With so many consumers making the switch from cars into SUVs lately, automakers are responding with a greater variety of the tall and boxy wagons than ever. Burlier truck-based versions are beginning to regain their lost stature on the one end, with the more car-like crossover models literally rewriting the rules of how an SUV should look and feel at the other. Latter-day renditions like the artful Land Rover Range Rover Velar and the boisterous Jaguar F-Pace are far more expressive and responsive than the stodgy people-movers that preceded them.
The latest entry in a rapidly growing segment of high-performance SUVs is the redesigned-for-2018 Audi SQ5, with the “S” indicating that this is indeed the sportiest expression of the automaker’s popular compact crossover (at least for now – see below). To that end, the SQ5 brings added power to the mix via bona fide V6 muscle, which is a refreshing respite from the jumpy and buzzy turbo-fours found under the hoods of so many crossovers these days. But Audi goes a step further here by incorporating a pair of turbochargers into the 3.0-liter direct-injected V6 that brings its output up to an authoritative 354 horsepower, which is about 100 horses livelier than the standard Q5’s 2.0-liter turbo-four.
The SQ5 puts its power to the pavement both smoothly and suddenly via an eight-speed “tiptronic” automatic transmission and “quattro” all-wheel-drive. Expect a 0-60 mph time at around five seconds; while that’s far from being class-leading (the Stelvio can reach 60 mph in 3.6 seconds in its top Ferrari-infused Quadrifoglio interation), it’s more than sufficient to stir the senses. Plus, the 3.0’s acceleration is aurally accentuated by a throaty exhaust note that’s assertively tuned, but isn’t overwhelming. You won’t wake the neighbors while firing up the engine and pulling out of the garage, but you’ll certainly light up the afterburners with a lead foot on the throttle once you’ve exited the subdivision.
While the SQ5’s front end does feel heavier than the four-cylinder versions, given the added heft of the V6 (its overall curb weight is about 350 pounds heavier than the base model, which already tips the scales at around two tons), it’s still capable and confident through the curves, powering its way through both sweeping highway on-ramps and tight twisty roads with equal tenacity. The rear-biased AWD system helps in this regard, as does the optional adaptive air suspension and sport rear differential that comes with the optional S Sport package; the latter divvies up the engine’s torque between the rear wheels in a vectoring effect to afford quicker cornering abilities.
As one might expect, the SQ5 includes multiple operating modes – Audi calls this “drive select” – including, comfort, auto, dynamic, and a customizable individual profile. The available air suspension adds allroad and lift/offroad modes to raise the ride height a bit if needed. And as with most other vehicles of this type, motorists are best served by just leaving it in automatic mode, which preserves a reasonably smooth ride and predictable performance around town, but allows things to become downright aggressive when called upon. This gives it a dual personality, but with both personas being equally amenable. The dynamic setting amps things up, but ultimately makes the vehicle feel like an overeager puppy after a while. And there’s no point paying a stiff premium for the SQ5 to leave it in the more-passive comfort setting.
Otherwise, the SQ5 is every bit as handsome and cleanly cast inside and out as the rest of the line, following the “Q design” theme of its larger sibling, the Q7 with just enough in the way of creases and curves. The dashboard design is rather simple but eminently tasteful – our tester added the optional Carbon Atlas inlays for a more industrially upscale look and feel. There’s a seven-inch floating tablet-like screen for Audi’s latest infotainment system front and center, which, as in other Audi models, is operated via a control knob and touchpad interface on the center console (the latter allows fingertip handwriting recognition for entering navigation system destinations).
The automaker’s clever configurable “virtual cockpit” instrumentation is optional, and includes a sport mode that brings the speedometer and tachometer front and center; we liked the large 3D satellite navigation view with smaller embedded readouts for vehicle speed and other info. A head-up display is optional.
The seats in our tester, though admirably comfortable and supportive, were upholstered in cross-stitched leather upholstery in a bright red hue (it’s officially called Magna Red) that, at least to us, looked like it would be more at home in a brothel parlor than residing in a sporty European luxury SUV.
As one might imagine, the SQ5 offers a full array of the latest high-tech safety systems, and assorted amenities that include adaptive cruise control, panoramic sunroof, a top-view backup camera, color head-up instrumentation display, power hands-free liftgate, and a premium Bang and Olufsen audio system with 3D sound.
And while the Audi SQ5 is costly for a compact crossover – base price here is $54,300 and our tester stickered out at $68,750 – it’s competitive in the high-performance end of the luxury market. For the money it delivers a welcome balance of style and sophistication with practical sportiness that never becomes overwhelming or exhausting. The Quadrifoglio version of Alfa Romeo’s Stelvio may be quicker with 505 raging horses, but it’s also more raucous and digs far deeper into one’s bank account, reaching well over $97,000 when fully loaded.
Meanwhile, looking for more muscle in a Q5 may get their wish within the coming year, as Audi is said to be readying a higher-performance RS version with a 450-horsepower twin-turbo V6 under the hood to go with assorted performance and styling updates.
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