2021 Audi SQ8 Review: Soccer On The Streets, Sport In The Sheets
When buying a car twenty years ago, you could choose between a select few body styles - if you wanted a coupe, you got a coupe; if you wanted an SUV, you got an SUV. Fast forward to 2021, and you can now get a coupe-style SUV like the 2021 Audi SQ8, with enough performance to blow most 1980s supercars out the water. It delicately straddles the line between family-friendly and brutal performance. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 TFSI engine that produces 500 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque, the SQ8 can sprint to 60 mph in only 4.3 seconds and carry a troupe of golden retrievers in the back while doing so. The SQ8 SUV goes up against some capable competitors in the USA, including the BMW X6 M50i and Porsche Cayenne GTS Coupe.
2021 SQ8 Exterior
Dimensions
| Length | Wheelbase | Height | Max Width | Front Width | Rear Width | Curb Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 196.6 in | 117.9 in | 67.2 in | 78.5 in | 66.1 in | 66.6 in | 5,280.0 lbs |
2021 SQ8 Performance
2021 SQ8 Interior
2021 SQ8 Trunk and Cargo Space
Warranty
| Basic | Drivetrain | Corrosion | Roadside Assistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 4 Years / 50,000 Miles | 12 Years / Unlimited Miles | 4 Years / Unlimited Miles |
US NHTSA Crash Test Result
| Rollover Rating |
|---|
| 4/5 |
Verdict: Is the 2021 Audi SQ8 A Good SUV?
In a market flush with go-fast SUVs, the 5-door Audi SQ8 stands out as one of the better ones this year. For starters, it's one of the best-looking SUVs out there thanks to its sleek coupe styling, and there are just enough aggressive design features to make you know that this machine means business. On the inside, it's all typically Audi: the build quality and material choices are excellent, and the tech is up to date. Under the hood, that twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 delivers enough power to sucker-punch most sports cars from the lights but is also very refined when need be. As a family vehicle, the SQ8 works brilliantly and offers a generous amount of trunk space for all your family-focused needs. Sure the Porsche handles better, and the BMW is slightly quicker to 60 mph, but this is still an excellent choice. In review, the Audi SQ5 is a great family car, and it has the reliability and safety rating to back that up, even if it does seem more like a reckless speedster at times.
What Audi SQ8 Model Should I Buy?
The top-tier Prestige model of the 2021 Audi SQ8 SUV has a price of $95,000, which we think is a fair deal for everything you get. This includes a few nice-to-haves such as heated rear seats, an upgraded interior, and a head-up display. In terms of optional extras, we'd go for the $5,900 Sport Package, which adds a Quattro sport rear differential, active roll stabilization, and red brake calipers (which adds 10 hp per caliper). If you can't dish out the extra bucks for the Prestige, the Premium Plus still feels decidedly premium. You can't go wrong here.