2023 (72/23) Audi Q5 SQ5 TDI Quattro 5dr Tiptronic

By Jonathan Crouch

Introduction

The second generation Audi SQ5 aimed to be the ultimate stealth family performance SUV, initially launched in petrol guise but mainly produced in the V6 diesel form that sold between 2019-2024. This TDI variant did what few thought was either advisable or possible, namely packing a 341PS diesel powerplant into a mid-sized SUV. Do you really need that much power? Not really. Would you like it though? You bet. It's not cheap but it did bring a welcome shot of sparkle to the MK2 Q5 line up.

History

The second generation FYB-era Audi SQ5 was first launched in 2017 in 3.0-litre TFSI 354PS petrol form, but in 2019, that engine was then replaced by the Electrically Powered Compressor-boosted twin turbo V6 3.0-litre TDI mild hybrid diesel unit from the S4, that powertrain in this case putting out 341PS. That created a very credible performance flagship for the Q5 range. With the SQ5, you have all of the practical aspects of a normal Q5. That means it'll quite happily do the family duties, commute in comfort, put in a performance at IKEA and be low key enough for you to happily park on the street without a worry. Yet somehow, this model still retains the ability to keep up with a Porsche Cayman sports car. Quite an all-rounder then. This improved MK2 SQ5 sold until an all-new MK3 model arrived in late 2024.

What You Get

The SQ5 comes either in standard SUV form or in sleeker, swept-back Sportback guise. Either way, it certainly looks the part. At the front, vertical fins provide structure to the large side air inlets on the front bumpers, and in the octagonal Singleframe grille that's specific to the S models, large octagonal honeycomb sections are linked by narrow bars. These have an aluminium finish, as do the fins on the air inlets. Flanking this grille are full-LED headlights that use Audi's intelligent 'Matrix' technology. At the rear, a matte aluminium strip is integrated in the lower bumpers, below which are the diffuser insert and four chromium-plated oval tailpipe trims. Inside, the main SQ5 change is the addition of a larger 10.1-inch MMI touch display central screen as part of Audi's latest MIB 3 modular infotainment platform. The 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit instrument binnacle screen also came as standard and provides three different graphic layouts: Dynamic, Sport and Classic. In an SQ5 TDI Vorsprung-spec model, that monitor's also supplemented by a head-up display projecting important information onto the windscreen in the driver's field of vision. The S sport seats are upholstered in fine Nappa leather with diamond stitching and are electrically adjustable. Matt brushed aluminium inlays are standard, whilst a top 'Vorsprung'-spec variant like this one comes with these smart 'Carbon Atlas' carbon inlays. Aluminium-look shift paddles on the three-spoke leather steering wheel enable the driver to quickly shift the Tiptronic auto transmission's eight ratios. The pedals and footrest are finished in stainless steel. The standard 'rear seat bench plus' sliding rear bench in the SQ5 is split into three segments, all of which slide back and forth, plus the backrests recline for greater comfort on longer journeys. Two adults should be pretty comfortable, with plenty of room for elbows and legs. And there are no real issues with headroom either, even in the Sportback version with its noticeably-sloped roofline. The boot is accessed via a standard powered tailgate, the rising height of which can be tailored to suit your garage ceiling. A 520-litre space is on offer with the SUV body style - 10-litres more than you get with the Sportback version. Completely flattening the rear bench frees up 1,480-litres of space in the Sportback version of this car - or 1,520-litres in the standard SUV model.

