Audi SQ5 review

Ah, it’s that fast diesel Audi SUV, isn’t it? Well, you’re half right. The all-new Audi SQ5 is stonkingly quick, but it’s now back to being powered by a turbocharged petrol V6.

In fact, it’s actually a hybridised and turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol V6. The full new Q5 range (including this hot version) is based on Audi’s Premium Platform Combustion underpinnings, which allows for the addition of a 48-volt hybrid system that Audi calls ‘MHEV Plus’. More on that later.

What are the headline figures?

Well, this isn’t a full-fat RS model, so just like in the new Audi S5 (which is technically the new Audi S4, remember), this engine makes a healthy but not totally bonkers 362bhp. There is slightly more torque in the SQ5 though – 406lb ft here plays 369lb ft in the related saloon/estate.

Of course there’s quattro four-wheel drive too, and your only choice of gearbox is a seven-speed dual-clutch auto. The SQ5 will do 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds and is electronically limited to 155mph at the top end. Punchy numbers.

Wait, are there two different bodystyles?

Ah yes, you may have spotted in the gallery above that you can have the SQ5 in proper SUV form, or as a chopped, coupe-like thing that Audi calls the SQ5 Sportback. There’s more detail over on the Interior tab of this review, but they’re actually remarkably similar with the Sportback barely losing any boot space. We prefer the looks of the SUV though, even though the buying public is obsessed with coupe-SUVs.

In general, the new SQ5 doesn’t look too different to the previous generation. There’s now a huge amount of grille up front though and some more aggressive headlights, plus new wheel designs (21s are standard) and a full width lightbar at the rear with fancy digital OLED taillights. The rear bumper has been erm… bumped up too, so the exhaust tips now sit below an extra bit of body coloured trim.

Oh, and the SQ5 is only available in top spec ‘Edition 1’ trim in the UK to begin with, so you have to have the ‘black styling package’. Shame, we prefer the traditional silver mirrors and trim on S-badged Audis. Anyway, there’s no doubting that the end result is a third-gen Q5 that’s much easier on the eye than the equivalent Mk4 BMW X3.

What’s it like on the inside?

There’s a lot going on up front inside the new Audi Q5, and it’s much the same for the SQ5. The ‘Digital Stage’ dashboard features an 11.9in dial display for the driver, a massive 14.5in central touchscreen and an extra 10.9in screen for the front seat passenger. Good luck with that digital detox if you own one of these.

There’s more detail over on the Interior tab, but worth noting the SQ5 also gets a special sporty set of front seats that are brilliantly comfortable.

How much will I have to pay for one?

In the UK, prices for the SQ5 SUV in Edition 1 spec start at £74,430. The Sportback is even more at £76,930. Not cheap at all, although both do have fairly hefty equipment lists as standard.

What are the rivals?

Perhaps the SQ5’s main rival is the BMW X3 M50 – another slightly sporty SUV with six cylinders and bundles of power. Prices for that start at just over £68k but can quickly rise with a few boxes ticked on the configurator.

There’s also the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43, but that only gets four cylinders and starts at £83,190, or you could have the all-electric Porsche Macan in 4S form for similar money to the Audi. That would bag you 509bhp and up to 377 miles of range.

Like with lots of warm Audis the SQ5 is now bombastically quick, but it goes about its business in a fairly serious manner. There are faint rumblings of a hot V6, but the noise never really comes to the fore and try as you might, you’re unlikely to be able to unstick it through a bend.

That’s just fine though, because for the majority of their lives most SQ5s will be treated as standard family SUVs. So, there’s a big boot, plenty of space in the back and a posh – if overly screen-heavy – interior. The hybrid system is well-integrated too for pottering about town or crawling along in traffic, but for this money it’s perhaps just a shame that there isn’t a little bit more excitement for when the road ahead opens up.