2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron review: Australian first drive

As night follows day, so too does the letter ‘S’ follow the launch of just about every Audi model. And that’s no different with the German brand’s large electric SUV, the Q8 e-tron, which as of last week welcomed the performance-focused SQ8 e-tron to the range.

It’s not an entirely new model, however, the SQ8 e-tron fundamentally a midlife update of the e-tron S that first launched in Australia in 2020.

Having an S badge on an Audi, any Audi, has always meant something a bit special is about to happen. And that philosophy applies to this new world of Audi’s electric vehicles, and if anything, even more so.

Without the constraints of the mechanical moving parts that make up a petrol or diesel engine, electric power has unlocked performance parameters previously unthinkable in traditional combustion cars.

Audi knows this, which is why it’s now happy to bestow its haloed ‘S’ badge on the latest addition to its electric SUV range, the 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron.

Like the Q8 e-tron range, the SQ8 e-tron adopts Audi’s new naming conventions for electric SUVs. Overseas markets already have the Q4 e-tron and the Q6 e-tron, both of which are winging their way to Australia soon.

To bring the original e-tron S into line with the broader range, and to allow buyers to easily distinguish its place in the line-up, the SQ8 e-tron now adopts the brand’s new SUV nomenclature.

So can Audi’s newest addition to the ‘S’ family excite in the same way a traditional car or SUV with a powerful and purposeful combustion engine can?

There are two SQ8 models in Audi’s freshly minted line-up of large electric SUVs. The performance duo sit atop the four-strong Q8 e-tron range, which also includes the entry-level Q8 50 e-tron ($140,600) and the mid-spec Q8 Sportback 55 e-tron ($166,600).

At the top, a pair of new-for-2024 performance-focused SQ8 e-trons, the $173,600 wagon and the $180,600 Sportback. All prices are before on-road costs and options.

But more than just the addition of a new badge, the 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron range has undergone a series of styling and technical changes designed to improve the breed.

Upgrades to the battery pack and electric systems have resulted in an even more performance-focused SUV, according to Audi. While some design tweaks keep the brand’s largest electric SUV not only looking fresh, but have also contributed to a lower drag coefficient, and thus improved driving range.

Up front, a new single-frame grille is emblazoned with Audi’s new two-dimensional four-ring emblem, highlighted by an exclusive-to-the SQ8 range single-frame lightbar that runs the width of the grille. It’s luminous decoration, but we have to admit it looks pretty cool.

Re-profiled air intakes housed in the front bumper and new wheel spoilers located under the SQ8’s body help to improve airflow around the wheels, contributing to the SQ8’s drag coefficient of 0.30 for the wagon and 0.27 for the sleeker Sportback model.

The big changes, though, are under the skin, the SQ8 e-tron now fitted with a much larger 114kWh battery pack (106kW useable), a significant bump over the pre-facelifted e-tron S’s 86kWh array.

The new, bigger battery is claimed to offer 417km of range in regular SUV trim, while the swoopier Sportback claims a range of 430km. While that’s an improvement over the older model (374km and 379km respectively), the new SQ8’s range isn’t exactly segment-leading.

Powering the SQ8 duo are three electric motors – one at the front axle and one at each of the rear wheels – combining for a middling 370kW and a slightly bonkers 973Nm. Audi says the SQ8 pair can complete the dash from 0–100km/h in 5.1 seconds in regular driving, or 4.5 seconds in boost mode.

Standard equipment is generous, with a slew of SQ8-specific goodies.

Highlights include 22-inch alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights, adaptive air suspension, Valcona leather seat upholstery, power-adjustable front sports seats with seat heating and ‘S’ logo embossing, four-zone climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Audi Virtual Cockpit digital driver's display, a head-up display, powered rear tailgate, keyless entry and start, aluminium roof rails, and a comprehensive suite of Audi’s advanced driver assist systems (ADAS).

Inside, the new SQ8 e-tron speaks to a premium plushness with a clear sporting aesthetic. Audi’s interiors have always impressed, with their understated elegance and design without compromising on ergonomics. And that remains the case with this performance-focused SQ8 e-tron.

The Valcona leather sports seats, resplendent with their contrasting diamond-patterned stitching, look a million bucks and provide good support in all the right places.

There’s a crispness to the way everything in the SQ8’s cabin looks and feels, a clinical execution of build quality and finish. From the swathes of leather, whether on the seats, dashtop or steering wheel, to the tactile switchgear, the SQ8 looks and feels like a proper premium car.

It’s not as showy or flashy as some of its rivals, and to my mind at least, that’s no bad thing. You might disagree of course, preferring flash and bling over understated and functional luxury. Horses for courses, as they say.

