Audi SQ8

On the surface, the 2023 Audi SQ8 4.0 TFSI represents a not-inexpensive but rather luxurious, and fast, large family SUV. Yet, at $168,800 before on-road costs, a price ballpark in which people seem to buy Mercedes-AMG C63s and GLE63s left, right and centre, I don't think its reason for existence is the question that needs answering.

Zoom out above the larger VW family tree, and perhaps the perspective becomes clearer. It's almost 25 per cent more affordable than the uncaged RS Q8, yet is 15 per cent less powerful and just seven per cent slower from 0-100km/h.

Compared against the MLB Evo platform's arguable ultimate evolution, the Lamborghini Urus, the return of the petrol-powered Audi SQ8 (...the Audi skate?) is almost 57 per cent less expensive, yet 21 per cent less powerful and just 13 per cent slower from 0-100km/h.

The question remains whether the suave German marque's discreetly fast family hauler is an option worth looking at in the increasingly active sub-$200K luxury family segment.

JUMP AHEAD

• How much is it, and what do you get?
• How do rivals compare on paper?
• Interior comfort, space and storage
• What's it like to drive?
• How is it on fuel?
• How safe is it?
• Warranty and running costs
• VERDICT
• Specifications

How much is it, and what do you get?

The basics

Gone is diesel-only power, the SQ8 TDI consigned to history and supplanted by the SQ8 4.0 TFSI with Volkswagen Group's flexible 4.0-litre 'hot-vee' twin-turbo V8 now in the engine bay.

This Porsche-Audi-developed engine, dubbed the EA825 series, can be thought of as VW Group's ubiquitous turbocharged four-cylinder E888 on steroids, used extensively throughout the family's high-performance models, including the SQ8's close sibling, the Audi SQ7, the RS7 and RS6, aforementioned Lamborghini Urus, Porsche Panamera GTS and Turbos, Porsche Cayenne Turbos and all V8 Bentleys.

In this instance producing 373kW/770Nm, the advanced V8, and an eight-speed automatic transmission linked to Audi's hallmark Quattro all-wheel-drive system make up the main oily bits of the 2023 SQ8.

Elsewhere, you net LED Matrix headlights, S body styling pack, electric tailgate, keyless entry and start, privacy glass, panoramic two-section sunroof, power-assisted soft-closing doors, S sport front seats, Valcona leather upholstery, electric front heated and memory seats, four-zone climate control, ambient lighting, leather sports steering wheel, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio and head-up display as standard.

Safety and assistance systems include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, traffic jam assist and lane guidance, blind-spot monitoring, 360-degree camera, park assist, collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, exit warning system and junction assist.

There is an optional Sensory package that includes a 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system, Dinamica (suede-like) headliner in black, front seat massage, adds second-row heated seats, full leather interior package, electric sunshades for the second row and air quality system, for $13,900.

A $10,900 Dynamic package adds electromechanical active roll stabilisation and the Quattro sport differential, and is an almost-transformative pack for keen drivers of this 2195kg beast.

Of course, Audi's ten-piston 420/370mm carbon ceramic brake package is optionally available for a further $19,500 – if you must.

Our Dragon Orange (no cost option) tester came fitted with the Sensory and Dynamic packs, but sans carbon ceramic brakes. Its specific 22-inch wheels cost a further $1000, and it was also fitted with the exclusive titanium black exterior styling pack costing $1850 and carbon vector interior inlays asking $1950. All up, 'our' SQ8 sets in at $197,321 as tested, before on-road costs.

So it's certainly no fleet special, but on first impressions, poking around the cabin and setting up my driving position, it certainly looks, feels and presents like an almost-$200K car.

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How do rivals compare on paper?

The segment of over-$150K fast and luxurious SUVs is a murky one, and for most buyers, it's really simply down to personal taste.

Audi, however, has positioned the 2023 Audi SQ8 intelligently, offering a little less than a GLE63 Coupe in terms of performance for much less than GLE53 Coupe money – the pair of Mercedes-AMGs asking $235,500 and $183,850 respectively (before options and on-road costs).

It's also faster than BMW's X6 M50, undercutting the fully-loaded $170,900 M50i (again, before options and on-road costs) by a few grand.

Between BMW's divisive modern styling and the fact that not everyone wants to be a Mercedes-Benz owner, I've always liked to think of Audi as the thinking person's pick of the traditional German Big Three.

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Interior comfort, space and storage

Jumping into a cabin blending black and Bauhaus motifs, the instant impression is one of striking pared-back design with immediate touchpoints feeling solid and well-made.

Having not been in an Audi for some time, and having recently been subjected to a touchscreen overdose from a week-long 16-car EV megatest, there was an embarrassing moment where I had to relearn that Audi's impressive twin-pack of 10.1-inch upper and 8.6-inch lower central displays actually take a level of deliberate haptic pressure to function.

