The Audi Q5 remains one of Audi’s most popular vehicles worldwide, with the all-new third-generation Audi Q5 and SQ5 being the most advanced and luxurious versions of this globally acclaimed mid-sized SUV yet.
The all-new Audi SQ5 features sharper vehicle dynamics, more intelligent technology, combined with a sleeker exterior. Slimline Matrix LED headlights flank the Singleframe grille, with the SQ5 making its performance intentions clear at first glance with exclusive 21-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels in a black metallic multi- spoke S design and red brake calipers. Metallic paint is a no cost option for all but one colour on the SQ5 and this is Ultra blue metallic. Distinctive S exterior styling with quad core exhaust tips, and the optional next-generation OLED tail lights on this SQ5, complete the design, making a bold, signature Audi statement.
The high-performance SQ5 is powered by a potent 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged engine with MHEV plus technology. The engine produces 270 kW of power and 550 Nm of torque and offers good acceleration, achieving the 0-100km/h sprint in only 4.5 seconds, establishing this as the fastest SQ5 to date. The official combined fuel use is 7.6L/100km and for my week with the SQ5 I used 5.7L/100km. The 7-speed S-tronic transmission can be ‘manually’ changed using the cheap feeling plastic steering wheel mounted paddle shifters for added driver engagement.
Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive systems and sports-tuned frequency-selective dampers deliver enhanced handling precision, stability, and ride comfort across varying road conditions. My SQ5 was also fitted with the optional Sport adaptive air suspension ($3,800) that adjusts automatically to optimise driving dynamics, ensuring optimum performance and comfort. The results are impressive with the SQ5 having a lovely ride.
The drive modes available include Dynamic, Comfort, Efficiency, and Individual with simple changes to the 11.9” Audi virtual cockpit when changes are mode. Under the Individual mode you can adjust the steering, air suspension, driver assist, and the Audi virtual cockpit layout. The SQ5 also has Offroad and Offroad Plus modes, but with those wheels and no spare tyre I doubt whether any owners would ever use them.
Keyless entry is available on all four doors and keyless start means that the key fob can remain in your handbag at all times. Soft wrap Dinamica upholstery elements throughout the cabin are soft to touch and the cabin smells pleasant thanks to the premium leather upholstery, with the Sport front seats being embossed and diamond-stitched. The anthracite Sport 3-spoke leather steering wheel, flattened at the top and bottom, and head up display completes the driver’s space in the SQ5.
The SQ5 interior elevates luxury with ventilated, heated, and massaging front seats with three massage types Relaxing, Balance, and Smooth and intensity control. The cabin also features the optional ($1,200) inlays in carbon micro-twill, but still has gloss black plastic on the centre console that quickly becomes dusty. An advanced colour ambient lighting pro complete the dash with a dynamic interaction light strip at the base of the windscreen to convey vehicle status alerts elegantly.
Both front seats have power adjustment for recline, forward/back, seat height/tilt front and rear with four-way lumbar support and manual under thigh support extension. The driver’s seat has two memory positions and the buttons for this are on the touchpad located on the door arm rest. The controls for the headlights are also located here, but their operation doesn’t feel like they would not be robust enough for long term use, and they are gloss black so get grubby quickly.
My SQ5 was fitted with the optional Tech pro package ($5,700) and that includes a heated steering wheel with electric steering column adjustment, heated rear outer seats, the digital OLED tail lights, and the 10.9” passenger touchscreen with Active Privacy Mode, offering tailored access without distraction. The passenger screen is simply a duplication of the main infotainment screen offering no further entertainment options, so your passenger becomes your more useful codriver, entering a sat nav destination or changing the radio station, for example.
Acoustic front glazing improves the cabin quietness enabling you to enjoy the Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound System with 16 speakers including centre speaker and subwoofer, 16-channel amplifier with a total output of 685 watts. Advanced technology is prominent throughout the SQ5 interior, with the 14.5” infotainment touchscreen is compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and the latter worked well for me.
The ‘Hey Audi’ assistant worked well for changing the radio station, making phone calls, and setting a destination on the sat nav with each command working on the first occasion. There’s a wireless phone charging pad at the front of the centre console with two USB-C ports here and one 12V socket. The centre console has two cup holders with grippy sides and a removable base for easy cleaning and there are large drink bottle storage cubbies in front doors, so you can also maintain your hydration levels.
