Item: Audi SQ5
Rating: 4
Author: Steve Huntingford

Assuming you’re willing to consider a diesel these days, the 40 TDI is a brilliant engine. It's effortlessly strong from low revs and the acceleration arrives smoothly and progressively as the revs rise.

40 TDI Quattro

Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV have all won their classes at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards in recent years, while the TT coupé is the most decorated car in the history of the ceremony.

At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.

Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.

AUDI

S line brings larger 19in alloy wheels, more aggressive bumpers, privacy glass and the fancier matrix headlights. It also allows you to opt for a rear seat package for more flexible seating.

S Line

40 TDI Quattro S Line 5dr S Tronic

40-tdi-quattro-s-line-5dr-s-tronic

Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio

Aston Martin DBX

Audi RS Q3

Audi RS Q8

Audi SQ2

Audi SQ5

Audi SQ7

Audi SQ8

BMW X2 M35i

BMW X4 M Competition

Cupra Ateca

Ford Puma ST

Hyundai Kona N

Jaguar F-Pace SVR

Lamborghini Urus

Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 Coupé

Mini Countryman JCW

Porsche Cayenne

Porsche Cayenne Coupe

Porsche Macan

Skoda Kodiaq vRS

Volkswagen T-Roc R

Volkswagen Tiguan R

Volkswagen Touareg R

Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

Running costs are one area where the Audi SQ5's diesel engine really helps your wallet, and its&nbsp;official WLTP fuel economy is just shy of 35mpg. You'll be lucky to get in the high twenties in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/f-pace/estate/review/n17356">Jaguar F-Pace</a> 400 Sport or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/macan/4x4/review/n52">Porsche Macan</a>&nbsp;– although the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x3/4x4/review/n42">BMW X3</a> M40d offers a similar amount of performance&nbsp;with an even better fuel economy figure of around 40mpg.

If you’re a cash buyer, the SQ5’s list price is similar to the X3 and less than the F-Pace and Macan GTS. And while resale values should prove competitive with a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/glc/4x4/review/n17345">Mercedes GLC</a> 43 or X3 40i, the SQ5 will shed its value quicker than a Macan.

CO2 emissions are quite low for a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-sports-suvs-2022/n20200">sports SUV</a>&nbsp;but the SQ5 still pumps out enough to be placed in the top benefit-in-kind tax band for <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-company-cars-2022/n22605">company cars</a>. That means it won’t save you anything in tax over petrol rivals with even higher CO2 outputs.

We’d stick with the standard version, which features most of what you might reasonably need, including leather seats with heating and four-way electric lumbar support in the front, three-zone climate control,&nbsp;20in alloy wheels, privacy glass, parking aids and touchscreen infotainment.

Disappointingly, air suspension is not available as an option on the standard SQ5, giving you no alternative but to fork out for the significantly more expensive Vorsprung version if you want a pillowy ride.&nbsp;That said, at least you get pretty much everything else bar the proverbial kitchen sink with Vorsprung, including 21in wheels, adaptive cruise control, carbonfibre interior finishers, a panoramic sunroof and a head-up display.

Audi hasn’t been stingy with safety kit, either: six airbags, a tyre pressure monitoring system and automatic emergency braking (<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">AEB</a>) are standard. Vorsprung adds active lane-keeping assist, and the automatic emergency braking works up to the 155mph top speed, rather than the standard model’s 52mph ‘city’ limit. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-safest-cars-on-sale-today/n19724">Euro NCAP</a> awarded the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q5/4x4/review/n41">Audi Q5</a> a five-star safety rating, with&nbsp;slightly better marks in the individual categories than the F-Pace tested in the same year.

As for reliability, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/audi">Audi</a> finished 21st out of 32 manufacturers in the 2022 <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2021-what-car-reliability-survey/n23397">What Car? Reliability Survey</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;just below Porsche in joint 19th (with Tesla) and above Jaguar in 26th. A three-year, 60,000 mile warranty comes as standard.

