Audi SQ5

Audi SQ5 versions at a glance

Years are production or market periods; the US-market FY SQ5 is rated 264 kW (354 hp) under American rules. A 240 kW (326 PS) SQ5 TDI also appears in Audi's 2015–2016 data.

First generation (8R): the diesel S model

Audi showed the SQ5 TDI in mid-2012, and sales began in early 2013. It was the first S model from Audi with a diesel engine. The 2,967 cc V6 uses two turbochargers and produces 230 kW (313 PS) between 3,900 and 4,500 rpm, with 650 Nm available from 1,450 to 2,800 rpm.

Power goes through an eight-speed torque-converter tiptronic to permanent quattro drive with torque vectoring. The car reaches 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds, and its top speed is limited to 250 km/h. The 8R Q5 family was built in Ingolstadt, Germany.

The old 1cars text said the SQ5 had a twin-clutch gearbox running in oil. That was wrong: the SQ5 used the eight-speed tiptronic, while the dual-clutch S tronic was offered on other Q5 versions. In 2015 Audi added the SQ5 TDI plus with 250 kW (340 PS) and 700 Nm.

The 3.0 TFSI petrol SQ5 of 2013

For markets where the diesel was not offered, such as North America, Audi presented a petrol SQ5 at the Detroit motor show in January 2013. Its supercharged 3.0 TFSI V6 develops 260 kW (354 PS) at 5,500–6,500 rpm and 470 Nm at 4,000–4,500 rpm, again with the eight-speed tiptronic.

This is the car the old 1cars article described. According to that text, it reaches 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, is limited to 250 km/h, and uses about 8.7 l/100 km on the combined cycle. Its external dimensions, as given there, are:

• length 4,644 mm, wheelbase 2,813 mm;
• width 1,911 mm, height 1,624 mm;
• kerb weight about 1,905 kg;
• boot 540 litres, the same as a regular Q5;
• ride height 30 mm lower than the standard Q5.

How to spot an SQ5: styling and cabin

All SQ5s look close to the regular Q5. The first generation had a Singleframe grille with horizontal double chrome bars, aluminium-look mirror caps, xenon headlights with LED daytime lights, a roof spoiler, oval twin exhaust tips and 20-inch wheels. SQ5 badges appeared on the grille, the tailgate and the front brake calipers.

Inside, the 8R SQ5 has sports seats with stronger side bolsters, grey dials with white needles, an SQ5 logo in the rev counter and aluminium pedals. The old text lists Fine Nappa leather, carbon or piano-black inlays and MMI navigation plus among the options. The old text also mentions an electronic sound actuator in the exhaust system.

Second generation (FY): the 2017 SQ5 TFSI

The second-generation SQ5 was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2017 and reached European showrooms in spring and summer 2017. For the first time Audi sold a petrol SQ5 in Germany. The car took its drivetrain from the S4 (B9): a 3.0-litre V6 with a single twin-scroll turbo, rated at 260 kW (354 PS) in Europe and 500 Nm from 1,370 rpm.

Audi's figures for the Netherlands launch: 0–100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, 250 km/h limited, 8.3 l/100 km and 189 g/km on the NEDC cycle. The gearbox is an eight-speed tiptronic, and quattro drive uses a Torsen centre differential with a default 40:60 front-to-rear split. A sport differential was optional.

Production of the FY Q5 moved to a new Audi plant in San José Chiapa, Mexico, opened in 2016. In the Netherlands the SQ5 started at 94,005 euros in April 2017, a price shaped by high Dutch vehicle taxes.

The 2019 SQ5 TDI with an electric compressor

Diesel returned to the SQ5 in 2019. The new SQ5 TDI pairs a 3.0 V6 TDI with a 48-volt electrical system, a small lithium-ion battery and an electric compressor (EPC). A 7 kW electric motor spins the compressor to 65,000 rpm in about 300 milliseconds, so boost is ready before the exhaust turbo has built up speed.

Damper control lowers the body by 30 mm compared with a standard Q5, and adaptive air suspension was optional. By our calculation, the 2019 TDI uses about 20 % less fuel on paper than the 2017 petrol SQ5 while offering 200 Nm more torque.

The FY range was facelifted in June 2020, with a new grille, bumpers and lights, and Audi added the SQ5 Sportback with a sloping roofline in January 2021. The full model story is on our Audi Q5 generations page.

Third generation (2024): 270 kW and a seven-speed S tronic

The third-generation Q5 was revealed on 2 September 2024, the Sportback on 26 November 2024. The new SQ5 uses a 3.0 V6 TFSI with Audi's MHEV plus mild-hybrid system, rated at 270 kW (367 PS) and 550 Nm. It reaches 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and is limited to 250 km/h.

Unlike earlier SQ5s, it uses a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox instead of a torque-converter automatic. The new Q5 is built in San José Chiapa, Mexico, and as the long-wheelbase Q5L in Changchun, China. Compared with the first SQ5 TDI, the new car is 0.6 seconds quicker to 100 km/h, but it has 100 Nm less torque.

Audi SQ5 against its rivals

The SQ5 shares its platform family with the Porsche Macan, which is sharper to drive but costs more. The BMW X3 M40i is the closest match on power. To compare power-to-weight figures, use the 1cars power-to-weight calculator, or put two SUVs side by side with the comparison tool.