Compare the2023 Aston Martin DBXVS 2023 Audi SQ8

The Aston Martin DBX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The SQ8 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the DBX and the SQ8 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The DBX comes with a full 3-year/unlimited-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes free 24-hour roadside assistance. The SQ8’s 50,000-mile basic warranty expires sooner.

The DBX’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 42 more horsepower (542 vs. 500) than the SQ8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid. The DBX707’s standard 4.0 turbo V8 produces 197 more horsepower (697 vs. 500) and 95 lbs.-ft. more torque (663 vs. 568) than the SQ8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Aston Martin DBX is faster than the Audi SQ8:

On the EPA test cycle the DBX707 gets better fuel mileage than the SQ8 (15 city/20 hwy vs. 14 city/20 hwy).

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the DBX’s fuel efficiency. The SQ8 doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

The DBX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The SQ8 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Aston Martin DBX higher (5 out of 10) than the Audi SQ8 (3). This means the DBX produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the SQ8 every 15,000 miles.

A nine-speed automatic is standard on the Aston Martin DBX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the SQ8.

For better stopping power the DBX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the SQ8:

The DBX 707 has standard heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The SQ8 doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The DBX stops much shorter than the SQ8:

For better traction and acceleration, the DBX has larger rear tires than the SQ8 (325/35R22 vs. 285/45R21).

The DBX’s standard 285/40R22 front and 325/35R22 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series front and 35 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the SQ8’s standard 45 series tires. The DBX’s optional 285/35R23 front and 325/30R23 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the SQ8’s optional 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the DBX has standard 22-inch wheels. Smaller 21-inch wheels are standard on the SQ8. The DBX’s optional 23-inch wheels are larger than the 22-inch wheels optional on the SQ8.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the DBX’s wheelbase is 2.6 inches longer than on the SQ8 (120.5 inches vs. 117.9 inches).

The DBX707 handles at .97 G’s, while the SQ8 Prestige pulls only .92 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Aston Martin DBX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 150 to 350 pounds less than the Audi SQ8.

The DBX has 3.8 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom, 1.9 inches more rear headroom and .7 inches more rear legroom than the SQ8.

Flexibility is maximized at the game, campground or a drive-in theatre in the DBX when its optional tailgating rear seats are deployed, allowing people to sit facing out of the liftgate. (Do not use while vehicle is in motion.) The SQ8 doesn’t offer tailgating seats.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the DBX easier. The DBX’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 31.9 inches, while the SQ8’s liftover is 33.7 inches.

Pressing a button automatically lowers the DBX’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The SQ8 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Standard Trailer Stability Control on the DBX uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The SQ8 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the SQ8, the DBX has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

To better shield the driver and front passenger’s vision, the DBX has standard dual-element sun visors that can block glare from two directions simultaneously. The SQ8 doesn’t offer secondary sun visors.

Optional air conditioned front and rear seats keep the DBX’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The SQ8 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.