2021 Audi SQ5: 5 Things We Like and 3 Things We Don’t

The 2021 Audi SQ5 joins the ranks of five-occupant luxury SUVs with a sportier side thanks in large part to its bolder exterior and extra dose of horsepower. While most people buy SUVs because of their commanding viewpoint and cargo capacity, some car shoppers want these attributes on something wilder, faster and more aggressive.

Related: 2021 Audi SQ5 Review: Not as Racy as It Looks, and That’s OK

Using the Q5 as its base, the SQ5 aims to tick all the right boxes for a performance-oriented clientele shopping among rivals that include the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, BMW X3 M40i and Mercedes-AMG GLC43. It doesn’t hurt that the SQ5 continues Audi’s reputation for crafting some of the finest interiors in the luxury vehicle market.

As we’ve discovered, this SUV is a comfortable place to spend your time, though not every aspect of the driving experience lives up to the performance promise. Be certain to read our complete review from Aaron Bragman on the 2021 Audi SQ5 by following the link above; or, for a quick recap of our likes and dislikes after spending some time with it, keep reading right here.

Things We Like

1. Clean and Lean Design

Like the Q5 it’s based on, the SQ5 benefits from a subtle exterior redesign for 2021. As we noted in our review, the result is a cleaner and leaner look, and the District Green paint job of our tester looked sharp with optional blacked-out chrome exterior trim and 21-inch two-tone wheels. Simply put, the SQ5 stands out more than the Q5 but doesn’t go too heavy on look-at-me design touches.

2. Turbocharged V-6

Under the hood of the SQ5 is a 349-hp, turbo 3.0-liter V-6 that sends power to all four wheels via Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system. During our testing, the SQ5 distinguished itself from a standard Q5 with its straight-line speed; punch the gas pedal and the SQ5 scoots from 0-60 mph in only 4.7 seconds. While it’s not as outrageously powerful as competitors like the Mercedes-AMG GLC63 and Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, the SQ5 also doesn’t have their more formidable price tags.

3. Smooth, Luxurious Ride

The suspension tuning of the SQ5 is ideal for anyone who enjoys an SUV that remains smooth and unflustered over all surface types. In terms of its overall comfort levels, this Audi is a class act — but for buyers who expect a firmer and more hunkered-down feel when powering through corners, the SQ5 might feel softer than expected.

4. Upscale Interior (With Buttons!)

Enjoy the buttons while they last. Audi has a record for creating attractive and intuitive cabins, and while recent automotive design trends are all about touchscreen surfaces, the SQ5 maintains a number of user-friendly buttons on its dash and center console. We commented on the “precision” feel of the controls, not to mention the quality of the materials used throughout the interior.

5. Balance of Rear Legroom and Cargo Capacity

While rear legroom isn’t exactly palatial, the same can be said for pretty much all of the SQ5’s direct competitors. To its credit, a sliding second row helps prioritize either rear stretch-out space or total cargo capacity. As we discovered, it’s not always a perfect compromise: To fold the rear seatbacks flat when the second row is moved forward, you’ll need to nudge the front seats up a tad. A tall driver hauling something bulky could feel the pinch — literally. On the plus side, the trunk of the SQ5 is spacious even when the rear seat is occupied.

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Things We Don’t

1. Timid Tiptronic Transmission

Some things we like about the SQ5 come with a caveat — for example, the cabin is elegant and classy, though rear legroom is only OK. But there’s no balancing act needed when talk turns to the eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. In our review, we stated it feels “poorly tuned to the engine” and is constantly hunting for the correct gear. This means the energetic engine is let down by a transmission that often feels like it’s playing catch up.

2. Handling That’s Short on Thrills

We found the steering of the SQ5 to be a little lifeless for a SUV with such a performance-oriented vibe. While cornering, there’s an overboosted feel to the handling that dampens the driving fun. It’ll go where you point it, of course, but we wish this Audi felt more invigorating on twisty roads.

3. Extra Sportiness Comes at a Price

The 2021 SQ5 starts at $53,995 (including destination). That’s reasonable considering the competition is priced around this same level, or slightly higher. But our test vehicle was loaded with approximately $17,000 worth of options, pushing the price to more than $70,000. Again, many of the SQ5’s rivals jump upward in price once you start ticking lots of option boxes. Considering the standard Q5 starts just below $45,000, however, many SUV shoppers could balk at paying so much more for the SQ5.

Related Video: 2018 Audi Q5 Review: First Impressions

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