2022 Audi SQ8

History/Overview

The Audi SQ8 takes the brand’s flagship luxury crossover model – the Q8 – and cranks it up to 11 with more performance. The SQ8 debuted in 2020, a year after the Q8’s arrival, to finally give Audi a speedy SUV that can keep up with some of Germany’s other sporty sport utilities.

What’s New/Key Changes From Last Year

The 2022 Audi SQ8 gains a few new standard features, which we’ve detailed below.

Available Trims

Audi makes the SQ8 in a single trim level. Power is from a 4.0L turbo V8, eight-speed transmission, and AWD.

Standard Features

New this year, the SQ8 comes with a redesigned heated steering wheel with shift paddles, front and rear music interface, and a raft of driver safety assists: intersection assist, traffic sign recognition, rear side airbags, active lane departure warning, turn/emergency assist, traffic jam assist, and predictive efficiency assist.

Carried over from last year are 21-inch wheels, adaptive air suspension, power tailgate, heated/auto-dimming/power-folding side mirrors, LED matrix headlights with washers, LED taillights, panoramic sunroof, and passive keyless entry.

Inside, the SQ8 gets sport front seats with four-way lumbar, heated seats front and rear, ventilated front seats, rear-door sun shades, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, four-zone A/C, power door closers, Apple CarPlay, 10.1-inch touchscreen, head-up display, and wireless phone charging.

Safety items brought forward from 2021 are 360-degree camera views, pre sense front/rear, and blind spot monitoring.

Key Options

A massage seat package newly includes a full leather interior for 2022. A carry-over dynamic plus package adds a sport differential and active roll stabilization.

Fuel Economy

Audi’s fuel consumption estimates for the SQ8 are 16.0/11.4 L/100 km (city/highway).

Competition

While the SQ8 doesn’t quite have the guts to go up against Europe’s absolute fastest luxury SUVs, it will hold its own nicely against the BMW X5/X6 xDrive50i, Porsche Cayenne GTS, Land Rover Range Rover Sport, Jaguar F-Pace SVR, and the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53.