luggage storage: 605L (all seats upright), 1755L (second row folded)

Wheels: 23-inch alloy

Tyres: 285/35 R23

Spare wheel: space saver

Ground clearance: 209mm

Wading depth: 500mm

Turning circle: 12.3m

Fuel tank capacity: 85 litres

Claimed fuel consumption: 11.9L/100km (98 RON unleaded)

Fuel consumption on test: 12.5L/100km (300km)

seniordriver consumption on test: not tested

[review]

One of our all-time favourites is the superlative Audi S8 luxury sports sedan.

Audi claims the S8 represents an extraordinary combination of high-performance motoring and absolute luxury.

Got that right. With 420kW of power, 800Nm of torque and a zero to 100km/h time of just 3.8 seconds, it certainly takes some beating.

Then along came the SQ8 TSFI Quattro, pretty much the same deal but dressed in the practical garb of an SUV – which one to get?

Think of it as a cheaper version of the Porsche Cayenne, Lamborghini Urus or Bentley Bentayga, with which all share the same Volkswagen Group MLB Evo platform.

What’s it cost?

Unfortunately, the S8 has just been canned.

The good news is the SQ8 is a lot cheaper, at $178,000 versus $286,000 buckaroos.

That’s pause for thought but leaves enough left over to buy a second car – another Audi to complete the set.

Interestingly, SQ8 is just $4000 more than its seven-seat sibling SQ7 which is propelled by the same 4.0-litre twin turbo V8.

It’s also a lot less than the higher performing RS Q8 which is $255,800.

SQ8’s competitors include the BMW X6 M60i ($182,600), Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe ($190,900) and Porsche Cayenne GTS Coupe ($211,500).

Our test vehicle was fitted with some options, pushing the price past the $200K mark, including the $14,000 sensory package, a $3000 set of 23-inch Sport wheels and – get this — another $1600 for what’s described as Audi Sport Paint.

Paint that makes the car go faster? And it’s not red?

The sensory package includes a 1920-watt Bang & Olufsen 3D Advanced Sound System with 23 loudspeakers (not just ordinary speakers).

Not that the standard 17-speaker system is too shabby.

It also adds an air quality package that includes ioniser and perfume (two high-quality perfumes available in four different intensities).

We lament the passing of the S8, a car that was as luxurious as it was quick, but after a week behind the wheel of our golden SQ8 we have to admit it’s a pretty nice place to pass the time.

The interior decor combines sporty elegance with advanced technology. It is, and has always been, one of Audi’s strong points.

The cabin features S sport seats, contrast diamond patterned stitching, and exclusive materials such as carbon fibre and brushed aluminium, power-adjust steering wheel position as well as power-assisted door closing, that combine to create a dynamic and sophisticated environment.

The heated and cooled front seats are trimmed in Valcona leather upholstery with four-zone climate control air.

There’s also head-up display, adaptive cruise control, automatic parking assistance, auto high beam, auto dimming rear view mirror, auto lights and wipers, a sunroof, 360-degree camera and power-operated tailgate – not much is missing.

The SQ8 benefits from the latest MMI touch response system and Audi virtual cockpit.

The 10.1-inch touchscreen boasts DAB+ digital radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with MMI navigation plus and Audi connect plus (Navigation & Infotainment + Security & Assistance services).

But to our eyes the size and location of the screen(s) are starting to look dated.

Wireless charging is joined by two USB-C ports in the front and another two in the back, along with a 12-volt outlet plus another 12-volt outlet in the boot.

With eight airbags and a long list of advanced driver assistance systems, there’s plenty to feel safe about.

While diesel and 3.0-litre petrol versions of the Q8 score five stars for safety, this particular version however remains unrated. Draw your own conclusions.

Autonomous emergency braking (City, Interurban & Vulnerable Road User) as well as lane keep assist (LKA) with lane departure warning (LDW) and blind spot monitoring (BSM) are standard.

The SQ8 is covered by a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty.

What’s it go like?

Design-wise, the SQ8 exudes charm, sitting low astride its 23-inch wheels and fat expensive rubber.

But I can’t say we’re huge fans of the Sakhir metallic gold paint job, although some might find it appealing.

Audi tweaked the car last year, but the changes were minor at best. There’s no sense fixing something that ain’t broke.

