Q7, Q8, SQ7, SQ8, RS Q8: Driving Audi’s 2025 Flagship SUVs

Intro

When it comes to top-of-the-line SUVs, Audi offers two flagship families built on the company’s unibody crossover MLB platform. The Q7, which also includes the sportier SQ7. And the Q8, which also includes the sportier SQ8 and the sportiest RS Q8. 

The three-row, seven-seater Q7 family debuted for the 2007 model year and was, if you can believe it, Audi’s first SUV. A second generation followed for the 2017 model year, with mid-cycle refreshes for 2020 and 2025. The two-row, five-seater Q8 family is much younger, debuting for the 2019 model year and receiving a refresh for the 2024 model year with a few more updates coming for 2025. As we’ll discuss later, Audi designed the Q8 to have a sportier and more aggressive aesthetic. 

Audi recently flew AudiWorld to Utah — providing transportation and accommodation — to drive four of its refreshed flagship SUVs. Over the course of two days, we learned everything we could about the 2025 Q7, Q8, SQ7, and SQ8 before driving all four on a series of twisty mountain roads outside of Salt Lake City. In this slideshow, we’re going to cover everything new that’s coming to the 2025 Q7 and Q8 families along with the major differences between the Q7 and Q8, the major differences between the Q and SQ and RS models, along with pricing, specifications, and first driving impressions. 

Are you thinking about buying a flagship Audi SUV, but not sure which one to buy? Read on, my friend…

What’s New for 2025?

A mid-cycle refresh is when an automaker keeps the same bones and fundamentals of a vehicle generation, but adds some new tech, features, and revised front and rear styling. This can be paired with new colors, wheel options, suspension upgrades, and even new engines.

In the case of the 2025 Q7 and 2024-25 Q8 families, the refreshed models are nearly identical from a performance, handling, and interior layout perspective. Instead, Audi has upgraded or added the following features —

• Audi Themes
• Enhanced infotainment Amazon Alexa and an app store
• Audi connect moving from 6 months to 3 years of service (Navigation, Traffic Light info, Amazon Alexa, WiFi Hotspot, etc)
• Front grille
• Front & rear fascias
• B pillar badging
• 2D Audi rings
• Wheels & colors
• New LED headlights with 4 digital daytime signatures
• Available laser headlights
• Available OLED taillights
• More standard features on Prestige models, including Valcona Leather

As you can see, it’s mostly new tech, a few styling changes, and some revisions to certain packages and options. To expand on a couple of the new features above, let’s talk about Audi Themes and the laser headlights.

Audi Themes is a new paid feature where you can purchase new wallpaper backgrounds for Audi’s MMI touchscreen interface. The purchased photo then integrates with the vehicle’s ambient lighting (if equipped). Example: let’s say you buy the photo of a beautiful beach, the ambient lighting will turn blue up top nearly the dash and doors (like a sky), and tan in lower regions (like a sandy beach). 

The new laser lights are an update to Audi’s Matrix LED headlights. As with most Audi lightning, DOT regulations limit the functionality here in the United States. But this new headlight can produce a brilliant, sharply focused high beam when you’re driving in extremely dark environments. Yet, the moment another vehicle is detected, the system reverts to the Matrix LED system.

Q7 vs Q8

The Q7 and Q8 families of Audi flagship SUVs are sister vehicles and share many features inside and out. But the most obvious difference is that the Q7 offers a third row of seating, for up to seven total passengers. This being established, the third row is extremely tight (smaller than the Ford Explorer, for example), so consider it for children only. Its roofline is also a touch boxier.

The Q8 family is a two-row SUV with seating for five. Again, from the front, it looks very much like a Q7. But from the side, you can see how Audi designers took inspiration from the 1980 Audi Quattro to give the Q8 a more sweeping and angled rear pillar and roofline. It also features more muscular hips that tend to make even the base Q8 models a touch more aggressive.

Another notable difference is in the base models. The Q7 Premium and Premium Plus grades offer two engines. A turbocharged 4-cylinder motor and an upgraded turbocharged V6. The Q8 only comes equipped with the turbo V6. In the suspension department, the base Q7 can be outfitted with a standard steel coil spring suspension, whereas the Q8 comes standard with an adaptive suspension.

Q vs SQ vs RS

Amongst Audi SUVs, there are three model tiers that signify varying degrees of performance. Q models, like the Q7 and Q8, feature the base engines, suspension, and braking configurations, but can be fully optioned up in terms of luxury and technology features. For example the Q7 and Q8 can be optioned with air ride suspension, all-wheel-steering, dual-pane acoustic glass, 23-speaker sound systems, and Audi’s finest leather. 

