Audi SQ5 review

So, you’ve decided you want the hottest version of the new Q5? Well done you. And now that you’ve settled on the V6-engined SQ5, there aren’t actually that many more decisions for you to make.

You’ll need to pick whether you want the SUV or Sportback of course, but both are only available in Edition 1 trim here in the UK, with prices starting at £74,430 for the SUV and £76,930 for the coupe-ified Sportback.

As standard that spec includes 21in wheels, Matrix LED headlights, digital OLED taillights (with eight different signatures), red brake calipers, a panoramic sunroof and the black exterior trim.

Inside there are those excellent Nappa leather seats that are heated, ventilated and massaging. There’s also additional multi-coloured ambient lighting, the extra passenger screen, heated rear seats, a Bang & Olufsen sound system and adaptive cruise control. So, while the straight-six BMW X3 M50 may start at £68,480, it’ll actually cost almost exactly the same as the SQ5 once you’ve ticked a few boxes.

Options on the Audi include £750 for metallic paint (or £1,495 for the interesting ‘Sakhir gold metallic’), £250 for some chunky five-spoke 21in wheels and £590 for some carbon fibre door mirrors. If you’re paying for the latter, please reevaluate your life choices.

Audi reckons on 33.6mpg and 190g/km of CO2.