With this recurring series, the goal is to share real-world ownership experiences from cars in the family fleet. This is a primarily Audi household, and the rotation tends to be fairly regular. The intent is to offer insight into ownership and upkeep, along with driving impressions from living with each car over time.
For this first update, the focus is simply to introduce the current mix of cars. Deeper backstories on each will follow in future installments.
2023 AUDI RS 5 COMPETITION SPORTBACK
The 2023 Audi RS 5 competition has regrettably left the fleet. It wasn’t for lack of love—I absolutely adored that car. These late B9.5 RS models, including their RS 4 Avant counterparts in Europe, will likely go down as some of the greatest of their kind.
It’s not that I don’t have high hopes for the upcoming B10 RS 5; I do. But being hybrid means it’ll carry extra weight. Meanwhile, the B9.5 RS 5 Sportback competition was light on its feet and perfectly sized—ideal for picking a line and clipping an apex without crossing into the next lane.
The same can’t be said for Audi’s larger models, while the RS 3 is simply too tight for four adults. In my view, the RS 5 hits the sweet spot. The B9.5 competition, with its well-sorted chassis, KW coilovers, and potent 2.9-liter biturbo V6, stands as one of the greats. Until battery technology gets lighter, it remains something truly special in this size and form.
After selling my Nogaro Blue RS 6 Avant RS Tribute Edition, I spent much of the following year hopping from car to car, trying to dodge depreciation by trading frequently. As it turns out, I’d probably need to be a dealer to make that work. While I didn’t lose much, it was still more than I cared to spend—so this time, I aimed for a keeper.
Why sell the RS 5 if I loved it so much? Fair question. We’re a family of four, and while the car was fantastic around town, longer road trips proved a challenge. Even with the practical hatchback, it couldn’t quite swallow all our gear. I wanted a roof rack—and a hitch for good measure.
That brings us to the latest addition to the fleet.
2024 AUDI SQ8 Prestige
Speaking of “last of its kind,” the Audi SQ8 shares that distinction with the RS 5. It’s one of the greats—and it isn’t set to be replaced. While test mules for the next Q7 and even a larger Q9 have been spotted, the Q8—with its ur quattro-inspired C-pillar and sloping roofline—doesn’t currently have a successor in development. That’s a shame, because the Q8/SQ8/RS Q8 remains one of the best-looking SUVs in the coupé-like luxury segment.
Under the hood, the 2024 Audi SQ8 houses the Volkswagen Group’s familiar 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, producing 500 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic and quattro all-wheel drive. The result is a surprisingly agile performance SUV, capable of 0–60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. It delivers refined, effortless acceleration that feels more grand tourer than crossover. A sport differential and adaptive air suspension keep its 5,300-pound mass composed, while optional active roll stabilization and rear-wheel steering further enhance precision and poise. It’s a powerhouse wrapped in sophistication—exactly what you’d expect from an Audi wearing the “S” badge.
Before owning one, I honestly didn’t see the point. Why not just buy the more aggressive RS Q8, or save money with a base Q8? Then I drove the SQ8—and quickly realized it may be the modern spiritual successor to an early-’90s ur S6 Avant.
Why? Because it’s nearly as capable as the RS Q8, and in most driving situations, you’d rarely tap into that extra horsepower anyway. The chassis is just as composed, and with the optional resonator delete, the SQ8’s exhaust note can be even rowdier than the RS’s.
Visually, the SQ8 plays it cool. That’s where it channels its inner ur S6. It’s a sleeper—understated, confident, and content to fly under the radar. If you prefer to wear your performance credentials on your sleeve, the RS Q8 is your car. But the SQ8 blends power and discretion beautifully. And if you want a bit more flash, you can always spec the 23-inch wheels, like this Waitomo Blue and Prestige example I found in the Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) inventory at Audi Devon near Philadelphia.
Buying Certified Pre-Owned suited the SQ8’s smart, pragmatic theme. By accepting the minor imperfections of a lightly used car, I found the exact spec I wanted at a better price. This one came with paint protection film and ceramic coating already applied—extras that would have cost thousands on a new SQ8.
Audi’s Certified Pre-Owned program in the U.S. is one of the best in the business. Every CPO Audi undergoes a 300+-point inspection covering mechanical, electrical, safety, and cosmetic systems to ensure it meets factory standards. Buyers enjoy a limited warranty extending an additional year and/or 20,000 miles beyond the original factory coverage, along with 24-hour roadside assistance and the guarantee that only genuine Audi parts are used in reconditioning. Combined with competitive financing through Audi Financial Services, the program delivers new-car confidence at a pre-owned price—making it a popular choice among Audi enthusiasts.
Just a week after taking delivery, we packed the SQ8 for our annual family road trip to southern Maine. Compared to the RS 5 Sportback, it offered far more room for a family of four spending a week and a half on the road. Roof bars and a cargo box from Audi Accessories added space for beach gear, and a hitch mount was ready for bikes if needed.
All told, the SQ8 makes an outstanding daily driver. Sure, it’s a bit thirsty—cylinder deactivation or not, my heavy right foot rarely sees above 20 mpg. But my commute is short, and the family e-tron covers the long commutes, so the karma balances out. In the meantime, the SQ8’s presence in Waitomo Blue Metallic draws compliments everywhere—from the L’OE Show to the waterfront towns of Long Island like Sag Harbor, where Lamborghinis and vintage Defenders seemed commonplace. Amid all that flash, the SQ8 still garnered interest and even a few complements.
PHOTO GALLERY
