Used 2020 Audi SQ8 Premium Plus for sale 

Just like its more subdued sibling, Audi Q8, the SQ8 is totally packed to the brim with the segment-leading features. It’s practical, has lots of space on the inside, has a massive boot at the back and goes like hell. 

Trims	Premium plus	Prestige
MSRP	$89,000	$94,500
Features	S specific quad tailpipes	Adds/upgrades Premium Plus to Prestige
	S sporty front and rear bumpers	Heated front and rear seats
	Auto-dimming frameless rearview mirror	Electronic adjustment for steering with memory functionality
	LED HD Matrix headlights with DRLs	4-way lumbar support for driver and passenger seats
	Rain and light sensors	Black Alcantara headlining
	Tyre pressure monitoring system	Heat insulating glass in the windscreen
	Hill descent control, Hill hold assist	Adaptive windscreen wipers with integrated washers
	Predictive pedestrian protection	Soft-close for the doors
	A dual touchscreen infotainment setup	heads -up display
	MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch and Audi connect
	Audi drive select
	Power-operated tailgate
	Wireless charging

What do we recommend?

The 2020 Audi SQ8 is offered in two distinct trims with a slue of standard features on the “entry-level” model. A premium of almost $6,000 for the Prestige model doesn’t make any sense as the premium plus model comes standard with a ton of kit which makes it much more value for money proposition. Under the hood, both the models are exactly the same. That is, both the trims get the same glorious V8 engine with exhilarating performance and a smashing soundtrack and thus the Premium plus trim would be our pick of the two. 

The S badging with red accents means that this SUV means business. Turn on the ignition and the fire-breathing monster sitting behind that massive blacked-out Audi’s signature grille comes alive. It is a fairly familiar motor that is shared with other mega SUVs from the VW brand. 

It’s plenty powerful and the turbo lag is controlled to a bare minimum which makes the engine feel peppy and easy to drive in the city as well.

As expected, this motor sounds super aggressive. Even though it’s a big V8, it is a fast and free-revving engine that emits a glorious engine note .

Models	Audi SQ8	Jaguar F-Pace SVR	BMW X6 M50i	Porsche Cayenne Turbo
MSRP	$94,500	$80,600	$85,650	$126,500
Engine	4.0L twin-turbo V8	5.0L supercharged V8	4.4L Twin-turbo V8	4.0L twin-turbo V8
Transmission	8-speed Automatic	8-speed Automatic	8-speed Automatic	8-speed Automatic
Horsepower	500hp@5500	550 hp@6500rpm	523 hp @ 5,500 rpm	541 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque	568lb-ft@3000rpm	502 lb-ft @2500rpm	553 lb.-ft. @ 1,800 rpm	516 ft-lbs. @ 2000 rpm

2020 Porsche Cayenne Turbo and the 2020 Audi SQ8 are built on the MLB Evo platform and thus share the same engine and gearbox combination but with a different tune. The Turbo gets more power but comes at a premium of $32,000. The Jaguar F-Pace SVR is the most powerful brute in this comparison. The 5.0L supercharged V8 is one of the last of its era and engineers at Jaguar have dialed the lunacy up to eleven!

What’s the transmission like?

The mighty V8 under the hood is coupled with an 8-speed conventional automatic transmission sourced from none other than ZF. The unit is slick shifting and the response times are impressive. For a full-on sporty and indulging driving experience, the 2020 Audi SQ8 gets paddle shifters behind the steering wheel which lets the driver take full control of this massive beast. 

How fast is it?

The 4.0L V8 is twin-turbocharged and delivers power with a sense of urgency. Mash the throttle and this behemoth charges ahead like an unleashed hound hunting for its prey. Turbo lag is well under control and is almost nonexistent. Off the line, the acceleration is brisk and the SUV makes progress without much drama thanks to the trick Quattro AWD system. 

