2024 Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron Review

As the luxury pure electric SUV market in Malaysia gradually heats up, models in the E-Segment must not only meet consumers' expectations for range and performance but also reflect the quality of luxury brands in terms of configuration and design. Positioned as the flagship sporty coupe SUV in the brand's electrified lineup, the 2024 Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron targets users seeking high performance and luxury. With a combined 503PS of horsepower and 973 N·m of torque, along with an official range of 471km, this vehicle aims to deliver on both performance and practicality. This time, we got our hands on the actual car, and the main objective is to test its real-world performance in daily commuting, highway cruising, and multi-terrain driving to see if this electric sporty coupe SUV can truly balance performance and practicality.

From a distance, the coupe design of the SQ8 Sportback e-tron is highly recognizable. The sloping roofline gently descends from the B-pillar, giving the 4915mm long and 1976mm wide body an elegant and imposing appearance. The front fascia features Audi's signature closed grille surrounded by chrome accents, with air intakes on both sides below enhancing its sporty vibe. On the sides, a waistline stretches from the front fender to the taillights and pairs well with the 22-inch large wheels (285/35 R22 tires on both front and rear), giving it a full and dynamic visual effect. The rear light bar spans the width and provides high recognition when lit, while the small spoiler on the trunk lid underscores the coupe's sporty positioning. In terms of lighting, both the full-LED headlights and taillights come standard. The inclusion of automatic headlights and daytime running lights also enhances everyday convenience.

Sitting inside, the luxury of the interior is immediately apparent. The center console adopts a layered design, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display on the upper section and the air conditioning control area below. The overall layout is simple and driver-oriented. In terms of materials, the door panels and seats are wrapped in leather, providing a refined touch, while the steering wheel is also made of genuine leather and comes with multifunction buttons and paddles for easy operation. In terms of features, the fully digital instrument cluster provides clear driving information, the Bang & Olufsen 12-speaker sound system delivers an excellent auditory experience, and the front seats support electric adjustments. The rear seats split 60:40, offering sufficient flexibility. Regarding space, the 2928mm wheelbase ensures ample rear passenger room. A passenger who is 175cm tall can comfortably have about two fist-widths of legroom in the back, though the sloping roofline may make headroom slightly compact, which is still acceptable for daily use. For storage, the trunk's regular capacity can fit two 28-inch suitcases, and folding down the rear seats further expands the space. The central front armrest and door panel storage compartments also provide practical room for belongings.

As for dynamic driving, this car's performance is indeed impressive. The dual permanent magnet synchronous motors deliver a combined power of 370kW (503PS) and 973 N·m of torque, enabling an official 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 4.5 seconds. When starting and pressing the accelerator pedal, the power response is almost instantaneous, with strong thrust that feels exhilarating. Even during highway cruising, overtaking is a breeze. The driving modes include Economy, Comfort, and Dynamic mode, with the latter offering more aggressive power output while making the steering wheel feel heavier. On the suspension side, the tuning of the front and rear multi-link independent suspension leans towards comfort, effectively filtering out most minor vibrations on city roads and maintaining smoothness when going over speed bumps. The body also shows good roll control during cornering, and with the aid of the all-wheel-drive system, the vehicle remains highly stable. We also tested its range performance; on routes with a 50-50 mix of city and highway driving, the actual range reached about 85% of the official figure, with an energy consumption of approximately 26kWh/100km, which is not far from the official figure of 25.3kWh. Regarding charging, although we didn’t test fast charging this time, the 114kWh battery capacity is relatively large in its class, making regular home slow charging adequate for daily needs.

In terms of ride comfort, the performance of the SQ8 Sportback e-tron is commendable. Noise control inside the cabin is done well, with wind noise and tire noise not being obvious at high speeds, and the motor operates with minimal noise. The seats offer good wrapping and support, making long drives not tiring. The energy recovery system has three adjustable levels, with the highest level close to a one-pedal mode, but without noticeable drag, making it easy to adapt to.

Overall, the core advantages of the 2024 Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron are prominent: strong power performance, luxurious interior configuration, robust chassis tuning, and adequate range performance. Compared to competitors like the BMW iX or Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV in the same class, it has certain advantages in terms of power parameters and richness of configuration, and its price of RM529,990 is in a reasonable range. This car is suitable for two types of consumers: first, young buyers seeking high performance and a sense of luxury, who can enjoy the thrill of acceleration in daily commutes; second, users focused on family practicality, as the spacious interior and extensive safety features (such as 360-degree parking camera, ACC cruise control, active braking, etc.) can meet family travel needs.

In summary, the 2024 Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron is an electric coupe SUV that balances performance, luxury, and practicality. Whether for daily commuting or long-distance travel, it provides a good experience. If you're looking for a pure electric SUV that offers brand prestige while balancing speed and practicality, it is worth adding to your consideration list.