2018 Audi SQ5

Available in all-wheel drive combined with an 8-speed automatic transmission, the 2018 Audi SQ5 is powered by a 6-cylinder, 3.0L engine which churns out 354hp and 369lb-ft of torque. The car has a lot of cabin space and is equipped with adaptive damping suspension system which makes the ride more plush and pleasant.

The compact SUV comes in two trims, namely, Premium Plus and Prestige. The base trim is priced at $54,300 while the top trim costs $58,500. Both trims carry the same 3.0L V-6 gas engine. The standard drivetrain is AWD and the vehicle has an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission.

Trims	Premium Plus	Prestige
MSRP	$54,300	$58,500
Key Features	LED headlights Parking sensors Panoramic sunroof Adaptive suspension Power liftgate Three-zone automatic climate control Power-adjustable front seats Leather upholstery 7-inch touchscreen with Audi's MMI infotainment system 10-speaker sound system Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration Low-speed collision warning and mitigation Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert	All features of Premium Plus, and: Audi's Virtual Cockpit Touchpad controller with handwriting recognition Full-color head-up display 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system 8.3-inch touchscreen interface Navigation system Top-down parking camera system Extra soundproofing.

Audi offers rear sports differential, air suspension and dynamic steering in the S Sport upgrade package for $3000. Further, the German company offers the option to get bigger, 21-inch wheels.

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The Prestige trim is the option to go for. Even though the base trim is loaded with standard features, the additional features in Prestige trim like the virtual cockpit, bigger 8.3-inch infotainment screen, the 19-speaker system makes it worth spending an extra $4200. Adding the 21-inch wheels would cost you an extra $1000. Also, the top trim comes with extra soundproofing.

“Coupled to the turbo engine is an eight-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive. Power delivery and handling can be enhanced with a Quattro sports rear differential that can shuffle power left and right to aid cornering. Audi says the torque vectoring system can send almost all rearward power to one wheel as necessary. The differential is available as part of the S sport package, which comes with other upgrades including air suspension.”-Autoblog

Engine and Transmission

The engine of the 2018 Audi SQ5 is rapid and energetic. It accelerates quickly and is able to deliver maximum torque at a low rev range. The car comes mated to an Intercooled turbo premium unleaded 3.0L V6 engine which generates an impressive 354hp and a torque of 369lb-ft. The engine’s revving up sound is thrilling and thunder like making its presence felt on the road.

Models	Audi SQ5	BMW X3 M40i	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 4Matic	Porsche Macan GTS
MSRP	$54,300	$54,500	$56,250	$68,900
Engine	Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6 3.0 L/183	Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-6 3.0 L/183	Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6 3.0 L/183	Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-6 3.0 L/183
Transmission	Eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission	8-speed Sport Automatic transmission with Sport and Manual shift modes	AMG-enhanced 9G-TRONIC 9-speed	7-speed PorscheDoppelkupplung (PDK) with Auto Start Stop function
Horsepower	354hp @ 5,400 RPM	355hp @ 5,500 RPM	362hp @ 5,500 RPM	360hp @ 6,000 RPM
Torque	369 lb.-ft. @ 1,370 RPM	369 lb.-ft. @ 1,520 RPM	384 lb.-ft. @ 2,500 RPM	369 lb.-ft. @ 1,650 RPM

The 8-speed automatic transmission is smooth and swift in terms of shifting which delivers a great driving experience. When it comes to competing, the rivals feature mightier engines and better transmission options. For instance, the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 4Matic is equipped with a 9-speed automatic transmission system and comes mated to a 355hp, twin-turbo 3.0L engine.

Acceleration

The SUV has a rapid acceleration and goes from 0-60mph in 5.1 seconds. In the quarter mile race, the car reaches 102mph to finish in 13.7 seconds. The throttle is quite responsive but the SQ5’s weight affects its performance and the car fails to win from any of its rivals.

Models	Audi SQ5	BMW X3 M40i	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 4Matic	Porsche Macan GTS
0-60 MPH	5.1 sec	4.6 sec	4.8 sec	5.0 sec
Quarter mile	13.7 sec @ 102mph	13.4 sec @ 102mph	13.4 sec @ 104mph	13.6 sec @ 102mph
Engine	3.0L	3.0L	3.0L	3.0L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	8.4	7.7	8.8	9.3

The BMW X3 M40i which has the best acceleration in the lot takes 4.6 seconds to reach the 60mph mark and completes the quarter-mile drag in 13.4 seconds at 102mph. The Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 4Matic is able to reach 104mph but finishes at the same time (13.4 seconds) as that of the BMW.

Ride and Handling

The ride experience of the SQ5 feels power-packed and agile and it manages to do it while maintaining the comfort, thanks to the upgraded suspension system. The SUV has a good body control and has a great grip on the road.