Model	Audi SQ8	Jaguar F-Pace SVR	BMW X6 M50i	Porsche Cayenne Turbo
0-60 MPH	4.3 sec	4.1 sec	4.1 sec	3.9 sec
Quarter Mile	N/A	12.0 sec	12.7 sec	N/A
Engine	4.0L twin-turbo V8	5.0L supercharged V8	4.4L Twin-turbo V8	4.0L twin-turbo V8
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/yr)	N/A	8.8	9.8	N/A

The Porsche Cayenne Turbo gets a trick launch control which shoots this behemoth off the line cleanly. A time of sub-four seconds to 60mph is absolutely mind-boggling and is more of supercar territory. 

What’s it like on the road?

The 2020 Audi SQ8 packs in a beefier suspension to make it more dynamically pleasing. Out on the road, the Audi SQ8 has a dual-personality. In comfort mode, the standard air suspension slackens off the ride for the utmost comfort. Stick it in some of the available sporty modes and the SQ8 immediately feels sharp and responsive and the chassis feels lively. 

For the 2020 model, the Audi SQ8 gets a 48-volt electromechanical active anti-roll bar which pushes the outside of the car in the opposite direction of the load for better cornering and to negate excessive body roll.

The 2020 Audi SQ8 gets the clever four-wheel steer option which virtually shortens the wheelbase. At slow city speeds, the rear wheels steer in the opposite direction for better maneuverability and at high speeds, the rear wheels steer in the same direction for heightened responsiveness and better high-speed handling and stability. 

What about the braking performance?

Brakes received a generous upgrade as well in order to handle all that excessive speed and power. Brakes are big and strong and give plenty of feedback and shrug speed in a jiffy. Under heavy braking, there is a limited amount of nose dive and the car maintains its composure and inspires confidence to the driver. 

Model	Audi SQ8	Jaguar F-Pace SVR	BMW X6 M50i	Porsche Cayenne Turbo
Brake front (in.)	N/A	15.5	14.4	14.2
Brake Rear (in.)	N/A	15.6	13.6	14.2
Curb Weight (lbs.)	5180	4397	5115	5056
60-0 MPH (ft.)	N/A	N/A	N/A	159

The braking performance in this segment is usually quite similar in all the cars. Be it in terms of dimensions or the way the cars slow down and the distance required for the car to slow down when the anchors are dropped. That being said, the Jaguar F-Pace SVR is the lightest of the lot, by quite a margin, and the engineers at SVO have slapped on the biggest brakes they could find. As a result, the Jaguar felt agile and composed under heavy braking. 

The new Audi SQ8 would not be the choice of transportation for Greta Thunberg, that’s for sure. The SQ8 is powered by a mighty V8 and thus fuel economy is not its strongest suit. To counter this issue, Audi engineers have been clever and packed the SQ8 with some state of the art features like cylinder deactivation and a 48-volt mild-hybrid setup which assists in coasting and also brings the start-stop system into the equation to eke miles out every last bit of the fuel. 

Model	Audi SQ8	Jaguar F-Pace SVR	BMW X6 M50i	Porsche Cayenne Turbo
MPG (city)	N/A	16	16	15
MPG (highway)	N/A	21	22	19
MPG (combined)	N/A	18	18	17
Fuel tank capacity (gallons)	18.69	21.7	21.9	23.7
Range (city/highway) (miles)	N/A	347/455	358/482	356/450

Unfortunately, the official fuel economy ratings are not revealed yet and we were unable to put it through our own testing. Going by the fuel economy figures of its competitor with a similar engine and weight, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, we can get an idea as to how efficient the 2020 Audi SQ8 would be out in the real world. 

On the inside, it’s the usual Audi affair. As this is a sporty model, the interiors carry an all-black theme. The S model gets the sporty seats covered in high-quality Nappa leather. 

The dashboard design is a huge departure from previous Audi cars. The dash is dominated by two huge touch screens and they are tilted towards the driver. Carbon fiber inlays can be specced but the Audi SQ8 comes with highly reflective gloss black panels which do look smashing as long as they are clean and well dusted. Audi should give a butler as an optional package as well. 

