If the standard Audi Q8 is too mild for you and the RS Q8 is too hot for you, you might just find that the spice is right in this SQ8. As the name establishes, the SQ8 slots in right between the standard Audi Q8 and the Audi RS Q8. Even in terms of price, its Rs 1.77 crore (ex-showroom, India) price tag is right between those two models.
In terms of power too, it's right between the 340hp Q8 and 640hp RS Q8. But when you dig a bit deeper, you'll find it's actually a bit closer to the RS Q8 under the skin. And that's because Audi seems to have missed the memo on hybridization and downsizing because the SQ8 uses the same 4-litre, twin-turbo V8 petrol as the RS Q8.
Audi SQ8 performance and refinement - 9/10
Audi SQ8 does the 0-100kph dash in just 4.12 seconds
The engine is the central character here. Vital statistics? 507hp, 770Nm and a 0-100kph time of just 4.12 seconds. This might be the middle child, but it wants to be taken very seriously.
The SQ8 has the best kind of split personality. In Comfort mode, it feels perfectly civil and won't raise any suspicion of its inherent abilities. Switch to Dynamic mode, though, and the fangs come out. Find a suitable gap and it doesn't take much effort for the SQ8 to change from mobile lounge to cruise missile.
Acceleration is exciting and responses are superbly punchy. Mashing down on the accelerator is a grin-inducing experience. The forceful pushback onto your seat, the sound of the eight cylinders hard at work.. it's very immersive.
Standard sport exhaust delivers a deep sountrack
For all its performance, the SQ8 takes a very different route to how it delivers its thrills. Unlike the RS Q8, the SQ8 doesn't make a song and dance of the power that it has. Where an RS Q8 would be loud with its pops and bangs would attract the attention of the entire district, the SQ8 is more discreet in its ways. Don't get us wrong because this is a very nice sounding engine. There's a bassy rumble at all times that changes into a very deep growl.
Audi SQ8 ride comfort and handling - 9/10
All-wheel steering makes hulking SQ8 feel surprisingly agile
There's more to the SQ8 than just straight line performance. It's a heavy-duty SUV that's happy to dance.
What’s remarkable is how well the SQ8 manages its 2.2-tonne weight. It corners like a smaller and lighter car, and it takes some time to the hulking SUV’s agility. This effect is made possible by all-wheel steer. At low speeds, the rear wheels will turn in the opposite directions as the front ones to aid manoeuvrability and when you're going faster, they'll turn in the same direction as the front wheels to improve stability. It comes together really well. Then there's the level of grip. You really experience the magic of Quattro on something as large and heavy as the SQ8 through a tight series of corners. It just claws its way through and allows you to burst out of a corner.
Buyers whose calendars have track days on them have the option to dial up their SQ8 further. Items from Audi's box of tricks available as options include active anti-roll stabilisation and Quattro sport differential. Carbon ceramic brakes are also on offer but the standard discs are strong as is.
Ride quality is absorbent and air suspension adjusts for height too
There's another side to the SQ8 that makes it so well suited to India. It might be a performance-oriented SUV but gives up little to a Q8 in terms of comfort and everyday usability. Even on the optional 22-inch rims, you are kept at arm’s length from the happenings beneath. There’s also the option to adjust ride height so the worst of our roads will pose no problem for the SQ8. The rear wheel steer also greatly helps manoeuvrability in town making the large SQ8 feel relatively manageable.
Audi SQ8 exterior design and engineering - 8/10
Subtly done elements help distinguish SQ8 from standard Q8
The Audi SQ8 is the ultimate ‘if you know, you know’ car. You won't find any shouty elements outside. Sure, the grille is massive and gets a silver surround but you could have it in a discreet black if you so choose. There are large air dams too but the treatment is relatively subtle.
A word on the headlights. They're HD matrix LEDs with a laser light high beam for greater range. There are also four selectable signatures for the DRLs - something you’d probably tinker with at long traffic halts.
