2023 Audi SQ8 vs 2019 Lamborghini Urus
What's the difference?

Audi SQ8

—

2023 price

View pricing & specs

Lamborghini Urus

—

2019 price

View pricing & specs

Summary

2023 Audi SQ8

2019 Lamborghini Urus

By Byron Mathioudakis

By Laura Berry

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Twin Turbo V8, 4.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

12.2L/100km (combined)

12.7L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Debonair design
Lovely cabin
Effortless performance and control

Lamborghini looks
Quick and dynamic
Spacious and practical

Dislikes

Still expensive despite competitive pricing
Big V8 fuel consumption
Some road noise intrusion

Value for money isn't great
Standard warranty is short
Thirsty

2023 Audi SQ8 Summary

Is there a better-looking SUV coupe?

Maybe, if the model that started the whole shebang in the mid-2000s – the Range Rover Sport – is more your cup of tea.

But the Audi Q8 has achieved something that neither of its German compatriots, the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, have yet managed, and that's making a handsome SUV coupe.

Not much has changed since the series launched in 2018, until now: the mid-range performance model, the SQ8 TDI, has ditched the old 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbo diesel, for a petrol replacement known as the TFSI instead – just like the latest SQ7 has in the related Q7 range.

With rumours suggesting the next-generation Q8 will morph into an all-electric e-tron, this might be our last chance to enjoy such a bold, hedonistic, carbon dioxide-belching midsized luxury SUV coupe, at a comparatively reasonable price.

View full pricing & specs

2019 Lamborghini Urus Summary

Lamborghini is famous for making glamorous supercars whose pilots seem so carefree they don’t appear to need a boot, or back seats, or even families.

They don’t even seem to mind them being so low they have to get in and out on all fours – well that’s how I need to do it, anyway.

Yup, Lamborghini is famous for these exotic race cars for the road… not SUVs.

But it will be, I know it.

I know, because the new Lamborghini Urus came to stay with my family and we torture tested it, not on the track or off-road, but in the 'burbs doing the shopping, the school drop-offs, braving multi-storey car parks and the potholed roads daily.

While I never like to give the game away this early in a review, I need to say the Urus is astounding. This is truly a super SUV that is every bit as Lamborghini as I hoped, but with a big difference – you can live with it.

Here’s why.

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2023 Audi SQ8 2019 Lamborghini Urus

Verdict

There are two ways of looking at the MY23 Audi SQ8 TFSI.

Firstly, by losing the V8 diesel engine of its TDI predecessor for a V8 twin-turbo petrol alternative, the latest version sacrifices impressive fuel economy for not too much extra performance.

However, while the subsequent thirst is far from welcome, the improved refinement and more athletic handling accompanying the 130kg lighter front end are definite benefits, especially as most rivals are petrol-powered anyway.

On balance, then, the switch to TFSI brings the SQ8 perilously close to the flagship RS Q8 performance-wise since it offers much the same powertrain, yet saves a whopping $50K in the bargain.

Given that most buyers of sports luxury SUV coupes would probably prioritise design, refinement and dynamics above saving fuel, the MY23 SQ8 TFSI is a definite step in the right direction. And it's fun to boot.

Verdict

Lamborghini has nailed it. The Urus is a super SUV that’s fast, dynamic, and has Lamborghini looks, but just as importantly it’s practical, spacious, comfortable and easy to drive. You’re not going to find those last four attributes in a sentence about an Aventador.

Where the Urus loses marks is in terms of warranty, value for money and fuel consumption.

I didn’t take the Urus on the Corsa nor the Neve, nor Sabbia and Terra, but as I said in my video we know this SUV is capable on the track and that it can go off-road.

What I really wanted to see was how well it handled regular life. Any competent SUV can deal with shopping centre car parks, dropping kids off at school, carrying boxes and bags, and of course fitting and being driven as you would any car.

The Urus is a Lamborghini anybody could drive, pretty much anywhere.

2023 Audi SQ8 vs 2019 Lamborghini Urus What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

2023 Audi SQ8 vs 2019 Lamborghini Urus
What's the difference?