Performance luxury crossovers are quickly gaining in popularity, with the pending arrival of the Jaguar F-Pace, Mercedes-AMG GLC, and others. But if you’re in the market for an all-weather holdall to cure your need for speed today, the Audi SQ5 could very well be the ticket.
With its small exterior dimensions, dialed-in sports suspension, and bank-vault solid build quality, it has much to offer discerning crossover customers. The SQ5 builds on the Q5’s handsome styling with a more aggressive front air dam, a sportier grille and matte-finish aluminum trim for the roof rails and mirrors. Standard 20-inch wheels look perfectly at home on this little hauler, and frame the newly available red-painted brake calipers. Larger 21-inch wheels can also be had, but if you’re considering them, take note: they only add to the firmness of the ride.
Inside, the SQ5 is traditional Audi with fine materials, a driver-centric layout, and a spacious cabin. SQ5s get a flat-bottom steering wheel, plus sportier seats than the standard Q5. For 2016 they can be enhanced with quilted stitching for a posh look. Aluminum interior trim comes standard, but can be swapped out for carbon fibre at extra cost.
Generally speaking, the SQ5 is well equipped and includes niceties such as a power tailgate, panoramic sunroof, Nappa leather upholstery, tri-zone climate control, power seats with driver memory, and a 60/40 split folding rear bench that slides and reclines. Oddly, a reverse camera is not standard, and while the SQ5 comes standard with a 10-speaker premium audio system, Bluetooth streaming audio and a USB port are not included. Smartphone connectivity is supported through a proprietary cable, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aren’t included. The Navigation package rights some of these issues with navigation, reverse camera, front and rear parking sensors, but at a cost of $2,800.
With its supercharged 354-horsepower V6 engine, and eight-speed automatic transmission, plus Quattro all-wheel drive, the SQ5 provides very strong performance. Audi claims a 5.3-second 0-100 km/h time which bests quite a few sports cars, and much of the luxury compact crossover brigade. Fuel economy is rated at a respectable 14.1 L/100 km city, and 9.9 L/100 km highway.
The closest vehicle to it in terms of size and ability is the Porsche Macan Turbo, which offers an additional 46 hp, and uses a pair of turbochargers instead of a supercharger. It’s considerably dearer though, at $83,400. There’s also the BMW X4 xDriveM40i, which offers the same level of power at $59,700, but has a coupe-inspired raked roofline that has less overall cargo space.
Pricing for the 2016 Audi SQ5 starts at $58,500 in base Progressiv trim, with the premium Technik trim selling for $60,700.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
