The Rise of the SUV Coupe: A Daft Trend or Brilliant Innovation?
There’s no denying that the rise of the SUV coupe is one of the more peculiar trends in the world of motoring. Taking a big, heavy car and attempting to make it sporty seems like a questionable decision. So why do wealthy buyers continue to flock to these expensive beasts?
The Desire for Streamlined SUVs
To uncover why luxury car buyers can’t seem to get enough of SUV coupes, I decided to take an outgoing version of the Audi Q8 on a 2,000-mile test drive. Although an updated version will soon be in showrooms, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about with its predecessor.
From Posh Saloons to SUVs
Back in the day, car buying was a straightforward affair for successful high-fliers. They would simply purchase a big, luxurious saloon car and add a sports car for some weekend fun. However, car makers saw an opportunity to combine these two elements and create a very fast saloon, leading to blurred lines in the automotive world.
Germany, in particular, played a major role in popularizing this concept. BMW, Mercedes, and Audi competed fiercely with their big-engined, four-door models. Eventually, designers and engineers came up with a new idea in the 1990s: what if they put those powerful engines into estate cars? The result was the emergence of the fast estate as the ultimate cool family car.
Fast forward to the present, and we find deep-pocketed car buyers with a different object of desire: the coupe SUV. But when I look at these vehicles, I can’t help but wonder, where did things go wrong?
The Foolishness of the SUV Coupe
While the Audi Q8 may be an accomplished car, there’s no escaping the fact that it’s a very large, two-tonne-plus vehicle. Despite its agility and impressive performance, common sense tells us that if you want a sporty car, smaller and lighter would be a better choice.
So where did rich people car land go astray? It all began in the early 2000s, when saloons and estates became outdated, and SUVs became the new status symbol. Premium manufacturers responded by introducing large, heavy SUVs that required more powerful engines and guzzled more fuel. And then came the SUV coupe, an idea that can only be described as daft.
BMW played a significant role in popularizing this trend with its X6, followed swiftly by Mercedes and other manufacturers. Now, the SUV coupe has become so ingrained in the motoring world that you can choose between a Lamborghini Urus or a Renault Arkana, although we’d recommend the former.
But let’s face it, the coupe SUV is an obviously foolish concept. It takes a large, practical car and makes it less practical by sacrificing boot space and headroom. Moreover, these models require effort to make them fast and sporty, a task better suited for smaller, lower, and lighter cars.
Now let’s dive into my experience with the Audi Q8, as I spent ten days with it on a family trip to the Alps and back.
An Unexpected Surprise: The Audi Q8
As much as I hate to admit it, driving the Audi Q8 did change my mind to some extent. This is the problem with modern cars that are so accomplished that what seems bad in theory turns out to be good in practice.
Compared to its SUV coupe rivals, such as the BMW X6 or Mercedes GLE, the Audi Q8 is a more sensible option. Audi has taken a measured approach to reshaping the car, opting for a broader curve instead of the extreme coupe attempts by its competitors.
The Q8 is a handsome, rounded-off SUV that doesn’t appear as large as it actually is when you see it on the road. Its gently curved roofline minimizes the loss of boot space and headroom, addressing the practicality concerns commonly associated with coupe SUVs.
Speaking of practicality, the Q8 offers ample room in both the luggage compartment and the rear seats. With a hatchback boot that can hold 605 litres, it easily accommodated our family’s luggage and mountain gear. The 40/20/40 seat split also proves handy for transporting long items.
Passengers in the rear will find themselves traveling in luxury, thanks to generous legroom and comfortable seats. Even during our 12-hour journey to the French Alps, my two girls had no complaints about the spacious and reclining seats.
In terms of interior design, the Q8 boasts a luxurious and well-laid-out cabin. The piano black wraparound dashboard, soft leather seats, and clean lines contribute to an overall feeling of quality. The double touch screen in the middle of the dashboard makes controls easily accessible, while the digital display behind the leather steering wheel provides essential information within your line of sight.
Now, I’m aware of my own prejudices when it comes to SUVs, especially in the pursuit of sleekness, speed, and handling. But the Audi Q8 proved that a large, comfortable, and practical SUV coupe can be an excellent choice, especially for long journeys.
The SUV Coupe Dilemma
In the end, the SUV coupe trend may seem like a daft idea in theory, but in practice, it’s all about finding the right balance. The Audi Q8 manages to deliver a blend of practicality, luxury, and style that makes it a compelling choice in this segment.
So, if you’re someone who desires a sleek, quick, and good-handling car, perhaps starting with an SUV isn’t such a crazy idea after all.
But regardless of your preferences, the rise of the SUV coupe has undoubtedly added an intriguing dimension to the world of motoring.
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