2020 Audi SQ8 Review

　　

2020 Audi SQ8 Review

byRyan ZumMallenContributor

　　Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.

　　We never felt the regular Audi Q8 had performance to match its good looks. The 2020 Audi SQ8 was seemingly created to silence our griping, taking the Q8's package and cranking things up a bit. The supercharged V6 from the Q8 goes out the window, replaced with a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 good for 500 horsepower. It's essentially a detuned version of the engine found in the Porsche Cayenne Turbo. As we hoped, the SQ8 strikes an expert balance between the comparatively pedestrian Audi Q8 and the bonkers RS Q8.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Audi SQ8 Premium Plus 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$267/mo  for SQ8 Premium Plus

　　SQ8 Premium Plus

　　Premium Plus 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A) - $89,000 MSRPPrestige 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A) (Most Popular) - $94,500 MSRP

　　vs

　　$229/mo

　　Avg. Large SUV

　　Standard all-wheel steering and all-wheel drive help keep the SQ8 pointed ahead at higher speeds and reduce the turning radius in the parking lot. Inside, passengers are treated to front sport seats to keep them in place when exploring the SQ8's dynamic possibilities. The SQ8 gives you the ability to actually have some fun in your luxury family hauler. There are some minor faults, which you can read about in our Expert Rating. But overall this is an impressive all-in-one luxury SUV.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.1

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the SQ8 drive? Perhaps you want the roar of a V8, or just a sportier driving experience. Either way, the SQ8's superior performance is likely the reason you're upgrading from the regular Q8. This performance-minded model does not disappoint, with an engine capable of rocketing this SUV from 0 to 60 mph in an impressively quick 4.0 seconds.

　　Slowing the SQ8 is effortless in day-to-day driving thanks to well-calibrated brakes. Well-controlled body roll gives the driver considerable confidence to explore the SQ8's dynamic prowess.

　　The SQ8 isn't perfect, however. Our test model's all-season tires didn't deliver the grip we were expecting to match this model's power — the no-cost summer tires would have been a better match. The SQ8 isn't super smooth when driving normally around town either. There's some lag between pressing the accelerator and the transmission downshifting, and the auto stop-start system turns off the engine too early, resulting in lurchy stops.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the SQ8? The SQ8 is surprisingly comfortable given its sporting pretensions. In the Comfort drive mode, the standard adaptive suspension dampers and air suspension provide the pillow-like ride you'd expect of a luxury SUV. It doesn't feel floaty either. You can also dial up the Dynamic mode for a firmer feel.

　　The leather upholstery is soft, and the padding is compliant but supportive. But we'd prefer that the SQ8's sport front seats offered more adjustments. Also, their fixed front headrests may not fit all body types. Fixed headrests aren't unusual on sports cars, but they are overkill on a family-friendly SUV.

　　Four-zone climate control comes standard, as do heated and ventilated front seats. The SQ8, just like the regular Q8, has a two-tier touchscreen setup, with the lower touchscreen used to control climate functions. Our team was split on its effectiveness, with some saying it's distracting to use. But you can always use voice controls so you don't take your eyes off the road. Outside noise is adequately quelled, and you'll only hear the throaty exhaust of the V8 under hard acceleration.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? Audi's bold decision to go full touchscreen on its latest infotainment interface is controversial. Some of our experts found it distracting and easy to smudge, while others liked the clean look and operation. We were more united in our dislike of the Q8's limited visibility, caused by the steep rake of the front windshield and the thick front and rear roof pillars.

　　The Q8 offers plenty of room. The space up front is generous, even if the lower roofline gives the impression of less headroom than there is. Unfortunately, the lack of seat adjustments and aforementioned fixed headrest might cause discomfort for some drivers. The rear seating is roomier than what you'll find in other coupe-like SUVs. There's excellent legroom, lots of toe clearance and ample headroom. The wide rear bench can hold three adults in agreeable comfort.

　　

Technology

8.5/10

　　How’s the tech? Operating the SQ8's infotainment interface is controversial, but you can't deny that the SQ8's cabin tech looks fully modern and comes with plenty of features. We like that it supports wireless Apple CarPlay too. The standard Bang & Olufsen audio system is quite powerful but requires fine-tuning to alleviate some muddiness on tracks with a lot of instruments.

　　Audi's voice control system isn't as comprehensive as Mercedes' MBUX, but it's still very good compared to the majority of systems on the market. It will pull up an address or point of interest quickly, activate the driver's seat heater, or switch to a satellite radio station with ease.

　　Most driver aids are standard and work well. The only issue we found was with the adaptive cruise control system, which overestimated the amount of braking needed when traveling downhill.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The SQ8's design preserves most of the cargo space that you'd normally get from the three-row SQ7. The air suspension allows you to lower the rear for easier access to a wide cargo area, too. The split seats fold flat and provide a decent 30.5 cubic feet of cargo space. Storage is scarce for small items aside from the sizable door pockets.

