2022 Audi SQ5

　　

2022 Audi SQ5 Review

byRonald MontoyaSenior Consumer Advice Editor & Content Strategy

　　Ronald Montoya has worked in the automotive industry since 2008. He has written over a thousand car related articles and bought and sold over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Ronald is a senior consumer advice editor and content strategy at zzdcar and has also contributed to the Associated Press. He has also been featured on ABC, NBC and NPR on a number of car shopping topics. He got his start in the auto industry by taking a part-time job at a car dealership, where he worked in the service and accounting department.

　　, rating written byRonald MontoyaSenior Manager, Written Content

　　Brent Romans has worked in the automotive industry since 1996. He has written or edited thousands of expert car reviews and road-tested hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Brent is a senior manager of written content at zzdcar and previously contributed to publications such as Super Street and Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road. His personal car is a 2019 BMW M2 Competition, which he bought for its ideal combination of performance, style and practicality.

　　Are you looking for a compact luxury SUV that offers a little more excitement in between runs to the grocery store or commutes to work? If the answer is yes, you might want to consider the 2022 Audi SQ5. The SQ5 is a high-performance version of the Audi Q5 SUV. It adds a stiffer suspension, larger wheels, stickier tires, and a turbocharged V6 that gives it 88 horsepower more than the standard Q5. On the outside, there are few indications this is a sportier variant, which could be a good or bad thing depending on your perspective.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 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

　　$222/mo  for SQ5 Premium

　　SQ5 Premium

　　Premium 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $55,800 MSRPPremium Plus 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $60,000 MSRPPrestige 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 8A) - $65,200 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　Last year, the SQ5 received a styling refresh, an updated infotainment system and a few other technology updates. For 2022, the only notable change is the addition of carbon-fiber trim to the interior, which is now standard on all models. The SQ5 competes with the BMW X3 M40i, Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 and Porsche Macan. Check out the categories of our Expert Rating to get our test team's full report on this performance luxury SUV.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.7

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the SQ5 drive? The SQ5 balances sporty and luxury attributes. It's a touch slower than its competition — our test car sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds — but the SQ5 is nonetheless smooth and satisfying. Stopping power is exemplary, and the brakes are predictable and easy to control around town.

　　True to the S part of its name, the SQ5 is nimble and enjoyable, offering welcome agility and control. Its summer tires deliver more handling potential than you'd need for a public road, and its stability control is less intrusive than the Q5's. The steering wheel has comfortable grips and lots of assistance in the Comfort setting, which makes for easy quick steering inputs, such as when you're in a small parking lot.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the SQ5? The interior delivers on the comfort you'd expect from a luxury SUV. The supportive seats and quiet ride mean you can drive all day. The side bolsters help keep you in place during cornering but aren't intrusive during the commute. Despite its sporty intentions, the SQ5 doesn't sacrifice anything when it comes to ride quality.

　　In the cabin, you don't hear much in the way of wind, tire or road noise. You can adjust the loudness of the engine, which in its most dynamic setting adds a low-rpm thrum under moderate acceleration. As for the climate control system, it's easy to adjust and get the air flow you want.

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