The Audi SQ8 2023 boasts impressive performance and acceleration, a high-quality and luxurious interior, pleasant everyday driving behavior, and sporty handling, as well as extensive safety and driver assistance features, and an appealing, aggressive exterior design. However, it is comparably pricey to its competitors, has moderate storage space in the interior, higher fuel consumption than some rivals, lacks physical control elements in the infotainment system, and does not offer complimentary scheduled maintenance.
With 500 horsepower and a handling-focused suspension, the
Audi SQ8 2023 outperforms the standard Q8 model significantly. Its interior is
equally luxurious and still provides comfortable everyday driving. Its exterior
design is bolder than that of the Q8, with larger wheels and more aggressive
details, but it is not as wild as the more racy RS Q8 and the mechanically
similar Lamborghini Urus. The only available engine choice for the SQ8 is a
twin-turbo V8, which is paired with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed
automatic transmission - a combination that propelled the SQ8 to 100 km/h in
just 3.6 seconds on our test track.
Audi SQ8 2023: Technical Specifications, Price, Release Date
Strengths:
- Impressive performance and acceleration
- High-quality, luxurious interior
- Pleasant everyday driving experience with sporty handling
- Comprehensive safety and driver assistance features
- Appealing, aggressive exterior design
Weaknesses:
- High price compared to competitors
- Moderate storage space in the interior
- Higher fuel consumption than some rivals
- Lack of physical controls in the infotainment system
- No free scheduled maintenance
With 500 horsepower and a handling-focused suspension, the performance of the Audi SQ8 2023 is a significant leap above that of the standard Q8 model. Its interior is equally luxurious and still comfortable for everyday driving. Its exterior design is bolder than the Q8, with larger wheels and more aggressive details, but it is not as wild as the racier RS Q8 and mechanically similar Lamborghini Urus. A twin-turbo V8 engine is the only choice here, and it comes with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic - a combination that propelled the SQ8 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds on our test track.
With its compact proportions giving it a sporty look, the SQ8 competes with other rocket ship SUVs like the Porsche Cayenne and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class.
Table of Contents
- What's new for 2023?
- Engine, Transmission, and Performance
- Fuel Economy and MPG in the Real World
- Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
- Infotainment and Connectivity
- Safety and Driver Assistance Features
- Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
What's new for 2023?
All SQ8 models will come standard with more modern LED headlights with integrated washers from 2023. The Executive package is new to the Premium Plus trim level and includes double-glazed windows to reduce interior noise. The Prestige trim level will receive standard remote parking assist, and the new Waitomo Blue and Satellite Silver colors will be added to the options list.
All SQ8 models come equipped with the best performance-enhancing features that Audi has to offer, so no matter which model you choose, you'll have the same driving experience. However, we would upgrade to the Prestige trim level, which offers a range of driver assistance and luxury features, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, a head-up display, more modern LED exterior lighting elements, soft-close doors, heated rear seats, and rear electric sunshades.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The SQ8 is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8
engine that delivers 500 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque. On our test
track, the SQ8 was able to reach 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds, putting it only
0.4 seconds behind the more powerful - but mechanically similar - Lamborghini
Urus. The SQ8 offers agile handling and a sporty appearance, but when switched
to Comfort mode, it shows a family-friendly driving behavior, making it a true
multipurpose vehicle.
The fuel consumption and MPG in practice
According to the EPA, the SQ8 achieves a consumption of 15 mpg in the city, 21 mpg on the highway, and 17 mpg combined. However, the real consumption can only be evaluated when driving it on our fuel-saving track at 75 km/h on the highway, which is part of our extensive testing program. Further information about the SQ8's fuel consumption can be found on the EPA's website.
As typical for Audi's S models, the interior features more standard equipment and higher quality materials than the base vehicle. This includes black accents in the cabin and diamond-stitched seats, as well as carbon fiber trim and contrast stitching. The spacious rear seat and cargo area with its many seating positions are very useful for traveling. Unfortunately, the interior storage space is only moderate.
Infotainment and connectivity
Audi equips every SQ8 with a dual touchscreen infotainment system and the brand's reconfigurable instrument display, Virtual Cockpit. The almost entirely digital cabin will appeal to tech-savvy buyers, but not those who value physical controls for things like climate control. A Wi-Fi hotspot and integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard equipment.
Safety and driver assistance features
Audi offers a range of driver assistance features as standard for the SQ8, including basic functions such as automatic emergency braking, as well as more advanced functions of adaptive cruise control. For more information on the SQ8's crash test results, please visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking
- Standard lane departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Standard adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping function
Warranty and maintenance coverage
Audi offers the same limited warranty and powertrain warranty as BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Limited warranty for four years or 50,000 miles
Powertrain warranty is for four years or 50,000 miles
No free scheduled maintenance
The suggested retail price for Audi SQ8 2023 is €107,490.
Certainly! Here is a
table of specifications for the Audi SQ8 2023:
|
Category |
Specification |
|
Engine |
4.0L V8 twin-turbo engine |
|
Horsepower |
500 hp |
|
Torque |
568 lb-ft |
|
Transmission |
8-speed automatic |
|
Drive Type |
All-wheel drive |
|
0-60 mph |
4.3 seconds |
|
Top Speed |
155 mph (electronically limited) |
|
Fuel Economy |
15 mpg city / 21 mpg highway / 17 mpg combined |
|
Length |
198.2 inches |
|
Width |
86.2 inches (with mirrors) |
|
Height |
67.2 inches |
|
Wheelbase |
117.9 inches |
|
Ground Clearance |
9.4 inches |
|
Curb Weight |
5,291 lbs |
|
Passenger Capacity |
5 |
|
Cargo Capacity |
30.5 cubic feet (behind second row) / 60.7 cubic feet (with
second row folded) |