Audi SQ8 vs Suzuki Vitara
What's the difference?

Audi SQ8

—

2025 price

View pricing & specs

Suzuki Vitara

$35,990 - $44,990

2026 price

View pricing & specs

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 Suzuki Vitara

By Emily Agar

By Byron Mathioudakis

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Twin Turbo V8, 4.0L

Turbo 4, 1.4L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

11.9L/100km (combined)

5.8L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

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

Old-fashioned charm
Performance/economy balance
Practical packaging

Dislikes

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

Ancient dashboard
High prices
Premium unleaded petrol preference

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.

View full pricing & specs

2026 Suzuki Vitara Summary

Now that the original Mitsubishi ASX is finally gone, the oldest small SUVs still on sale in Australia today are the Mazda CX-3 and Suzuki Vitara.

Both released in 2015, their longevity is due to a combination of good design, strong engineering, sound driving dynamics and an undefinable charm.

Given their high number of rotations around the sun, it’s also surprising that neither has received a major facelift in all this time. Clearly, their creators got it largely right early on.

Until now. The Vitara steps up with the Series III makeover, ushering in a fresh nose, larger central touchscreen and a hybrid tech upgrade for the (now-sole) turbo powertrain, among other more-minor changes.

Are these enough to keep the venerable Vitara from vulnerability?

View full pricing & specs

Deep dive comparison

2025 Audi SQ8 2026 Suzuki Vitara

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

In car years, 11 is ancient.

Back when it was first released, this-generation Vitara’s competitive pricing, progressive yet pretty design, pleasant interior packaging, sporty dynamics and general driving ease helped establish the emerging small SUV segment into the powerhouse it is today.

In some ways, today’s Turbo Hybrid still impresses, especially with its punchy performance, promising economy and no-nonsense packaging. Objectively, it is still a decent proposition, with few actual vices.

But the 2026 Vitara’s high pricing, embarrassingly outdated interior, underwhelming specification and noisy ride leave it feeling too expensive, too old and too exposed against newer and more-sophisticated rivals.

Even the brightest stars eventually need to retire.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel and meals provided.

Audi SQ8 vs Suzuki Vitara What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi SQ8 vs Suzuki Vitara
What's the difference?