The new Audi Q8 may not look all that new, but there's a good reason for that: it's because it isn't all that new. A minor facelift has made little difference to the looks, or anything else for that matter. Even the engine range remains unaltered, and that means the V8-powered SQ8 model will still be offered by Audi dealerships, alongside the more sensible diesel options. The question is, is the SQ8 worth choosing over, say, a Porsche Cayenne S? Or even ahead of the diesel-powered Q8s?
In the metal
As with the standard Q8 models, little about the Audi SQ8's exterior has changed. Yes, there are new bumpers, a new grille and new badges, plus a new set of headlights with a choice of four different light signatures, but that's about it. Apart from the new tail lights, of course. And the new 23-inch alloy wheel designs fitted to our test car, and the choice of three new paint colours, including the rather disgusting Sakhir Gold.
The fact that's all we have to say about the new exterior changes tells its own story - there's nothing to see here, quite literally. Perhaps the inside will reveal some fresh... Oh, no, there's just a selection of new interior trim options, including the matt carbon finish you see in these images.
Aside from that, it's more or less business as usual, so the SQ8 still looks tough and rugged in a chunky, metallic sort of way. Admittedly, the silvery trim of our test car is an improvement on the cheap-looking black plastic of some lesser models, but otherwise there's little in the way of differentiation. Apart from the quad exhausts. If you were to get rid of the badges, though, most onlookers would have a hard time discerning this from a conventional Audi Q8.
In itself, that's a blessing and a curse. The SQ8 flies under the radar slightly, which might appeal to those who don't want everyone knowing they've spent almost €200,000 on a car, and it's differentiated from the RS Q8, which is traditionally more aggressive. But whichever trim you choose, there's still something a little ostentatious about a Q8, and the SQ8 does nothing to minimise that. And there will be customers who would prefer a bit more sportiness from their sporty sports utility vehicle.
The same goes for the interior, which looks exactly the same as before, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Like other versions of the Q8, the SQ8's cabin is fabulously well constructed, with every single panel and button fitting perfectly alongside its neighbour. Everything you touch feels solid and robust, and everything you don't looks expensive and well-engineered. It might not be the most imaginative design out there, and the glossy black plastic will be grubby in seconds, but the SQ8's interior is largely exemplary despite its age.
That age is starting to show in some of the technology, though. It's true that the oldest bit of tech in there - the digital instrument display - somehow still manages to be a class leader, but the touchscreens are left behind by modern BMW and Volvo alternatives. Even the new Range Rover Sport has a more appealing infotainment system.
In fairness, it's not that the SQ8's screens are especially bad - they're logically organised, the displays are sharp and the twin-screen system with infotainment at the top and climate control at the bottom works quite well - but the screens themselves have a strange feedback system that makes them really odd to use.
Fortunately, the rest of the car is not difficult to use in any way. Space in the cabin is identical to that of the standard Q8, which means there's loads of room for passengers in the front and rear, with comfortable seats for all but those in the middle of the rear bench. There's no seven-seat option - you need the Audi Q7 for that - but rear space is more than adequate even for tall passengers, and nobody will have any complaints about head- or legroom. Even the boot, at 605 litres, is big enough for the majority of owners' everyday needs.
Driving it
As before, the SQ8 is powered by a 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 petrol engine, which offers 507hp and a chunky 770Nm of torque. All of which heads to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox and Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system.
If all that sounds familiar, there's a good reason for that: Audi has made absolutely no changes to the SQ8's powertrain whatsoever. Not that we're complaining too much, because the V8 petrol engine is a doozy. Quiet on a cruise, menacing at idle and roaring under load, it's everything you want a big V8 to be. The vocal range is marvellous, the smoothness is remarkable and the way it gathers pace is alarming. So alarming, in fact, that this car can get from 0-100km/h in just over four seconds, and that's quick for a car that weighs well over two tonnes and has the aerodynamic properties of an old TV.
Naturally, the trade-off for such performance is equally alarming fuel consumption. You'll burn well over 12 litres of unleaded every 100km in one of these, and that's assuming you keep away from the fabulous V8 bark. Get greedy with the accelerator pedal and you'll almost be able to watch the fuel gauge tumble.
And if you were hoping the lack of updates to the SQ8's engine would be offset by suspension tweaks that make it better in corners, you're bang out of luck. Audi hasn't modified any of the running gear at all - at least not in any meaningful way - so the SQ8 rides and handles in much the same way as its predecessor did.
Our test car came on the optional 23-inch alloys, which may or may not have had an impact on the ride, but it didn't feel all that different from the Q8 diesel on 22-inch rims. By that we mean it was a mixed bag, with quite a supple high-speed ride over longer undulations countered by a firmer ride at lower speed and over sharper bumps in the road. Potholes, for example, are not the Q8's friend. But at least the SQ8 is no less comfortable than the diesels, and on long motorway journeys it will be more than satisfactory.
In a sporty model such as this, we'd expect some pretty nifty handling in lieu of ultra-absorbent comfort, and the SQ8 doesn't quite deliver. Again, it doesn't feel all that different from the more conventional models, although there's a tiny fraction more tactility to the steering and the brakes are superb. But even that isn't enough to prevent the SQ8 from feeling massive, and though body lean is fairly well contained, the car never feels especially agile. It's more of a high-speed cruiser than a track-capable SUV such as the Cayenne.
All that would be fine, were it not for the fact the Cayenne S, which shares quite a lot with the SQ8, is a better car in almost every department. It's more comfortable, better to drive and just as pleasing for the ears, albeit a little slower and more ponderous in a straight line. It's not that the SQ8 is bad - far from it - but it doesn't feel like a class-leader in any area. It isn't even brilliant off-road, although like the Cayenne, it's capable enough. Put some winter tyres on it and we've no doubt it would be brilliant in the snow, or even on a wet and muddy field, but that isn't its home turf. Pun slightly intended.
What you get for your money
To the surprise of absolutely nobody, the Audi SQ8 is noticeably more expensive than the Q8 on which it's based. Whereas a diesel Q8 comes in at just over €120,000, the SQ8 will set you back almost €170,000, and that's before you go mad with the options. Admittedly, there's no great need to do that - you get pretty much everything you need as standard - but customers probably will want to muck about with paint and wheel designs. Do that and you could easily be staring down the barrel of an invoice closer to €200,000.
Now, if you're someone who doesn't think that's too bad, consider that the Porsche Cayenne S starts at €163,000 or so, and though you will definitely want to add some options to that car, we're talking about spending much the same money on a fully fledged Porsche. It makes the SQ8 look a little bit pricey.
Summary
There's no real point to the Audi SQ8. It isn't as fast as the presumably forthcoming RS Q8, but it burns more or less the same amount of fuel, and it's considerably more expensive than the already fairly brisk diesel models. It is not, therefore, a purchase you make with your head, but then nor is any other version of the Q8. With a Porsche Cayenne offering better ride and handling credentials, as well as a more desirable badge, the Q8 is only really for those who really want one. And while those people probably should go for a diesel or hold out for a hybrid, the SQ8's fabulous engine will be a draw some find difficult to resist.
