2024 Audi Q8 and SQ8 Announced in the US With a Fresh Image and New Lighting Technology

Audi is offering a mid-life refresh to its ICE flagship in the US after it did the same to the European Q8/SQ8 range in September. As usual with these updates, a mild redesign front and rear is almost a given, as carmakers try to keep the old model attractive for another stint on the market. The 2024 Audi Q8/SQ8 is no exception, with revised styling elements for the front and rear fascias, new wheels, and new exterior colors.

Audi's signature Singleframe grille incorporates new elements, including prominent new air intakes integrated into the lower fascia. The Audi SQ8 has larger air intakes with a honeycomb grille across their surface. It also sports a redesigned front lip spoiler and rear diffuser. At the rear, the 2024 Audi Q8/SQ8 features new dynamic exhaust outlets. The refreshed models also incorporate Audi's new badging strategy with the model, derivative, and technology identifier laser-etched into the B-pillar.

The new headlights and taillights are the highlight of the 2024 model year. For the US market, the Q8 comes standard with high-intensity Matrix-design LED headlights. The digital daytime running lights are now positioned on the upper horizontal edge. HD Matrix-design LED headlights with Audi laser light are also available and instantly recognizable via a blue anodized aluminum housing incorporated into the headlight. These now come with customizable digital daytime running-light signatures. Four individual light signatures can be selected via the MMI.

New for the 2024 model year, the digitalized OLED rear lights are offered on the SQ8 Prestige trim as an available option. Similar to the headlights, the OLED taillights also pack four selectable digital light signatures. An LED light strip with integrated Audi rings links the digital OLED rear lights across the entire width of the car.

The refreshed models keep the engine options of the current model, starting with the 3.0-liter TFSI powerplant, developing 335 horsepower under the hood of the Audi Q8. The SQ8 is powered by the 4.0-liter TFSI engine equipped with an on-demand cylinder deactivation system. With 500 horsepower on tap, this propels the 2024 Audi SQ8 from zero to 60 mph in 4.0 seconds, 1.5 seconds faster than its lesser brother.

The updated Audi Q8 comes with updated driver assistance systems, including Adaptive cruise assist with lane guidance, Remote start, and Audi app store through Audi connect. This allows owners to download third-party apps such as Spotify or Amazon Music, with more promised via future over-the-air updates. A new Adaptive cruise assist area display can present lane change warnings, distance warnings, Intersection assist, and Traffic light information.

Prices start at $73,700 for the 2024 Audi Q8 Premium, with Q8 Premium Plus and Prestige trim retailing for $77,800 and $85,900, respectively. The 2024 Audi SQ8 starts with the Premium Plus variant at $96,600, while the SQ8 Prestige costs $103,600 before taxes. The updated Q8 and SQ8 models are arriving in US showrooms in the first quarter of 2024.