The 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron Sportback electric performance SUVs have gone on sale in the United States as sportier alternatives to the regular Q8 e-tron and Q8 e-tron Sportback.
If the names are confusing, you should know that the Q8 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron are actually the facelifted versions of the 2023 Audi e-tron and e-tron S.
The 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron starts at $89,800 (excluding $1,195 destination), making it $1,600 more expensive than the 2023 Audi e-tron S. The 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron Sportback is priced at $92,600 (excluding $1,195 destination), which means it's $1,800 more expensive than the outgoing 2023 Audi e-tron S Sportback.
Like their predecessors, the 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron Sportback feature a tri-motor electric drivetrain that delivers up to 496 horsepower (370 kilowatts) and 718 pound-feet (973 Newton-meters) of torque in boost mode.
These numbers are unchanged from the previous model year and allow the SQ8 e-tron to sprint from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph.
Gallery: Audi SQ8 e-tron 2023
Besides offering increased performance thanks to the 94 more horsepower and 228 more pound-feet of torque than the 2024 Q8 e-tron, the 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron also comes with standard electric torque vectoring, which translates into improved dynamics and traction capabilities.
As with the 2024 Audi Q8 e-tron, the SQ8 offers a battery with a net capacity of 106 kilowatt-hours (114 kWh gross), which is 23-percent greater from the previous e-tron S. The larger battery, in combination with aerodynamic and efficiency updates, leads to an EPA-estimated range of 253 miles for the SQ8 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron Sportback when fitted with the standard 20-inch wheels.
That's an increase of around 20 percent compared to the 2023 Audi e-tron S models. With the optional 22-inch wheels, the EPA-estimated range drops to 218 miles, though. In addition to the increased range, the 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron models also charge faster at up to 170 kW, which reduces the 10-80 percent charging time to 31 minutes.
As expected, the Audi SQ8 e-tron models feature more standard equipment compared to their Q8 e-tron equivalents, starting with the distinctive silver rocker-panel accents and aluminum-look exterior mirror housings, matched by similar treatments on the front fascia and rear diffuser. In addition, the SQ8 e-tron EVs get flared fenders that widen the body overall by 1.5 inches (39 millimeters).
Gallery: Audi SQ8 e-tron Sportback 2023
Inside, standard features include 12-way adjustable power S-logo embossed front sport seats wrapped in Valcona leather with contrast diamond stitching, a performance themed Carbon square structure interior trim finish, and four-zone automatic climate control with a heat pump and comfort pre-conditioning.
On the tech front, the SQ8 e-tron lineup comes standard with the Audi MMI touch response operating system featuring an upper 10.1-inch and lower 8.6-inch display with haptic touch technology, Audi virtual cockpit with full HD resolution display, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system with 3D sound.
The electric SUVs also come with Plug & Charge functionality and two years of free DC fast charging on the Electrify America network.
The 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron and SQ8 e-tron Sportback will arrive in US showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Note: European-spec models shown in photos
