It seems odd to say this about a £100k SUV, but the Audi SQ8 is a unique creation, with a practical cabin, a well-appointed chassis, and a V8 engine that somehow manages to enhance the experience without completely dominating it. Those wanting cross-country alacrity would still be better served by one of Porsche's latest Cayennes – but there's enough about the updated SQ8 to keep it on the short list of those wanting a different badge.
Amid the relentless push towards electrification, the market for large combustion-powered SUVs is starting to weaken. But Audi still wants (or needs) to get a few more years of service out of its faster flagship SUV, the SQ8, so it's making a series of upgrades primarily to the cosmetic appearance in a bid to improve its showroom appeal.
And we're talking about mostly visual changes here; There are redesigned and slimmer headlights that provide more space for a neater front grille arrangement, plus a more aggressive front bumper. At the rear is a prominent diffuser, complemented by four working exhaust pipes (no fake tips here, thanks). There are several different wheel designs and new colors, plus some new finishes on the dash insert.
The cabin is largely untouched but still stands pretty well – with a few exceptions. Audi's haptic feedback touchscreen remains easy to use, and the steering-mounted gearshift paddles feel surprisingly cheap in a car of this status and price position.
Speaking of which, the SQ8 doesn't have an S line trim like the regular model, so there are only two versions to choose from: the SQ8 Black Edition, and £97,245, and the fully loaded SQ8 Vorsprung, which weighs £116,795. Whichever you choose, you get 23-inch alloy wheels, a B&O premium audio system, four-zone climate control, and rear-wheel steering.
Like the regular Q8, the SQ8 doesn't get any major dynamic changes. This means it retains the proven 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, in this installation tuned to produce 500bhp and 770Nm of torque. There's an eight-speed automatic gearbox and, of course, Quattro all-wheel drive. Audi claims this package can make the 2.2-ton SQ8 go from 0-100 km/h in four seconds.
The main chassis differences between the SQ8 and the regular model are a 48-volt active anti-roll bar, plus special suspension tuning and a sport differential that diverts torque between the rear wheels to aid cornering. And it's quite impressive, able to keep the car's body engaged in faster corners, and oddly enough, also providing better compliance over broken road surfaces compared to its simpler stablemate.
We think the Porsche Cayenne will ultimately feel more nimble, and no less compliant – even on the steel springs versus the SQ8's air setup – but Audi engineers have done a good job of combining poise and performance with cruising comfort.
A well-placed push of the right-hand pedal fires up the V8, and it remains the star of the car. It produces a NASCAR-style thud that's characteristically polite – enough to remind you that you've used up two more cylinders than the others, without interrupting the conversation.
When you're up and running, the V8 is barely noticeable at 70mph compared to the V6 in the Q8 TFSI and TDI – meaning that it's drowned out by a bit of wind noise from around the rearview mirrors (despite the acoustic glass) and a bit of tire screech audible from the 23-gauge monster wheels that inch. Fuel consumption is still quite respectable, of course, with a claimed figure of 22.8mpg, which will drop into the mid-teens if you turn on the taps. But then, anyone buying a £97k twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre SUV should be at least a little more motivated by celebrating what the V8 can do rather than lamenting its side effects.
Model: Audi SQ8 Black Edition
Price: £97,245
Engine: 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 petrol
Power/torque: 500bhp/770Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
0-62mph: 4.1 seconds
Top speed: 155mph
Economy: 22.8mpg
CO2 emissions: 281g/km
On sale: Now
