Riding high

It’s big, but not cumbersome. There’s unmistakable road presence, but not in a ‘shouty, look at me’ kind of way. It’s also very luxurious and rides like a limo, but not in the low-slung, traditional sense – oh and it’s very fast and agile should the roads be right and the mood take you.

It’s the SQ8 TFSI quattro, the ’S’ version of the brand’s combustion Q8 models, serving up state-of-the-art luxury, technology and safety systems, with even greater performance and a definite ‘sport’ feel to everything from the tangible driving dynamics to the exterior and interior styling details.

That a vehicle of this size and level of luxury appointment can hit 100km/h in just 4.1 seconds is evidence enough of its performance credentials, but its 4.0-litre turbo-charged V8 is as tractable around town as it is impressive at full noise. Mated to an eight-speed tiptronic transmission, adaptive air suspension sport and with power going down to the road surface through all four wheels, it is both fast and surefooted regardless of the conditions. 

Add to that its electromechanical progressive steering with speed-dependent power assistance as well as dynamic all-wheel steering and the not inconsiderable dimensions just seem to drop away – for the driver at least. For the other four passengers (the SQ8 is a five-seater as opposed to its sibling the SQ7 which boasts the extra two folding seats in the rear), the interior of the SQ8 is nothing short of cavernous – albeit a beautifully appointed and equipped cavern.

At a length of just over five metres (5004mm to be exact) and a fraction under two metres wide (1996mm excluding the wing mirrors), this is a large SUV which uses the sleek, minimalist interior design to further emphasise that feeling of space.

With its perforated Valcona leather leather upholstery, complete with the ’S’ logo and distinctive diamond pattern stitching, even seat in the house is a good place to be. 

Inlays in brushed aluminium are slick but subtle and after hours, the ambient lighting package with its multiple colour and brightness options allows you to tailor the interior to suit any mood.

As far as on-board tech is concerned, the SQ8 lacks for nothing, with Audi smartphone interface (wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), and of course the excellent Audi connect plus system which effectively connects the vehicle to the outside world with myriad navigation and entertainment features as well as security and assistance systems should they ever be needed. Four-zone climate control allows minute adjustments to the interior temperature while the superb Bang & Olufsen premium 3D sound system turns the sumptuous interior into a space with concert hall or recording studio acoustics at the touch of a button. For those who take their music even more seriously, even this impressive 730 watt, 17-speaker system can be further upgraded, with a 23-speaker, 1920 watt unit available as part of the Sensory package, as fitted to our press vehicle. 

From the driver’s perspective too, the interior is perfectly set up for the task of driving – although even in the worst traffic, it is never a task. From the 12.3-inch virtual cockpit display to the leather-clad multi-function wheel, the SQ8 is every inch the driver’s car, though without the cramped, cockpit interior more commonly associated with a sports car. The Audi drive select with its six driving modes allows fast tailoring of vehicle systems to suit the driving conditions, and the full array of driver assistance and safety systems quietly go about their work, piping up as required, be that the cross-traffic assist rear that warns of an unseen vehicle while you’re reversing or the Audi side assist blind spot warning. 

Adaptive drive assist, stop & go, traffic jam assist and lane assist deliver a level of autonomous driving that helps to make even the slowest, most frustrating traffic snarls bearable, while the likes of Audi pre-sense with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and pedestrian and cyclist detection systems – though happily not required on this test drive – add an invaluable level of safety to the equation should the unthinkable happen. 

On the road, the SQ8’s size imparts a definite road presence – you certainly notice when one comes up behind you on the freeway – but the coupe-like design, particularly its profile, imparts a sleeker, sporty look than most large SUVs. And in true Audi fashion, the design is subtle, not showy.

The standard 22-inch Audi Sport wheels with the distinctive red brake calipers clearly visible inside, speak to the vehicle’s performance capabilities but without screaming it from the rooftops, and even with the optional 23-inch wheels fitted to our press vehicle, the effect is considered. 

The S body styling is likewise subtle, while matrix LED headlights certainly aid to the sharp, aggressive appearance of the vehicle’s front end as well as providing exemplary light.

Indeed the overall impression of the SQ8 was one of perhaps not stealth, but certainly understated luxury. Subtle and sophisticated in every respect, the SQ8 doesn’t have to try hard to do anything well, and the numerous little touches, like the power assisted door closing were just quiet reminders of that.

Only when an empty piece of winding road opened up, or a fast overtake was required, did the SQ8 have to raise its voice and even then it was the agility of the big vehicle that impressed as much as the turn of speed.

A true limousine, crossed with a sports car in an SUV’s body. Tricky image to conjur at first, but the SQ8 brings it all together perfectly.