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The SQ5 name first appeared on the back of an Audi in 2013 with both a supercharged V6 petrol and turbocharged V6 diesel version of the first generation Audi Q5. When the second generation Q5 arrived in 2017, Audi wasted little time in including a turbo V6 petrol SQ5 - but then replaced it in 2019 with a turbocharged diesel instead.
That’s the car we’re focusing on here, and served as the top model in the Q5 range until 2023. Thanks to its diesel power it’s a performance SUV that, while not exactly cheap to run, isn’t outrageous either, and is a little more subtle than some of the petrol competition.
Rivals for the SQ5 include several versions of the Porsche Macan, as well as higher-performance models in the Mercedes GLC and BMW X3 ranges. As an offbeat alternative, if you don’t need the SQ5’s extra space, the smaller five-cylinder petrol RS Q3 is an underrated fast SUV too.
The regular Audi Q5 makes a great all-rounder in the premium family SUV market, and that doesn’t change if you opt for the high-performance SQ5 - but naturally, the higher pricing and higher running costs of the top model do make it slightly less sensible, so this isn’t a car for everyone.
A handful of enthusiasts might have complained when the SQ5 went diesel in 2019, but it was a sensible move on Audi’s part - cars like this just make more sense as diesels, and the SQ5 actually got quicker as a diesel than it was as a petrol, so other than a slightly less musical engine note, there was no real downside.
The SQ5’s mighty torque dominates the driving experience. It’s a capable handler too but not as good to drive as some of Audi’s hot estates like the S4 and S6 Avant, as the taller body means it’s not quite as agile, and the steering doesn’t feed as much information to your fingertips. It’s an excellent high-speed cruiser though and the diesel V6 keeps noise levels down.
Like many Audi interiors, the SQ5’s driving environment looks and feels high-quality, it’s well-equipped across the board, and feels just a little more special than that of a regular Q5. The boot space doesn’t suffer compared to a normal Q5 either, so it’s no less practical.
If you’re considering a performance SUV, then the Porsche Macan is hard to beat in this segment - it drives even better than the SQ5, though Porsche dropped diesel from the range just as Audi adopted it. The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 is a petrol-powered alternative, while the less overtly sporty BMW X3 M40d is quicker and more frugal than the Audi.
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If you’d prefer petrol power in your high-performance SUV then you’ll want to look at pre-2019 Audi SQ5s, but otherwise you’re limited to a diesel engine and a handful of trim levels. We’ve no real preference when it comes to specification - the SQ5 isn’t as sharp to drive as some of Audi’s other performance cars so the Sport differential of the Vorsprung is probably overkill, and the higher-spec car’s larger alloy wheels will undoubtedly provide less cushioning on poor surfaces and over potholes.
The SQ5 was offered in a handful of different trim lines, but can be primarily separated into the standard SQ5 model and the better-equipped (and when new, much more expensive) Vorsprung. Several elements of the Vorsprung’s standard equipment were optionally available on the regular car though, so some models may be better equipped than others.
The Audi SQ5’s dimensions are:
The Audi SQ5’s boot size is:
High initial pricing and a diesel engine means the SQ5 attracts the full double-whammy for tax, in its second to its sixth years of registration, a government surcharge for vehicles over £40,000 lifting the annual bill to £570. From year seven, this drops down to £180 per year.
Depending on model year and specification, the SQ5 sits in insurance groups 42-46, out of a maximum group 50. This is roughly on par with most rivals - the entire Porsche Macan range, including models with less power than the Audi, spans groups 35 to 47.
What is the most popular colour for Audi SQ5 ?
What is the most popular gearbox for Audi SQ5 ?
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What is the average mileage for Audi SQ5 ?
28984
How many Audi SQ5 cars are available for sale?
62