Model	Audi SQ8	Jaguar F-Pace SVR	BMW X6 M50i	Porsche Cayenne Turbo
Passenger Capacity	5	5	5	5
Front row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in.)	38.2/59.5/41.7	37.8/57.7/40.3	39.3/60.5/40.3	39.6/58.9/N/A
Second row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in.)	38.1/58.5/40.2	37.5/55.8/37.2	37.9/57.9/35.6	N/A

As the Audi SQ8 is primarily based on the Audi Q7, the interior space is not an issue whatsoever. There is plenty of room at the back and the seats are super comfy and get the same quilted leather treatment. Tick the right boxes at the dealer and you can opt for the entertainment package which includes two HD screens at the back to keep the young folks happy. 

How good is the infotainment system?

2020 Audi SQ8 gets new and latest Audi’s MMI system which makes way for dual touchscreens. Each and every function in the SUV is controlled through these touch screens. The displays are crisp and the infotainment system is fluid and intuitive unlike the one found on the Jaguars. 

For better usability, the touchscreens give haptic feedback to the user in order to make it easy to operate the screens on the move. That ticking sound, by the way, is very satisfying. What’s not so satisfying is the aftermath of all this ticking. The screens are highly susceptible to fingerprints, which is not the most pleasant sight. 

For the driver though, there is a separate 12.3-inch digital display which Audi likes to call it as the Virtual cockpit. It works beautifully, has nice graphics, it’s not laggy and might just be one of the best, if not the best digital driver’s display. The infotainment system comes with Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity as standard. 

What features to expect on the inside?

2020 Audi SQ8 is a top of the line offering from the German manufacturer and that means that this sporty and ultra-luxurious SUV comes with all the bells and whistles packed in. Some of the most noticeable features are:

• Three-spoke multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles
• Power tilt and telescopic adjustable steering column with memory 
• Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash Natural Wood inlays
• Auto-dimming interior rearview mirror with digital compass
• Panoramic sunroof with power sunshade 
• Ambient LED interior lighting package
• Sliding, split-folding 40/20/40 rear seatbacks with adjustable recline 
• Four-zone automatic climate control
• 18- way power, heated and ventilated individual contour comfort front seats including power lumber, adjustment seat memory, and massage functions
• 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system.
• Heated rear seats

How much cargo can the Audi SQ8 carry?

The Audi Q7 genes are reflected behind the second row as well. The 2020 Audi SQ8 has a sporty appeal to it and thus has a sloping roofline to mimic a coupe design but all packaged efficiently in the form of an SUV. The roofline and the whole rear design hampers the cargo space just a tad bit when compared straight-up with the Audi Q7. 

Model	Audi SQ8	Jaguar F-Pace SVR	BMW X6 M50i	Porsche Cayenne Turbo
Cargo Volume with rear seats up (ft.3)	28.6	33.5	27.6	26.3

The 2020 Audi SQ8 is packing more cargo space than its closest rival, which is the 2020 Porsche Cayenne Turbo. Both the SUVs are based on the same platform but the Audi is a tad bit longer which translates to a bigger boot at the back as well. That being said, the 2020 Jaguar F-Pace SVR sweeps the floor with its competitors in terms of the available cargo space. 

The Coupe and super sporty SUVs are all the rave currently in the automobile market. Audi design language has always been evolutionary but the Audi SQ8 stands out from its stable. With the underpinnings of the conservative and ultra-practical Audi Q7, the SQ8 brings a fresh and sporty design and feel to the table. 

Over the base Q8, the SQ8 gets a sporty body kit. Bigger and functional air dams in the front for better engine cooling. Compared to the regular Q8, the SQ8 gets a blacked-out grille. The blacked-out grille coupled with black paint job looks super stealthy. 

The side profile is where things get interesting. Unlike the Audi Q7, the roofline slopes down to give the SUV a sort of a coupe-like look to it. It’s subtle and lends the SUV a superb stance. Under hard acceleration, the SUV squats and it looks uber cool. The Audi SQ8 rides on massive 21-inch wheels which can be upgraded to 22s for that much more presence. 

