2025 Audi SQ8
Price Range: $97,600 - $104,900
Audi SQ8 Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(93%)
4(7%)
3(0%)
2(0%)
1(0%)
Owners Say
Overall, owner sentiment is positive. Owners love the SQ8’s strong power, smooth ride, sharp looks, and upscale cabin. Many say it is very fun to drive, quiet on trips, and feels safe and solid. Some owners do mention slow touchscreen response, small storage areas, and a few tech or quality problems.
This summary is AI-generated from the text of owner reviews
Most Helpful Owner Review
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.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2025 Audi SQ8, so we've included review for other years of the SQ8 since its last redesign.
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Safety
Key safety features on the SQ8 include:
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Lane Departure Warning
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
- Pre-collision safety system
- Post-collision safety system
FAQ
Is the Audi SQ8 a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2025 SQ8 both on the road and at the track, giving it a 6.8 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2025 SQ8 gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 15 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the SQ8 has 33.7 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. Learn more
What's new in the 2025 Audi SQ8?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2025 Audi SQ8:
- Traffic sign recognition and LED interior lighting now standard
- Prestige trim adds standard front seat massage and memory functions
- New Carbon and Audi Sport Express Red stitching option packages
- Part of the first SQ8 generation introduced for 2020
Is the Audi SQ8 reliable?
To determine whether the Audi SQ8 is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the SQ8. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the SQ8's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2025 Audi SQ8 a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2025 Audi SQ8 is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2025 SQ8 and gave it a 6.8 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2025 SQ8 gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 15 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2025 SQ8 is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2025 Audi SQ8?
The least-expensive 2025 Audi SQ8 is the 2025 Audi SQ8 Premium Plus 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $97,600.
Other versions include:
- Premium Plus 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) which starts at $97,600
- Prestige 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A) which starts at $104,900
What are the different models of Audi SQ8?
If you're interested in the Audi SQ8, the next question is, which SQ8 model is right for you? SQ8 variants include Premium Plus 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A), and Prestige 4dr SUV AWD (4.0L 8cyl Turbo gas/electric mild hybrid 8A). For a full list of SQ8 models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Florida
$326/mo for SQ8 Premium Plus
vs
$302/mo
Avg. Large SUV