Stepping up to the SQ models signifies the same level of luxury, but with more standard features and an eye toward performance. Bigger engines, sport-tuned air-ride suspensions, seats with more bolstering, available anti-roll stabilizers, visible exhaust tips, all-wheel-steering, and sportier available features like red brake calipers and carbon fiber elements.

RS models represent the pinnacle of Audi performance, sometimes skipping out on a touch of luxury, but not always. In the case of Audi’s flagship SUVs, there is no RS Q7 model. The RS Q8 features the same motor as the SQ7 and SQ8, but with added power, extra cooling, improved brakes, standard anti-roll systems, and a few other goodies.

Q7

The 2025 Q7 is a three-row, seven-passenger SUV that’s available with two engine options and three grades. The base motor (45) is a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder motor that’s the standard engine across numerous lower-level Audis. The upgraded motor (55) is a turbocharged V6 that you’ll find in models like the SQ5, A6 All Road, A7, and A8. From a pricing perspective, the cheapest model will run you about $62,000 and the most expensive, luxurious version is right around $92,000. That, for what it’s worth, is how Audi spec’d them for our media test drives.

Here’s how things break down for 2025.

45 Premium

• $60,500
• 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder
• 261 horsepower
• 274 ft.-lbs of torque
• 8-speed automatic transmission
• quattro all-wheel drive
• 0-60 mph: 6.7 seconds
• 19″ 5-arm-star design wheels with all-season run-flat tires
• Adaptive cruise assist with lane guidance
• Matrix-design LED headlights with DRL signature
• Audi virtual cockpit plus
• Power-folding 3rd row (includes LATCH for all 2nd & 3rd row seats)

55 Premium

• $65,800
• 3.0L turbocharged V6
• 335 horsepower
• 369 ft.-lbs. of torque
• 8-speed automatic transmission
• quattro all-wheel drive
• 0-60mph: 5.5 seconds
• Same features as 45 Premium

45 Premium Plus

• $64,300
• 2.0L turbo 4 cylinder
• 20″ 5-double-spoke wheels with all-season run-flat tires
• Bang & Olufsen Premium sound system with 3D sound
• Wireless phone charging pad
• Top view camera system with Virtual 360 view
• LED interior lighting plus package

55 Premium Plus

• $65,800
• 3.0L turbocharged V6
• Same features as 45 Premium Plus

55 Prestige

• $77,900
• 3.0L turbocharged V6
• Comfort adaptive air suspension
• Individual contour front seats with ventilation and massage and Valcona/cricket leather interior
• HD Matrix-design LED headlights with Audi laser light
• Remote park assist plus
• Head-up display

Destination & Delivery $1,295

Colors (All $595 Except Carrara White)

• Carrara White ($0)
• Glacier White metallic
• Mythos Black metallic
• Sakhir Gold metallic
• Samurai Gray metallic
• Satellite Silver metallic
• Tamarind Brown metallic
• Waitomo Blue metallic

Packages

• Convenience Package (Premium only) $1,100
• Trailer Hitch $750
• Black optic package Premium Plus $1,100
• Black optic package Prestige $2,100
• Executive Package (Premium Plus only) $1,300
• Luxury Package (Prestige only) $3,700
• All Wheel Steering (Prestige only) $1,350
• 23-Speaker Bang & Olufsen 1,920W 3D Sound System (Prestige only) $4,900

Q8

Compared to the Q7, the two-row, five-passenger Q8 features a less cluttered lineup. One engine, the same upgraded 3.0L turbocharged V6 as the Q7, and three grade levels. Here’s how pricing and features break down for the 2024 model year; you should expect a few changes for 2025 in terms of specific costs and packages. As you can see, pricing ranges from roughly $75,000 to roughly $102,000.

Premium

• $73,700
• 3.0L turbocharged V6
• 335 horsepower
• 369 ft.-lbs. of torque
• 0-60mph: 5.5 seconds
• 8-speed automatic transmission
• quattro all-wheel drive
• 21″ 5-W-spoke design wheels, graphite gray, diamond turned finish
• Adaptive damping suspension
• Audi virtual cockpit plus
• Adaptive cruise assist with lane guidance
• Matrix-design LED headlights

Premium Plus

• $77,800
• Front seats with ventilation and 4-way power lumbar for passenger
• LED interior lighting plus package
• Bang & Olufsen Premium sound system with 3D sound
• Top view camera system with Virtual 360 view
• Four-zone automatic climate control system

