Audi SQ8

Core summary

The SQ8 TFSI is the petrol V8 version of Audi’s broad, low-roof luxury SUV. It is neither the earlier TDI nor the electric SQ8 e-tron.

The SQ8 TFSI combines a petrol V8 with a five-seat SUV body whose descending roof places more emphasis on shape than a third row. Its identity is easy to blur because Audi also used SQ8 for diesel and electric models. This guide concerns the combustion-engine TFSI.

Cariary would choose between SQ7 and SQ8 by seating and luggage needs first. The engine alone does not explain why one body will work better for a household.

History & generations

Audi announced the petrol SQ8 TFSI in 2020 alongside the SQ7 TFSI. Earlier TDI descriptions refer to a different drivetrain, and the SQ8 e-tron is a separate electric vehicle. Those names should not share one undifferentiated specification table.

The gallery contains early TFSI examples identified as 2021 and 2022. They illustrate the initial body treatment rather than every detail of a later facelift.

Body, platform & design

The SQ8 has a lower, more tapered rear profile than the upright SQ7. The gallery shows separate black and white cars, so roof accessories and wheel designs should not be read as one vehicle's equipment.

Check rear headroom and the usable height under the luggage cover. Attractive exterior proportions can create compromises that matter only when you load your own bags or seat a tall passenger.

Engine & drivetrain

Audi's European launch data specifies a 4.0-litre biturbo V8 with 373 kW/507 PS and 770 Nm, eight-speed tiptronic and quattro. The PS rating should not be presented as a US horsepower figure.

On a used car, review servicing and commission a specialist inspection. Cold-start behaviour, cooling-system condition, leaks, warning history and transmission operation all deserve attention before an acceleration demonstration. This is a buying checklist, not a claim that every SQ8 suffers a particular fault.

Trim differences

An S line Q8 is not an SQ8, and the SQ8 is not the higher-positioned RS Q8. Equipment also changes with market, year and options. Obtain the original specification rather than assuming all visible showroom features are standard.

Identify suspension, steering and brake options before comparing two used examples. The desirable choice is the one that fits your use and can be maintained comfortably, not automatically the longest option list.

Interior & seating

The five-seat cabin should be assessed as a touring environment. Try the rear seats with the front seats set normally, then check door access and foot space. A wide exterior does not answer every passenger-comfort question.

Test the screens and climate controls, seat adjustments and powered tailgate. Carry your usual luggage to the inspection if practical. The roofline makes a real load test more informative than a maximum capacity quoted with seats folded.

Efficiency & range

V8 fuel use and performance-SUV consumables are part of the proposition. Build a reserve for tyres, brakes, insurance and specialist servicing. A lower used purchase price does not make those items equivalent to a mainstream crossover.

Compare a regular Q8 if appearance and cabin atmosphere are the main attractions. The SQ8 makes more sense when the engine character itself is a priority.

Safety & equipment

Verify the fitted assistance package and demonstrate cameras, parking sensors and warnings. Check outstanding campaigns by VIN. After relevant repair work, ask whether sensor calibration was completed.

Tyre specification and brake condition remain central. Four driven wheels help put power down but do not exempt a heavy vehicle from the limits of grip when slowing or changing direction.

Strengths

The SQ8 offers a distinct alternative to a conventional luxury sedan: elevated seating, a large hatch and V8 performance in a styling-led body. Its five-seat format is appropriate when a third row would be unused.

Its strongest case is a buyer who wants that particular combination, rather than the greatest possible passenger capacity for the money.

Considerations

The broad body still needs space, even with parking aids. Test your driveway and garage access and obtain tyre quotations for the actual wheel size. Inspect wheels and the underside rather than relying on clean paint.

Keep the TFSI, TDI and e-tron identities separate when researching costs. Advice for one drivetrain may be irrelevant to the other two.

Recommended use

Shortlist the SQ8 for five-person luxury touring when V8 character is worth the ownership commitment. Choose an SQ7 or another three-row model if extra passengers are a regular requirement.

For primarily city use, compare smaller alternatives on the same parking and road route. An appealing test-drive experience should include the routine situations you will encounter every day.

Rivals & related

A BMW X6 M60i is a useful comparison for a V8 SUV with a sloping rear body. A Porsche Cayenne provides another performance-oriented luxury-SUV reference. Match powertrain, age and equipment before comparing prices.

Within Audi, the regular Q8 and SQ7 are especially useful: one tests the need for the performance engine, the other the choice of body.

FAQ

Is this an electric SQ8? No, it is the TFSI petrol model. Does it have the SQ7's third row? No, this guide covers the five-seat SQ8.

Do the early photos show later facelift equipment? No. Does 507 PS equal a US hp label? No; use the original-market rating.

Sources & updates

Manufacturer references identify the dated specifications used here. Cariary buying assessments are editorial analysis, not a claimed first-hand road test or a diagnosis of an individual vehicle. Photographs carry individual source and licence credits. Confirm the exact build, market and equipment before purchase; photographs of another trim do not establish your car’s specification.

• Audi SQ7 and SQ8 petrol launch, 2020 →
• Audi SQ8 TFSI model information →
• Photograph — Black 2021 Audi SQ8 TFSI front and side →Elise240SX; CC BY-SA 4.0

Last editorial review: September 20, 2026. Specifications remain market- and model-year-specific.