The SQ5 comes with Audi connect plus Navigation & Infotainment services that gives you online traffic information with hazard alerts, parking information, and destination entry via myAudi. You also get Audi connect plus Security & Assistance services that can find your car, remotely lock and unlock, make emergency calls, and contact online roadside assistance. Audi customers enjoy a complimentary three-year Audi connect plus licence for the above services, except for Emergency call and Automatic service reminder which are valid for up to 10 years. To continue to use Audi connect plus ongoing, a paid subscription is available via your MyAudi account.
The rear seats have a good amount of leg room and under thigh support and although the headroom was adequate for me, taller individuals may find it to be a bit tight. The seats have two ISOFix/three rear tether child seat restraint points, but most likely only enough space for two car seats. The centre seat can be folded down as an arm rest with two shallow cup holders in it that have grippy sides and there’s good-sized drink bottle storage in the rear door cubbies. Rear passengers get digital rear temperature control with two central air vents with individual direction control and one central roller on/off switch. There are two USB-C ports above the air vents and a high transmission tunnel between the rear footwells with no carpet mat over it for protection.
The tailgate can be opened only from the cabin button and key fob, which is a trait belonging to newer and older generation Audi vehicles, and you can also open and close from the tailgate buttons. You can raise and lower the rear of the vehicle from the boot thanks to the air suspension. The boot space is a good size and fits the weekly shop and most likely a pram and a smaller shop. It has four substantial tie down points with a cargo cover, one hook, two lights and one 12V socket. If more space is needed the rear seats have a 60:40 split fold mechanism with buttons in the boot to lower them or on the side of the outer seats and they lie completely flat and lock into place. Additional storage is also available under the boot floor and tyre repair kit here.
All variants in the third generation Q5 range have a five-star ANCAP (2025) safety rating with an Adult Occupant Protection score of 85% and a Child Occupant Protection score of 86%. Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting airbags are standard. A centre airbag, which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes, is also standard.
The Audi Q5 is fitted with an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system capable of functioning at highway speeds, and a lane support system (LSS) with lane keep assist and emergency lane keeping functionality. ANCAP tests of the AEB (Car-to-Car) system showed GOOD performance with collisions avoided or mitigated in all test scenarios, including in AEB Junction and AEB Crossing scenarios, where the test vehicle can autonomously brake to avoid crashes when turning across or into the path of an oncoming vehicle. AEB Head-On system functionality showed ADEQUATE performance. ANCAP tests of LSS functionality showed GOOD performance in lane keep assist scenarios, and ADEQUATE performance in the more critical emergency lane keeping scenarios. The overall ANCAP Safety Assist score is 80%.
Even though this is an all-new model it still retains the stalk behind the steering wheel for the adaptive cruise control and the blind spot monitoring is simply a flashing light on the inside of the side mirrors. For convenience you get a standard rear view combined with 360-degree view front and rear parking sensors. Plus, auto lights with auto high beam and auto rain sensing wipers.
The Audi Q5 range comes with a peace-of-mind five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and twelve years manufacturing warranty for bodywork against corrosion perforation for new vehicles. Audi owners also receive a complementary membership during their warranty period to Audi Experience, Audi Australia’s bespoke loyalty program that offers access to exclusive national events, intimate Audi Ambassador experiences and premium partner offers.
Five-year service plans are available for purchase up front ($3,560) and customers also can purchase Audi Advantage ($4,150), an Audi-exclusive program that allows owners to purchase two-year packages to extend their servicing, warranty, and roadside assistance. New vehicle customers can purchase two-year programs back-to-back at the time of purchase, or at a later date up to 8 years old, to extend the current manufacturer warranty beyond the current 5-year period. This allows new vehicle owners the security of a full factory warranty for up to 9 years, which is transferable to future owners of their vehicle.
Pricing for the Audi SQ5 SUV TFSI quattro starts at $122,400 plus dealer delivery and on-road costs and as tested this SQ5 was $133,100 plus dealer delivery and on-road costs. You can Build & Order your Audi SQ5 SUV online or visit your preferred Audi dealer for more information.
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| Pros | Cons |
| The nice ride | Gloss black plastic trim used in cabin |
| The premium look cabin | Retains features from older model Audis |
| The technology works well | The passenger screen seams almost pointless |
Photographs by Driven Women Magazine.