Audi is synonymous with luxurious vehicles, and it is no shock that the automaker has ventured into the all-electric car house with its very personal EVs. A decade after debuting the e-tron identify on the 2009 International Motor Show Germany, Audi released the e-tron SUV in 2019 as its first all-electric car. This mid-size SUV took the car trade by storm and gave Audi a basis to construct on because it furthers its pursuit of the last word luxurious EV.

In the years since, the e-tron identify has been used on all of Audi’s electrical autos, and as of 2024, the luxurious SUV has been renamed because the Q8 e-tron. Like with a lot of its different standard fashions over the many years, Audi could not depart nicely sufficient alone and determined to launch an S-variant of the favored electrical SUV, and the Audi SQ8 e-tron was born. Even although 2024 is the primary official mannequin yr for the Audi SQ8 e-tron, it is basically a re-branded e-tron S SUV of earlier years, however that simply means Audi has had just a few years to make the SQ8 e-tron pretty much as good because it will get.

What’s New For 2024

For all intents and functions, Audi is treating the SQ8 e-tron like its personal automobile relatively than only a re-brand. Instead, it is now the upgraded S-variant of the usual Audi Q8 e-tron SUV. Like its non-S brethren, the Audi SQ8 e-tron is out there in two physique types: the usual SQ8 e-tron and the rounded, hatchback-like SQ8 Sportback e-tron. Both physique types are additionally accessible within the base trim referred to as Premium Plus and the upgraded trim, Prestige.

2024 Highlights

• First mannequin yr of the S-variant Q8 e-tron
• Tri-motor setup pumps out 496 horsepower
• Luxurious inside filled with tech
• 170 kW Fast-Charging Capability
• 10-80% cost in 31 minutes

Exterior Dimensions

(Data sourced from Audi)

Specifications And Performance

No matter which physique model or trim of the Audi SQ8 e-tron you go together with, all of them include an identical energy output and efficiency numbers. The tri-motor setup, which locations one motor on the entrance axle and two on the rear axle, places out 496 horsepower, sufficient ponies to propel the 6,118-pound SUV from 0 to 60 MPH in simply 4.2 seconds on its strategy to a high velocity of 130 MPH. The single-speed computerized transmission makes the complete drive a clean, seamless expertise that makes it really feel such as you’re using on a rail that simply retains getting quicker and quicker.

For comparability’s sake, that is the S-variant of the usual Audi Q8 e-tron in spite of everything, these numbers are considerably higher throughout the board. The common Q8 e-tron makes use of a dual-motor powertrain that places out almost 100 much less horsepower and takes a whopping 5.4 seconds to achieve 60 MPH. In quick, the SQ8 e-tron leaves the non-S mannequin within the mud and races its approach in the direction of increased competitors within the sporty all-electric SUV house.

Performance Specifications

(Data sourced from Audi)

Towing and Payload Capacities

While all-electric SUVs usually aren’t touted for his or her towing prowess, the Audi SQ8 e-tron has shocked naysayers with a most towing capability of three,300 kilos. This won’t be sufficient to haul one other car throughout the nation or to switch a piece truck on the job website, but it surely’s greater than sufficient to carry its personal towards different comparable electric cars and SUVs. All trims of the SQ8 are appropriate with commonplace towing hitches, and it has greater than sufficient energy to tow just a few small issues round city right here and there.

(Data sourced from Audi)

Audi SQ8 e-tron Charging Time And Range

All 4 trims of the Audi SQ8 e-tron and SQ8 Sportback e-tron include the identical 106.0 kWh battery, and so they all even have the identical battery, tri-motor setup, and energy output, so it is no shock that all of them include a 253-mile vary. Note that this vary offered by Audi is for SQ8 fashions with 20-inch wheels, and you’ll count on it to go down barely if you happen to go for bigger wheel packages.

While this vary may be sufficient for many EV drivers to get round city and get to work and again, it is not precisely sufficient to hop within the SQ8 e-tron and take it on a cross-country highway journey. To assist ease the ache of a comparatively quick vary, Audi made all trims of the SQ8 able to 170 kilowatt (kW) charging at DC Fast-Charging stations. This permits the SQ8 e-tron to go from 10- to 80-inch cost in simply over half an hour, making it a bit simpler to plan highway journeys and longer journeys within the SUV.

(​​​​​​Data sourced from Audi)

To sweeten the pot much more for EV lovers, all Audi SQ8 e-trons include two years of limitless charging at Electrify America charging stations. These superchargers support up to 350 kW of Fast Charging, that means they will simply max out the SQ8’s quickest charging functionality (170 kW) to get drivers again on the highway as rapidly as doable.

Interior Technology, Luxury, And Comfort

Best Interior Features Of The 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron

• Virtual cockpit with three digital screens
• Front sport seats commonplace
• Heated and cooled entrance seats
• Built-in seat massagers
• Head-up show

Since the SQ8 e-tron is basically only a sportier model of the bottom Audi Q8 e-tron, it has the entire identical creature comforts you’d count on in a luxurious SUV, although you will positively nonetheless really feel the sporty points once you sit down. First and foremost, the entrance seats are body-hugging sport seats commonplace, making it really feel such as you’re getting right into a racecar relatively than a grocery getter. Speaking of the seats, additionally they come heated and air-conditioned, and so they even have built-in massagers to make sure you’re relaxed for the whole thing of its 253-mile vary.