The SQ8 e-tron is a big SUV, and that’s keenly felt in the second row where passenger comfort is excellent, with enough space in all key areas – toe, knee, leg and head – for adult occupants. There’s no pronounced transmission tunnel either, meaning the middle-seat passenger’s foot space isn’t compromised.

However, the Sportback variant with its sloping roof line does lose a little in terms of head room, although it remains entirely comfortable, even for those over 182cm tall.

Boot space in the wagon comes in at 569 litres, expanding to 1637L with the second row stowed away. That’s down slightly on the pre-update e-tron S, but trumps both of its main rivals the BMW iX (500L) and the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV (520L).

As you’d expect, the Sportback variant’s cargo capacity is slightly reduced, stopping the tape at 528L and 1567L.

Like the rest of the Q8 e-tron line-up, the SQ8 comes with a collapsible, space-saver spare wheel and not the more commonly found inflation kit.

The SQ8 e-tron’s infotainment comes courtesy of a 10.1-inch touchscreen running Audi’s MMI Navigation Plus software. It plays host to inbuilt satellite navigation, digital radio, and a range of Audi connected services including live traffic and weather updates, remote locking and unlocking, remote climate control and charging.

Wireless (and wired) Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard, as is wireless smartphone charging and a 10-speaker sound system with subwoofer.

Connecting to Apple CarPlay wirelessly proved faultless and we experienced no drop-outs over our short time with the SQ8 e-tron.

We’re also fans of Audi’s MMI operating system, which is one of the slickest and most intuitive set-ups on the market today. Like the rest of the brand’s ethos, Audi’s infotainment set-up doesn’t seek to impress with flashy graphics and a bewildering array of menus and sub-menus. Instead, there’s a simplicity to the system’s structure that is easy to navigate and satisfying to use, enhanced by haptic feedback at each touch of the screen.

A smaller 8.6-inch touchscreen lives under the main infotainment hub, and is primarily the home of the SQ8 e-tron’s climate controls as well as a series of shortcut options that can be configured to taste.

Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital driver's display remains as easy to configure and use as it always has. Whether showing full-screen navigation on its 12.3-inch display or the wealth of available driving data, Audi's Virtual Cockpit continues to set the standard for digital instrumentation and driving data. It remains a beacon of light in a world of digital integration that can sometimes be a bit bewildering.

The SQ8 e-tron wears a five-star ANCAP safety rating carried over from the original e-tron range. That five-star score was based on 2019 testing, meaning under ANCAP’s current protocols it’s set to expire in 2025.

For now, though, the SQ8 e-tron is rated at 91 per cent for adult occupant protection and 88 per cent for child occupants. Vulnerable road user protection (pedestrians and cyclists) is rated at 71 per cent, while its safety assist systems were awarded a score of 78 per cent.

The entire SQ8 e-tron range benefits from Audi’s full suite of active safety technologies and advanced driver assist systems (ADAS).

Standard features include autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection (at speeds between 5km/h and 85km/h) as well as vehicle detection (up to 250km/h). Additionally, junction assist will intervene if it detects oncoming vehicles and apply the brakes at speeds up to 10km/h.

There’s also adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function and traffic jam assist, active lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, exit warning that detects cyclists and cars when opening doors, and a 360-degree camera.

There’s also a driver attention monitor, although missing in action is speed sign recognition, which to my mind is no great loss as this technology continues to be both error-prone and intrusive in just about every car we’ve driven with the feature.

The airbag count runs to front airbags, outboard side airbags for front and rear rows, and full-length curtain airbags. The SQ8 e-tron is not fitted with a centre airbag between front seat occupants or front knee airbags.

Our short time with the SQ8 e-tron highlighted that its safety systems are well calibrated, with none of the overly zealous interventions that some brands' technologies throw our way.

Taking some of the pain out of ownership costs, Audi offers the SQ8 e-tron with a swag of ongoing goodies, including six years of complimentary servicing along with six years of roadside assistance, as well as six years of free public charging through the Chargefox network.

The entire Q8 e-tron range, including the SQ8 e-tron, is covered by Audi’s standard five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, while the battery enjoys longer coverage – 160,000km or eight years.

While SQ8 e-tron variants are too new to market to obtain a specific insurance estimate, we ran the numbers on a slightly older 2023 e-tron S wagon and received a quote of $3298 per annum based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.

For context, I also received quotes for the SQ8 e-tron’s main rivals, the BMW iX xDrive 50 Sport ($4038) and Mercedes-Benz EQE53 AMG ($4493).

The SQ8 e-tron’s 114kWh battery is claimed to deliver a range of 417km (wagon) or 430km (Sportback), both based on WLTP testing protocols.

While that represents an improvement on the older e-tron S model (374km wagon and 379km in the Sportback), it still falls well short of its main rivals.

