It’s truly difficult to find a “perfect SUV” that combines best-of-breed performance with practicality, especially for the right price.
Audi’s high performance SQ5 is one such car – a rare breed that provides Porsche-like feel without compromising the utilitarian nature of an SUV. And at a price point thousands of dollars less than the comparable Porsche Macan, it’s hard not to give this car an A++ rating.
I was so impressed by this car that I ended up buying it, and after several months of ownership I am still convinced that it’s one of the best performance vehicles in the marketplace.
The only significant thing to keep in mind is that a new version of the SQ5 is just around the corner. The 2018 SQ5 promises to be smoother and faster, but since it is an unproven version that’s going to be built in Audi’s brand new Mexican factory, why take a chance? The 2017 is already so good.
Design
The 2017 Audi SQ5 is something special because there is more than meets the eye. Subtle design cues shout out to passers-by: red caliper brakes, silver-toned trims, a wide stance, quad exhaust and an enhanced grill. This noteworthy vehicle is truly a wolf in Q5’s clothing.
The body design has a sleek appearance, but essentially this Audi is a “sleeper” as it doesn’t look radically different from the standard Q5. An extended hood and clean lines give the SQ5 a grown up and sophisticated look that can go anywhere and be anything. What you have here is sleek German design without a pretentious or “boy-racer” stigma.
At 2,560 kilograms it’s no lightweight, but its curb weight is not apparent in its stance or in the way it moves thanks to an aluminum chassis and suspension wizardry. The SQ5 sits 30 millimetres lower than its Q5 counterpart giving it a sporty appearance and engaging road feel.
Performance
Quintessentially German, the SQ5 is a crossover mover. Think of it as a businessman’s jet: sleek, refined, fast yet confident.
The SQ5 uses the same 3.0-litre supercharged V-6 as in the top of the line Q5, but the similarities end there. In the SQ5, the V-6 pushes out a staggering 354 horsepower compared to 272 for the Q5. What is really impressive is the SQ5’s torque: 347 foot-pounds compared to 295. This takes you 0-100 kilometres per hour in just 5.3 seconds.
All this power is intelligently fed through Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system. This system combined with the 30 mm suspension drop, firmer springs and shock absorbers translates into a confident agile drive.
Rounding a corner is sharp and controlled, thanks to Audi’s electromechanical speed-sensitive power steering and beefy 21-inch Pirelli tires.
An eight-speed tiptronic gearbox ensures smooth shifting, and almost unnoticeable gear changes around town and on highways. The intelligent gearbox helps deliver a fuel consumption of 12.2 litres/100 kilometres combined. That’s quite good, considering the mass, weight and performance of this vehicle.
The driving experience can be personalized with the choice of Auto, Comfort, Dynamic or Individual driving modes. When in Dynamic mode, the car changes personality. Throttle response sharpens and the adaptive suspension firms up. The tiptronic gearbox goes into sport-shift mode.
Place the shifter into manual and the command of shifting becomes the driver’s pleasure, utilizing the paddles behind the wheel and shifting at the driver’s command. The exhaust note changes too, rewarding the driver with a defined “blip” with each gear selection.
The growling exhaust note is a surprise for such a refined looking car. This adaptive exhaust means that the car can truly have two personalities – quiet and refined and then, on command, throaty, without the usual drone of most sport exhausts.
The SQ5’s braking performance and pedal feel is well balanced and would be appreciated by any driver.
Environment
The SQ5’s sports theme continues in the Audi’s interior with stylish grey gauges. High build quality is instantly apparent and sleek lines welcome you. Audi’s passion to create a car that is more than an A to B run-around is obvious in its interior.
The optional diamond stitched seats and a gorgeous Beaufort aluminum inlay adorn the centre console, doors and dash in this vehicle. It takes a master craftsman to produce this kind of work. Black wood and aluminum are layered over and over again, then sliced wafer thin and inlayed for the cabin. These design features are not a cheap option at $1,100 but the superb craftsmanship will be appreciated for a lifetime.
The Bang & Olufson sound system with its 14 speakers sounds fantastic in both the front and back seats. All entertainment, navigation and driver’s settings can be accessed through Audi’s Multimedia Interface Infotainment system. This system is quick and easy to use; shortcut keys around the console make for effortless selection without having to scroll through menus.
Jumping into the back seats we discover that it can easily accommodate three adults. Storage is 824 litres of space and when the rear seats drop down the storage capacity increase to 1,623 l. The Audi’s trunk is complete with tie-downs to secure loads and optional winter tray to stop mud from tracking in.
A moonroof that extends almost the entire length of the cabin adds to the spacious feel of the interior. A tri-climate control ensures that passengers remain in perfect comfort – even with the roof retracted.
Available in three customizable trim packages, prices start from $58,500 to $65,790.
Thumbs up
The SQ5’s understated design impresses with high level performance on the road and great attention to detail. Sharp looking interior.
Thumbs down
Even though the SQ5 has many talents, it is not a true off-road machine. Should you require this capability, consider other vehicles like the Range Rover.
The bottom line
Designed to have the nimbleness of a sports car, the utility of an SUV and the comfort of a luxury sedan, the SQ5 is an evolution of design parameters for an ever-changing market.
Competitors
Porsche Macan S: From a true sports car manufacturer, the Porsche Macan brings home the sports performance with the looks and the badge. It has the best handling in this class.
The Porsche Macan S starts at $59,200
Mercedes-Benz GLE: Mercedes-Benz is currently undergoing a restructuring and renaming its lineup of vehicles. The GLE is the new name of the outgoing M-Class and parallels the E-Series sedan.
The GLE has a wide range of prices, starting at $63,200 and going up to $113,700. It offers surprising level of handling.
Jaguar F-Pace: The Jaguar utilizes an all-aluminum body. It’s light and offers a firm sporty ride that’s serene when cruising. Jaguar’s latest design ethos for its whole range has re-ignited the line and it is extremely attractive.
The Jaguar F-Pace starts at $50,900. The S AWD, which is the one to go for, comes in at $67,900.
