Used 2022 Audi SQ8 Premium Plus for sale 

"Audi's infotainment excels, its warranty doesn't." -The Car Connection

The 2022 Audi SQ8 comes in two different trim levels: the Premium Plus, and the Prestige trim. Pricing for the trims starts at $92,500 and goes up to $98,700, without the destination charge of $1,095. The base Premium Plus trim is already packed with all the convenience features that a luxury vehicle must-have, while the upper trim has some additional safety features like a driver assistance package and better headlights.

The SQ8 comes with a host of optional packages as well. The Carbon Optic package ($4,200) adds carbon-fiber exterior trim with 22-inch wheels. A Black Optic Package ($2,200) similarly add black exterior trims with 22-inch wheels. The Luxury Package ($2,900) adds black Alcantara headliner with front row massage functions and has more leather-covered surfaces. The Executive package ($3,750) adds MD matrix headlamps, ventilated front seats with 4-way power lumbar, ambient interior lighting, heated rear seats, and power sunshades.

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The 2022 Audi SQ8 Prestige trim is the one we recommend at $98,700. Both the trims offer the same engine, but the Prestige trim comes with more niceties such as a head-up display, soft-close doors, heated rear seats, and power rear sunshades. This trim also adds more useful safety features such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.

"The SQ8 provides agile handling and athletic demeanor." - Car and Driver

The 2022 Audi SQ8 comes in two different trim levels and they both are powered with the same engine: a 4.0-liter twin-turbo premium unleaded V8 gas engine which generates around 500 hp of max power and 568 lb-ft of peak torque, Audi has named it as 4.0 TFSI Quattro engine. This engine comes coupled with the 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and Audi's Quattro AWD system.

The SQ8's engine performance depends significantly on the driving mode chosen. In comfort mode, the SQ8 glides through city traffic and coasts on the highway comfortably, with precise gearshifts and linear power delivery. Push it into dynamic mode, and theSQ8 behaves as a focused track tool with sharper engine responses and quicker gear shifts. With the optional towing package for $750, the SQ8 offers a towing capacity of 7,700 lbs.

When it comes to the SQ8's handling and steering characteristics, the SQ8's well-weighted steering helps to provide agile steering inputs, and its chassis and air suspension setup together provide a well-controlled chassis with minimal body turns around corners. On the straights, the SQ8 feels confident, and that helps this luxury SUV to register a 0-60 MPH time of 4.3 seconds. The top speed is rated at 130 MPH with all-season tires, whereas summer tires help reach a speed of 155 MPH.

The Audi SQ8 and BMW X6 M50i both are the most powerful vehicles on the list. Both their engines made well over 500 hp, which helps the two register the fastest 0-60 MPH times in this segment. All four cars offer engaging driving dynamics with a composed ride quality, but comparatively, it's the X6 and the Mercedes that offer a more sporty driving experience, whereas the Porsche is more laid back. The Porsche Cayenne also registers the most top speed of 163 MPH.

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The 2022 Audi SQ8 with the twin-turbocharged V8 returns 15 MPG in average city driving, 21 MPG while gliding on highways, and 17 MPG under the combined. To back up the low fuel economy of SQ8, Audi provides a decent 22.5-gallon fuel tank capacity which offers a combined range of 382.5 miles.

The Porsche Cayenne with its slightly smaller engine and power output offers the most fuel economy at 20 MPG combined, followed by the GLE at 19 MPG combined, and the BMW X6 at 18 MPG combined. The 2022 Audi SQ8 takes the last spot. In terms of range, the Cayenne's 23.7 gallon tank offers the most range of them all at 474 miles.

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"As is typical of Audi's S models, the interior gains more standard features and fancier materials than the base vehicle." - Car and Driver

The cabin design of the Audi SQ8 is as beautiful as the exterior styling. However, being a luxury SUV, the SQ8's interior focuses more on interior comfort and premium with a slight sporty touch. As a result, the suspension setup is tuned on the softer side as standard, which helps to provide a composed and consistent ride quality over most surfaces. The SQ8's interior layout design is slightly driver-centric, and there are a lot of touch controls for most of the functions. For 2022, the all-new carbon-fiber interior trim increases the overall appeal and richness of the SQ8. Audi's use of aluminum in the instrument panel, door panels, and console inserts livens up the experience even more.

