AN EIGHT WE RATE (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_audisq8e-tron_2023

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 78

For ultimate EV performance, it's no longer sufficient for a brand to merely give its electric vehicle a drive motor on the front axle to add to the one at the back. As Audi's two SQ8 e-tron models showed between 2023 and 2025, ideally you'd want three motors. The result is more power, more grip and better handling: it's all good. But does it create a good used buy if you're seeking a high -performance large electric SUV?

Modelsword count: 5

5dr SUV (Black Edition, Vorsprung)

Historyword count: 198

You probably won't have heard of Audi's e-tron S, a large luxury high performance version of the brand's e-tron electric model. The S version arrived in 2020 with a bit of tech the EV sector hadn't previously seen. Offered in SUV and sleeker Sportback firms, the e-tron S was the market's first EVs to use three electric drive motors, one on the front axle and two at the rear. The result, predictably, was explosive performance. Even more significantly, having two motors on the rear axle allowed Audi to further reinvent the EV version of its quattro four wheel drive system, drive at speed able to switch not only from front to rear but between each of the back wheels. So grip and traction were never in doubt. Audi reckoned this system set a fresh standard for the way a big EV could handle and they weren't wrong. But customer take-up was slow. So in 2023 the Ingolstadt brand revitalised this model and gave it a new name, the SQ8 e-tron. It was a worthy effort to try and save this design but ultimately, it didn't pay off and production ended in 2024 and the car was not replaced.

What You Getword count: 578

Two SQ8 e-tron body styles were offered, the Sportback or the standard SUV. You might not think the styling changes made here over this model's e-tron S predecessor to be that dramatic but they were enough to usefully benefit the aerodynamics, which with the SUV body style were improved from 0.28 to 0.26Cd. That had less to do with the cosmetic updates and more to do with added under-body spoilers, mounted under the MLB Evo platform to direct air away from the wheels. The smarter grille (which was illuminated on the top 'Vorsprung' version) also has electronically-controlled cooling ducts and is set within a reprofiled S-specific bumper. The LED headlamps feature intelligent Matrix functions (an orientation light for country roads and a lane light complete with a direction indicator). And feature Audi's clever 'Digital Light' system on the top 'Vorsprung'-spec variant. In profile, the SUV version has a boxier silhouette; unlike the Sportback variant, it also comes with roof rails. The tail lamps were revised over the old e-tron S, above another restyled S-specific bumper. Inside up-front, if you happen to have tried the old e-tron SUV, it seems much the same though Audi insisted at this SQ8's launch that it was different though, primarily in its eco-friendliness. Carpets (like the sound deadening material) are made from recycled fibres, the seatbelt buckles are moulded from reused automotive plastic waste and where microfibre upholstery features, it's sourced from recycled plastic bottles. All of it supporting Audi's claim at the time that this was a completely carbon neutral vehicle. Otherwise, it's as you were with the old e-tron S: this SQ8 e-tron model is set apart by Valcona leather-rimmed Super sport seats with diamond stitching and SQ8 embossing. The cabin probably won't feel as futuristic as in a rival top BMW iX or Mercedes EQE SUV from this period - or even Audi's own RS e-tron GT quattro; but then it wouldn't do because all those cars are clean-sheet designs based on bespoke EV platforms. This one is rather less EV-unique underneath, so perhaps it's not surprising that, at first glance, it feels just like any other large Audi to sit in up-front; mainly because of the familiar three-screen format, with upper and lower ones on the centre stack, respectively 10.1 and 8.6-inches in size; and Audi's usual 12.3-inch 'Virtual Cockpit' display facing you through the restyled three-spoke steering wheel. This SQ8 variant gets an extra, more focused 'e-tron Sport' layout to add to the two usual layout options - 'Classic' and 'Sport'. In the rear seat with the SUV body shape, entry's a little easier than with the Sportback version. And once inside, the SUV model gives you 14mm more headroom - which will help six-footers considerably. Out back with the SUV body style, the powered tailgate rises to reveal a decently-sized 660-litre boot - that's 45-litres bigger than the alternative Sportback body shape. There's also a useful under-floor storage area. Bright silver tie-down floor points and an impractically-covered silver boot sill also feature. Fold down the rear bench (which folds conveniently in a 40:20:40-split) and 1,637-litres of capacity is freed up. That's 70-litres more than with the SQ8 Sportback e-tron body shape. That's not quite all because as with all Q8 e-trons, you get an extra little carriage compartment at the front where the engine would normally be, though it's mostly taken up by the charging leads. You could put a laptop or a small bag there though.

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