However, the steering might feel a little less responsive on the corners and gives low feedback. Riding over uneven and bumpy surfaces won’t be an obstacle due to the marvelous ground clearance (8.2inches) of the SQ5 which is the largest in its class.

You can opt for the optional adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning to ease up the driving. The car offers 6 driving modes: Auto, Dynamic, Comfort, Individual, Allroad and Lift/Off-road. These numerous variations give the rider a lot of options to choose their most suitable adjustments as per their needs.

Braking

Audi features the best brakes in its class. The  Audi's 4-wheel disc brakes stop the car from 70mph in 148ft. The braking mechanism feel punchy and responsive  even after it being the heaviest car in the lot.

Model	Audi SQ5	BMW X3 M40i	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 4Matic	Porsche Macan GTS
Brake Front (in.)	13.8	13.7	14.2	14.2
Brake Rear (in.)	13.0	13.5	12.6	13.0
Curb Weight (lbs.)	4398	4277	4145	4178
70-0 MPH (ft.)	148	158	154	159

The Porsche Macan GTS performs the poorest in braking; the car goes from 70mph to standstill in 159 feet. Macan GTS is followed by the BMW X3 M40i which takes 158 feet to come to halt from 70mph.

Off-Roading

Some SUV’s are capable of going off-road while some are built for comfort and convenience. The 2018 Audi SQ5 is the one which offers both i.e. it is an off-roader which offers extreme comfort. Audi's Quattro All-wheel Drive system ensures that the car can cover the rough patches and the uneven roads quite easily.

The optional air suspension makes the Audi SQ5 a better off-roader as the suspension helps the car to achieve a higher ground clearance.

Towing Capacity

The 2018 Audi SQ5 has a towing capacity of 4,400lbs which is similar to that of the BMW X3 M40i and Porsche Macan GTS. With a towing capacity of just 3500lbs. the Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 4Matic has the worst towing capacity in the competition.

Model	Audi SQ5	BMW X3 M40i	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 4Matic	Porsche Macan GTS
Maximum Towing Capacity	4,400 lbs.	4,400 lbs.	3,500 lbs.	4,400 lbs.

The 2018 Audi SQ5 shows a 10 percent improvement in fuel efficiency since last year. The car is neither the best nor the worst in terms of mileage. The vehicle under scrutiny has an efficiency of 19mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway and the combined mileage of 21 mpg.

Model	Audi SQ5	BMW X3 M40i	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 4Matic	Porsche Macan GTS
MPG (city)	19	20	18	17
MPG (highway)	24	27	24	23
MPG (combined)	21	23	21	20

Its rival, BMW X3 M40i has the best mileage rating in this segment and it’s rated at 20mpg in the city, 27mpg for highway and has a combined mileage of 23mpg.

"Inside, the SQ5 is fitted with a standard 3-spoke, flat-bottom steering wheel, matte brushed aluminum dashboard trim and stainless-steel doorsill trim. The performance-bolstered front sports seats are standard for the SQ5 and can be wrapped in optional diamond-stitched leather. Carbon Atlas interior trim is also available.”-Nadaguides

Seating and Comfort

The interior of the car feels spacious and the leather upholstered seats give the car a lavish vibe. The high tech virtual cockpit is easy-to-use. The controls are placed right and are responsive. Doorsill trim and aluminum inlays dashboard scream expensive and all the detailing gives the car a luxurious feel.

Model	Audi SQ5	BMW X3 M40i	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 4Matic	Porsche Macan GTS
Passenger capacity	5	5	5	5
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	40.2/57.7/41.0	40.0/57.6/40.3	41.9/57.3/40.8	38.6/--/40.9
Second (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	37.7/56.5/37.8	38.5/56.0/36.4	38.5/56.5/37.3	38.7/--/35.6

The SQ5 has a seating capacity of 5 people. The leather seats are well contoured and provide a good support for comfortable long drives. The driver and the front seat passenger can get the precise seating position as per their requirements using the 12-way power adjustable front sports seats. The interior also has 4-way power adjustable lumbar support for the front row. There is ample room for legs, knew and head. The front row is very spacious, so, getting in and out of the car is really easy.  The rear row might get a bit congested but overall, Audi has plush and comfortable looking interiors.

Infotainment system

Loaded with the latest features, the upgraded infotainment system is convenient and responsive. The base trim has a 7-inch display while the Prestige trim has a larger, 8.3-inch display. The car has USB ports for smartphone connectivity.

Except this, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also available for connectivity. Other features include SDXC slots and HD radio. Some standard infotainment features are:

• Satellite radio
• HD radio
• Bluetooth
• AUX
• Voice control system

Cargo capacity

The cargo volume of the SQ5 is not the biggest but it’s certainly not the worst. With the 2^nd row up, the car has a boot space of 26.8 ft cube and when the rear seats are folded the capacity is increased to 60.4 ft cube. With a trunk volume of 28.7 ft cube (without rear seats folded) and 62.7ft cube (with rear seats folded), the best cargo space is offered by BMW X3 M40i.

