2022 AUDI SQ8 | WA1AWBF19ND025861

Body Styles

The Audi SQ8 is a 5-door SUV coupe with bold proportions, aggressive details, and sporty hardware. It shares its platform with the Q8, but adds wider wheel arches, quad exhaust tips, larger intakes, and a lowered stance.

Despite its sloping roofline, the SQ8 maintains a spacious 5-seat interior and over 1,700 liters of cargo space. It includes adaptive air suspension as standard, with dynamic ride height adjustment and optional all-wheel steering for enhanced agility.

The front fascia features S-specific trim, while the rear sports a diffuser element and chrome exhaust finishers. Matrix LED headlights, roof spoilers, and large wheels (up to 22") give it the presence of a luxury GT rather than a utility vehicle.

Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)

The "SQ8" badge denotes the sportier 'S' variant of Audi’s Q8 flagship. The “S” prefix is reserved for performance-enhanced versions that bridge the gap between the regular models and the high-performance RS line.

Compared to the Q8, the SQ8 is tuned for athleticism, responsiveness, and emotional engagement, with sportier suspension, styling, and V8 power. Unlike the RS Q8, it focuses on luxury dynamics rather than track times, making it ideal for high-speed touring or spirited everyday driving.

Model Name Meaning (Languages)

“SQ8” is standardized across all global markets. The letter “S” denotes sport models in Audi’s hierarchy (S3, S4, S5, etc.), while “Q” confirms SUV status and “8” signifies flagship size and luxury. The combination instantly communicates performance SUV prestige across regions — from North America to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. In markets like Germany, the UK, and UAE, the SQ8 is seen as a more discreet alternative to super-SUVs, offering RS-like performance without the flamboyance.

Body & Interior Colors and Rims

The SQ8 comes in bold and elegant colors: Daytona Gray Pearl, Navarra Blue, Dragon Orange, Glacier White, Mythos Black, and Satellite Silver. Audi exclusive colors such as Tactical Green or Java Brown are also available by request.

Interiors feature Valcona leather sport seats in Black, Rotor Gray, or Arras Red, often with diamond stitching and contrast piping. Trim materials include brushed aluminum, matte carbon, piano black, or open-pore ash wood. The S-embossed seats, flat-bottom steering wheel, and stainless steel pedals reinforce its athletic intent.

Ambient lighting, illuminated door sills, and a 12.3” Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus blend performance cues with digital refinement. Rear seat comfort is excellent for a coupe-SUV, and the cabin remains quiet even at high speed.

Wheels range from 21” to 22” forged alloys, in finishes such as titanium matte, gloss anthracite, or polished bicolor, paired with red or black brake calipers and optional carbon-ceramic brakes.

Top Expensive Options

• Bang & Olufsen Advanced 3D Sound (23 speakers): ~$5,000
• All-Wheel Steering (dynamic rear axle): ~$1,600
• Carbon Exterior Styling Package: ~$4,800
• Adaptive Cruise with Traffic Jam Assist: ~$2,000
• Head-Up Display with Navigation Overlay: ~$1,200
• Audi Phone Box + Wireless Charging: ~$600
• S Sport Package (Active Roll Stabilization + Sport Diff): ~$5,900
• Valcona Leather with Ventilation & Massage: ~$2,700
• HD Matrix LED Headlights with Laser Light: ~$2,400
• Night Vision Assist: ~$2,500

vs Competitors

The Audi SQ8 competes with the BMW X6 M50i, Mercedes-AMG GLE 580, Porsche Cayenne S Coupe, and Range Rover Sport P530. While it may not be as track-focused as the RS Q8 or Cayenne Turbo, the SQ8 offers effortless high-speed performance, a smoother ride, and more elegant styling.

Compared to the BMW X6 M50i, the SQ8 delivers quieter ride quality, a more intuitive interior layout, and Audi’s class-leading infotainment. Against the GLE 580, the SQ8 feels more cohesive and planted, with quicker steering and superior refinement.

It’s the perfect compromise between understated luxury and V8 performance, giving you 500 hp without the visual loudness or price tag of full-blown super SUVs.

Fun Fact

The original SQ8 TDI was one of the most powerful diesel SUVs in the world when launched — with 900 Nm of torque and an electric compressor (EAV) that virtually eliminated turbo lag. It was among the few vehicles to use triple-charging (twin turbo + electric) tech, making it a diesel engineering marvel.

Meanwhile, the SQ8 TFSI uses the same engine block as the RS Q8 and Lamborghini Urus — just with a gentler tune — meaning it’s one of the most powerful “non-RS” SUVs ever built, and shares its architecture with vehicles costing nearly twice as much.