　　Planning to use your 500-hp super SUV as a family taxi? Car seat anchors hide behind removable covers, and the generous legroom ensures car seats of any size will fit.

　　The optional towing package gives the SQ8 a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds, which is generous for the class. The SQ8's trailer maneuver assist feature is also neat. You can use it to easily guide your trailer while reversing by swiping left or right on the lower infotainment display.

　　

Fuel Economy

7.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? EPA-estimated fuel economy for the SQ8 stands at 17 mpg combined (15 city/21 highway). The SQ8 is slightly thirstier than other performance-oriented midsize SUVs, but not so much so that it makes much of a difference. Buyers looking for a fast, roomy SUV likely won't care anyway. Our test vehicle managed 19.8 mpg on our 115-mile test route, proving these estimates are achievable in the real world.

　　

Value

7.5/10

　　Is the SQ8 a good value? There's no question the SQ8's interior is worth the price. Except for the upper door trim section, all surfaces are trimmed in luxury materials. Build quality is up to Audi's typically high standards, and the high-tech design makes an impression on first-time passengers.

　　Including destination and handling, the SQ8 starts a hair under $90,000, and our tester with the Driver Assistance package and visual upgrades rings in just under $95,000. It's a bargain compared to a similarly configured Porsche Cayenne GTS (which features the same engine), though it costs a bit more than the more powerful BMW X5 M50i.

　　Basic and powertrain coverage lasts for four years/50,000 miles, while roadside assistance is offered for four years/unlimited miles. All are average for the class.

　　

Wildcard

9.0/10

　　There's a lot to love about the SQ8 from behind the wheel. It's tremendously quick, turning responses are sharp, and the engine is boisterous. The SQ8's composed handling is a testament to Audi's engineering. There's no way a big, heavy SUV should be this enjoyable on a tight, twisty road. Our tester's all-season tires were the only sore spot; throw a set of summers on this beast and go have fun.

　　The SQ8 is one of the only SUVs to offer style and practicality in equal measure. The base Q8 was already a showstopper, and the SQ8's more aggressive aero kit only adds to the visual appeal. And unlike with the current crop of coupe-like SUVs, the sporty roofline doesn't come at the expense of rear headroom or cargo space. Go ahead: Have your cake and eat it too.

　　

Which SQ8 does zzdcar recommend?

The addition of a 500-horsepower V8 engine puts the SQ8 squarely into the realm of performance SUVs, and we feel obligated to squeeze as much performance from it as possible. That points to the Prestige trim and its available Sport package with anti-roll stabilization and a sport differential. Adding it will push the price into lofty $100,000 territory, but it's the purest form of the SQ8 and the one worth having in a crowded field of super-SUVs.

　　

2020 Audi SQ8 models

The 2020 Audi SQ8 comes in two trim levels. The Premium Plus includes a number of sumptuous features that cement its luxury SUV status. The Prestige trim takes things even further with advanced creature comforts. Both trims use the same turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine (500 horsepower, 568 lb-ft of torque) with an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. Highlight features include:

　　Premium Plus

　　Starts you off with:

　　21-inch wheels 15.8-inch ventilated front brakes and 13.8-inch ventilated rears Adaptive air sport suspension LED headlights and taillights Heated and ventilated front sport seats with four-way power lumbar adjustment Leather seating with contrasting diamond stitching Four-zone automatic climate control Panoramic sunroof Power-adjustable, heated steering wheel with paddle shiftersTechnology and safety features include:

　　Navigation 10.1-inch upper infotainment touchscreen and 8.6-inch lower touchscreen Bang & Olufsen sound system Multicolor ambient lighting Top- and corner-view camera system Automatic emergency braking Lane departure warningPrestige

　　Takes all features in the Premium Plus and adds:

　　Power soft-closing doors Heated rear seats Head-up display Traffic sign recognition Adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist HD Matrix-design LED headlights with full LED taillightsMain optional features and packages

　　Also available on both SQ8 Premium Plus and Prestige trims unless otherwise noted:

　　Black Optic package with dark exterior accents and summer performance tires Intersection assist (issues warning at up to 18 mph if cross-traffic is detected) Massaging front seats Wi-Fi hotspot with subscription Sport package with anti-roll stabilization and sport differential (Prestige only) 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D Advanced Sound System (Prestige only)

　　

2020 SQ8 Highlights

Trim: Premium PlusPrestigePremium Plus

　　

Base MSRP	$89,000
Engine Type	Hybrid
Combined MPG	17 MPG
Cost to Drive	$267/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	30.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles