• To be had for £58,000
• 4.0 V8 petrol twin-turbo, all-wheel force
• Excellent trip, huge cabin area for 5 
• Rapid and rorty sufficient for many
• Stressful knobless infotainment
• Vorsprung is the only to have however you’ll pay for it 

The 2018 Q8 wasn’t Audi’s relatively belated reaction to coupe-SUV blitzwagens like Mercedes’ GLE Coupe of 2015 and, going even additional again than that, BMW’s much-maligned X6 of 2008. Hell, it wasn’t even a coupé. That took every other yr to look within the slopey-backed form of the 2019 SQ8. 

The fondness newcomer used to be decrease and wider than the SQ7, so it no doubt regarded the section, even supposing the primary SQ8 used to be hiding a diesel beneath its looming bonnet. Nonetheless, with an extra compressor to spice up and easy out the 435hp/664lb feet biturbo V8’s backside finish there used to be a delightful way over mid-range thrunge, to not point out a 0-62mph time of four.8sec and a blended gas intake determine of 36mpg. Those had been all very authentic numbers for an SUV weighing a not-so-respectable however via then some distance from unusual 2.2+ tonnes. 

The SQ8 used to be in no way the most productive giant sporty SUV. For those who sought after the full-house chassis with a quattro game rear axle differential and lively roll stabilisation those had been best featured at the top-spec Vorsprung fashion. However, the usual fashion’s 7-mode Audi Power Make a choice dynamic dealing with device, rear-wheel guidance, quattro all-wheel force, 8-speed ZF Tiptronic transmission and adaptive air suspension constituted a robust sufficient package deal – along side this kind of cabin area made imaginable via a three-metre hole between the axles – to place it on maximum purchaser’s shortlists. 

Sadly, or thankfully should you didn’t like them, diesels had been properly down the street to perdition via the tip of the 2010s so the SQ8 we’re taking a look at nowadays isn’t considered one of them. As an alternative it’s the petrol-powered 4.0 TFSI mode we’re scrutinising. It used to be introduced in autumn 2020 however the earliest vehicles you’ll to find at the forecourts could have been registered in 2021. 

The 507hp and 570lb feet produced via the twin-turbo EA825 4.0 V8 diminished the SQ8’s legit 0-62 time to 4.1 seconds. That became out to be conservative: mega traction and a well-judged release regulate device intended you need to relatively simply get it into the threes. Take a look at cars appeared to exceed the marketed 155mph peak pace with out a lot trouble too. 

Inside of you had the standard Audi swishness incorporating the Digital Cockpit with a 12.3-inch high-res show, MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Contact, Alexa-skilled Audi Attach, Audi Telephone Field wi-fi charging and an entire lot extra convenience equipment like heated electrical seats. At the protection aspect you were given Pre-sense Entrance, Lane Departure Caution, Parking Device Plus with entrance and rear sensors and dynamic signs all spherical. 

The costs of the fundamental SQ8 TFSI began from a little bit beneath £85,000, which used to be 3 grand or so above the better-equipped and extra robust (530hp) BMW M6 M50i and an identical quantity under the fewer robust however nicer-driving Porsche Cayenne GTS. The SQ8 Black Version used to be just about £4,000 greater than the usual automobile at £88.5k, relatively a hike for what gave the impression of rather minimum spec adjustments like black external trim, shiny oak cabin inlays, four-zone automated local weather regulate and a unique wheel selection, however the associated fee soar from fundamental to Black used to be an insignificant hop in comparison to the pole vault soar to the £107,000 Vorsprung SQ8 range-topper. As discussed a minute in the past, the Vorsprung boasted the complete SQ8 chassis pack whose major attributes had been an electromechanical lively anti-roll device and a quattro Game rear e-diff to complement the default Torsen centre diff. It additionally had a lot more stuff like pass visitors help entrance and rear, go out caution and lively lane help, ventilated seats, carbon fibre inlays, and a wide ranging roof. 

A gentle SQ8 facelift on the finish of 2023 introduced larger entrance air inlets, a fairly controversial quantity of silverised plastic across the grille, a brand new entrance spoiler and rear diffuser, a brand new exhaust, 23-inch wheels as same old and narrower matrix LED headlamps with (at the higher-spec fashions) long-range ‘laser’ excessive beams and virtual OLED rear lighting fixtures. 

As of early 2024 the Audi UK web page will inform you {that a} new SQ8 TFSI with mainly the similar mechanical spec because the 2020 fashion will value you £98,000. The associated fee given for Black Version on that very same web site is simply over £95,000, suggesting that a type of two costs is improper. We imagine there’s nonetheless a wait record of a number of months from the time of your order, however sellers with unregistered vehicles in inventory appear glad to cut a little bit off the RRPs. Within the worst case situation with an uncooperative broker in need of complete whack for any extras you’ll be taking a look at one thing with regards to £100k. Nonetheless, a minimum of it’s now not the £122,000 plus that Audi UK needs for a Carbon Black model of the range-topping 600hp/590lb feet, 0-62mph in 3.8sec, Urus-engined RS Q8. 

In fact, so long as you don’t thoughts now not being the primary proprietor, redemption is to hand at the used automobile forecourt. You’ll be able to pick out up a 2021 SQ8 TFSI for not up to £60,000. It’s nonetheless a large package deal of money, however this is a giant package deal of a automobile. TFSIs are slightly considerable on the United Kingdom used marketplace, with 80 or so on sale at any given second and kind of 3 TFSIs for each and every 4.0 diesel. Used diesels do beginning off less expensive at £53k however that’s as a result of they’re older (2019 on) vehicles. 

Engine: 3,996cc V8 32v twin-turbo petrol
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automated, all-wheel force
Energy (hp): 507@5,500rpm
Torque (lb feet): 570@2,000-5,000rpm
0-62mph (secs): 4.1
Most sensible pace (mph): 155
Weight (kg): 2,245 (2,270 Vorsprung)
MPG: 22 (legit blended)
CO2 (g/km): 276 (290 Vorsprung)
Wheels (in): 22
On sale: 2021 – now
Value new: £84,560
Value now: from £58,000

Word for reference: automobile weight and tool knowledge are laborious to pin down with absolute simple task. For consistency, we use the similar supply for all our guides. We are hoping the information we use is correct extra frequently than it’s improper. Our recommendation is to regard it as relative slightly than definitive.

The SQ8’s 4.0 petrol V8 with two ‘sizzling vee’ twin-scroll turbochargers felt extra right kind within the coupé than it did within the extra upright SQ7. Despite the fact that you’d pushed the primary diesel-powered SQ8, a grunty device via any requirements, you wouldn’t really feel shortchanged via the petrol automobile’s backside finish poke. Nor would you be dissatisfied via its throttle reaction or how it teamed up with the non-DCT (however nonetheless quick-changing) 8-speed gearbox with guidance wheel paddles for added human interplay. It sounded naughty, too, thru its 4 authentic exhaust tailpipes, a large step ahead from the Q8’s boring and slightly plasticky setup. Release regulate used to be incorporated and likewise labored properly with a functional dose of rear-end squat.

The engine used to be acquainted to house owners of Porsche’s Cayenne S as it used to be the similar unit, albeit tuned to a decrease point within the Porsche which used to be 0.6sec slower throughout the 0-62 than the 4.1sec Audi. It used to be additionally discovered within the Panamera, Lamborghini Urus and Bentley Continental GT. Within the Audi it had variable valve timing on each the exhaust and consumption aspect, lively engine mounts and cylinder switch-off for more cost effective cruising. The legit WLTP gas figures put the TFSI at 22mpg however regardless of the deactivation tech most householders had been realistically getting numbers starting with a 1. That used to be the TFSI’s greatest drawback in comparison to the diesel which, as a coarse information, would simply ship over 10mpg extra around the board. 

Engine issues? No longer many. Each gas and oil power readings may just drop, throttle actuator regulate modules may just fritz out, exhaust cats may just play up and ignition-related misfires weren’t unknown, however those had been all remoted instances slightly than generic. Some house owners – particularly the ones with wider revel in of different premium-marque vehicles whose s/s techniques had been built-in between the engine and transmission slightly than with the alternator – discovered the start-stop device to be annoyingly jerky. German retrofit consultants Kufatec introduced a mod for less than £200 which saved the s/s completely off whilst you switched it off. 

There was a subject with the 48-volt belt starter turbines (BSGs) in those and different in a similar way geared up Audis producing a snowstorm of warnings alongside the traces {of electrical} device malfunctions, force device mistakes and many others. From time to time the start-stop device would crash totally. Some house owners had been advised {that a} tool reflash would type it (there used to be a technical provider bulletin for that), others had been advised, much less convincingly most likely, that it will had been one thing to do with over the top trailer nostril weights. No matter, Audi passed out new turbines and/or new batteries (each customary and hybrid) to struggle battery drain, all beneath guaranty, however the fixes didn’t all the time paintings, main in excessive instances to a few vehicles being returned to dealerships. 

Audi issued 320 ‘producer communications’ at the first 2020 SQ8 and 337 for the 2021 vehicles. We don’t know if those are excessive numbers or customary ones, or whether or not those are only for america or international. What we do know is that 34 of the 2021-year messages had been to do with engine and engine cooling problems however 94 had been to do with {the electrical} device. The one maximum not unusual buyer criticism used to be concerning the start-stop device which might flip the engine off sooner than the automobile had come to a whole quit, momentarily leaving it with out energy guidance, complete braking capability or any of the standard functionalities you’d be expecting from a operating engine. Gradual re-ignition of the engine after a quit additionally brought about palpitations whilst you had been making high-stress strikes like crossing or becoming a member of a hectic street. 

4 SQ8 remembers had been issued between Would possibly 2021 and October 2022. The only which belongs on this engine segment involved a small quantity (15) of SQ8s whose cylinder bore surfaces may just crack, inflicting stalling, oil leaks and/or engine injury and. Audi mentioned they’d change the affected engines at no cost. 

The broader-tracked, decrease centre of gravitied SQ8 did appear to force extra entertainingly than the SQ7. Each vehicles introduced prodigious grip for his or her dimension and peak. Journey convenience used to be top-notch too. 

Then again, should you’re searching for a used SQ8 and your day-to-day riding regime comes to greater than the standard reduce and thrust of the varsity run with the peculiar sound asleep policeman thrown in, it might be properly price taking a look on the Vorsprung fashion. It’s noticeably extra keen at the twisties because of its electromechanical lively anti-roll device. This had an electrical motor sitting between the 2 sections of the anti-roll bar on each and every axle to curve the sections in reverse instructions thru bends, chopping roll and toning up the trip. The bar sections decoupled on straights to revive some softness. Some testers idea that the device didn’t actually make it any longer a laugh to force however right here on PH we slightly favored it and it no doubt made the SQ8 really feel more secure at pace. On knobbly British roads your passengers would more than likely thanks for dialling it down a notch, however whilst you had been by yourself and within the temper you’d to find your self marvelling at how successfully a factor of such excessive heft may just march itself down the street. 

22-inch wheels had been same old however you need to cross to the 23s that was the standard dimension on late-2023 facelift vehicles. Some testers complained concerning the braking energy, or loss of it, from the 400mm entrance, 350mm rear iron discs. 440mm ceramics got here as same old best at the RS Q8. 

Probably the most 4 SQ8 remembers involved misaligned rear axles. No longer certain what number of vehicles had been taken in for rectification, however should you didn’t you ran the danger of asymmetric or untimely tyre put on. Entrance suspension trees may just put on out beautiful temporarily, now not altogether sudden given the combo of energy and weight that they had to deal with. Suspension portions typically may just quickly get noisy or worn for a similar explanation why.

Excellent styling is within the eye of the beholder, however you’d more than likely have much less hassle discovering lovers for the SQ8’s bodyshape than you possibly can for the X6 or the GLE coupes – even supposing the extraordinary blackness of one of the crucial Audi’s Lecter-like entrance ends can be a turnoff. All 3 vehicles had been large. None of them can be simple to squeeze in an ordinary 2.4 metre-wide British automobile park bay. From door reflect to door reflect the SQ8 measured just about 2.2 metres. 

Door locks had been a susceptible level on SQ8s. From within the automobile you need to be fruitlessly tugging at the lever however the automobile wouldn’t will let you out even if the frameless window used to be doing its bit via shedding a little bit. SQ8 home windows had been identified to open of their very own accord and the central locking may just play up. From time to time after you locked the doorways from the outdoor the alarm would wail into undesirable motion. 

The clips securing the wind deflector on sunroofed vehicles may just damage and the deflector subject material itself may just tear. The powered boot duvet may just jam, and moisture may just get into the headlight devices.

Clearly there used to be much less headroom behind an SQ8 than an SQ7. You couldn’t get it in 7-seat guise and the boot used to be smaller too, although it nonetheless wasn’t if truth be told small at 605 litres, extendable to over 1,750 litres with the again seats folded down. With the seats up, rear passengers loved an imposing quantity of legroom. Nonetheless on seats, you need to specify Valcona-leather clad Tremendous Sports activities fronts with quilted centre panels, air flow and therapeutic massage. 

No matter unfavorable ideas you could harbour concerning the glance or certainly the whole thought of the SQ8, you possibly can have a difficult time arising with criticisms of its high quality or how it felt for your arms. Having mentioned that, the SQ8 used to be now not creak-free: high-mileage (60,000) vehicles have suffered from noisy seats, armrests, driver-side garage compartments and centre console trim surrounds.  Taking into account the dimensions of the car there wasn’t an enormous quantity of area within the central cubby. There have been a couple of grumbles concerning the loss of faraway options that some patrons anticipated to be incorporated in vehicles of this worth. Keyfob batteries didn’t ultimate very lengthy.

Various SQ8 house owners had been narked via the MMI’s gradual boot-up, its occasional insistence on presenting you with a gloomy night-time display screen when the usage of CarPlay and its occasional failure to bear in mind favourites. From time to time – as an example after a tool replace were despatched down the twine – the MMI device stopped operating altogether, generally for ten mins or so, disabling now not best Bluetooth and song but additionally a number of protection purposes together with lane departure, blind spot, and collision caution. Cruise regulate might be gradual to turn on, and you could properly revel in some frustration within the transfer clear of bodily knobs to touchscreens for absolutely anything. In fact the SQ8 is some distance from the one offender there. 

Seatbelt locking retractors malfunctioned, combating secure use of the kid restraint device. Those had been matter to a recall, as had been non-displaying rear cameras that affected ‘masses of 1000’s’ of Audis together with SQ8s. 

Do your individual goal street check of 3 of the obvious competitors on this elegance – SQ8, GLE and X6 – and you’re going to more than likely to find all of them to be nice vehicles in their very own manner. Then again, you may also conclude that the Audi is essentially the most recent feeling of the 3, a little much less edgy than the BMW, a little extra sporty than the Mercedes.

As famous previous, the non-availability of 7 seats within the SQ8 may elevate an eyebrow in mild of its gigantism, which you wish to have to peer within the flesh to totally recognize, however how to manner that isn’t to bemoan its incapability to move seven folks – a distinct segment requirement at very best – however to glory within the quantity of area 5 folks could have. You’re going to have to carry your nostril every time the subject of gas intake comes up across the dinner desk although. This can be a circle of relatives automobile that, in the actual international, is prone to ship sub-20mpg financial system figures, which is a little deficient actually.  

The 600hp RSQ8 used to be a a lot more dear device than the SQ8, however in fact it wasn’t that a lot quicker than the lesser fashion and the SQ8 Vorsprung narrowed the space between S and RS much more. We reckon the ‘Sprung is if truth be told nicer at the street than the RS. For those who’re now not determined for without equal in Q8 efficiency and dealing with, a base-level or Black Version SQ8 will do a superbly just right process for you and your circle of relatives at costs ranging from beneath £60k, in comparison to the £80k that used to be the efficient minimal for a used RSQ8 in early 2024. Vorsprungs infrequently come onto the marketplace at £63k however realistically £75k is closer the mark for a lower-mileage entry-level instance.

Probably the most inexpensive SQ8 TFSI on PH Classifieds on the time of writing (January 2024) used to be this nicely-presented blue with black leather-based Black Version from 2021. Dressed in its 42,000 miles properly it used to be priced at £58,500.