Mazda CX-30 vs Audi SQ8
What's the difference?

Mazda CX-30

$22,850 - $41,950

2024 price

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Audi SQ8

—

2025 price

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Chery Tiggo 8 PRO MAX

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2024 Mazda CX-30

2025 Audi SQ8

By James Cleary

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 4, 2.5L

Twin Turbo V8, 4.0L

Fuel Type

Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

6.6L/100km (combined)

11.9L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Value
Practicality
Safety

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

Dislikes

Dated interior
Fuel efficiency could be better
Bit noisy

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

2024 Mazda CX-30 Summary

If you’re in the market for a city- and family-friendly compact SUV, you’re in luck.

The small SUV segment is one of the most heavily populated and hotly contested in the Aussie new-car market and the Mazda CX-30 G25 GT SP FWD is pitched against a seething pack of at least 10 similarly sized, generously specified and highly-credentialed competitors.

So, stay with us on a mission to determine whether this high-end version of one of Mazda’s best sellers is worthy of a spot on your new-car short list.

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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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Deep dive comparison

2024 Mazda CX-30 2025 Audi SQ8

Verdict

About to enter its fifth year in market the Mazda CX-30 is holding up well and this GT SP FWD grade delivers solid value relative to its key competitors, of which there are many. It’s also space-efficient, practical and performs well with top-shelf safety, decent refinement and good dynamic ability.

Alternately, it’s crying out for a hybrid powertrain to improve fuel efficiency, the interior form and function is starting to date and while it meets the market the ownership promise could be sharper. But this little SUV is still worthy of a spot on your new-car short list.

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.

Mazda CX-30 vs Audi SQ8 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Mazda CX-30 vs Audi SQ8
What's the difference?