Audi SQ8 vs Audi Q5
What's the difference?

Audi SQ8

—

2025 price

View pricing & specs

Audi Q5

$82,500 - $100,400

2026 price

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Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz Eqe53

Mercedes-Benz Eqs450

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G580

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE400

Mercedes-Benz GLE450

Mercedes-Benz GLS

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2025 Audi SQ8

2026 Audi Q5

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Twin Turbo V8, 4.0L

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

11.9L/100km (combined)

5.7L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Understated but elegant looks
Gusty engine that delivers serious power
Comfortably fits a large family

Interior glow-up is gorgeous
Comfortable ride with well-tuned suspension
Strong standard tech and safety features

Dislikes

Never hits any thrilling notes
Technology is harder than it needs to be
Internal storage could be better

Still manages to remind you its a base-grade
Rear seat & boot space on smaller side
Steering assist tends to overcorrect

2025 Audi SQ8 Summary

The Audi SQ8 has had a mid-life refresh but this upper large SUV still offers luxury with its powerful V8 engine that fans know and love, as well as the features you would expect in a top model.

It competes against the Mercedes-AMG GLE and Porsche Cayenne but we’re family testing the SQ8 to see how it handles domestic life.

Keep reading to see what we’ve discovered.

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2026 Audi Q5 Summary

Audi’s latest Q5 Sportback brings mild-hybrid power, updated underpinnings, more technology and a genuinely impressive interior glow-up.

It’s clearly aimed at buyers drawn to a more athletic take on the mid-size SUV, where style plays a bigger role than outright practicality. We're testing the base petrol spec to see how it sits alongside the BMW X4 xDrive20i, Genesis GV70 2.5T and Mercedes-Benz GLC300 Coupe.

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Audi SQ8 2026 Audi Q5

Verdict

The Audi SQ8 isn’t your typical performance SUV. It’s more refined and less flashy. The tech can be more complicated than it needs to be and if you’re wanting that V8 soundscape, you won’t find it here.

However, the handling and on road experience are superb plus you can comfortably haul the family around and look good doing it.

Verdict

The updated Audi Q5 Sportback TFSI is a strong example of a luxury base-grade SUV, ticking most of the boxes in styling, comfort and features. It may not always outperform its rivals on paper, but it delivers where it counts, offering a refined, practical and engaging package that will satisfy.

Audi SQ8 vs Audi Q5 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi SQ8 vs Audi Q5
What's the difference?