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With 336bhp, the Audi SQ5 is certainly fast – it can do 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds – but most rivals, including the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/macan/4x4/review/n52">Porsche Macan</a> GTS are even quicker. Even the diesel-powered <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x3/4x4/review/n42">BMW X3</a> M40d creeps under 5.0sec for the same sprint.

Yet if you’re after something quick but also effortless to drive, the immense torque the SQ5's 3.0-litre diesel engine produces at low to mid revs will really appeal, because it allows it&nbsp;to&nbsp;gain&nbsp;speed without needing to be thrashed.

There's a slight delay between you squeezing the accelerator pedal and the car surging forwards, but when it does, you’re up to motorway speeds&nbsp;in no time. In other words, as a way to cover ground swiftly from point to point, it's an incredibly effective <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-sports-suvs-2022/n20200">sports SUV</a>.

<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/audi">Audi</a> has chosen to augment the diesel engine note using a sound generator located in the exhaust. The result is a V8-inspired woofle that you'll either love or wish would go away.&nbsp;

The brakes are impressive at shedding speed but are also easy to apply smoothly. The standard eight-speed automatic gearbox is a little slow to kick down, but it sifts through its ratios smoothly and speedily the rest of the time – and you can always change gear manually using paddles mounted behind the steering wheel.

There are various driving modes to flick between, the most focused of which is Dynamic. That sharpens the SQ5's accelerator response, adds weight to the steering and makes the gearbox more assertive. The standard-fit S suspension with damping control (air suspension is only available on the higher Vorsprung trim)&nbsp;can be stiffened to reduce body lean through corners.

The results are good. The steering isn't quite as direct or communicative as the Macan’s, but it is accurate, making it easy to place the SQ5 exactly where you want on the road. It also controls its body remarkably well through tight bends. The Macan might be a little more fun, with its more rear-biased four-wheel-drive set-up, but we doubt it would actually prove any quicker on a mix of roads.

In the SQ5's Comfort mode, everything relaxes, including the suspension damping, allowing uneven roads around town to be dealt with commendably for a car with big wheels. Even the 21in alloys fitted to Vorsprung models (other versions get 20in ones) don’t ruin the ride thanks to its air suspension. If you throw into the equation the SQ5's whisper-quiet levels of wind and road noise, it makes for a hugely relaxing car to cover big miles in.

Fuel 

Gearbox

0-62 MPH

The most powerful engine in the lineup is a 336bhp 3.0 diesel that enables you to hit 62mph from rest in 5.1sec, riding a huge wave of low-rev grunt along the way. Exclusive to the SQ5.

http://example.com

sq5-tdi-quattro

The Audi SQ5 is rather unusual in the world of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-sports-suvs-2022/n20200">sports SUVs</a>. Why? Well, it's one of the last of these quick, high-riding cars to run on diesel rather than petrol.

After all, the word 'diesel' rarely appears in a sentence these days without&nbsp;'unfashionable', 'outdated' or – worse – 'dirty' in front of it. Still, there are at least two&nbsp;reasons why <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/audi">Audi</a> might be on to something with the SQ5's engine choice.

Firstly, a high-performance <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-large-suvs-2022/n17006">large SUV</a> with a powerful petrol engine will drink more than the local rugby team celebrating a big win on the pitch. And, secondly, the latest SQ5 (based on the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q5/4x4/review/n41">Audi Q5</a>) has some neat features to keep its engine as clean as possible.

For example, it&nbsp;has an electric compressor to improve the engine’s low-end responsiveness. It runs off a 48-volt, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/buying/what-is-a-mild-hybrid-and-should-you-buy-one/n22776">mild-hybrid</a> electrical system that recovers energy during braking for its battery&nbsp;and allows the engine to switch off completely and coast for up to 40 seconds&nbsp;when you lift off the accelerator. In other words, for parts of your journey, it's no more polluting than a field of buttercups.

