What’s best: The supercharged 3.0-litre V6 with its 354 hp powers the SQ5 to a 0-100 km/h time of 5.4 seconds.
What’s worst: Rearview camera is an option. Hard to believe when it’s standard on many much less expensive vehicles.
What’s interesting: The Q5/SQ5 has a choice of powertrains to fit any lifestyle. But for those who value performance, the 354 hp SQ5 is the answer.
The performance variant of Audi’s popular Q5 crossover SUV, the SQ5 has a lot to offer buyers in the entry-luxury market.
The SQ5 is designed especially for those who want a little more pop than the normal Q5, thanks to the supercharged 3.0-litre V6 that produces 354 hp and 346 lb/ft of torque.
This marks the first application of the ‘S’ designation on one of Audi’s sport utes. Previously the ‘S’ has been reserved strictly for Audi’s car lines.
While you can’t be all things to all people, Audi has attempted to do that in the Q5/SQ5 line with several engine options.
The Q5 Komfort comes with a 220 hp turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, while the Progressiv and Technik trim levels also offer a 240 hp 3.0-litre turbo diesel with 428 lb/ft of grunt as well as a 272 hp 3.0-litre TFSI and a 2.0-litre TFSI hybrid.
Quattro all-wheel drive and an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission with paddle shifters are standard across the board.
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What makes the Q5/SQ5 a popular line for Audi is that the vehicles have the characteristics of a sedan along with five-passenger seating and the versatility of an SUV.
We recently had a chance to test the 2015 SQ5 and found that it had many good things going for it. On the performance side, the SQ5 is impressive with great acceleration, good braking and stable handling. Audi lists a 0-100 km/h time of 5.4 seconds.
Natural Resources Canada’s fuel consumption ratings are 14.1/9.9/12.2 L/100 km city/highway/combined.
With its sport-tuned suspension, the SQ5 can carve tight corners with ease and at the same time offer a comfortable ride as we found even on our pothole-littered roads after a harsh winter in a vehicle clad with huge 21-inch wheels.
The Q5/SQ5 offers a feeling of stability with its quattro permanent all-wheel drive getting exactly the right amount of power to each wheel as required.
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In normal driving, 60 per cent of the power is routed to the rear wheels. However, if the wheels of one axle lose grip, drive torque is immediately directed to the other axle to stabilize the vehicle.
On the outside, Audi describes the SQ5 as “sharp without being showy” and “sporty without being impractical.”
I find the exterior styling a little uninspiring, but there are a few distinguishing hints, largely in badging, that indicate the SQ5 is something special.
Inside, however, the cabin is wonderfully finished in a simple yet classy way — certainly an Audi strong point. The flat bottom steering wheel, sport seats, badges and other touches help set the SQ5 apart from the base models.
While the 2015 Q5 starts at $42,600 in Canada, think of the SQ5 as the top of the food chain in the Q5 lineup.
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Our tester had the top-level Technik trim, which adds Homelink, Audi side assist, adaptive front headlights and heated rear seats to the standard Progressiv trim features.
The test vehicle also had a number of options including a navigation package ($2,800), Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System ($1,000), 21-inch five-spoke design wheels ($1,000) and other features that took the as-tested price to $66,890. Add $2,095 for freight and PDI.
Among the standard features on the SQ5 are advance key with push button start, power tailgate, LED taillights, Audi drive select, panoramic power glass sunroof, SIRIUS satellite radio, heated front seats, S sport suspension, rear parking sensors, three-zone climate control, 10-speaker premium sound system, interior LED lighting package, 60/40 split folding rear seats, bi-xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, front fog lights, Bluetooth, heated power adjustable auto-dimming side mirrors and headlight washers.
While the SQ5 is a compact offering, legroom front and rear is quite good. The front sport seats are supportive and comfortable with lots of adjustments and the rear seats slide fore and aft and recline.
With all seats in their upright position, there is 824 litres of cargo space, 1,622 litres with the rear seats folded.
On the safety front, the Q5/SQ5 is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick +, its highest rating thanks to front crash prevention technology.
Perhaps because of the extensive powertrain lineup, the Q5/SQ5 is a sales leader in the competitive compact luxury crossover category where it is pitted against a host of other luxury sport crossovers like the BMW X3, Volvo XC60, Lexus RX 350 F-Sport and even its stablemate, the Porsche Macan.
So for those who value performance in a premium compact crossover the SQ5 is hard to beat.
?BODY STYLE: Four-door, luxury compact crossover.
DRIVE METHOD: Front engine, quattro all-wheel-drive.
ENGINE: 3.0-litre supercharged V6 (354 hp, 346 lb/ft of torque) with an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission.
TOW RATING: 2,000 kg (4,400 lb).
CARGO VOLUME: 824 litres behind second row, 1,622 litres behind first row.
FUEL ECONOMY: 14.1/9.9/12.2 L/100 km city/highway/combined.
PRICE: $59,600, as tested $66,890 plus $2,095 freight.
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