Reese Counts has worked in the automotive industry since he started as an intern at Edmunds in 2015. He has written or edited thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Reese is a vehicle test editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Autoblog. Reese has also been featured on Yahoo! Finance, Engadget and AOL reviewing cars and covering automotive technology, auto shows and more. Reese learned to drive in his father's C4 Chevrolet Corvette and now owns his grandfather's 1999 Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG. A love for cars runs deep in his family.
What's new
A new name and subtle restyling for the Audi e-tron S, the automaker's biggest fully electric SUV
Employs a new battery and more powerful motors
Changes to steering and suspension components deliver more responsive handling
Overview
The e-tron was one of the first fully electric luxury SUVs that came to the U.S. market, and for 2024 Audi has given it a new Q8 e-tron moniker along with many updates for the 2024 model year. As part of the update, the previous performance versions — the e-tron S and e-tron S Sportback — are now called the SQ8 e-tron and SQ8 Sportback e-tron. The main difference between these two is styling. The Sportback has a coupe-like sloped roofline and definitely looks sportier. The downside, however, is less cargo space behind the rear seats.
Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron EV Insights
Trim:
SQ8 Sportback e-tron Premium Plus
Range
253 miles
EPA Estimated Range
EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 215 miles after 8 years.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.
Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Columbus, Ohio. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.
SAE ComboStandard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.
Plug Type
13 hrs
240V Home ChargingEstimated total charging time when using a 240V outlet. This is either a 3-prong or 4-prong outlet used for appliances, for example a clothes dryer.
EV batteries should be kept at 30-80% charged to extend battery life.
8 yrs or 100,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.
According to GeoTab’s data, if the observed degradation rates are maintained, the vast majority of batteries will outlast the usable life of the vehicle.
EV Tax Credits & Rebates
No rebates available in 43230
Restrictions: This program is a charging agreement between Audi of America and Electrify America. Customers who purchase a new Audi SQ8 e-tron or SQ8 e-tron Sportback will receive 2 years of complimentary charging on the Electrify America network. Complimentary charging expires 2 years from date of sale. Offer is non-transferable. See your participating dealer for details.
EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.
If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.
Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.
Edmunds spotlight: What you get with SQ8 Sportback e-tron
The SQ8 Sportback e-tron adds more than just an extra letter to the Q8 Sportback e-tron. While the two models share the same upgraded battery that provides more range for 2024, the biggest difference between the pair is the addition of a second electric motor at the rear axle. The SQ8 Sportback e-tron's tri-motor setup adds an additional 94 horsepower and a stonking 228 lb-ft of torque when compared to the Q8 Sportback e-tron's dual-motor layout. The extra motor significantly improves acceleration (Audi's 0 to 60 mph estimate drops by more than a second) and also helps the SQ8 Sportback e-tron handle better. The extra motor allows the vehicle to adjust output to each individual rear wheel, improving traction and helping make the SQ8 Sportback e-tron feel more nimble than its size would suggest. Handling is further improved by its standard sport-tuned air suspension and wider wheels and tires.
Competitors to consider
When the original e-tron debuted for 2019, there weren't many other all-electric SUVs on the market. That's changed quite a bit over the last few years thanks to the introduction of the BMW iX, Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV and Rivian R1S. The iX and EQE are both available in performance versions that offer more range and better in-car tech than the SQ8 Sportback e-tron, though they are both more expensive than the Audi. The R1T largely charts its own path with its enhanced off-road capability and third row of seating. The Model X is also around, and while it's not as comfortable or as luxurious as the Audi, the enhanced range and access to Tesla's Supercharger network make it worth a look.
Which SQ8 Sportback e-tron does Edmunds recommend?
As there's only two trims to choose from, we suggest going with the standard Premium Plus trim. The higher-spec Prestige mode includes a few extra niceties like a head-up display, but you're not getting any more performance, range or overall comfort than the Premium Plus.
Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron models
The 2024 Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron is available in just two trims: Premium Plus and Prestige. Mechanically, the two trims are identical. They have a three-motor setup (one electric motor powering the front wheels, and an individual motor for each rear wheel), giving it standard all-wheel drive. Total system output is 496 horsepower. The 106-kWh battery is good for an EPA-estimated range of up to 253 miles on a single charge. Keep reading for a complete rundown of the SQ8 Sportback e-tron's standard and optional features.
Premium Plus
The Premium Plus comes well equipped from the start with:
20-inch wheels
9.6-kW AC onboard charger
Hands-free power liftgate
Panoramic sunroof
Sport-tuned air suspension
Leather upholstery
Heated and ventilated front sport seats
Heated rear seats
Heated steering wheel
Four-zone automatic climate control
Standard tech features include:
10.1-inch infotainment screen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (both with wireless connectivity)
Navigation system
Wireless smartphone charging pad
Bang & Olufsen audio system
Carbon-fiber interior trim
The SQ8 e-tron also comes with:
Forward collision warning with automatic braking (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
360-degree camera system (gives you a top-down view of the SQ8 Sportback e-tron and its surroundings in tight parking situations)
Prestige
The top-level Prestige trim builds off the Premium Plus model, adding:
Upgraded LED headlights
Soft-closing doors
Front cross-traffic warning
Sunshades for rear side windows
Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
There are a handful of options available for both trim levels, including:
Individual Contour Seat package
Massaging, heated and ventilated front seats
AC Charging package
Upgraded 19.2-kW onboard charger for improved Level 2 charging speeds
A second Level 2 charging port on the passenger side for added convenience
Black Optic package
22-inch gloss-black wheels
Gloss-black mirror caps, roof rails, grille and window trim
Warns if a front collision is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time.
Audi Side Assist
Notifies you if a vehicle is lurking in a blind spot or if rear cross-traffic is approaching when you're in reverse.
Top-view camera system
Provides a top-down view to help accurately guide the SQ8 e-tron into a parking spot.
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
4 / 5
Driver
4 / 5
Passenger
4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
Not Rated
Side Barrier Rating
Rating
Overall
Not Rated
Driver
Not Rated
Passenger
Not Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Rating
Front Seat
Not Rated
Back Seat
Not Rated
Rollover
Rating
Rollover
5 / 5
Dynamic Test Result
No Tip
Risk Of Rollover
9.2%
FAQ
Is the Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2024 SQ8 Sportback e-tron both on the road and at the track. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the SQ8 Sportback e-tron has 27.2 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron. Learn more
What's new in the 2024 Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2024 Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron:
A new name and subtle restyling for the Audi e-tron S, the automaker's biggest fully electric SUV
Employs a new battery and more powerful motors
Changes to steering and suspension components deliver more responsive handling
To determine whether the Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the SQ8 Sportback e-tron. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the SQ8 Sportback e-tron's average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2024 Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2024 Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron is a good car. Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2024 SQ8 Sportback e-tron is a good car for you. Check back soon for the official Edmunds Rating from our expert testing team Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2024 Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron?
The least-expensive 2024 Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron is the 2024 Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron Premium Plus 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $92,600.
Other versions include:
Premium Plus 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD) which starts at $92,600
Prestige 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD) which starts at $98,600
What are the different models of Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron?
If you're interested in the Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron, the next question is, which SQ8 Sportback e-tron model is right for you? SQ8 Sportback e-tron variants include Premium Plus 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD), and Prestige 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD). For a full list of SQ8 Sportback e-tron models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more