Large dashings of piano black trim, however, signal fussy upkeep in the future. No wonder Audi supplies a sturdy microfibre cloth.

There is a wide range of electric adjustment for the quilt-stitched front seats, as well as the (manual) steering column. Blame the chip shortage for that last bit, though if it's truly a dealbreaker for you, one must question where we as a nation have come to as a car-buying public.

A wireless phone charger is located in the front row armrest, along with further USB ports.

Despite the Q8's more dynamically styled roofline, the second row does cater for taller occupants with a considerate scalloping of the headliner behind the sunroof.

Second-row occupants are treated to good amounts of legroom and toe room aplenty. They also benefit from rear air vents with their own climate control zone, a 12-volt plug and two USB-C ports.

Further back, the boot offers 605L of cargo space, extending to an impressive 1755L with the second row completely folded.

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What's it like to drive?

With the muscular 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, smooth and smart eight-speed auto plus confident Quattro traction, the SQ8 delivers a wide skillset over virtually all road-going scenarios.

Riding on standard-fit air suspension, the distinction between Comfort and Dynamic modes is stark, with the former leaning lazily on a conservatively gentle throttle calibration and unstressed engine, ironing out test loop potholes made worse by recent Victorian drenchings better than any car of this size and weight, let alone rolling on 22-inch wheels, should be expected to.

Body control is impressively judged in Comfort, with none of the lingering body movement experienced in smaller coil-sprung adaptively damped Audi SUVs

Take a few seconds to search for the anonymous Drive Mode toggle buttons, flick the SQ8 into Dynamic mode, and the SQ8 emerges equally as confident in a twisty road scenario.

Steering is light in typical Audi fashion, but is responsive off-centre and, despite a lack of outright steering heft, communicates the front axle's steering position, road surface and grip levels through to the driver's hands well.

The 4.0-litre petrol V8 makes a bit less torque than the old V8 TDI, but makes significantly more power and feels noticeably more urgent for most on-road scenarios in the mid to upper range.

It's here that we should mention the car's optionally fitted Dynamic pack comprising electromechanical active roll stabilisation and torque-splitting rear differential.

Audi's sport rear differential dynamically splits torque between each rear wheel, greatly aiding the mid-corner stability and corner exit ability of a vehicle this large. The active roll stabilisation further contributes with its ability to dynamically tighten or slacken the front and rear sway bars, with the combined effect often leaving you in disbelief about how a car this large and heavy can change direction with such poise and precision.

The only downside is that Audi can't possibly fit a space-saver or spare wheel, as the active roll stabilisation requires an ancillary battery to be fitted under the boot floor.

If you're an owner that likes to take the family on the longer, twistier, route to the weekend road trip destination and is willing to roll the dice on punctures, the Dynamic pack is an all-but-essential option to tick.

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How is it on fuel?

Over two days of testing, the Audi SQ8 we were driving registered 12.4L/100km, within an impressive whisker of Audi's claimed 12.2L/100km fuel figure claim.

Given the notoriously heavy right foot of the Australian motoring journalist, you'd have to imagine that the SQ8's OEM claim is well within reach.

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How safe is it?

The 2023 Audi SQ8 specifically remains unrated by ANCAP, however, the rest of the Q8 range wears a five-star rating, awarded upon release in February 2019.

The SQ8 features dual front, side (front and rear) and curtain (front and rear) airbags, the same suite as the rest of the range.

All Australian-spec Audi Q8s include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function, traffic jam assist and lane guidance, blind-spot monitoring, 360-degree camera, park assist, collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, exit warning system and junction assist.

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Warranty and running costs

All Audis sold in Australia are supported by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, with five years' coverage for manufacturer paintwork defects and a 12-year manufacturer warranty for corrosion and perforation.

The optional Audi Advantage ownership package includes two years of scheduled servicing (added to any existing service plan), two years of roadside assistance and two years of vehicle warranty added to any existing warranty balance.

Audi also offers customers the option to pay upfront for a five-year service plan covering the first five annual scheduled services (intervals run every 15,000km or 12 months, whichever occurs first).

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VERDICT

When it comes to family vehicles at this price point, segments often become blurred for buyers. It can often come down to whichever vehicle the prospective owner likes the look and feel of best.

It's up to you whether you think the Audi SQ8 looks good. Personally, I think it's easily the most handsome offering of its ilk, more distinguished than the Three-Pointed Starred SUVs, and much more graceful than what the other German folk at Garching are doing. All that's beside the point.

What I must tell you is that there is real substance behind the style here, and when you really break it down to the dollar, I think there's a lot of it in Audi's SQ8.

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2023 Audi SQ8 4.0 TFSI specifications

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