The SQ8 e-tron additionally helps four-zone local weather management so everybody stays comfy irrespective of the place they’re sitting. The energy panoramic sunroof opens on the contact of a button to supply unbridled views of the sky, each day and evening. The rearview mirror routinely dims lights so you are not blinded when you drive, and the built-in digital compass makes it straightforward to all the time know which approach you are headed.

The facilities and creature comforts are nice, however the inside of the Audi SQ8 e-tron merely appears unimaginable, too. With sq. carbon panels, aluminum inlays, stainless-steel pedals, and ambient lighting, it is a hanging inside that screams luxurious. Topping all of it off is the Bang & Olufsen encompass sound system that makes use of 3D sound to actually immerse you in no matter you are listening to.

Technology

For anybody not used to trendy expertise in a automobile, sitting within the SQ8 e-tron will really feel such as you’ve simply stepped into the long run. Complete with Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, the SQ8 e-tron comes commonplace with a 12.3-inch all-digital instrument cluster, a ten.1-inch touchscreen that controls the infotainment system, and an 8.6-inch touchscreen slightly below that for all different controls (local weather, seat temperature, defrost, and extra).

Topping off the science fiction really feel of a contemporary high-tech inside is the head-up show on the windshield, offering a devoted digital display for the motive force, similar to a fighter pilot. All trims additionally come commonplace with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to make smartphone integration a breeze, and the included wi-fi charging pad ensures your system won’t ever run out of juice.

Interior Dimensions

(Data sourced from Audi)

Safety And Reliability

Unlike a few of the different autos at this worth level, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has examined and rated each the usual Audi SQ8 e-tron in addition to the SQ8 Sportback e-tron. The bizarre half? Neither car has an general crash security ranking or facet crash ranking. That stated, they each scored 4/5 stars on the entrance crash ranking and obtained an ideal 5-star rollover ranking. The SQ8 e-tron additionally has no lively recollects, investigations, or complaints, additional showcasing its general security and reliability.

Driver Assistance Features

As top-of-the-line luxurious automobile makers on the planet, it is no shock that the brand new Audis come loaded with all kinds of driver-assistance options and tech that make driving the SQ8 e-tron each simpler and safer. This suite of options consists of a few of the extra frequent ones like adaptive cruise management and lane steerage, but it surely additionally comes with just a few of the extra superior options like parking help, 360-degree digital camera methods, a head-up show on the windshield to scale back the period of time it’s a must to take your eyes off the highway.

• Adaptive cruise management
• Lane steerage
• Lane-keeping help
• Park help
• Virtual 360-degree cameras
• Top-view digital camera system
• Head-up show
• Audi pre sense entrance collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Pre-conditioning by means of the myAudi app

Warranties

Similar to different new Audi fashions, all trims of the SQ8 e-tron come commonplace with Audi’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty. This complete protection features a 48-month/50,000-mile full guarantee, 96 months/100,000 miles of protection for the battery and associated electrical parts, and a powerful 60-month/57,000-mile upkeep guarantee by means of pay as you go Audi Care protection.

Audi additionally gives 4 years of roadside help at no extra price and 12 years of corrosion protection. Both of those don’t have any mileage limits in any way, so drivers can actually rack up the miles on their SQ8 and nonetheless preserve primary protection.

(Data sourced from Audi)

2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron Versus Its Competitors

The rivalry between Audi and BMW is nearly as previous as the 2 firms themselves, with every one vying for management of the luxurious automobile market. That’s why it is sensible to check the SQ8 e-tron to the BMW iX, which is a glimpse into the way forward for BMW’s electrical car lineup. Since the SQ8 is a sportier model of the usual Audi Q8, evaluating the 2 fashions head-to-head will assist you to decide which one provides you the most effective bang to your buck.

How The Audi SQ8 e-tron Compares To The BMW iX

• 	2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron	2024 BMW iX
  Model	Audi SQ8 e-tron	BMW iX
  Engine	Tri-motor setup	Dual-permanent-magnet-motors
  Transmission	Single-speed computerized	Single-speed computerized
  Horsepower	496 HP	516-610 HP
  Driveline	All-wheel drive	All-wheel drive
  Range	253 miles	296-311 miles
  MSRP	$89,800 – $101,045	$87,100
  Fuel Economy	72-75 MPGe	77-86 MPGe
  Charge Time	16.0 hours	12 hours @ 240V
  0-60 MPH	4.2 seconds	4.4-3.6 seconds

One of the Audi SQ8 e-tron’s fiercest rivals is the BMW iX, a luxury all-electric SUV that is been in manufacturing since 2022. The BMW iX is available in two trims, with the bottom mannequin iX xDrive50 beginning at $87,100 and the performance-oriented iX M60 beginning at a whopping $111,500.