With that in mind, then, does the latest Audi SQ5 make sense as the model of choice for buyers who want to combine pace and practicality, and how does it compare with the best alternatives in the sports SUV class? Well, we've driven it, and we'll answer those questions over the next few pages of this review.

We'll tell you how we rate the SQ5 for performance and handling, practicality, running costs and more, and put it up against the main rivals.&nbsp;They include similarly powerful versions of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x3/4x4/review/n42">BMW X3</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/f-pace/estate/review/n17356">Jaguar F-Pace</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/macan/4x4/review/n52">Porsche Macan</a>.

And remember, next time you're buying a new car, we can help you find it for the lowest price if you search our free What Car? <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Deals</a> pages. They have plenty of the best <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/sports-suv">new sports SUV deals</a>.

All Audi SQ5s come with luxurious diamond-stitched Napa leather seats, which only enhance what is already one of the best interiors in the class for out-and-out quality. There are textured, squishy plastics where you want them on the dashboard and doors, behind which everything feels solid. Even the buttons and switches operate in a precise way that Porsche and BMW can’t completely emulate.

The driving position is brimming with adjustability, from the reach and rake adjustable steering wheel&nbsp;to the multi-way powered driver’s seat, which includes four-way electric lumbar adjustment. The relationship between the pedals, seat and steering wheel is also very good.

As with&nbsp;the standard <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q5/4x4/review/n41">Audi Q5</a>&nbsp;visibility is excellent. There’s a more commanding seating position than in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/macan/4x4/review/n52">Porsche Macan</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;the SQ5’s relatively slender front pillars and tall windows mean you’ll have no trouble seeing out at junctions and roundabouts. Happily, front and rear parking sensors are standard, as well as a rear-view camera. Top-spec Vorsprung trim adds a&nbsp;360-degree camera, plus adaptive matrix headlights over the standard version’s LED units.

Audi's excellent MMI Navigation Plus touchscreen infotainment system comes as standard. It's a little bit more distracting to use while driving than the iDrive system in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x3/4x4/review/n42">BMW X3</a>&nbsp;but you do get&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a> smartphone mirroring so you can run your own apps through the screen.

You also get a Virtual Cockpit digital instrument panel and, on top-spec Vorsprung models, a head-up display.

A seriously competent sports SUV – if you're willing to consider a diesel

The SQ5 is just as roomy inside as the regular <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q5/4x4/review/n41">Audi Q5</a>. That means there’s no shortage of head and leg room up front. For storage you get&nbsp;a large glovebox, a pair of cupholders, door cubbies large enough to each store a bottle, and a large centre cubby with a padded lid that doubles as an armrest.&nbsp;

In the back, there’s enough width for three adults to sit side by side, although anyone in the middle is forced to straddle a large tunnel that runs along the centre of the floor. The entry-level&nbsp;SQ5&nbsp;has&nbsp;a moulding for the rear interior light that pinches some head room, but top-spec Vorsprung has a panoramic glass roof instead. The outer rear seats are much more accommodating if there are just two passengers in the back, offering loads of head room and a decent amount of knee room, even for those long in the leg.

Storage space in the rear isn’t as abundant. You’ll need the optional Storage pack to get storage nets on the back of the front seats and a pair of small pop-out cupholders on the centre armrest (it&nbsp;also adds an elasticated storage net and strap in the boot to hold smaller items in place).

The rear seats fold in a 40/20/40 split and are&nbsp;easy to drop down using a couple of handy levers next to the tailgate opening. Sliding and reclining rear seats are also standard, allowing rear passengers to kick back and relax on longer journeys, or letting you to trade a bit of rear leg room for a larger boot.

You get a powered tailgate as standard and it opens to reveal a bigger boot than in the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/macan/4x4/review/n52">Porsche Macan</a>. While the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x3/4x4/review/n42">BMW X3</a>&nbsp;boot is slightly larger on paper, the SQ5 can swallow one more carry-on suitcase with nine in total. It’s a useful&nbsp;square shape inside, and is easily large enough to swallow a fold-up pram. There's a small load lip between the tailgate opening and the boot floor that you have to lift things over.

