The 2025 Audi SQ8 is a swanky blend of power, luxury and technology in a midsize performance SUV. It features beautiful lines with its coupe-like exterior, sports-car handling, and an opulent and roomy interior loaded with features and tech. With a price tag hovering around 100-grand, you’ll get a V8 engine that cranks out 500 horsepower and a luxury vehicle that stands out from the crowd.
Base Price: $97,600
As Tested: $129,840
Horsepower: 500
Mileage: 15 mpg city/17 mpg highway/21 mpg combined
The SQ8 is sandwiched between Audi’s Q8 and RS Q8 models. The SQ8 is faster and more powerful than the Q8 but doesn’t have the fierce performance of the RS Q8. The SQ8 and its siblings are among the growing number of luxury coupe-style SUVs, including the BMW X6 M60i, Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe and Porsche Cayenne S Coupe.
The 2025 SQ8 comes in two trims: Premium Plus, starting at $97,600, and Prestige, starting at $104,900. All-wheel drive is standard on both trims. There’s room for five passengers in two rows of seating.
Both trims get the same powertrain: a twin-turbocharged V8 engine that cranks out 500 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque. The transmission is an eight-speed automatic.
Performance is stout, making the SQ8 thrilling to drive. This beast can hustle – Audi says the SQ8 can go from zero to 60 mph in just 4 seconds. It can also accelerate like a rocket for merging and passing on the highway. The exhaust note is sweet – it gives a pleasing growl when you start the engine and when you put your foot on the accelerator for a quick burst of speed. The SQ8 feels planted when cornering and is a joy to take on twisty roads. Steering and brakes are responsive. If you want to dial things back and take a leisurely cruise, the SQ8 becomes civilized and compliant, providing a smooth and effortless experience.
Fuel economy is what you’d expect for a midsize performance SUV. EPA ratings for the 2025 SQ8 are 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway with a combined rating of 17. I got 17 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
When equipped with an optional towing package, the SQ8 can tow up to 7,700 pounds.
The cabin is posh and luxurious, as you’d expect in a six-figure vehicle. The design is clean and modern with high-end materials including standard leather seating. Unfortunately, the shiny black surfaces look great but show fingerprints, so keep a microfiber cloth handy. Seats are supportive and comfortable in both rows, with ample leg- and headroom, even with the sloping roof line in the rear. A two-screen infotainment system is on the center stack.
Standard features include proximity keyless entry, remote start, push-button start, rearview camera, surround-view camera system, auto-dimming rearview mirror, quad-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, power-adjustable and heated front seats, heated steering wheel, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, infotainment system with 10.1- and 8.6-inch touchscreens, navigation, 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, HD radio, satellite radio, wired Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, four USB ports, wireless device charging, voice recognition, ambient interior LED lighting, universal garage door opener, automatic high-beam headlights and a panoramic sunroof.
Available features include a head-up display, forward-facing night vision camera, leather on the dash, upper doors, console and armrests, synthetic suede headliner, interior contrast stitching and seatbelts, ventilated front seats, massaging front seats, heated rear outboard seats, 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system, power soft-closing doors, and power rear sunshades.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, pedestrian detection,
Audi Pre Sense Basic and Rear (these systems can initiate preemptive safety measures to protect the vehicle occupants and other road users if the system detects an imminent crash including visual and auditory warnings, tightening of the seat belts, and closing windows and the glass roof), traffic-sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert, and front and rear parking sensors.
Available driver assistance technologies include park assist.
The infotainment system looks good with its two screens and sharp graphics but it’s clunky to operate. For one thing, it requires a very hard press on the icons which can be difficult to do when driving, and fingerprints show on the screen. The system can sometimes be slow to respond to touch and voice commands, and doesn’t have over-the-air software updates. There is a volume knob but few other physical controls.
Cargo space is decent with 33.6 cubic feet with both rows of seating in place and 60.8 cubes with the second row folded. The rear seats split or fold flat, providing flexibility in hauling passengers and your stuff.
The good:
Distinctive looks
Exceptional performance
Comfortable, smooth ride for cruising
Posh and spacious cabin
Loaded with features and tech
Standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Price climbs quickly with packages and options
Thirsty V8 engine
Clunky infotainment system
While Apple CarPlay is wireless, Android Auto is wired
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $97,600. The Daytona Gray pearl effect paint is $595. The Prestige Package is $7,300 and includes dual-pane acoustic glass for side windows, front seats with ventilation and massage, HD matrix-design Led headlights with Audi laser light, head-up display, heated rear seats, memory function for passenger seat, OLED taillights, power soft-closing doors, power rear side window with manual tailgate sunshades, remote park assist plus and intersection assist. The S Sport Package is $6,000 and includes active roll stabilization, sport rear differential, and red brake calipers. The Bang & Olufsen advanced 3D sound system is $4,900. The Luxury Package is $3,700 and includes Dinamica (microsuede) headliner and the leather package (dash, upper doors, console and armrests). The 23” Wheel Package is $2,500 and includes 23” multispoke-S design wheels with bicolor finish and summer tires. The Night Vision Assistant is $2,500. The Carbon Package is $2,000 and includes carbon fiber exterior mirror housings and carbon fiber exterior side sill inlays. The Black Optic Package is $1,100 and includes 22” 10-Y-spoke design wheels with black metallic finish, all-season tires, anthracite gray Audi rings, black exterior mirror housings, black exterior trim and roof rails, and dark chrome exhaust tips. The Audi Sport Crimson Red Stitch package is $500 and includes red contrast stitch on steering wheel and shift lever boot, red contrast stitch on door armrests and center console side, and seat belts in red. There’s a $150 discount for the lack of a wireless phone charging pad. The destination fee is $1,295 bringing the grand total to $129,840.
Bottom line:
The 2025 Audi SQ8 is a thrill to drive and is one of the strongest performers among high-end midsize SUVs. It also stands out with its attractive coupe-like exterior, has an elegant interior, and comes loaded with features and tech. Yes, it has a six-figure price tag and a clunky infotainment system. But if you want a midsize SUV with a V8 and sports car-like handling, the SQ8 is worth consideration.
