Something that sets the Audi Q8 apart from its natural rivals is that it feels like its own vehicle.

Consider that the BMW X6 is essentially an X5 with a sloping roofline, while the Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe and Porsche Cayenne Coupe models follow a similar formula as derivatives of existing products.

By contrast, the Q8 was designed from the ground up to be a sporty SUV, and it does that particularly well in most respects.

However, after spending a week in both the latest Q8 TDI and SQ8, it’s fair to say both excel more as grand tourers than sport cars on stilts.

And that’s not a bad thing.

The Audi Q8 range was face-lifted in late 2024, with the revised models featuring a new octagonal grille with vertical inlays, prominent new side air intakes and HD Matrix LED headlights, among other upgrades and new colours and trim options.

The Q8 is priced competitively against its rivals, with the Q8 45 TDI coming in at N$1.96 million and going up against the BMW X6 xDrive30d M Sport, priced at N$1.94 million.

The significantly more powerful Mercedes-Benz GLE 450d Coupe AMG Line is a big stretch up at N$2.4 million.

The Audi SQ8 kicks off at N$2.64 milion and, with eight cylinders and 373kW, it has a growling advantage over the 320kW Mercedes-AMG GLE53 Coupe, which costs N$2.58 million, according to Duoporta.

However, the 390kW BMW X6 M60i asks some difficult questions at N$2.29 million, while the slightly less powerful (349kW) Porsche Cayenne S Coupe also presents itself as an alternative at N$2.56 million.

What are they like to drive?

The Q8 45 TDI, in our view, is a vehicle that punches well above its weight.

The 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel powertrain boasts a brawny soundtrack almost uncharacteristic of a compression ignition engine and its effortless performance feels stronger than the 183kW output suggests.

The big secret here is its low-down torque, with 600Nm produced between 2 900 and 4 500rpm, allowing for brisk overtaking manoeuvres.

On the road it is quiet and deceptively fast, and you can easily find yourself in trouble if you’re not keeping a close eye on that speedometer.

The ride is a little firm at times on those standard 22-inch wheels, but certainly not to the point of discomfort, thanks in part to the adaptive air suspension.

Road holding is as agile as you could expect given its considerable size.

You can take all that and amplify it for the Audi SQ8. Its 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 engine provides almost scintillating performance and, with 0-100km/h coming up in a claimed 4.1 seconds, you might question why the brawnier RS Q8 is necessary at all.

You can feel the extra work that has gone into the suspension, with the sport differential even capable of apportioning torque between the rear wheels for outstanding grip at the limit.

And there’s an electro-mechanical roll stabilisation system that cleverly splits the stabiliser into two halves to minimise body roll.

As a result, this vehicle is more agile than it has any business being, but I’d stop short of calling it engaging or point-and-shoot exciting.

This big daddy of an SUV is still more of a sporty open-road cruiser than an actual sports car on stilts. Which, once again, is certainly not a bad thing.

What are they like inside?

Here’s where the Q8 and SQ8 shine even further, with world-class finishes and rock-solid build quality – this is ‘peak Audi’ at its finest.

From an ergonomic perspective, we certainly appreciate that the climate control system has its own screen positioned below the main infotainment system, although, given how low down it is, it does arguably take your eyes a bit too far from the road.

Given the vehicle’s age, it perhaps falls a little short of being cutting edge, but it works well in our book and the cabin is fairly practical too, with ample rear legroom and a vast, albeit slightly shallow, boot.

VERDICT

The Audi Q8 may not be the sharpest driver’s SUV in its class, but it more than makes up for that with exceptional refinement, effortless performance and one of the finest cabins in the segment.

The 45 TDI is arguably the sweet spot of the range, while the SQ8 adds a welcome dose of V8 theatre without sacrificing the Q8’s grand touring character.

But it stops short of being hardcore; for that you’ll have to stretch your way to the brutal RS Q8.

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