21-inch rims are standard; 22-inchers are optional on SQ8
At the sides, the SQ8 is identifiable by its larger-than-average wheels. 21-inchers are standard while our test car is on the optional 22-inchers. Your biggest giveaway to the SQ8's superpowers at the back are its quartet of exhaust pipes.
Zoom out and you'll see a crisply styled SUV with a superb stance. To my eyes, the Q8 is the best looking of the hulking German SUV coupes.
Audi SQ8 interior space and comfort - 8/10
High quality cabin is enhanced with sport front seats and flat bottomed steering
Frameless windows and soft close doors add a sense of occasion to your journey into the SQ8. The cabin itself is expectedly high quality and looks and feels properly expensive. Audi has also peppered the SQ8’s interior with sporty details like metallic inlays on the dash and a flat bottomed steering wheel with a perforated rim. The front sport seats look the business too and score for comfort and support, and also pack in ventilation and heating. Our test car’s Arras Red upholstery is suitably sporty but you can opt for subtler colours.
Rear seat scores for space and comfort
In terms of rear seat space and comfort, the SQ8 is no different to a Q8 and that’s a good thing.
You can really sprawl out and sit at the back. There's some level of adjustability for the backrest angle too, and Audi has also packed in powered sunshades and dedicated climate control zones for the rear section of the cabin.
There's a practical side to the SQ8 too, with a very accommodating luggage area. Trouble is, there’s no spare tyre. All you get is a puncture repair kit.
Audi SQ8 features and safety - 7/10
12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital dials get SQ8 specific sporty themes
Where the Audi SQ8 feels a bit on the back foot is in terms of tech. The 12.3-inch digital display, Virtual Cockpit as Audi calls it, is nice and large but the graphics and fonts seem a bit last gen now. You will like what Audi has done with the display themes for the SQ8 and they really do go with the flavour of the car.
There’s no wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
As for the other screens, the SQ8 retains the Q8's twin touchscreen layout. The upper screen is a slick 10.1-inch unit for media, navigation and other car functions while the lower screen is an 8.6-inch unit primarily for climate control. While we’ve made our peace with the lower screen (physical buttons are always preferred), an irritant is the absence of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. You will have to use a wire or an aftermarket dongle to connect.
While there aren't too many buttons on the dash, there are thankfully physical buttons and knobs on the steering. You'll also find a lane keep assist button on the left stalk, but that's the extent of ADAS on the SQ8.
The SQ8’s feature set also includes 8 airbags, a panoramic sunroof, a slick 360-degree camera, autopark, a 30-colour ambient lighting system and a sweet-sounding 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen setup.
Audi SQ8 range - 4/10
The Audi SQ8 is not the kind of car that shines for fuel economy, less so with an impending fuel crisis on our head. You’ll have to drive like a monk to see a double digit fuel economy figure on the real-time display. Average city driving will yield about 5-6kpl and the figure will drop to the 3s when you inevitably drive in a spirited manner.
Audi SQ8 price and verdict - 8/10
Rivals include the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe and Porsche Cayenne Coupe GTS
Alternatives to the SQ8 include the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe that costs a fair bit less at Rs 1.5 crore (ex-showroom). It’s not quite as quick as the SQ8 but the bigger deal is that it uses a smaller 3-litre, 6 cylinder engine. In this space of performance SUVs, engine size and cylinder count matter.
The closer alternative to the SQ8 is its cousin from Porsche, the Cayenne Coupe GTS. Same engine, near identical power and performance. The difference? The GTS is a more committed choice. It’s more agile than the SQ8 but not quite as good on everyday comfort. There’s also the matter of price. The GTS starts at Rs 1.9 crore and it’s easy to add big to the figure to get it to a spec of your liking.
Audi SQ8 is priced at Rs 1.77 crore (ex-showroom)
The Rs 1.77 crore SQ8 is the sweet spot. It’s a fast and entertaining SUV when you want it to be, and readily changes character back to a luxury SUV for the Monday to Friday grind.
It’s for the enthusiast with a deep-seated love for the V8 engine but zero desire for the attention that usually comes with it.
It could just be the best-kept secret in Audi’s line-up.
Soham Thakur
Sergius Barretto
Lenny D'sa