Prestige

• $81,800
• HD Matrix-design LED headlights with Audi laser light
• Comfort adaptive air suspension
• Remote park assist plus (function not available in NY/VT)
• Head-up display
• Individual contour front seats with ventilation and massage and Valcona/cricket leather interior

Destination & Delivery $1,295

Colors (All $595 except Carrara White)

• Carrara White ($0)
• Glacier White metallic
• Mythos Black metallic
• Sakhir Gold metallic
• Samurai Gray metallic
• Satellite Silver metallic
• Waitomo Blue metallic

Packages

• Black optic package $2,550
• Convenience package (Premium only) $1,100
• Trailer hitch $750
• S line style package (Premium Plus & Prestige) $750
• Executive package (Premium Plus only) $1,450
• Luxury package (Prestige only) $3,700
• All-wheel steering (Prestige only) $1,500
• Night vision assistant (Prestige only) $2,500
• 23-Speaker Bang & Olufsen 1,920W 3D Sound System (Prestige only) $5,000

SQ7

Up in the SQ models, pricing is even more simple with only one engine, a twin-turbocharged 4.0L V8, and two grade levels to choose from. For 2025, the SQ7 represents the top model in the Q7 family lineup, as there is no RS model here. With an extra 165 horsepower, the SQ7 can hit 60 miles an hour in an Audi-quoted 4.0 seconds, same as the pre-refresh models. Pricing for this model ranges from roughly $92,000 to just under $122,000, which is pretty close to how Audi spec’d our models for the press drive. If you’re looking for upgraded handling, make sure to grab the S Sport package, which adds Active roll stabilization, red brake calipers, and a sport rear differential.

Premium Plus 

• $90,800
• 500 horsepower twin-turbo 4.0L V8
• 568 ft.-lbs of torque
• 8-speed transmission
• quattro all-wheel drive
• 0-60 mph: 4.0 seconds
• All-wheel steering
• Sport Adaptive air suspension
• 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system
• 21″ wheels
• Adaptive Cruise Control with lane guidance
• Matrix LED headlights
• Heated front sport seats

Prestige

• $96,900
• Everything above, plus
• HD Matrix-design LED headlights with Audi laser light and OLED taillights
• Customizable front & rear light signatures
Remote park assist plus
Intersection assist
Head-up display
• Executive package
• Ventilated & massaging front seats
• Power soft-closing doors

Destination charge $1,295

Colors (All $595)

• Ascari Blue metallic
• Chili Red metallic
• Glacier White metallic
• Mythos Black metallic
• Sakhir Gold metallic
• Satellite Silver metallic
• Waitomo Blue metallic
• Daytona Gray pearl

Packages

• Black Optic package $1,100
• Executive package (Premium Plus only) $1,800
• S Sport package $6,000
• Trailer hitch $700
• 23-Speaker Bang & Olufsen 1,920W 3D Sound
• System (Prestige only)  $4,900
• Night Vision Assistant (Prestige only) $2,500
• Carbon package (Prestige only) $2,000
• Audi Sport Crimson Red stitch package (Prestige only) $500
• Luxury Package (Prestige Only) $3,700

Wheels

• Standard 21″ 5-Double-Spoke
• Optional 21″ 6-Y-Spoke black wheels $1,100 (Included with Black Optic Package)
• Optional 22″ Multispoke-S design wheels $1,500 (Requires Black Optic Package)

SQ8

The SQ8 is the Vice President of the Audi Q8 family lineup. Sportier than the Q8, but not quite as track-focused and powerful and the RS Q8. Still, for its 2024 refresh heading into 2025, the SQ8 now offers more features from the RS model, including red interior stitching and a carbon fiber package. Pricing ranges from just-under $98,000 to almost $128,000.

Premium Plus

• 500 horsepower twin-turbo 5.0L V8
• 568 ft.-lbs. of torque
• 8-speed transmission
• 0-60 mph: 4.0 seconds
• quattro all-wheel drive
• All-wheel steering
• Sport adaptive air suspension
• 22″ wheels
• Quad chrome exhaust tips
• Matrix-design LED headlights
• LED taillights with dynamic turn signals
• 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen® Premium sound
• system with 3D sound
• Adaptive cruise assist with lane guidance

Prestige

• $103,600
• Same engine & performance as Premium Plus
• HD Matrix-design LED headlights with Audi laser light
• OLED taillights
• Customizable front & rear light signatures
• Remote park assist plus
• Contour/Ambient LED interior lighting package – multicolor
• Prestige package
• Head-up display
• Power soft-closing doors

  Colors (All $595)