The BMW iX xDrive 50 delivers, according to its maker, 620km from its 112kWh battery, while the Mercedes-Benz EQE53 AMG’s much smaller 90.5kWh battery is good for 484km. But it should be noted, both claims are based on the less stringent NEDC testing regime.

Audi claims the SQ8 e-tron wagon will consume 28.8kWh per 100 kilometres, while the Sportback offers marginally better consumption at 28kWh/100km.

We actually bettered both claims, returning an indicated 26.9kW/100km in the Sportback and 27.4kWh/100km in the SQ8 e-tron wagon.   

There are several levels of energy regeneration available, from weak through mild and stronger, accessed via the paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel, but there is no single-pedal driving mode.

The SQ8 e-tron’s three electric motors – one at the front axle and one for each of the rear wheels – combine for a total of 370kW and 973Nm.

Those numbers are good for, according to Audi, a 0–100km/h sprint time of 5.1 seconds, or 4.5 seconds in boost mode – certainly not the quickest performance-focussed electric SUV going around.

Its true shining light is in how it builds that acceleration. Yes, you get that now-familiar kick in the guts feel when you mash the throttle to the floor, but it’s not as ludicrous as that experienced in some electric vehicles.

Instead, acceleration, while undoubtedly fast, is much more measured, and dare we say it, more akin to a regular-albeit-fast, petrol SUV. This is no bad thing, the SQ8 e-tron feeling much more relaxed and easygoing with its performance.

That’s only enhanced by Audi’s excellent adaptive air suspension, which is as good as any we’ve experienced. In Comfort mode, the SQ8 e-tron wafts over scrappy road surfaces with commendable ease, isolating occupants from all but the nastiest of nasty road surfaces.

Our launch drive, encompassing plenty of rural back roads with their crumbling edges, little potholes and general undulations, offered little resistance to the SQ8 e-tron’s ride comfort. Sound isolation is top-notch too, with little in the way of road noise permeating the cabin, adding to the serene vibe.

Things firm up in Dynamic mode, bringing a harder edge and more feedback while keeping the big SUV nicely planted through corners. Yes, the SQ8 e-tron displays a decent level of agility through corners, and it mostly does a good job of hiding its 2650kg (unladen) weight. But ask a little too much of it on entry, and that weight will do what mass does and begin to push the big SUV a little wide.

Don’t overcook it, however, and you’ll be rewarded with a surprisingly sharp experience, the rear wheels benefitting from individual electric motors that apportion torque as needed. The result is sharper turn-in than one might expect from an electric SUV as hefty and big as this one.

The steering has benefited from some recalibration too, the SQ8’s steering ratio down from 15.8 to 14.6 resulting in a more precise and quicker response at the wheel. It encourages eager driving.

The brakes are excellent, blending the segue from regeneration to traditional friction brakes seamlessly, which is not always the case in electric vehicles.

It’s hard not to be taken by the SQ8 e-tron, its measured yet still quick performance enough for most adventurous situations. It also offers one of the most relaxed driving experiences we’ve yet encountered in an EV – and that’s down, partially at least, to Audi eschewing imbuing the SQ8 e-tron with any kind of electronic whine as speeds increase – thanks to that brilliant air suspension.

But, equally as eager to hustle when called upon, Audi’s flagship electric SUV provides a near-perfect blend of comfort and performance.

This new Audi SQ8 e-tron is an improvement in every way on the outgoing model. And while it might lack the aggressive and razor-sharp performance of some of its rivals in this rarefied-air segment, we’d argue it’s a better electric car for it.

Our pick of the range is the regular wagon SUV. It’s more affordable than the Sportback, with more practicality and with the same dynamic ability as its sleeker sibling.

Yes, the wagon does offer slightly less driving range, but the difference between the pair is negligible.

The SQ8 e-tron, in either form, simply presents as a more mature offering in a world where straight-line speed is the headline act and interior treatments are designed to wow and impress on showroom floors.

Instead, the SQ8 e-tron does what Audis have generally always done, and that’s to be just a little bit more restrained. It straddles the divide between out-and-out comfort and exciting performance with aplomb, and with a dynamic ability that remains true to Audi’s ‘S’ philosophy.

The next step on the purchase journey is for you to check the Audi Australia website for stock of your preferred SQ8 e-tron variant. You can also find Audis for sale at Drive.com.au/cars-for-sale.

We strongly recommend taking a test drive at a dealership before committing because personal needs and tastes can differ. Find your nearest Audi dealer via this link. We’d also recommend test-driving the BMW iX and Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV for a comparative taste and to see what is available from the other members of the German Big Three.

If you want to stay updated with everything that's happened to this car since our review, you'll find all the latest news here.