2023 Audi SQ5 / SQ5 Sportback Evaluation, Pricing, and Specs

Overview

Efficiency luxurious SUVs just like the 2023 Audi SQ5 and SQ5 Sportback present a simple option to rejoice your automobile fanatic roots when your way of life evolves to incorporate the normal trappings of maturity. Basically a hot-rodded model of the regular Q5 SUV, the SQ5 wears a snazzier wardrobe and packs a turbocharged V-6 engine beneath hood that makes a stout 354 horsepower. Its suspension has been tweaked for sportier dealing with, however rivals such because the BMW X3 M, Porsche Macan, and Mercedes-AMG GLC-class all push this efficiency SUV method farther with sharper dealing with and punchier acceleration. In case your purpose is to take pleasure in a twisty highway whereas conserving the kiddies asleep within the again, although, the soft-riding SQ5 might be the one to have. Inside, Audi goals for max affect with a number of know-how and luxurious options, together with an accessible digital gauge show, wealthy leather-based, and in style driver-assistance options.

What’s New for 2023?

Adaptive cruise management is customary on all SQ5 fashions beginning this yr, and the mid-range Premium Plus trim now features a Bang and Olufsen stereo system. Chronos Grey is a brand new coloration for the SQ5’s exterior and replaces final yr’s Quantum Grey coloration.

Pricing and Which One to Purchase

We’d go together with the Premium Plus trim, however we’ll allow you to resolve if the common squareback SQ5 or the fastback SQ5 Sportback is for you. This mid-range mannequin comes customary with loads of luxurious options, together with a Bang and Olufsen stereo system, a heated steering wheel, a lane-keeping help characteristic, and Audi’s Digital Cockpit digital gauge show.

Engine, Transmission, and Efficiency

The SQ5 retains issues easy with one powertrain. Audi’s throaty turbocharged V-6 makes good energy, and customary Quattro all-wheel drive places that energy to the highway. This dynamic duo is let down sometimes by its eight-speed computerized transmission, which may be gradual to vary gears and generally serves up syrupy shifts. The SQ5’s 5.1-second zero-to-60-mph run is objectively fast, nevertheless it’s not practically as speedy because the 4.5-second effort of the GLC43. With its correct, agency steering, there’s enjoyable available tossing the SQ5 by the twisties. Even entry-level SQ5s have a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system that may direct as much as 85 % of the accessible torque to the rear wheels. The SQ5’s experience is compliant and comfy—a praise on this class—however slightly too gentle for aggressive efficiency driving. We suspect that almost all patrons on this phase can be completely proud of the SQ5’s straight-line velocity and its pothole-vanquishing experience, however uncompromising drivers ought to take into account the 10Best-winning Porsche Macan.

Gasoline Financial system and Actual-World MPG

The SQ5’s EPA fuel-economy scores aren’t significantly spectacular, however most rivals have comparable numbers. Additionally, the SQ5 outperformed mentioned numbers in our real-world freeway fuel-economy check. Our Status check automobile delivered a formidable 28 mpg freeway over the course of 200 miles at a gentle 75 mph, outpacing even the Cadillac XT5 which provides nowhere close to the identical quantity of efficiency because the Audi. For extra details about the SQ5’s gas financial system, go to the EPA’s website.

Inside, Consolation, and Cargo

The SQ5’s exterior could also be slightly boring, except you go for the sexier Sportback physique fashion. However inside, each come customary with sculpted sport seats and their accessible quilted-leather coverings go away little doubt as to this crossover’s upscale intentions. Heated, power-adjustable entrance seats are customary in each SQ5, as are three-zone computerized local weather management and Audi’s sensible, enticing design. Different comforts will price additional and may embody heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, ventilated entrance seats, and extra leather-based trim for the entrance row. We match the identical six carry-on bins into the SQ5’s 27-cubic-foot cargo space as we did within the Macan’s 18-cubic-foot baggage compartment. Name that a formidable consequence for the Macan or a disappointing one for the SQ5, however both approach, it places the Audi close to the underside of its class for real-world carrying functionality. The Sportback variant reduces space for storing behind the rear seats by 3 cubes (25 whole), and folding them flat opens up 52 cubes of cargo quantity.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The SQ5’s customary infotainment choices embody two USB ports, three 12-volt shops, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. By selecting the mid-range Premium Plus or the highest Status model, drivers can take pleasure in premium options comparable to a Wi-Fi hotspot and Audi’s Digital Cockpit digital gauge show. Amongst different methods, this improve to the gauge-cluster show offers a satellite tv for pc avenue view of the instructions from the MMI’s navigation system, so drivers by no means must guess whether or not they’re heading in the right direction. This can be a little gimmicky in a world the place practically everybody’s pocket holds a GPS-equipped smartphone, nevertheless it’s a trick that (for now) locations Audi a lower above the competitors. Added USB ports for back-seat passengers can be welcome.

Security and Driver-Help Options

Audi offers a number of collision-avoidance applied sciences as customary on this mannequin, with extra driver-assistance features accessible to those that are keen to pay for them. For extra info on the SQ5’s crash-test outcomes, go to the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) web sites. Key security options embody:

• Commonplace entrance and rear automated emergency braking
• Commonplace blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
• Commonplace adaptive cruise management

Guarantee and Upkeep Protection

Audi’s warranty coverage tracks carefully with that of most rivals, nevertheless it offers no complimentary scheduled upkeep in contrast with the 5 years of upkeep provided by the Jaguar F-Pace.

• Restricted guarantee covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
• Powertrain guarantee covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
• No complimentary scheduled upkeep

More Features and Specs