The Audi Q8 is the latest addition to the Audi SUV family and is likely the best Audi SUV money can buy. The Q8 looks amazing inside and out and it commands a road presence the Q7 simply can’t touch. However, if style is nothing to you without substance, you should focus your attention on either the Audi SQ8 or the Audi RSQ8.
These two are the most capable Audi Q8 variants which also makes them flagship Audi SUVs at the moment. The RSQ8 is a monster that shares most of its underpinnings with the Lamborghini Urus while the SQ8 is not subdued by any means, but is more comfortable and more tailored towards daily driving and cruising.
When it comes to reliability, the SQ8 is decent, but it could be better since it costs a lot of money to both buy and run. The most common Audi SQ8 issues are associated with the car’s unwillingness to start, slow accelerations, rear axle misalignment, front suspension bushings issues, and issues with the car going through tire sets like crazy.
Most of these issues can be solved proactively through preventive maintenance while some are a common occurrence on SQ8 models no matter the mileage. Either way, if you are after a used SQ8, be sure to find one that has been kept in great condition since it left the factory.
Audi SQ8 issues starting up
Many owners complain about the SQ8 not being willing to startup and that there are quite a few possible causes why that is the case. A few owners have reported that the key fob is known to lose power early on which disables the car’s keyless go function. Other issues that prevent you from starting the car up as blown fuses, issues with the starter motor, issues with the alternator, or issues with the battery.
These cars are complex and they come with loads of functions on them and many of those are running even when the car is turned off. This means that the battery in the SQ8 has to power a bunch of systems all the time which can hurt the battery over time.
Audi SQ8 slow acceleration issues
Issues such as poor acceleration are not only stressful and annoying but can also be dangerous if they occur at busy intersections or during overtaking. Sadly, the SQ8 seems to be one of those cars that experiences either a sudden loss of power or a sluggish acceleration without an apparent cause which means that it can happen out of nowhere.
The reasons why this happens are a clogged air filter, a faulty/dirty mass airflow sensor, a clogged fuel filter, issues with the cats, or faulty O2 sensors. All in all, be sure to inspect the car throughout to see if there are any indications that the car might suffer from these in the near future.
Audi SQ8 rear axle misalignment
The Audi SQ8 and many other Audi performance and non-performance models were part of a recall a few months ago due to issues related to a faulty aligned rear axle. This misalignment can cause the axle to put pressure on many other systems and the tires as well which can cause all sorts of issues and even increase the chances of having an accident.
If you are after a used SQ8, pay close attention to the car’s alignment as this can cause your tires to wear out prematurely as well. Many complications can arise from bad axle alignment and many of those can affect the car’s repairability down the line which is not something you want from a car that costs as much as the SQ8 does.
Audi SQ8 front suspension bushings issues
Both the Audi SQ7 and the Audi SQ8 suffer from being really heavy which can cause premature bushing deterioration which inevitably leads to those needing to be replaced early on in the car’s lifespan. These are even more common on cars that have been driven in a more aggressive manner because the bushings are the ones that withstand the most stress during weight transfer.
All in all, be sure to inspect these whenever you go to replace your tires or even sooner if you are someone who prefers to drive aggressively.
Audi SQ8 premature tire wear issues
The Audi SQ8 is a performance SUV which means that it gets 22-inch wheels straight from the factory. Even though these look amazing, they are notoriously expensive which means that the tires that are mounted on these wheels are also really expensive. We have already mentioned that the SQ8 was recalled for potential rear axle misalignment which kills tires prematurely.
All of this leads to a conclusion that the SQ8 can eat through tires like it’s nobody’s business. These tires cost a small fortune and they can also increase the chances of having a crash if your tires aren’t always as good as they should be.
FAQ Section
Is the Audi SQ8 better than the Audi SQ7?
It depends on what you want from a car. If you prefer space, practicality, and being under the radar, the SQ7 is the better choice. Also, if you prefer a classic boxy SUV shape, the SQ7 is a clear choice here. On the other hand, the SQ8 is the one to get if you want the more stylish and the more desirable SUV even though it is not as practical.
It’s worth mentioning that these two are almost identical on the inside, except for the rear seat space which is a lot worse than the SQ8.
Is the Audi RSQ8 better than the Audi SQ8?
The Audi RSQ8 is the craziest and most expensive Audi SUV money can buy and is a lot more aggressive and performance-oriented than the SQ8. In my opinion, the SQ8 looks better because the RSQ8 is a bit too low down to the ground and it somehow does not work as well as the regular SQ8 does.
The RSQ8 is indeed better than the SQ8 and that is obvious, but it is not the car I would go for.
Is Lamborghini Urus based on Audi Q8?
Yes, the Lamborghini Urus and the Audi Q8 share a bunch of parts with each other while the Audi RSQ8 even shares the engine and gearbox with the Lamborghini Urus. This means that the Urus and the RSQ8 are similar, but the Urus is the more aggressive version with more grunt, style, and is a lot more expensive.
