The Audi Q8 has been in production since 2018 and has seen five model years since then. During that time, Audi hasn’t changed much, but then again, they didn’t have to. Even today, the old Q8 is nothing short of stunning and is regarded as one of the best-looking SUVs on the market. It also helps that it’s built on the same platform as the Urus and the Cayenne, which further boosts its popularity. It shouldn’t come as a surprise then that Audi didn’t make any major fundamental design changes even after six years. Instead, the 2024 Audi SQ8 has a modernized exterior, which includes Audi’s Matrix lighting technology for the first time on a Q8, while the rest of the changes make the SQ8 look more reserved but no less attractive. The interior design hasn't changed much either, although it has some new interesting features and technologies. But before we go into more detail, check out the ones currently for sale at Exotic Car Trader if you are in the market for an SQ8.
With VW developing the MLB platform to serve all its brands, it was only natural for Audi to get a flagship SUV to compete with the BMW X6 and the Mercedes GLE. And even though Audi doesn’t have such a strong image as its two main competitors, the Q8 matched their sales thanks to good looks, amazing technologies and even better prices. Soon after, the SQ8 came out sporting the same V8 engine as the Urus and the Cayenne, which, coupled with the same platform, gave it the title of a discounted Lamborghini, and it stuck around even today. That said, unlike the Urus, the SQ8 sports a much more restrained exterior, which gives it a unique identity and helps it appeal to customers who don’t like the attention a Lamborghini entails. Overall, the Q8 was such a great success that Audi managed to sell nearly 60,000 examples in the US alone between 2018 and 2023. From its looks, the 2024 SQ8 will get no less attention than the earlier models.
The 2024 Audi SQ8 saw almost no design changes inside. That said, Audi has been on top of its game when it comes to interiors for the past decade, and the SQ8 still looks just as good inside as all its major competitors, if not better. The signature dual screens set it apart from the unimaginative trend of bolting tablets to the top of the dashboard, and that alone improves interior styling a great deal. At the same time, Audi’s digital gauge cluster is one of the best on the market, with endless configurations, each of which works perfectly. The ambient lighting is non-intrusive, while the three-spoke steering wheel and the bolstered seats with diamond stitching add to the sporty spirit. As for the update, the 2024 SQ8 gets a new adaptive cruise control with lane change assist, distance warning, junction assist and traffic light information. Even more interestingly, drivers can now download third-party apps directly into the infotainment, including Spotify and Amazon music, among others, making the SQ8 one of the first cars with that option.
The SQ8 was always an attractive-looking thing, but with the 2024 update, it became even more so. The front grille seems to be slightly smaller than before and now features a much more complex hexagonal grille with aluminum inserts. Furthermore, aluminum now extends around the entire grille and into the headlights, giving it a much more premium face. The front bumper was also redesigned and now features bigger intakes, also with aluminum bezels. The side profile remains unchanged apart from new wheel designs, while the rear gets a more aggressive diffuser and new quad exhaust. But the lights are the highlight. The 2024 SQ8 Headlights now feature dynamic projectors as standard, which can be configured through the infotainment system with four different design patterns. The tail lights get the same technology and become automatically dynamic once a vehicle approaches from behind for increased visibility and safety. That said, tail lights are only optional with the Prestige equipment package, which costs an extra $7,000.
Audi hasn’t changed the drivetrain for the 2024 Audi SQ8. That means it still sports the same twin-turbocharged V8 engine with 4 liters of displacement. The 2024 Audi SQ8 pushes out 500 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque, the same as before. Even so, that’s enough to push the SQ8 to 60 in an advertised 4.0 seconds, although independent journalists have managed consistent 3.6 second 0-60 runs, which is dangerously close to the Urus. But then again, the V8 has always been an overachiever, which is further proven by the fact that the SQ8 weighs 5,170 lbs. The only thing that isn’t that impressive about the 2024 SQ8 is the top speed, which is electronically limited to 149 mph. However, the SQ8 is still primarily a family SUV, and the performance it provides, as well as the top speed, is more than enough for most drivers. Especially when we consider that performance is almost secondary to how much more comfortable and easier it is to live with the SQ8 than its in-house competitors.
It’s only natural that a major update drives the prices up, but the 2024 SQ8 prices barely Increased at all. The entry-level Premium model starts at $97,795, which is a small $1,000 price increase. The top-of-the-line Prestige model now starts at $104,000, which, despite all the new technologies, is only $2,000 more expensive than the 2023 model. On the other hand, the update did move prices closer to those of its competitors, and the SQ8 Prestige is now more expensive than the BMW X6 M60i, although the BMW doesn’t get nearly as much standard equipment.
While most vehicles, especially modern SUVs, often look outdated just a few years into production, it didn’t take many changes for the 2024 SQ8 to keep looking fresh even after five years of production. At the same time, the prices remained almost the same while new technologies took it a step ahead of its competitors in more than one aspect. Lastly, whether you are in the market for an SQ8 or any other performance SUV, consider buying it through Exotic Car Trader. With escrow protection, delivery and first inspection, just to name a few advantages, Exotic Car Trader leaves nothing to chance. The same goes for selling a car with Exotic Car Trader; only in that case will you save even more of your time.
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