2025 Audi SQ5 Review

Trims

2025 Audi SQ5 trim comparison

Starting MSRP

Starting Market Average

$59,695*

$64,595*

$67,795*

$60,254

MPG

Engine

Drive Type

Automatic Emergency Braking

Basic Warranty

Horsepower

Blind Spot System

Surround View Camera

Adaptive Cruise Control

Remote Engine Start

Parking Sensors

Multi-Zone Climate Control

Premium Audio

19 city/24 hwy

3.0L V6 Turbo

AWD

4 yr / 50k mi

349 hp*

Engine Type

Fuel Type

Horsepower

Horsepower RPM

Torque

Torque RPM

Engine Displacement

Engine Configuration

Cylinders

Aspiration

EPA City Fuel Economy

EPA Highway Fuel Economy

EPA Combined Fuel Economy

Start/Stop System

Regenerative Braking

Gas

Premium Unleaded

349 hp*

5400 rpm

369 lb-ft*

1370 rpm

3.0 L

V

6 cylinder

Turbocharged

19 MPG

24 MPG

21 MPG

Pricing

How much should I pay for the Audi SQ5?

Use the chart below to see how much shoppers are paying for each 2025 Audi SQ5 trim on average. This will help you determine how much to pay on a lease, financing, or cash basis. Get upfront price offers from Certified Dealers in your area by selecting a trim and following the steps to build your car.

MSRP

$59,695

Market AverageMarket Avg

$60,254

Average Markup above MSRPAvg Markup

0.9% above MSRP

Build & Price

Average Total Price Paid for Audi SQ5 Trims

Price Information

These prices reflect the national market average, based on the sale prices of similar vehicles.

Overview

One of the original high-performance luxury SUVs, the Audi SQ5 continues to be a benchmark for the segment. Audi injects a potent dose of power into its popular Q5, with the 2025 SQ5 boasting a 349-horsepower turbocharged engine (up 148 hp from the Q5) that propels it to 60 mph in a brisk 4.7 seconds. Sharper handling and stronger brakes complement the engine upgrade, all while retaining Audi's legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive system. A Sportback body style adds a touch of style for those who prioritize aesthetics.

Beyond its athletic prowess, the SQ5 delivers luxury in spades. Typical Audi elegance graces the interior, with impeccable fit and finish throughout. Spacious and comfortable seating for five, along with a generous cargo area, solidify the SQ5's daily-driver credentials. Driver assistance tech rounds out the package. While the SQ5 offers a compelling blend of performance, luxury, and practicality, it faces stiff competition from established rivals like the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, and Porsche Macan, each offering its own take on the high-performance luxury crossover formula.

Positives

Spirited driving performance. Luxurious cabin. Great all-weather abilities. Priced below top rivals.

Considerations

Key competitors offer more power, sharper handling. Ready for a redesign. Smaller infotainment screen than some.

Verdict

Audi's SQ5 blends blistering performance with a luxurious, tech-laden interior, making it a compelling choice for driving enthusiasts who refuse to compromise on comfort or everyday usability. While some rivals might offer a slight edge in outright acceleration, the SQ5's overall package is tough to beat.

What's New for 2025

The SQ5 is largely unchanged for 2025.

Trims and Pricing

The 2025 Audi SQ5 is offered in three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. A Sportback model is available.

Premium

The Premium trim starts at $58,400, plus a destination fee of $1,295. It comes with an adaptive suspension, 20-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a power liftgate, leather and synthetic upholstery, heated front seats, three-zone climate control, heated steering wheel, and a 10.1-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration. The Sportback variant costs $61,800.

Premium Plus

The Premium Plus comes in at $63,300 (or $65,700 for the Sportback). It adds a surround-view camera, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, power-folding side mirrors, memory settings for the mirrors and driver's seat, a panoramic moonroof, a hands-free liftgate, and satellite radio.

Prestige

The top-flight Prestige ($66,500 or $68,900 for the Sportback) comes with Matrix-design LED headlights, headlight washers, OLED taillights, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, a head-up display, and automatic parking assistance.

Engine and Performance

The SQ5 ditches the standard Q5's engine for a muscular 3.0-liter turbo V6, packing 349 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a smooth-shifting eight-speed Tiptronic transmission and Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive, this powertrain delivers effortless thrust and satisfying refinement. With launch control engaged, the SQ5 rockets from 0-60 mph in a brisk 4.7 seconds – not a class leader, but certainly quick enough to pin you to the back of the supportive seats.

Audi engineers haven't skimped on handling, either. The five-link suspension front and rear translates to sharp reflexes, offering a surprisingly nimble experience for a crossover. While the SQ5 excels at balancing power and comfort, enthusiasts seeking the absolute edge in performance might find the BMW X3 M40i (with 382 hp) or the Porsche Macan S (375 hp) offer a touch more punch, precision, and on-limit handling.

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy is commendable, though not the SQ5's strong suit. The EPA rates the SQ5 at 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, for a combined 21 mpg. This is about average for the segment, with rivals like the BMW X3 M40i (23 mpg combined) offering a slight edge. The Porsche Macan S delivers 19 mpg combined.

Interior

Unlike some rivals that are overwhelmed by busy layouts, the SQ5's cabin prioritizes clean lines and business-like tones. Don't take that for a lack of excitement, though. Material quality is superb, with every surface boasting a fit and finish that borders perfection. The serenely quiet cabin isolates you from the outside world. Comfort reigns supreme, with supportive, high-bolstered front seats trimmed in leather and tasteful synthetics. Rear-seat passengers benefit from more space than is typical in the compact luxury SUV segment, and a generous cargo area rounds out the SQ5's daily driver credentials. The entry-level Premium trim offers a choice of black or gray interiors while venturing up the trim ladder unlocks a world of color and material options, including a particularly fetching quilted red leather.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The 2025 Audi SQ5 has a reasonably traditional infotainment system for a compact luxury SUV, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen perched atop the dashboard. The screen is bright, and the menus are intuitive. Audi offers several ways to customize the system to the driver's preferences, and it can be operated from the steering wheel or console controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included. Audi's standard audio system works quite well, offering better performance than other base systems, but the optional Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system is downright superb.

Safety

The 2025 Audi SQ5 must still be evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). But the mechanically similar Audi Q5 has been tested, with the 2023 model nabbing the IIHS's Top Safety Pick award. The 2022 Audi Q5 received five stars (out of five) in overall safety from NHTSA.

Standard safety features include forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control with built-in Traffic Jam Assist, and rear parking sensors. Options include a top-view camera system, automatic parking assistance, and rear-side airbags.

Audi SQ5 vs. the Competition

The SQ5 faces stiff competition from established rivals like the BMW X3 M40i and Porsche Macan S. These contenders boast sharper performance edges and flashier infotainment systems, but the SQ5 counters with its understated luxury, serene cabin, and rock-solid build quality. Ultimately, the SQ5 prioritizes a thrilling, comfortable, well-rounded driving experience, even if it sacrifices some peak performance bragging rights to its competitors.

Audi SQ5 vs. BMW X3

Audi SQ5 vs. Porsche Macan

TrueCar Expert Review Methodology

TrueCar works with a select group of automotive industry experts who test-drive nearly 300 vehicles per year. TrueCar's experts grade the vehicles on key attributes including driving dynamics, comfort, interior design, technology, storage, and efficiency. Our experts also judge recent model updates, pricing and value, trims, options, comparable vehicles, and safety assessments (as provided by the NHTSA and IIHS) to inform their recommendations and help car shoppers choose a vehicle that is right for them.

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