What to Look For

Most owners in our survey seemed happy. Issues that came up in our survey included heated seats that weren't working, clicking from the accelerator pedal, a pre-sense safety system failure and excessive oil consumption. Apart from that, we've heard of gearbox problems, seat backrest faults and suspension issues, so check all these on your test drive. The steering rack can experience electrical and mechanical failure and might be noisy too. The most reported faults related to interior trim and non-engine electricals. Look out for bodywork scrapes and kerb damage to the large alloys. We've had some reports of issues with wear to the side bolsters of the leather seats, as well as squeaking front brake pads, so it's worth looking out for both of those. There were a few issues with the car's infotainment system, with phones not connecting properly and flickering screens being the main problem. Rattling parcel shelves and buzzing interior trims were also reported. The DSG automatic gearbox should be checked to make sure it's had a regular oil and filter change, as should the quattro four-wheel-drive system. Many SQ5s will have been company or lease cars and, as a result, you should check the condition of the bodywork carefully. The high-quality fit and finish of a SQ5 also makes it an ideal candidate for clocking, so ensure the history is absolutely verified.

Replacement Parts

(approx based on an SQ5 TDI 2020 30 TDI - Ex Vat - autodoc.co.uk) An oil filter costs in the £5-£45 bracket. An air filter's in the £17-£68 bracket. Front brake pads sit in the £28 to £81 bracket for a set; for a rear set, it's around £22-£72. Front brake discs sit in the £42-£126 bracket; for a rear pair, you're looking at around £27-£112. Starter motor prices vary widely - from £171-£345, depending on brand. As do costs for an alternator (anywhere in the £358-£546 bracket we found).

On the Road

We're going to restrict our comments to the diesel version of this second generation SQ5, since that (rather than the early 2018-2018-era 3.0 V6 TFSI petrol model) is what almost all customers will be looking at. Like the first generation SQ5, the basis for this model's well-rounded CV is a muscular V6 TDI engine, but the original car's BiTDI powerhouse had by 2019 been replaced by a unit supported by a single turbocharger, a separate electrically powered compressor for split-second response and a mild hybrid system to underpin the thrilling performance with appropriate efficiency. For this MK2 SQ5, that engine was further tweaked to produce its peak power a fraction earlier and across a wider torque range. The result is mammoth maximum torque of 700Nm from barely more than idling speed, peak power of 341PS and a 5.1-second 0-62mph sprint capability. All that torque offers instant go, channelled through an eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission to the road via quattro all-wheel drive. Like most combustion fast Audis, the top speed is electronically limited to 155mph. This car's electrically powered compressor is the ideal assistant for the turbocharger. It is active whenever the exhaust gas flow provides too little energy to drive the turbocharger, i.e. when starting off and accelerating in the low-rev range up to 1,650 rpm. The top 'Vorsprung' version got 'S-specific adaptive air suspension' - electronically controlled sport air suspension with a continuously variable adaptive damping system on all four wheels and an S-specific basic setting. In case you were wondering if a diesel 'S'-series model might sound a bit, well, dieselly, we'll tell you that Audi fitted the SQ5 with a specially developed sound actuator in the exhaust system which brings a bit of bass and purpose to the exhaust note. The SQ5 sports a broadly similar electromechanical power steering system to the rest of the Q5 range while sport suspension reduces its ride height by 30 millimetres. The Audi drive select driving modes system alters ride, steering, throttle and gear change timings. Needless to say, with the lowered ride height and low-profile tyres, this is one SUV that you won't want to be pointing at a rutted track. You might well want to tow with it though, in which case you'll be pleased to learn that it can tug along up to 2.4-tonnes.

Overall

The MK2 Audi SQ5 TDI offered a fascinating glimpse into the state of the SUV building art. Okay, so shoving a hugely powerful diesel engine into a mid-sized SUV doesn't sound like rocket science, but this is no ordinary engine and the Q5 is no ordinary vehicle. The combination of these constituents moved the genre on a good few steps. All too often with premium brands, and especially with Audi, the fast all-wheel drive estate cars already on offer are so good it leaves you wondering why you'd bother with the SUVs. This SQ5 posed just one question to that mindset: why not? With 341PS on tap, you're never short of power and with a monstrous 700Nm of torque on tap, you won't even need to buy a caravan; just screw a towing eye to the side of your house and drag it up the road. Seriously though, is this car a wee bit over the top? Probably. Will you love it regardless? Most definitely.