In this review
Costs & verdict
Everyday costs, plus how reliable and safe it is
Although the similarly fast BMW X6 M50d is priced rather lower, If you’re already considering a high-spec Audi Q8, the SQ8’s price premium actually looks fairly slim. And, although it’s then quite a leap to range-topping Vorsprung trim, you get a lot of extra kit for your money so this is still worth considering.
It brings additional high-tech features, such as four-wheel steering to improve low-speed manoeuvrability, and the active anti-roll bars we mentioned earlier. Plus, you gain a Bang & Olufsen premium stereo and safety kit such as lane-keeping assistance and a system that warns you if it senses a car approaching from either side while you’re reversing out of a garage or driveway.
Being diesel-engined, the SQ8 will also go farther on a full tank than a petrol alternative such as the Porsche Cayenne Coupé; we got close to realising its official average of 36.2mpg.
Audi only finished 20th out of 31 manufacturers in our 2019 Reliability Survey, but it was still ahead of BMW (21st), Porsche (23rd) and Mercedes (24th). Anyone also considering a Range Rover Velar, meanwhile, might want to note that Land Rover finished last.