Model	Audi SQ5	BMW X3 M40i	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 4Matic	Porsche Macan GTS
Cargo Volume with 2nd row up (ft.3)	26.8	28.7	19.4	17.7
Cargo Volume with 2nd row folded (ft.3)	60.4	62.7	56.5	53

“At the SQ5's front, Audi's single-frame grille is rendered in platinum and surrounded by LED headlights. The side-view mirrors are wrapped in silver, and, at the rear, an ersatz rear diffuser doesn't really diffuse anything, even if it plays the part. But in a particularly disappointing display of what can only be called visual dishonesty, false exhaust tips sit on the bumper, mimicking the real quad tailpipes on other S models. The SQ5's actual hidden exhaust tips sit behind the rear fascia, pointing to the ground and emerging at either end of a transverse muffler.”- ArsTechnica

Dimension and Weight

The SQ5 has a sporty yet classy exterior. The platinum gray single-frame grille with the Audi logo placed in between gives the front an elegant look. The beautiful wavy shoulder-line flows from hood to tail. The 20-inch double-spoke star alloys add to the classy appearance of this luxurious SUV. The company gives an option to go for 21-inch alloys.

Model	Audi SQ5	BMW X3 M40i	Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 4Matic	Porsche Macan GTS
Curb weight (lbs.)	4398	4277	4145	4178
Length(in)	183.9	186.1	183.5	185
Width(in)	74.5	74.7	74.4	76.1
Height(in)	65.3	66.0	64.1	63.4
Ground clearance (in)	8.2	8	6.7	7.2
Wheelbase (in)	111.2	112.8	113.1	110.5
Track width (in) F/R	63.9/63.6	63.0/63.6	64.5/65.2	65.2/65.0

The car weighs the heaviest of the lot (4398 lbs). Neither the longest nor the widest but the car has the largest ground clearance of 8.2 inches. The wheelbase of the car lies in the middle with a length of 111.2 inches. In contrast, Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 4Matic has the smallest ground clearance (6.7 inches) and the longest wheelbase (113.1 inches).

Exterior features

• Automatic headlights
• Aluminum roof rails
• Heated windshield water nozzles
• Power tailgate
• Aluminum trim around exterior side mirror housings
• 20 inch 5 double-spoke star alloys with performance tires

The IIHS AND NHTSA ratings for the 2018 Audi SQ5 are not available yet except Rollover Rating by NHSTA in which the SUV scored 4 out of 5 stars. The car has a new vehicle limited warranty of 4 years/ 50,000 miles.

Safety features

Audi takes the security of its drivers very seriously and it has done so with the SQ5. This car comes loaded with standard and advanced safety features like ABS, ESC, integrated turn signal mirrors, traction control, blind spot monitor etc. The complete list of safety features is provided below:

• Audi Pre Sense assist
• Audi Active Assist
• Driver and front-passenger seat-mounted thorax side airbags
• Sideguard head curtain airbags
• Front-passenger occupant detection for airbag
• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD) and brake assist
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Offroad mode
• Secondary collision brake assist and traction control (ASR)
• Anti-theft alarm system with motion sensors and vehicle immobilizer
• Tire-pressure monitoring system
• Rear Cross Traffic Assist

 

Audi SQ5 VS BMW X3 M40i

The BMW X3 M40i has a slightly powerful engine when talking in terms of horsepower. The 2018 Audi SQ5 is overshadowed by the BMW in terms of acceleration, cargo space, and fuel economy. The BMW is $1200 costlier than the Audi which isn't that big of a difference. SQ5 outshines the BMW only in braking. BMW is the choice to go when choosing between these two cars.

Audi SQ5 VS Mercedes-Benz AMG GLC 43 4Matic

The engine of the Mercedes is way mightier than that of the SQ5. The Mercedes is quicker to accelerate but except acceleration, the SQ5 performs better in every field when compared to the AMG GLC 43 4Matic. The SQ5 has better braking, better fuel economy and more cargo volume and towing capacity. Further, the SQ5 is cheaper than the Mercedes. The SQ5 clearly wins.

Audi SQ5 VS Porsche Macan GTS

The Porsche Macan GTS has the lowest fuel economy rating and the poorest brakes in the lot. It has a slightly better acceleration than SQ5 due to the slightly more horse-powered engine. It costs a whopping $14,600 more than the SQ5. There seems to be absolutely no reason for buying the Macan GTS over SQ5.

The redesigned 2018 Audi SQ5 is loaded with features and has a potent engine. It's comfortable to ride with a more than decent fuel economy and you can't complain about the handling either which is very sporty and agile. The virtual cockpit is one of the most attractive features of the car. The plush and luxurious interior matches the opulent exterior. Everything about this car is excellent which makes it one of the best compact SUV available at this price. Our advice is to go for this feature-packed beast.