2021 Audi SQ5 Review

　　

2021 Audi SQ5 Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　All work and no play makes for a dull SUV. If you're seeking a little excitement from a luxury SUV, you're in luck — there's no shortage of choices and the 2021 Audi SQ5 is well regarded in this class. It has a lot of the comfort and understated luxury of the regular Q5 but turns up the performance quotient with a potent 349-horsepower turbocharged V6 engine.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Audi SQ5 Premium 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$228/mo  for SQ5 Premium

　　SQ5 Premium

　　Premium 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $52,900 MSRPPremium Plus 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $57,300 MSRPPrestige 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $62,500 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　This year, the SQ5 gets a styling refresh as well as an updated infotainment system and a few other tech feature additions. These upgrades are significant enough to keep the SQ5 fresh and up-to-date. We'd easily cross-shop it with other impressive sporty SUVs that include the BMW X3 M40i, Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 and Porsche Macan. In some ways, the SQ5 finds a narrow middle ground to give it a well-rounded set of skills. Still, it's a close battle among all of these SUVs, so we suggest thorough test drives of each.

　　

Which SQ5 does zzdcar recommend?

The midrange Premium Plus trim gets our recommendation in the SQ5 lineup. Odds are if you're considering the $53,000 base Premium trim, another $4,400 to step up won't break the bank. In return, you get the contents of the Convenience package, along with adaptive cruise control and several other safety, tech and convenience features.

　　

2021 Audi SQ5 models

The SQ5 is a sporty version of the supporting Audi Q5 and is offered in three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige. The SQ5 is also available in an SQ5 Sportback version that features a sloping rear roofline for a sleeker silhouette. Both are similarly equipped and are powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine (349 horsepower, 369 lb-ft of torque) that is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive is standard.

　　Premium

　　The base Premium trim is generously equipped with plenty of convenience and safety features that include:

　　Roof rails Power liftgate Sport-tuned suspension Tri-zone automatic climate control Leather and faux suede upholstery Heated front sport seats Remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay Integrated toll-road payment system 10.1-inch touchscreen Advanced safety features that include: Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Automatic high beams Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front or behind the vehicle when parking) The optional Convenience package adds:

　　Auto-dimming exterior mirrors Keyless entry and ignition Heated steering wheel Driver-seat memory functions Satellite radioPremium Plus

　　The midtier Premium Plus trim includes the Convenience package as well as:

　　Panoramic sunroof Digital instrument panel Wireless charging pad with signal booster Additional faux leather interior coverings Enhanced and added safety features such as: Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front) Lane keeping assist (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Prestige

　　The range-topping Prestige trim adds several luxury and tech features that include:

　　Dual-pane sound-insulating front windows Upgraded exterior lighting Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention) Traffic sign reader Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield) Heated rear seats Interior ambient lighting Navigation system 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audioSome features are available on supporting trims as options. Other bundled option packages offered on the Premium Plus and Prestige trim include:

　　Warm Weather package

　　Full leather upholstery Ventilated front seats Rear window shadesS Sport package

　　Adaptive sport suspension Sport rear differential Red brake calipers

　　

2021 SQ5 Highlights

Trim: PremiumPremium PlusPrestigePremium

　　

Base MSRP	$52,900
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	20 MPG
Cost to Drive	$228/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	25.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles