► Audi SQ5 with 362bhp turbo V6
► The engine is the star of the show
► But the air suspension is ace, too
Hurrah – the high-performance Audi SQ5 has made a valiant return. As is typical for the brand, it’s gone all-on on the tech and engineering, giving the hottest model in the current Audi Q5 an intriguing edge over its older German competition.
Oh, and there’s a nuclear bomb for an engine. We strap ourselves to it, Dr Strangelove-style, and find it remarkably comfortable and capable on UK roads.
At a glance:
Pros: Fabulous engine, impressive ride and handling balance, well-built and well equipped
Cons: Needs to be driven hard for it to be fun, sometimes fiddly interior
What’s new?
This entire Q5 generation, including the conventional SUV and the Sportback models, use Audi’s recently introduced Premium Platform Combustion – just like the A5 and A6 saloon and estate. As well as new engines and a new chassis structure, the car’s entire software setup has been overhauled.
For this generation, it’s welcome to also see the return of this high-performance SQ5 model. The previous version flip-flopped between running on petrol or diesel, but this new one launches as a petrol version and is likely to stay that way.
What are the specs?
You can have your SQ5 in either SUV or Sportback form. Technically, the SQ5 also only comes in one equipment specification that Audi calls Edition 1. That trim is effectively Audi’s most equipment-laden model, meaning the SQ5 comes armed to the teeth with the latest tech and luxuries. That includes S-spec 21-inch wheels, OLED lighting, a panoramic sunroof, head-up display and a Bang & Olufsen audio system.
We say technically, because the UK car we’ve most recently been driving was actually a Launch Edition, an early special available to the keenest buyers. This isn’t short of kit either, but it’s a moot point as you can’t get a new one anymore.
Regardless, at the heart of the latest SQ5 is a new-generation twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6, which develops 362bhp and 405lb ft. Regardless of body style, the SQ5 can sprint to 62mph in a potent 4.5 seconds and reaches an artificially limited top speed of 155mph.
Audi has also included its MHEV Plus technology in the SQ5, which is designed to give the car a circa 20bhp power boost and enable engine-off coasting and low-speed driving. Handy for that extra kick, but also for when you’re stuck in traffic or need to make a quiet getaway leaving your home.
What’s it like to drive?
The star of the show is that weapon of an engine. It’s hugely flexible, managing to be well behaved and smooth when you want it to be, and leaning on that MHEV Plus system for traffic crawling and coasting. It’s all quiet inside when you’re pottering around town or cruising on the motorway, just getting on with the job.
Having air suspension as standard also gives the SQ5 a breadth of ability, too. Even on 21s, the ride balance is impressive – feeling plump enough to tackle hard knocks and large ruts but refined enough to not give you aggro. And that’s despite it being an Audi Sport model.
Flick the SQ5 into Dynamic mode, though, and that engine goes from buttoned up to bombastic. It makes a fantastic noise – a properly tuneful V6 chorus that’s backed up by pretty stonking performance for something that isn’t a full-fat RS. There’s a smidge of lag at low revs if you’re in too high a gear, but it’s broadly linear in its power delivery.
The thing is, the SQ5 encourages you to drive like an idiot. The idea that a car with such usable power and performance means that you must push it to the ragged edge or manhandle it for it to truly come alive.
We call it The Golf R Principle. Though it appears the trademark request got lost in the post.
It’s not that the SQ5 isn’t sweet to drive – it really is. It’s freakin’ fast, and can cover ground at considerable pace. But to extract that extra bit of heart flutter or add a few extra degrees of angle to that smile, you’re venturing into excess on the road.
What’s the interior like?
We’re already getting bored with writing about this interior design. If you’ve been keeping tabs on Audi’s recent models, you’ll notice this SQ5 shares a lot of interior design with the A5 and A6, as well as the electric Q6. A big ‘digital stage’ infotainment display, pared back instruments, crisp graphics and a hell of a lot of gloss black are all included. Audi’s holding on to haptic steering wheel buttons, too, which is annoying.
Audi Sport bits are few and far between, which is a shame. Bespoke seats with some great stitching are the key differentiator here, but at least they’re damn good ones.
Doesn’t matter if you choose the Sportback or SUV version – rear legroom and headroom are both good, and you can easily fit five in. The standard sunroof helps remove some of the dark gloom if you sit in the back and, thanks to a slidable rear seat bench, you can adjust the amount of legroom or boot space.
Before you buy
Just looking at the price tag makes your eyes water… right up until you study the competition; a BMW X3 M50 and Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 both end up clocking in at around the same price for a similar amount of performance.
Here, the SQ5 arguably has more kit for the money compared to the BMW – which does handle very well – and manages to be a smidge quicker and ride a bit better than the AMG. We’d definitely be starting with the four-ringer when shopping.
Verdict: Audi SQ5
The Audi SQ5 is the Golf R for those a little higher up the corporate ladder and have more hobbies and/or kids; it’s properly fast thanks to a fabulously flexible engine but can do the day-to-day stuff without being a headache.
It’s impressive, but being oh-so balanced still makes it a jack-off-all-trades when something like a Porsche Macan (which is electric only now, don’t forget) or high-performance X3 provide a touch more athleticism and thrill, though.
Specs below are for an Audi SQ5 SUV Edition 1