Model	Audi SQ8	Jaguar F-Pace SVR	BMW X6 M50i	Porsche Cayenne Turbo
Curb Weight (lbs.)	5180	4395	5115	5056
Length (in.)	196.3	186.5	194.5	194
Width (in.)	78.5	81.5	78.9	78.1
Height (in.)	67.1	65.7	66.8	65.9
Ground Clearance (in.)	8.7	8.4	8.5	7.4
Wheelbase (in.)	117.9	113.1	117.1	114
Track Width (in.) F/R	66.1/66.4	64.6/65.1	64.7/67.2	66.2/65.9

The 2020 Audi SQ8 can be regarded as one of the best looking SUVs out there. The looks are not in your face, unlike its Italian cousin, the Lamborghini Urus and it is not intending to be an outright jacked coupe like the BMW X6. 

What are the most eye-catching exterior features?

Being the flagship of brand Audi, the SQ8 comes with a lot of embellishments on the outside. Some of the most notable features include

• Singleframe grille with the body-colored mask
• HD Matrix-design LED headlights with animation
• LED taillights with animation
• Power adjustable, power-folding, heated exterior side mirrors with memory
• Aluminum-optic trim around exterior side windows
• Rear privacy glass
• Power tailgate with a roof spoiler
• Headlight washers
• Power soft-closing doors 

The 2020 Audi SQ8 has not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or the IIHS. Just to get a reference, the regular Audi Q8 performed exceptionally well in the crash tests and the Audi SQ8 is expected to pass the crash tests with flying colors. In the form of a safety net, the SUV gets a host of driver’s assist features such as adaptive cruise control, auto emergency brakes, etc. 

Some of the notable safety features include:

• Advanced Airbag Protection System with 6 airbags
• Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) in rear seats
• Power central locking system with safety unlock feature if airbags deploy
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Offroad mode, secondary collision brake assist and traction control (ASR)
• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD) and brake assist
• Electromechanical parking brake
• Rearview camera
• Tire-pressure monitoring system
• Parking system plus (front and rear acoustic sensors)
• Anti-theft alarm system with immobilizer and motion sensor

Audi SQ8 vs Jaguar F-Pace SVR

 The Jaguar F-Pace SVR is an absolute brute of an SUV. It’s pretty inside and out. It boasts of modern interiors with quality materials and scores high on practicality with the biggest boot of the lot. The heart of this beast is what makes things interesting. The 5.0L supercharged V8 engine is one of the last few of its breed and it deserves all the love and attention. For that very reason, the Jaguar F-Pace SVR wins over the hearts of enthusiasts. And at the end of the day, it’s a Jaaaaaaaaag!

Audi SQ8, on the other hand, feels more modern and a better-baked product out of the two. It drives better, has more kit and the infotainment system is much more easy to use. It’s a heart vs brain decision with these two.

Audi SQ8 v BMW X6 M50i

2020 BMW X6 M50i has been controversial since it was launched back in 2009. It broke the covers with its unconventional looks and kick-started an all-new segment. It promises to combine practicality with BMW driving dynamics and a ton of attitude. On the inside, it’s just like any other premium BMW, filled up to the brim with the creature comforts and well-built premium interiors. 

Although looks are totally subjective, the Audi Q8 has a clear advantage. The design is much more familiar somehow and people can connect to it whereas the BMW looks bulbous and quirky to the general crowd out there. 

Audi SQ8 vs Porsche Cayenne Coupe Turbo

Porsche has a history of rolling out the best driving cars of the segment and the Porsche Cayenne is no different. The Cayenne is the OG of super SUVs and since its inception, it has been a top dog. Hands down one of the sportiest driving SUVs in the segment and the 2020 model doesn’t disappoint one bit. Both the Audi SQ8 and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo are based on the MLB Evo chassis and are powered by the same engine but the one in the Porshe makes slightly more power. They both are closely matched but somehow the Porsche feels that much more sporty than the Audi SQ8. 

The 2020 Audi SQ8 is an all-round package. If you are in the market for a fast and practical car, the one best suited for the school runs and those occasional recreational weekend drives, then the 2020 Audi SQ8 is for you. It’s got a powerful engine under the hood powering all of the four wheels which makes the performance all the more usable. It’s best suited for someone who loves to cover miles in the lap of luxury and those occasional enthusiastic drives on the weekend. It is easy to live with, can be used for everyday shopping errands and feels at home out on a racetrack or a curvy canyon road. This is the all-new 2020 Audi SQ8.