2024 Audi SQ8 E-Tron Has More EPA Range But Is Still An Electron Guzzler

The 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron and Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron are the performance-oriented, tri-motor versions of the Audi Q8 e-tron and Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron models, which this year replaced the 2023 Audi e-tron, Audi e-tron Sportback, Audi S e-tron and Audi e-tron S Sportback.

Aside from the new name, the latest generation of the electric Q8 and SQ8 has been equipped with a much higher capacity battery pack of 114 kilowatt-hours (106 kWh usable), compared to about 95 kWh in the original e-tron (up 20% or 19 kWh), which substantially increases the driving range.

Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron

However, the recently published EPA energy consumption rating reveals that the Audi SQ8 e-tron and Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron remain relatively hungry for electrons, especially with the optional fancy 22-inch wheels.

The EPA Combined range of the SQ8 e-tron is 253 miles (about a fifth more than in the case of the previous generation of S e-tron), although it goes down to 218 miles when the larger wheels are selected:

• SQ8 e-tron / SQ8 Sportback e-tron (20-inch): 253 miles (up 41-45 miles or 19-22%)
• SQ8 e-tron / SQ8 Sportback e-tron (21/22-inch): 218 miles (up 33-37 miles or 18-20%)
  [down 35 miles or 14% compared to 20-inch wheels]

The sporty SQ8 e-trons don’t get as much of an increase in range as the regular, dual-motor Q8 e-trons (by 26-32%) when switching from a 95-kWh to the new 114-kWh battery.

The regular Q8 e-tron and Q8 Sportback e-tron (both with 20-inch wheels) also have a higher range of 285 and 296 miles, respectively (300 miles in the special Ultra edition with 19-inch wheels). It means that those who prefer performance and great handling, according to InsideEVs‘ recent test drive, have to give up at least 32-43 miles or about 11-15% of range when equipped with 20-inch wheels (67-78 miles or 24-26% with 22-inch wheels).

Energy consumption, including charging losses, of the 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron and Audi SQ8 Sportback e-tron (20-inch) is estimated at 73 MPGe or about 462 watt-hours per mile, basically on par with the previous generation (there is a slight drop in the case of the Sportback version from 75 MPGe).

For reference, the regular Q8 e-trons consume about 400 Wh per mile.

The larger, 22-inch wheels increase the energy consumption of both models to 63 MPGe or about 535 Wh/mi (up by almost 16%), making it kind of an electric guzzler.

Once the energy is depleted, it can be recharged from 10 to 80% state-of-charge (SOC) in about 31 minutes at a DC fast charger, at up to roughly 170 kilowatts.

In terms of AC charging, the car is equipped with a 9.6-kW on-board charger, but there is also an optional 19.2-kW charger, which costs $1,850 more (it comes with an additional AC charging port on the passenger side, which is quite a unique solution).

To encourage customers to switch to electric cars, Audi provides two years of unlimited fast charging on the Electrify America network.

Pricing

Pricing for the 2024 Audi SQ8 e-tron starts at an MSRP of $89,800 (plus a $1,195 destination charge). The model does not qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit because it exceeds the $80,000 cap for SUVs and trucks and is imported from Europe.

For reference, the regular Q8 e-tron is over $15,000 less expensive, starting at an MSRP of $74,400.

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