NEW DELHI: The Audi SQ8 is listed at Rs 1,81,23,000 and the RSQ8 at Rs 2,33,83,000 for model year 2026 on Audi's official India price reckoner. The SQ8 has the lower entry figure. Audi's corresponding performance pages show that the extra spend also separates two distinct levels of V8 output and acceleration.
| Item | SQ8 | RS Q8 Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Official price-reckoner label | SQ8, model year 2026 | RSQ8, model year 2026 |
| Listed price | Rs 1,81,23,000 | Rs 2,33,83,000 |
| Power | 373 kW | 471 kW |
| Torque | 770 Nm | 850 Nm |
| Claimed 0 to 100 km/h | 4.1 seconds | 3.6 seconds |
Price as of 29 October 2026, 10:19 IST. Audi's price-reckoner landing page describes the figures as ex-showroom and says they exclude TCS. These are model-level listings rather than quotations for individually configured cars or a schedule of option prices.
Match the model year before comparing totals
The reckoner also carries older model year entries. That makes the year label part of the price, rather than a minor detail to ignore. This comparison uses the entries explicitly marked 2026 for both cars. Mixing an older RSQ8 entry with the newer SQ8 figure would produce a different comparison.
The RSQ8 label in the price tool is shorter than the RS Q8 Performance name used on Audi India's product page. That naming difference should be resolved on the vehicle quotation, with the precise model and year recorded together. A price-tool row cannot substitute for the equipment list of a particular vehicle.
Both use a V8, with a different performance brief
Audi describes the SQ8 with a 4.0-litre TFSI engine, permanent quattro drive and adaptive air suspension sport. Its figures already place it firmly in performance-SUV territory. The RS Q8 Performance adds a higher output and torque rating, alongside the quicker manufacturer-claimed acceleration time shown in the table.
The practical distinction is therefore more substantial than an S or RS badge on a similar body. The RS page highlights a ceramic braking system and an RS-specific virtual-cockpit presentation. Those are areas to identify in the exact specification, because the comparison involves performance hardware as well as cabin trim.
Audi also describes an optional increase in top speed to 305 km/h for the RS Q8 Performance. That is a configuration-dependent manufacturer specification, not a figure that applies automatically to every car shown in the price tool. It says little about the experience of sitting in ordinary urban traffic.
The shared shape does not settle the everyday questions
For an Indian household considering a large performance SUV, the interesting trade-off is how the car divides its time between routine travel and driving for enjoyment. The claimed acceleration figures help describe the engineering difference. They cannot establish ride comfort on a particular commute, or how easily passengers get into the rear.
The SQ8 page describes a sliding rear bench with sections that can be folded to vary passenger and luggage space. That arrangement is worth demonstrating with the seats positioned for the people who normally travel. A maximum luggage illustration cannot show whether the chosen seating position leaves room for the bags normally carried.
Similarly, a wheel or seating package visible in an official photograph should be checked against the quotation. Audi warns that some illustrated equipment may differ by configuration or carry an extra charge. Reading that qualification alongside the photograph avoids treating a presentation vehicle as the definitive India specification.
Where the comparison belongs in the wider range
Our New Audi Q3 costs Rs 51.99 lakh; Zenith adds Rs 4 lakh covers a different SUV pairing. Readers considering an electric performance car can consult the Audi Q7 vs Audi Q5 price: Q5 starts lower at Rs 65,55,000. The Porsche Macan Electric price list: Rs 1,21,62,000 to Rs 1,77,74,000 supplies another body-style reference.
The current Audi figures establish a clear price hierarchy: SQ8 below RSQ8 for the matched model year. The meaningful next comparison is the complete specification behind each total, especially performance hardware, wheels and seating. That preserves the distinction between a published model price and the configured car represented by a final quotation.
Official sources: Audi India price reckoner, price terms, SQ8 specifications and RS Q8 Performance specifications.
