2021 Audi SQ8 Review

Name: 2021 Audi SQ8 Review
Brand: Audi

Price Range: $52,990 - $69,998

The 2021 SQ8 is a sporty spin on Audi's Q8 midsize SUV. Audi has anointed it with a 500-horsepower V8 and too many performance upgrades to count. It's considerably more dynamic than the standard Q8 and nearly as comfortable. Well-executed tech offerings and a top-notch cabin design round out this pricey SUV's long list of strengths.

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Price & Payment

14 cars

$58,410 avg. price

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Audi SQ8 model years

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2021 Audi SQ8 Review

by the Edmunds Experts

What's new

No significant changes for 2021
Part of the first SQ8 generation introduced for 2020

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Arkansas

$255/mo

$209/mo

Avg. Large SUV

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Audi SQ8 Owner Reviews

5.0

11 reviews

5(100%)

4(0%)

3(0%)

2(0%)

1(0%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Switched from Audi Q8 55 TFSI to Audi SQ8.

Philip, 09/21/2020

2020 Audi SQ8 Prestige 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A)

I loved the looks of the Q8 when I first spotted it in 2019. I remember seeing it for the first time driving through a Whole Foods parking lot, wondering what model it was. It didn't look like anything I'd seen from Audi. There was a more sporty look to it compared to the Audi Q7, which I thought looked too much like a Wagon. Audi managed to beat out BMW and Mercedes in terms of looks … for a Sports Activity Coupe type vehicle. The rear end of the BMW X6 is just ghastly, and while the Mercedes GLE is a somewhat better take on the coupe version of an SUV, Audi managed to execute the look much better, especially toward the rear of the vehicle. The interior of the Audi Q8 is phenomenal, clean, and if you love tech, this IS your vehicle. People complain about the piano black interiors, but you can't beat the clean lines. In particular, Audi did an amazing job incorporating the air vents across the panel with a seamless, modern look. You get used to having no real buttons (only digital), very quickly, especially if you become accustomed using the steering wheel buttons to navigate the Audi's numerous functions. Here's where I start complaining. The Audi 6-cylinder Q8 55 TFSI has terrible throttle lag. I called my local Audi dealership several times about the Auto Stop/Start function not engaging quick enough. Often times, the engine would shut off at a rolling stop at an intersection, anticipating a full stop. However, if the intersection was clear, in normal driving one would go ahead and proceed with a turn. You would apply the pedal as you rolled out into the intersection, but always to my surprise, the engine would not engage. It was a good 2-4 seconds before power went from the pedal to the engine. Human intuition is to apply more pedal if you aren't getting a response, so by the time the engine finally accepted the pedal inputs, you would be quite heavy on the pedal and the vehicle would lurch aggressively forward, with you being already panicked about the stall you are experiencing in the middle of an intersection. My dealership's response to this was that it was a driving characteristic of the car. It was not. At my 10K mileage service, they admitted there was a problem, and they had developed a patch for it. They applied the tuning patch, and it did help things some. The 6-cylinder, 55 TFSI's transmission is quite odd as well. It's almost as if first and second gears do not exist, as the engine shifts from these gears very quickly, and the feel is very unnatural. At this point, the SQ8 was becoming more widely available in the US, and I found one about 200 miles from home. I decided to test drive it. The 8-cylinder SQ8 is by far much better than the 6-cylinder 55 TFSI. The engine is incredibly responsive, with so much power available in every gear. The transmission shifts as one would expect and anticipate. The sound of the SQ8 is throaty, but not annoyingly loud or obnoxious, unless you want it to be. Part of me thinks the exhaust note responds to the way you are driving, as the more aggressively you drive the vehicle, the more pops and cracks you hear on the downshifts, and the throatier the response you receive from throttle inputs. The SQ8 is perfection. The air suspension provides and excellent ride quality, and in dynamic mode, stiffens enough to feel like you are driving a car, instead of a large, heavy SUV. There is nothing SUV about the driving quality of this vehicle. There is barely any roll, and the steering is so nimble, tight, and responsive. I test drove a Range Rover Sport, prior to this purchase, and that vehicle felt top heavy, and disconnected from the road. Not the case with the Audi Q8 or SQ8. If you can spring the $100k+ for the Audi SQ8, it is ABSOLUTELY worth the money for the incredible power, torque, and sound. The 6-cylinder, 55 TFSI Q8 is a fine vehicle after the patch, but lacked the power and presence in the driving experience that I desired. As far as the RSQ8, while there are styling and engine features of the vehicle that are stunning and aggressive to admire, I couldn't justify spending another 40-50K for an additional 90 HP. Audi has managed to produce an absolute masterpiece in the SQ8. It fits wonderfully in between the 55 TFSI and the RSQ8. The SQ8 is a phenomenal competitor to the BMW M models and the mid-level Mercedes AMG class SUV's, and should be highly considered when shopping for this class of vehicle.

Excellent road experience

Bill, 12/16/2020

2020 Audi SQ8 Prestige 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A)

Previously owned Mercedes and BMW large SUVs...traded in my wife’s Porsche McCann, which we loved..turned in my Tesla 100S lease and bought the Audi SQ8. Bought thru Costco program, and very pleased with price...fully loaded with options listed at $105,000 plus. This is a driver’s car and meant to be pushed...have driven thru the Appalachian Mountains over interstate 40 to Pinehurst, …

Had to chase it down

key, 01/09/2021

2021 Audi SQ8 Prestige 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A)

Test drove on a Saturday just to be told it was dealer traded. Tried to buy several others as far as 400 miles away just to be told they were gone as well. Ironically the SUV I test drove went on the market while in transit and I bought it. Best decision I could have made. This SUV performs superbly and has all the bells and whistles you would need. It can be a nanny vehicle but if …

SQ8—suv coupe is all you will need or want!

Mark A. DeVito, 08/31/2020

2020 Audi SQ8 Premium Plus 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric hybrid 8A)

Don’t over spend on on options.....V8 is tremendous and quality ride mean u can tear up 3,4,500 ,miles days no problem is this. Never feel tired too!

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2021 Audi SQ8, so we've included reviews for other years of the SQ8 since its last redesign.

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2021 SQ8 Highlights

Trim:

Premium Plus

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$89,100
Engine Type	Mild hybrid
Combined MPG	17 MPG
Cost to Drive	$255/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	30.5 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the SQ8 models:

Audi Pre Sense City: Uses sensors at the front of the car to warn you about an imminent front collision and can automatically apply the brakes.
Audi Pre Sense Rear: Reacts to an imminent rear-end collision by tensioning seat belts, closing windows and adjusting the seats for optimal protection.
Audi Side Assist with Rear Cross-Traffic Assist and Vehicle Exit Warning: Warns you if a vehicle is lurking in your blind spot and alerts passengers about to exit the car to approaching vehicles.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
PassengerNot Rated
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
PassengerNot Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover15.8%

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2021 Audi SQ8 Review

Price & Payment

2021 Audi SQ8 Review

What's new

Cost to Drive

Audi SQ8 Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Trending topics

Switched from Audi Q8 55 TFSI to Audi SQ8.

Excellent road experience

Had to chase it down

SQ8—suv coupe is all you will need or want!

2021 SQ8 Highlights

Safety

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