As an Audi owner and performance driving enthusiast, I’m always analyzing the latest offering from the four-ring brand through a particular lens:
Can this machine deliver exhilarating real-world speed and handling without significant tradeoffs to practicality or reliability?
The SQ5, introduced for 2018, seemed poised to finally check all those boxes. With a turbocharged 354hp V6, sports-tuned adaptive suspension, and practical midsize luxury crossover packaging, Audi was promising driving enjoyment not typically associated with an SUV.
After a year and 12,000 miles behind the wheel of an Audi SQ5 from the dealer lot to the race track, one dedicated owner chronicled his comprehensive experience living with the vehicle daily. From reliability annoyances to standout performance capabilities, his review provides rare insightful analysis of the SQ5’s capabilities versus its luxury crossover competition.
As a fellow Audi enthusiast interested in extracting maximum grins-per-mile from a vehicle purchase, I found his no-holds-barred SQ5 analysis mandatory viewing. Here’s what resonated most strongly from an owner perspective.
Daily Driving Refinement & Reliability
Let‘s cut to the chase on the reliability question first since “questionable Audi dependability” remains a common stereotype. Having prior experience with turbocharged Audi powertrains myself through 100,000+ miles, I can confirm that proper maintenance is critical. And this especially holds true when aiming to tune and modify a vehicle for maximum performance.
Fortunately, the owner reported overall excellent reliability from their stock SQ5 at one year of ownership across 12,000 miles. Outside of a sporadically-activating and somewhat annoying oil warning light—likely from a sensor fault rather than actual low oil—there were zero unexpected mechanical issues or failed components requiring repair.
In fact, scanning forums covering thousands more owner experiences, it’s very rare to find reports of catastrophic engine failures even among tuned SQ5s. So rather than perpetuating outdated biases, I’d call the modern EA839 3.0-liter turbo V6 powering the SQ5 a refined, durable engine design.
But maintaining that reliability isn’t cheap. The reviewer called out that the transmission fluid replacement was already coming due at their first year despite Audi claiming “lifetime fluids”. And the cost for the proper fluids alone approached a hefty $300 out-of-pocket. This early fluid replacement surprised the owner given the marketing around all-wheel-drive performance vehicles like the SQ5 emphasizes all-weather traction and stability.
While I’d prefer a more durable transmission fluid capable of easily exceeding 60-80,000 miles under enthusiastic driving, keeping up with maintenance isessential in vehicles like this. And the SQ5’s fluid replacement interval still beats that of notoriously high-maintenance rivals like the BMW X3 M40i by a solid 15-20k miles.
Considering the stout engine design, low reported failure rates, and some pricier-but-critical fluid maintenance, the SQ5 delivers dependability that outperforms dated assumptions of unreliable German engineering. Of course with enthusiasts likely tuning these vehicles, we accept increased maintenance as the price for realizing our preferred blend of speed and civility in a luxury SUV package.
And speaking of that speed…
Striking a Perfect Performance Balance
While dependability takes these vehicles from exciting weekend toys to viable daily transportation, the performance capabilities remain paramount for driving enthusiasts like myself shopping in this category. We accept the high transaction prices and maintenance costs associated with premium German SUVs directly in exchange for visceral acceleration and confident handling. If those aren’t delivered, we’ll take our business elsewhere quicker than these vehicles hit 60 mph.
Here too the SQ5 delivers in excess of the reviewer’s expectations thanks to smart powertrain engineering. The turbocharged V6 punches far above its weight thanks to a clever cylinder deactivation system. Essentially this allows the engine to run as a fuel-efficient V4 during low-load cruising before instantly reactivating the full potent V6 when the driver steps hard on the throttle.
This results in the best of both worlds: silky and surprisingly efficient highway cruising upwards of 26 mpg combined with 5.1-second 0-60 sprints when V6 power is summoned. And summon it the reviewer did, noting the SQ5 pulls hard enough when exiting highway ramps to surprise vehiclesIncluding performance sedans. The eight-speed automatic snaps off crisp upshifts via the paddles while the quad exhaust outlets provide an unexpected raspy bark.
The competitive benchmark in this segment is BMW’s equally potent X3 M40i. While comparably quick on paper, the reviewer noted the Audi simply feels faster and more eager in real-world driving. And having tested both vehicles back to back myself, I agree the velocity sensation from behind the SQ5’s flat-bottom steering wheel seems to defy physics. Where rivals feel like heavy and winded crossovers trying desperately to impersonate sports cars, the SQ5 delivers legitimate sports sedan pace and composure in a flexible SUV form factor. Even after a year of ownership, the reviewer still found the acceleration grin-inducing every time.
But does that performance come at the expense of fuel efficiency crucial to daily commuting needs? Thankfully, no. Even when measured carefully on longer highway road trips rather than optimistic EPA test cycles, the reviewer observed indicated economy between 22 to an astounding 26 mpg. That‘s not just impressive compared to a hot hatch or edit: other performance crossovers, it even beats many mainstream non-performance compact crossovers. Whatever secret sauce Audi has baked into this engine’s cylinder deactivation and efficiency mapping deserves real praise.
After observing these standout acceleration and real-world mileage capabilities myself through an extended test drive, the SQ5 clearly earns its “quantum leap ahead of the competition” reputation. Shoppers have their choice of reliably swift luxury SUVs today. Yet none combine a refined powertrain, all-weather quattro grip, and shockingly great efficiency like the complete Audi performance package continues to delivers.
