Audi SQ8 e-tron first drive review

A brand with a reputation for developing surprisingly rapid family cars has applied its skills to a new breed of high-performance SUV.

The Audi Q8 e-tron now has a high-performance flagship as part of an expanded model line-up that includes two different battery capacities and an entry-level variant.

The new SQ8 range-topper e-tron, with its three-motor set-up and distinctive LED strip across the grille, is priced from about $188,000 drive-away for the wagon and $195,000 for the sleeker Sportback.

Photo of the Audi SQ8 e-tron

It now has one of the largest capacity batteries fitted to any EV in Australia, at 114kWh.

However, the battery itself is no larger than the 95kWh battery now reserved for the entry-level Q8 e-tron 50, priced from about $150,000.

While it wears the same name as the Q8 powered by a conventional engine, the Q8 e-tron has a unique body that is smaller on the outside but impressively welcoming inside.

Each bodystyle provides seating for five and makes life comfy for adults in the back seat, even with the slightly lower roof line of the Sportback.

Photo of the Audi SQ8 e-tron

There’s no shortage of gear, either, including quad-zone ventilation, matrix LED lights, a panoramic sunroof and leather.

There are various options, including a $9600 pack that adds doors that suck themselves closed, dashboard leather and digital matrix LED lights that can flash up patterns on start-up and even shine arrows on the road.

As with all Q8s, there’s air suspension that beautifully cushions occupants from bumps.

Tweaks to the steering and suspension subtly sharpen responses when you aim at a corner and hulking 22-inch tyres hang on tenaciously.

Photo of the Audi SQ8 e-tron

The SQ8’s triple motor set-up also brings advantages in the bends.

The individually controlled rear motors can send different levels of drive to each side, helping to keep the car planted through corners.

By sending more power to the outer rear wheel it helps rotate the car, making it more agile than its 2.6-tonne heft would suggest.

Performance is less impressive. The 370kW/973Nm outputs sound daunting but the SUV is more brisk than ballistic.

Photo of the Audi SQ8 e-tron

It’ll zip to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds if you engage Sport mode to unlock some additional thrust.

That’s good, but there are plenty of dual-motor EVs that better those figures, Audi’s e-tron GT among them.

Our main gripe with the electrical system is some whining when coasting.

The Q8 e-tron is available with dual-motor models that put out 300kW/664Nm in the 55 and 250kW/664Nm in the cheaper 50.

The 50 will hit 100km/h in 6.0 seconds in Sport mode, making it something of a dark horse, especially as the more efficient drive system and tyres gives it a similar driving range of 411km.

Photo of the Audi SQ8 e-tron

It has a decent chunk of the luxury – head-up display, 360-degree camera, ambient lighting and leather-look trim – and plenty of the driving substance of its more expensive siblings. It also has the same dual central screens and a customisable digital driver display.

As with all Q8 e-trons the price includes fitment of a charger at home as well as six years of public charging at Chargefox sites and six years of servicing.

VERDICT

More about cruisy comfort than outright performance.

Three stars

Photo of the Audi SQ8 e-tron

Audi SQ8 e-tron

PRICE: From about $188,000 drive-away (SUV) or $195,000 drive-away (Sportback)

WARRANTY/SERVICING: Five yrs/unlimited km, included for six years.

SAFETY: Eight airbags, auto emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, rear cross-traffic alert with braking, driver monitoring, exit warning, speed-sign recognition

POWER: Triple electric motors, 370kW and 973Nm

RANGE: 417km (SUV), 430km (Sportback)

SPARE: Space-saver spare

LUGGAGE 569 litres (SUV), 528 litres (Sportback)

Originally published as Audi SQ8 e-tron first drive review