• Ascari Blue metallic
• Chili Red metallic
• Glacier White metallic
• Mythos Black metallic
• Sakhir Gold metallic
• Satellite Silver metallic
• Waitomo Blue metallic
• Daytona Gray pearl

Packages

• Black Optic Package $1,050
• Executive Package (Included in Prestige) $2,450
• S Sport Package $6,000
• Trailer Hitch $750
• Luxury Package (Prestige Only) – $4,350
• Night Vision Assist (Prestige Only) – $2,500
• 23-Speaker Bang & Olufsen 1,920W 3D Sound System (Prestige Only) – $5,000

Wheels

• Standard 22″ 5-Arm Design
• Optional 22″ 6-Y-Spoke black wheels $1,150 (Included with Black Optic Package)
• Optional 23″ Multispoke-S design wheels $2,500 (Requires Black Optic Package)

RS Q8

Earlier this summer, Audi announced a few changes coming to the 2025 RS Q8 lineup, including the addition of the most powerful Q8 in history, the RS Q8 Performance (631 hp, 627 ft.-lbs. of torque). At this time, however, we don’t yet have U.S.-specific pricing. Over in Europe, pricing starts at 141,900 Euro ($152,081 USD) for the regular model and 155,700 Euro ($166,871 USD) for the RS Q8 Performance. Unlike other models, the RS Q8 doesn’t offer multiple engines or grades. Just a base price, color choice, and a variety of options and packages. For 2024, pricing ranges from almost $128,000 to just over $143,000. We’ll have to see if 2025 pricing goes up to the same level as Europe, as that would be a massive leap.

2024 & 2025 RS Q8

• 591 horsepower
• 590 pound-feet of torque
• 3.8 seconds 0-60 mph
• Audi virtual cockpit plus with RS-specific display
• Active roll stabilization
• Adaptive cruise assist with lane guidance
• Sport rear differential
• RS-tuned adaptive air suspension
• 2024 Base MSRP: $125,800

Colors (All $595)

• Dragon orange metallic
• Glacier White metallic
• Matador Red metallic
• Mythos Black metallic
• Ascari Blue metallic
• Waitomo Blue metallic
• Daytona Gray pearl

Packages

• Black Optic Package $3,250
• Carbon package $3,000
• Red brake calipers $500
• RS design package (Red or Grey) $1,500
• Executive Package $2,800
• Luxury Package $1,500
• Trailer hitch $750
• Night Vision Assist (Prestige Only) – $2,250
• 23-Speaker Bang & Olufsen 1,920W 3D Sound System – $5,000

Interior & Amenities

When it comes to Audi interiors, there’s the flagship A8 / S8 sedan… And everything else. 

But with the Prestige grade and optional Luxury packages, the Q7 and Q8 families are now only a few inches away from Audi’s best sedans. Compared to other luxury brands, I’d still put Audi behind BMW and Mercedes, but that’s splitting hairs. Valcona leather seats can be optioned heated in the back and heated/ventilated/massaging up front. The front seats also feature moveable bolstering so you can make them feel sportier or more comfortable depending on your preferences. New materials like optional carbon fiber and the extended leather package — which wraps the doors and dash in soft leather are also really nice. 

In the screens and radio department, the Q7 and Q8 families look nearly identical to the A6 and A7 sedan families. Digital gauge clusters with Audi’s virtual cockpit. And a dual touchscreen center console approach to radio and HVAC controls. Audi’s upper touchscreen is called MMI, and features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Audi has also added Google functionality as well as Amazon Alexa and bumped up the included „trial“ period to 3 years (instead of 6 months).

The top-of-the-line, 23-speaker, 1,920W stereo also sounds great for a factory system. Deep bass and clear highs are the stars, but there’s also too much processing when it comes to the fake surround modes. Also, be prepared to bring high-quality source material as the system loves to reveal lower bit rates.

The one flaw? On our first day of testing, my Q7’s screen locked up and stayed black after a quick restart. (Audis like to turn themselves off when the driver gets out, which is probably a smart idea, but super annoying for a photographer.) In this case, the Q7’s radio worked, and I could access Audi functions save for the Home Screen. CarPlay, however, was unreachable unless I snuck in through the audio source menu. This is something we should forgive, given that these 2025 Q7s were likely early or pre-production models. But with the added Google and Alexa functionality, the system seemed a touch slower and buggier than most Audi MMIs I’ve tested over the last few years. I’ve also read some forum thread posts about people with similar issues, so something to keep an eye on, I suppose.

Driven: Q7 & Q8

For all practical purposes, the Q7 and Q8 drive nearly identically. I believe Audi said there’s something like an 86 lb. difference between the Q7 and Q8 thanks to the Q7’s third row and revised roofline. It’s also worth mentioning that we did not have access to drive Premium or Premium Plus models, the 4-cylinder motor, or any of the base suspensions. For this test, it was fully optioned Prestige models with adaptive air-ride suspensions and all-wheel-steering.

Adaptive air ride suspensions are available on many high-end Audis and they’re wonderful. Different drive modes not only vary how firm the suspension feels, but also adjust the SUV’s height. Off-road, All-road, and Comfort modes are the highest and most comfortable. Dynamic is the lowest and stiffest. But in an Audi SUV, „stiff“ is a relative term, which is why I love driving them. The ride quality feels firm and connected to the road, but never harsh or rough.

In Dynamic mode, the Q7 and Q8 tour mountain roads almost like sports cars. All-wheel steering tightens up turning in parking lots and helps scoot these large crossovers around tighter corners in the canyons. At higher speeds, the system improves safety and stability when making lane changes, allowing these SUVs to effectively move around diagonally. (Although it’s very subtle.) Like most Audis, the actual steering feeling — even in the „heavier“ Dynamic mode — is quite light and disconnected, but the overall sense of tossing both Q models into corners is responsive and predictable.

For most drivers, the turbocharged 3.0L V6 provides an ample amount of power for accelerating, getting on the highway, and passing. Given the size and heft of these SUVs, you’re not going to win any drag races against genuine sporty vehicles. And there’s a touch of turbo-lag now and again. But 5.0 seconds to 60 mph is nothing to complain about and these drive really well. 

Compared to most brands (cough, Lexus, cough), the Q7 and Q8 could out-compete designated sporty models. With its upgraded air ride suspension, Audi delivers genuine driving dynamics and fun-factor in an extremely comfortable and luxurious SUV. It’s easy to understand why these are so popular with families.

Driven: SQ7, SQ8, & RS Q8

Audi’s SQ and RS SUVs sit squarely at the crossroads of „everything you want“ and „everything you need.“ Wow.

First diving into the SQ7 and SQ8, it’s worth pointing out that the SQ7 maxes out with a stylish 22″ wheel and summer tires, while the SQ8 steps up to a 23″ play on the same wheel design. Like the Qs from the day before, our SQ testers were fully optioned Prestige models with all the leather, technology, wheel & tire, and suspension upgrades possible. Audi tunes the SQ8 adaptive air ride suspensions for sportier driving. But to my senses, they’re still quite comfortable and smooth across a variety of surfaces. You can feel just a touch more road imperfections with the SQ8’s shorter sidewall tires. But even then, it’s more like feedback than harshness or discomfort. Still, both of these exemplify Audi’s ability to tune suspensions to be both comfortable and capable at the same time.

It’s world-class.

Audi also fitted our SQ testers with its available active roll stabilization system, which independently tunes the front and rear sway bars depending on how hard you’re turning and driving. The ultimate result is an SUV that feels balanced and flat in corners, but not stiff. If the Q models are already quite good, the SQ models dial things up to great. (You know, for an SUV… the A6 and RS 6 still drive better because they are lighter and lower than the SUVs.)

As far as the RS Q8 goes, I’ve yet to drive a 2024 or 2025 model, but here’s what I recall from 2023. It’s going to be very similar to the SQ8 overall, but with a little extra shove off the line and when pulling at higher speeds. It comes standard with adaptive air suspension with active roll stabilization, and it’s arguably a touch harsher in dynamic mode. But not buy much. The RS also offers even better brake options as well as more performance-oriented interior colors (more suede and carbon and contrast stitching, although that’s becoming more available in the SQ models now).

Overall, the SQ7 and SQ8 deliver a terrific, near-perfect blend of performance prowess and luxury-oriented comfort. The RS Q8 dials things up to the next level, but the SQ models are a bit more in the sweet spot of price, performance, and daily drivability.

Final Thoughts

Like most mid-cycle refreshes, it’s hard to point to any of the Q7 and Q8 family updates and say, you must upgrade right now. In that sense, these 2025 models feel more like a refinement than a refresh. Still, if you’re in the market for a new luxury SUV with a touch of sporty flair, or if your Audi lease is up and you need something new, Audi’s flagship SUVs have never been better. The luxury materials are nearly as good as Audi’s flagship sedan (but not quite just yet). The technology is relatively easy to use, aside from one buggy press vehicle, and the radio sounds terrific. And the sporty driving aesthetic is almost good enough to make you forget that you’re not driving a car or a wagon. Great work, Audi!