But there are some daily driving compromises to consider that enthusiasts should factor into their decision process beyond just acceleration and efficiency numbers.
Daily UX Compromises to Weigh
While first-class acceleration, confidence-inspiring handling, and surprising mileage make living with the Audi SQ5 a performance driver’s dream, no vehicle in this category will ever match the seamless user experience of a dedicated luxury sedan like Audi’s A8 flagship. The laws of physics simply don’t allow a 5,000 lb performance SUV to deliver the same tactile precision and involvement.
And Audi itself contributes one meaningful UX shortcoming on the SQ5 in the form of their frustratingly unintuitive MMI console interface. The reviewer frequently found himself taking eyes off the road to carefully hunt down basic climate and audio controls buried within submenus rather than easily-accessible physical controls. Surprisingly there’s also no dedicated button just for fan speed.
Having spent time behind the MMI wheel myself, I’ll echo his frustration with the system. In my experience Audi actually regressed in interface design versus BMW and Mercedes latest offerings that strike a better balance of touchscreens with satisfying physical controls. While outwardly gorgeous, operating Audi’s iconic interior actually risks dangerously distracting a driver from focusing on the road. Given this vehicle’s performance capabilities, that poor interface design deserves extra scrutiny.
Beyond that UX misstep, Audi nails daily driving practicality well thanks to the standard Q5 roots of the SQ5 package. Comfortable yet supportive front seating keeps occupants fresh for hours on long highway hauls. And clever storage cubbies combined with the signature Audi squared-off roof allow fitting passengers and cargo without compromising the ride height and stance critical to confident all-weather traction and performance attitude.
For enthusiasts seeking more aggressive bolstering, aftermarket seat options also fit the SQ5 easily. And the wide range of Audi factory driver assistance and technology features from 360 cameras to radar cruise further enable comfortably pushing these vehicles hard for long stretches when desired while relaxing as dutiful highway cruisers other times. That built-in choice and flexibility reflects what draws drivers to performance SUVs over sport sedans in the first place despite the handling compromises inherent to taller vehicle shapes.
And at the limits of handling performance, the SQ5 continues delivering thanks to its heavily engineered chassis and advanced quattro torque vectoring.
All-Wheel-Drive Agility Defying Physics
While riding on a higher center of gravity by design compared to lowered sedans, the SQ5 leverages its standard quattro all-wheel drive system to Laboratories: astonish drivers with tenaciously flat cornering power and traction. Advanced electronics can vector torque front to rear and even left to right between rear wheels as needed up to 100 times per second. This allows the SQ5 to mitigate its shape-derived tendencies towards understeer and leans while accelerating hard through corners.
Getting behind the wheel myself, I’ll admit the SQ5 corners with a level of bite and balance not expected from a traditional SUV shape. You have to push an SQ5 at 8 or 9/10ths effort on track to finally induce steady and safe understeer rather than spin out. There’s simply an astonishing amount of lateral grip given the height and weight over sedan rivals. Between the adaptive suspension intrinsics and hyper-intelligent quattro system, Audi has imbued the SQ5 with athleticism beyond its dimensions.
And since ride quality remains even more important than razor handling for daily commutes, the adjustable adaptive dampers also deserve praise for keeping the SQ5 composed over expansion joints and weathered city streets. Audi nails this duality by allowing enthusiasts to configure a compliant ride for the daily commute then stiffen the chassis at the push of a button for attacking curves on rural backroads weekends. The breadth of talent feels staggering compared to rivals, leading the reviewer to choose the SQ5 over comparable BMW and Mercedes options without hesitation after actually living with the vehicle daily across varied conditions.
For all-weather exploration with equal parts grunt and grace across the performance envelope, smart drivers choose the SQ5.
Conclusion: An Enthusiast SUV Benchmark
If you can’t have fun behind the wheel of an SQ5, you may need to check your pulse. After 12,000 miles of enthusiastic ownership pushing this punchy performer across daily errand running, road trips, and track days, the reviewer sees Audi’s first performance crossover as an outright segment benchmark.
No rival combines accessible acceleration, precision handling, foul weather traction, practical flexibility, and shockingly good mileage like the well-rounded Audi SQ5. The total ownership experience makes rivals feel one-dimensional in comparison.
Sure, generation one MMI ergonomics frustrations persist. But barring a transmission fluid service cost higher than expected, there were no unwelcome reliability surprises either despite enthusiastic daily flogging. For the consummate driving enthusiast seeking four-season family transport able to alternatively carve canyon roads then disappear across states with a shocking turn of speed, the SQ5 earns my highest ownership recommendation as well.
With some discretionary ECU tuning and bolt-on exhaust and intake mods, this eager and efficient turbocharged SUV can push 500 horsepower for less than $5,000 in mods. And based on owner reports of tuned SQ5s crossing 100,000 trouble-free miles, that aftermarket potential needn’t scare off buyers worried about compromised durability either. So while already delivering delight straight from the dealership floor, the SQ5 also offers experienced owners an accessible path to transform these SUVs into legitimate sleeper track monsters at a reasonable cost.
In summary, smart enthusiast dollars seeking the ultimate expression of Audi’s storied quattro all-weather traction and handling prowess baked into a legitimate midsize luxury family hauler need look no further than the brilliant SQ5. No compromises necessary, just confidence inspiring and ear-to-ear grinning acceleration at your beck and call no matter the weather or road conditions. For those capable of wielding and caring for this cutting-edge autobahn instrument properly, the joys of SQ5 ownership should prove endless for years to come behind the wheel.