Distinctive sport elements include a more aggressive front bumper, larger air intakes and quad exhaust tailpipes.

These elements not only underline SQ8’s sporty bent, but serve to enhance aerodynamic efficiency.

Innovative light technology includes Audi laser light and digital OLED rear lights, available for the first time as an option.

The lights offer a variety of signatures that can be configured through the MMI system and feature a unique lighting design that is demonstrated in the front and rear lights with leaving and coming home animations.

The SQ8 is powered by a potent 4.0-litre twin turbo petrol V8, combined with a 48-volt mild hybrid, that delivers 373kW of power at 5500 rpm and 770Nm of torque from 2000-4000 rpm.

The V8 is teamed with a conventional ZF eight-speed auto, with gear change paddles and auto engine stop-start to save fuel.

Torque is distributed to all four wheels on demand, allowing the SUV to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in a rapid-fire 4.1 seconds.

The hi-po V8 is complemented by four-wheel steering and sports-tuned adaptive air suspension, with a ride height that is 15mm lower that delivers the kind of ride and handling normally associated with a sedan.

Dynamic mode drops the suspension by a whopping 40mm.

If you want to go the whole hog, the $10,900 Dynamic pack adds active roll stabilisation and a sport differential with torque vectoring.

Six drive modes are available, Off-road, Efficiency, Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual.

Although the SQ8 is undeniably quick, it lacks the instantaneous punch of an EV.

Instead, it needs a couple of seconds to gather itself before launching down the road, but it is quick to make up for lost time.

The payoff is, of course, the feel and sound of the blown V8, a sound unmatched anywhere in the world, with the deep, throaty artificially enhanced note (so what?)

Think of the SQ8 as a grand tourer with a large back seat and boot to match.

Even better, there’s nothing intrusive about the driver assist support in this car. It understands you already know how to drive.

But with low profile rubber and a space saver spare, we wouldn’t be venturing down too many dirt roads.

The other point worth noting is that with three screens requiring your attention, the dash is very busy and some may find it all a little daunting – especially at night.

Being a V8, the SQ8 likes a drink and naturally it prefers the good stuff.

Rated at 11.9L/100km, we were getting 12.5L/100km after about 300km of driving.

What we like

• It’s a V8
• Looks the part
• Luxury interior
• Superlative performance

What we don’t like

• Pricey
• The colour
• Too many screens
• Lots of finger marks

What over-50s need to know

Not too sure about the colour, but the price compares well with the S8.

It’s a moot point really. Although Audi still advertises the S8 we understand it is no longer available to order in Australia as of this month.

There are no prizes for guessing the decision comes in the wake of declining sales and the shift towards SUVs in the market.

If you have made some good investments and the money is burning a hole in your pocket, Audi is ready and waiting to take it.

In the scheme of things, there are worse and considerably more expensive ways to spend it (see our introduction).

seniordriver comments

The Audi SQ8 will simply be too expensive for many, but those who want something a little different, and can afford it, will be well served by this classy SUV, and make a considerable saving over buying any of the competitors based on the same platform. And as is so often the case, it is priced within a whisker of the natural competition, the BMW X6 M60i, Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe and Porsche Cayenne GTS Coupe. No surprise there!

We’re not sure why the SQ8 is so much more expensive than the SQ7 with the same engine. Perhaps it’s a question for your Audi dealer.

We agree with Chris that the size and positioning of the screens is looking a little dated, but it’s a matter of personal taste, and certainly not offensive.

After driving far too many cars where the driver assist support seems to infer that you have absolutely no idea what you’re doing and intervene with the slightest encouragement, it is reassuring to hear that Audi appear to have got the balance right.

We’ve included the wading depth in the specifications, but we agree that you probably won’t be venturing far off road (if at all). Especially if you risk damaging that $1600 optional paintwork.

Chris Riley has been a journalist for 40 years and is the managing editor of cars4starters.

He has spent half his career as a writer, editor and production editor in newspapers, the rest of the time driving and writing about cars, both in print and online.

His love affair with cars began as a teenager with the purchase of an old VW Beetle, followed by another Beetle and a string of other cars on which he has wasted far too much time and money.

A self-confessed geek, he’s not afraid to ask the hard questions – even at the risk of sounding silly.