These aren’t the only things, for the convenience of the driver and passengers the cabin is fully loaded with heated and ventilated sport S seats, 8-way power-adjustable and 4-way lumbar support driver seat with memory setting, power tilt & telescopic steering wheel, and heated rear seats on the upper Prestige trim. The seating comfort on both front and rear rows is exceptional, with excellent bolstering and thigh support and one wouldn’t get tired easily even on super-long journeys. However, the thick front and rear roof pillars limit visibility and increase reliance on electrical systems while maneuvering in tight spots. 

All four vehicles can occupy at least 5 passengers as standard. While there is no interior data available on the Porsche, the car does offer spacious and comfortable seating where everything is as desired by the customer, which helps with a more personal feeling on the Cayenne. The GLE offers a more sporty interior, with AMG seats and a sport steering wheel while maintaining the luxury of the standard GLE class. In the X6, the interior is premium and spacious in the front, but tight for rear passengers with its boxy design language. In terms of cargo capacity, the X6 offers a large 45.5 cu-ft of storage, whereas the Cayenne offers a tiny 22.0 cu-ft of cargo space.

The most attention-grabbing thing inside the cabin of the 2022 Audi SQ8 is its infotainment system comes with a 10.1-inch central touchscreen display and with another 8.6-inch touch display that displays the controls of automatic climate air conditioning. With all this latest technology the cabin does look modern and futuristic but some might find this infotainment system a bit too complicated to understand and distracting while driving. Other than that, the premium quality 17-speaker Bang and Olufsen 3D audio system will play your favorite song with utmost clarity and if that’s not enough then one can surely upgrade this system with a 19-speaker unit with an inbuilt amplifier. Some highlights of the infotainment features are:

•  Heated & ventilated S sport seats
• 8-Way power, 4-way lumbar driver seat with memory setting
• 40-20-40 split-folding rear seats
• Power tilt & telescopic steering column with leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Proximity key for doors & Push-button start
• Remote keyless entry with integrated key transmitter
• Valcona leather upholstery with perforated, diamond stitching & S embossing
• 10.10inch Touchscreen with MMI navigation system
• 8.6-inch lower screen with HVAC control
• 17-Speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D premium sound system
• Wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto connectivity 
• Seek-Scan, Speed-compensated volume controls, Aux Audio input & Steering mounted audio control
• Real-time traffic display

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"The SQ8's aggressive design characteristics give it a truly intimidating appearance." Carbuzz.com

The 2022 Audi SQ8 is based on the Audi Q8, and hence shares the same dimensions and the exterior design. However, the SQ8 does get 21-inch wheels and has 11 color options. with slight changes to its exterior design. At the front, the SQ8 gets a massive octagonal 'Singleframe' grille flanked with sharp and slim LED projector headlamps and LED DRLs. The lower half also features air vents that direct air towards the engine for better cooling. The hood is slightly curved over and merges well with the windshield and the roofline. All around the SQ8, thick and large muscular lines, big 21-inch V-spoke S design alloy wheels with all-season tires, and the overall lower profile of the SUV enhance the sporty appeal of the SQ8.

At the rear, the SQ8 gets sharp LED taillights that run along the entire length of the tailgate, joined by a slim red strip. A roof spoiler, and signature Audi S-type dual stainless steel exhaust pipes with endcaps finished in chrome complete the SQ8 rugged sporty look. The SQ8 also gets Audi's signature HD Matrix-design LED headlights as optional equipment. The Carbon Optic package adds a carbon-fiber finish to some exterior elements and gets 22-inch Y-spoke wheels. Dimensionally, the SQ8 sees no changes, and weighs 5,469 lbs with a length of 196.6 inches, and has a long wheelbase of 117.9 inches. 