The SQ5 ticks many, many boxes. The diesel engine provides quick but also effortless performance with sensible fuel economy, and sounds surprisingly theatrical too. The ride and handling is beautifully judged – although it's not quite as entertaining as the Porsche Macan – yet it remains a practical large SUV for those with a family.


<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Strong performance</li> <li>Precise, feelsome steering</li> <li>Agile, entertaining handling</li> <li>Reasonable ride comfort</li> <li>Smart and practical interior</li></ul>

Needing a&nbsp;practical load-lugger doesn't mean you need to scrimp on power and sporting prowess. In fact, most sporty manufacturers now have dedicated sports SUVs in their line-up with 0-62mph times to rival cars half their size.&nbsp;

Porsche, for example, offers two:&nbsp;the Macan and the Cayenne, both of which offer rapid performance and seriously impressive handling, as well as providing enough space for five people and a boot capable of fitting more than seven carry-on suitcases.&nbsp;

But even&nbsp;manufacturers not usually focused on track times are getting involved in this market. The Volkswagen T-Roc R is one of our favourites, too, with a 0-62mph time of 4.8sec&nbsp;and&nbsp;fuel economy of 31.5mpg. A sports SUV&nbsp;should satisfy anyone who doesn't want to trade speed for space.&nbsp;

Sports SUV

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plenty of space for all passengers</li> <li>Large boot with lots of clever storage solutions</li> <li>Good fuel economy and running costs</li> <li>All-round comfort</li> <li>High-quality interior finish</li></ul>

We define a large SUV as anything longer than 4.5 metres. These cars aren’t usually particularly cheap to buy or lease, so in return we expect a roomy cabin, a lengthy list of standard equipment and excellent cruising refinement. A few models in this class are two-wheel drive, but the vast majority have four-wheel drive for at least a modicum of off-road ability.

The Mazda CX-5 is firmly road-focused, but its 2.0-litre petrol engine is a strong, refined performer, making it looks good value for less than&nbsp;£25k. If you can stretch the budget a fair bit, the Audi Q5 provides a combination of comfort, driving prowess, quality and space that's hard to beat. Unlike some rivals, it can't be had with seven seats, though.

A more affordable, yet well-equipped alternative is the Peugeot 5008. It’s more than capable of coping with family life&nbsp;– and all versions have seven seats as standard.&nbsp;

Large SUV

Audi SQ5 review

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Best small SUV

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All Audi SQ5s come with luxurious diamond-stitched Napa leather seats, which only enhance what is already one of the best interiors in the class for out-and-out quality. There are textured, squishy plastics where you want them on the dashboard and doors, behind which everything feels solid. Even the buttons and switches operate in a precise way that Porsche and BMW can’t completely emulate.,The driving position is brimming with adjustability, from the reach and rake adjustable steering wheel to the multi-way powered driver’s seat, which includes four-way electric lumbar adjustment. The relationship between the pedals, seat and steering wheel is also very good.,As with the standard Audi Q5 visibility is excellent. There’s a more commanding seating position than in the Porsche Macan and the SQ5’s relatively slender front pillars and tall windows mean you’ll have no trouble seeing out at junctions and roundabouts. Happily, front and rear parking sensors are standard, as well as a rear-view camera. Top-spec Vorsprung trim adds a 360-degree camera, plus adaptive matrix headlights over the standard version’s LED units.,Audi's excellent MMI Navigation Plus touchscreen infotainment system comes as standard. It's a little bit more distracting to use while driving than the iDrive system in the BMW X3 but you do get Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone mirroring so you can run your own apps through the screen.,You also get a Virtual Cockpit digital instrument panel and, on top-spec Vorsprung models, a head-up display.

Review of Audi SQ5 interior by the expert What Car? team. Compare in car entertainment system, driving comfort and visibility with similar cars.

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Audi SQ5 review

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