2025 Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron Review

When we drove the Audi RS e-tron GT in 2024, we were sold on the concept of a very fast, fully electric sporty grand tourer. It was Audi’s flagship zero emission sports car. Just how much can that magic filter down to a family SUV?

The answer to that lies in the Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron, the brand’s flagship electric SUV. At $180,600 a pop before on-road costs, it’s the most expensive model in the Q8 e-tron range. It’s a high-end Audi, no doubt.

But it only takes a quick walk around the car to be impressed by it. This is a very beautiful Audi, one that is built with impeccable precision and quality. In a typically understated Audi way, the car is as classy as it is sophisticated, as sporty as it is contemporary. The Sportback design, or coupe in layman terms, is perfectly proportioned. Very rarely does this body shape work in an SUV but it definitely has in the SQ8 Sportback. The colour combo on our test vehicle is spot on, too. It’s a Daytona grey with ‘pearl effect’ matched with black accents all around. Love it.

Perhaps the only thing we feel is a little out of place are those massive 22-inch wheels. The size isn’t the problem, rather it’s the finish of it. The matte grey with silver sheen just doesn’t quite pop in a flagship like the SQ8 Sportback. A darker, glossier finish would tie everything together pretty nicely. That said, looks is always subjective.

The interior has that contemporary, driver orientated design that is now a familiar sight across the Audi line-up. As with the exterior, it’s flawlessly built with solid mounting, perfect panel alignment and minuscule gaps. The vibe is very premium, as evident by the high quality materials and trimming used throughout.

We absolutely dig the Arras red leather upholstery with grey stitching. It’s an understated red that is super classy and complements so well the rest of the black / brushed aluminium inlayed cabin. The best thing is that it’s a no cost option.

Those S-line sports front seats could do with more creative pleat design but they contour nicely to the average adult body and are very supportive. They are heated but not ventilated, which is unfortunate at this price point. Both seats have electric adjustment but memory function is only featured on the driver side.

The back seats are just as finely crafted with adequate bolstering on the outboard seats to keep passengers secured when they come along for that spirited drive. There’s a dual-zone climate control for the rear and heating is fitted to the outboard seats but again no cooling.

Rear headroom is slightly compromised for those long in the legs due to the Sportback’s sloping roof line. Leg and knee room is plenty though, with a near flat floor making it a tad more comfortable for the middle rear passenger. They just have to watch out for the centre console which is bulky and sticks out quite a bit.

Further back, the boot is flat and square. Measuring 569 litres in capacity it’s about class average. Drop the 40:20:40 split folding rear seats and the space expands to a sizeable 1637 litres. Lift the boot floor cover reveals a small storage tub that is useful for keeping the odds and bobs. If the space isn’t enough back here there’s second, smaller boot under the bonnet.

In terms of tech, there’s the excellent 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit digital instrument cluster with superb clarity and resolution. It’s highly customisable with the option of a full map view, though it can only operate the car’s built-in map and navigation, not the one from your smartphone (via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto). Hopefully the next tech update from Audi addresses this as many other luxury marques now have this feature.

In the centre of the dash nestled two touchscreens – a 10.1-inch main display for the infotainment system and below it an 8.6-inch sub display for the climate control. The former is a little small in size in today’s standard. When you have your phone mirrored the on-screen buttons are too small making them a challenge to operate on the move. That said, the built-in menu structure is straightforward and a breeze to use.

The smaller touchscreen for the climate control offers easy operation of the cabin temperature and fan speed adjustment, seat heating and various other functions thanks to large on-screen buttons. However, the display doesn’t get used often as the climate settings, when left in auto, are mostly set and forget. We feel this second display is a bit of a waste and can be combined with the main display to form one larger display.

The raised centre console offers ergonomic operation of all the driving related controls contained within it, including the drive selector which has a flat padded top surface that acts as an anchor for your arm for easier operation of the dual touchscreens.

The centre storage under the centre arm rest is small. Recessed into the centre console are further storage and two cup holders with a retractable cover. Elsewhere the glovebox isn’t very big but the door pockets are generously thick each capable of holding a standard water bottle with ease.

Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron standard equipment:

• 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit
• Head-up display
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto
• FM/ USB/ DAB+ digital radio
• Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium sound system with 16 speakers including subwoofer
• 4-zone climate control
• Seat heating for front seats and rear outboard seats
• Electric tailgate with gesture control
• Colour interior ambient lighting
• Panoramic glass sunroof with power sunshade
• Rear window shades

The SQ8 Sportback e-tron’s electrified drivetrain consists of a massive 114kWh battery pack supplying energy to three electric motors – one at the front axle and two at the rear axle effectively giving all-wheel drive. Combined, the electric motors produce 370kW of power and a colossal 973Nm of torque, the latter available from the get-go!

With such eye-watering figures it’s reasonable to expect neck-breaking acceleration but in reality the 0 to 100km/h sprint time is a less crazy 5.1 seconds (4.5s in boost mode). It’s fast but not supercar fast like what we’re seeing in many performance EVs these days.

The culprit is the weight of the thing. At 2.8 tonne, it’s one hell of a heavy beast. The upside to that heft is that it irons out most bumps and ruts on the road, giving a cushy and sublime ride that will keep you comfortable for hundreds of miles. But it can’t go very far, for that same weight that crushes road imperfections is also crushing for the driving range.

With a claimed WLTP range of 417km it’s well below segment average. In the real world you’ll be looking at around 380km per full charge. That will not come as a surprise when you see energy consumption figures in the region of 27kWh/100km.

The SQ8 Sportback e-tron manages to hide a lot of the mass in corners thanks to phenomenal grip afforded by the well calibrated Quattro all-wheel drive system and fat tyres. Feeling taut and flat around the bends, it inspires driving confidence that is further elevated through the direct and precise steering. Yet, this is no full-blown sports SUV so don’t expect it to be anywhere near as dynamic as an RS-badged Audi or a lighter and smaller crossover.

Rather, it’s a fast and capable cruiser that is refined, polished and quiet. It’s the sort of car that is best for ploughing through the daily grind or taking up to the ski resort.

In addition to standard AC charging, the SQ8 Sportback e-tron supports fast DC charging of up to 170kW which can recharge the battery from 10 to 80 percent in 31 minutes. It has charge port on either sides of the car to cater for varying charging kiosk design at public chargers, but only one port can be used at a time and only one side supports DC charging.

Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron standard safety features:

• 8 airbags
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Exit warning system
• Collision avoidance assist
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Front/rear parking sensors
• 360-degree surround view camera
• Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
• Lane keep assist

Verdict

2025 Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron Price and Specification