The Porsche Cayenne S Coupe is the lightest car here, with the least curb weight of 4,725 pounds on the list. The Audi SQ8 here weighs the highest with a curb weight of 5,469 pounds and has the longest 196.6 inches of body length. While the wheelbase of all three: the Audi SQ8, Mercedes GLE 53 Coupe, and BMW X6 M50i is almost equal to 117 inches, the Cayenne gets the tightest wheelbase of 114.0 inches which helps with better handling and maneuverability. Dimensionally, the SQ8 is more similar to the Cayenne and the X6 M50i than the GLE 53. Some highlights of the features on the exterior of Audi SQ8 have been mentioned below:

• 4-Corner auto-leveling suspension
• Dual stainless steel exhaust with chrome tailpipe finisher
• 21-inch 10-V-spoke partly polished S design alloy wheels
• All season tires
• Panoramic sunroof
• Rain detecting variable intermittent wipers with heated jets
• Metal-look power heated auto-dimming side mirrors with integrated turn indicators
• Power liftgate with rear cargo access
• Roof rack rails & Rear fog lamps
• Auto projector-beam headlights with LED DRLs
• Perimeter/Approach lights
• LED Brakelights

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The 2022 Audi SQ8 has not been safety-rated by the NHTSA or the IIHS. However, the NHTSA gave the SQ8 a 4-star rating in the rollover test. The Audi Q8, the car that the SQ8 is based on got a rating of 'Good' in most tests from the IIHS. The 2021 model also won the Top Safety Pick award from IIHS as well. The SQ8's body is made from a combination of aluminum and high-strength steel, and the car is based on the Volkswagen Group MLB Evo chassis, the same one that's used in the Lamborghini Urus. Apart from these ratings and chassis, the SQ8's safety equipment comprises an array of driver assistance features and other active and passive safety features, some of which have been listed below:

• Electronic stability control with roll stability control
• ABS with driveline traction control
• Side impact beams
• Dual-stage driver & passenger seat-mounted side airbags
• Audi Connect Care, Prime & Plus Emergency SOS system
• Audi parking system
• Blind-spot monitoring system
• An aerial view camera system
• Lane departure warning 
• Front collision mitigation
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Dual-stage driver & passenger front airbags
• Rear side-impact airbags
• Power rear child safety locks

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2022 Audi SQ8 Vs 2022 BMW X6 M50i

The 2022 BMW X6 M50i and the SQ8 focus on different parameters. The SQ8 is the performance model of the Q8, but it still emphasizes more on luxury and interior comfort whereas the X6 M50i focuses more on raw performance and more committed driving dynamics. The X6 M50i's seats are slightly firmer than the Audi's, it uses more buttons on the inside and offers a somewhat stiffer ride quality as well. The SQ8 has a richer interior, with plush seats and touch controls, and offers a soft and composed ride. As a luxury SUV, the SQ8 is the better choice.

2022 Audi SQ8 Vs 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupe and Audi SQ8 both vehicles give tough competition to one another in terms of luxury cabin layout, and both offer a feature-rich experience as well. The Mercedes GLE 53 Coupe does make less power and has slightly slower performance figures, but it offers better fuel economy and has more cargo space as well. The SQ8, however, trumps the GLE 53 with its 500 hp engine, quicker acceleration, and an overall more premium feeling on the inside that the Mercedes fails to keep up with. 

2022 Audi SQ8 Vs 2022 Porsche Cayenne S Coupe

The 2022 Porsche Cayenne S Coupe and the SQ8 share the same 4.0L engine, but the SQ8 makes more power and hence has better performance figures as well. It also comes with more standard features and safety systems, which when coupled with its plush interiors makes it a great choice in this segment. The Cayenne, however, with its expensive pricing caters to a different class of buyers with its extensive customization and a more personalized feel. It is also more agile in turns thanks to its sharper handling that elevates the overall driving experience.

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The new Audi SQ8 stays true with its luxury Q8 footings, and offers peak performance from its V8 engine without compromising on the SQ8's ride quality and interior comfort. The SQ8 does fall behind in terms of fuel economy, but that's the only major con about it. All in all, the SQ8's top performance, interior comfort, loaded tech, and suite of safety features make a stronger case for it despite its hefty price tag.

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