The price ticket of the BMW iX xDrive50 stacks up properly with the bottom mannequin Audi SQ8 e-tron, making head-to-head comparisons a bit simpler. The xDrive50 comes commonplace with a 516-horsepower motor setup that launches the SUV from 0 to 60 MPH in 4.4 seconds with a high velocity of 124 MPH. Both of those marks fall simply shy of the SQ8 e-tron, although the distinction is negligible for almost all of drivers.

What is not negligible, nonetheless, is the vastly higher battery provided within the BMW. The iX xDrive50 has a most vary of 311 miles, which is kind of a bit additional than what the Audi can do. It additionally solely takes 11 hours to completely cost the battery at residence, in comparison with the 16 hours wanted to cost the SQ8 e-tron again to 100%.

When you step inside each autos, the inside of the SQ8 e-tron helps the Audi make up some floor, offering a way more luxurious, tech-filled expertise than the iX. Drivers preferring a extra minimalist inside (it is not almost as bland as what’s within the Tesla Cybertruck) will lean in the direction of the BMW, with its quaint single touchscreen and clean sprint. The Audi may need a bit extra going for it on the within, but it surely actually comes down to non-public desire on this one.

How The Audi SQ8 e-tron Compares To The Audi Q8 e-tron

• 	2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron	2024 Audi Q8 e-tron
  Model	Audi SQ8 e-tron	Audi Q8 E-Tron
  Engine	Tri-motor setup	Dual-permanent-magnet motors
  Transmission	Single-speed computerized	Single-speed computerized
  Horsepower	496 HP	402 HP
  Driveline	All-wheel drive	All-wheel drive
  Range	253 miles	285-300 miles
  MSRP	$89,800 – $101,045	$74,400
  Fuel Economy	72-75 MPGe	81-86 MPGe
  Charge Time	16.0 hours	16 hours @ 240V
  0-60 MPH	4.2 seconds	5.4 seconds

For die-hard Audi followers out there for an all-electric SUV, it very nicely might come right down to the standard Q8 e-tron and the sporty SQ8 e-tron. Since the S-variants of most Audis are thought of direct upgrades, it may appear apparent that the SQ8 e-tron is the clear alternative, however which may not all the time be the case.

In phrases of all-out efficiency, the SQ8 e-tron is, in fact, the winner throughout the board. With its tri-motor setup, the SQ8 e-tron makes 496 horsepower to the usual Q8 e-tron’s 402 horsepower, permitting it to achieve 60 MPH in simply 4.2 seconds relatively than the 5.4 seconds for the non-S variant. The inside can be a lot sportier, with the racecar-like seats and stiffer suspension, however that additionally makes for a barely much less comfy trip.

Outside of energy and associated efficiency, the usual Q8 e-tron takes the cake. It comes with a 285-mile vary in comparison with the S-version’s 253 miles. The Q8 e-tron was additionally named one of many 2023 IIHS Top Safety Picks, exhibiting that it is rated as one of many most secure autos on the highway. Above all else, the Q8 e-tron is considerably cheaper than the SQ8 e-tron, beginning at $74,400.

When deciding between these two variations of basically the identical electrical SUV, is having extra energy price greater than $15,000 to you?

How Much The 2024 SQ8 e-tron Costs

Even although there are 4 completely different trims to select from, the worth vary between all of them spans lower than $10,000, making it simpler to pick the right mannequin for you. The base mannequin is the SQ8 Premium Plus, which begins at $89,800. Drivers preferring that hatchback really feel and resolve to go together with the SQ8 Sportback Premium Plus must pay $92,600. No matter which physique model you go for, upgrading to the Prestige trim provides one other $6,000, making the SQ8 Prestige $95,800 and the SQ8 Sportback Prestige $98,600.

Keep in thoughts that these costs don’t embody the $1,195 vacation spot price to have the SQ8 delivered to a seller or every other prices related to the acquisition, like taxes and title charges.

(Prices sourced from Audi)

Efficiency

(Data sourced from Audi and the EPA)

Is It Worth Buying An Audi SQ8 e-tron?

Anytime you are out there for a brand new automobile, the urge to improve to the sportier, extra performance-oriented mannequin is all the time going to be there, particularly if you happen to’re a little bit of a gearhead. After all, that is why the S-variants of Audi autos exist within the first place, and the SQ8 e-tron is not any exception. With extra energy, higher efficiency, and a a lot racier really feel than the usual Audi Q8 e-tron, the S-version looks as if a no brainer, but it surely won’t be price the additional $15,000+.

At the worth level of the Audi SQ8 e-tron, you may as well begin different fashions just like the BMW iX xDrive50, which provides related efficiency when it comes to velocity, however much better vary and charging traits. That stated, the inside SQ8 e-tron is totally filled with tech and luxury, which could assist make up the distinction a bit. The all-digital show of the Virtual Cockpit and 3D encompass sound actually do plenty of the heavy lifting right here.

At the top of the day, for the cash, you could possibly seemingly get a greater all-electric SUV than the Audi SQ8 e-tron, however that is to not say it is a poor alternative. If you are useless set on an Audi, the non-S model would possibly offer you extra bang to your buck, however chances are you’ll get just a few additional smiles out of every cost on the SQ8 e-tron.