2014 Audi SQ5: The Family Race Car

Enthusiasm for sport utility vehicles continues to mount. Whereas sedans once topped demand, now it’s SUVs. They’re trendy, practical and, most importantly, they’re different than what we’re used to driving.  While many people find luxury SUVs too expensive for their budgets, compact luxury SUVs are a relatively affordable way for a lot of folks to own a prestige model. And that’s exactly why this segment has been booming in recent years.

While BMW offers the X3 and Mercedes-Benz has the GLK, Audi has advanced the Q5 to compete in this segment. Even though it was introduced a little late in the game, the Q5 has quickly joined the top ranks. In fact, it’s such a success that the Q5 can be hard to find at dealerships.

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A Q5 to meet all needs

When shopping the Q5 line, you’re sure to find one that suits your needs, as this year there are fully five different versions on offer, each with its own mechanical specifications. You can own the Q5 2.0T for just under $40,000, which is less than the BMW X5 or Mercedes-Benz GLK. It comes equipped with Audi’s ubiquitous 220-horsepower 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine. All Q5s come with quattro all-wheel drive, so everyone goes home happy in this department.

The slightly more powerful Q5 3.0T delivers 272 horsepower thanks to its 3.0-litre V6. But the most intriguing trim is without a doubt the Q5 TDI, whose 240-horsepower diesel engine wins drivers over with its generous torque and reduced fuel consumption. If fuel economy is your top priority and you’re not a fan of diesel, Audi also offers a hybrid Q5. It performs best in the city, where it posts the best fuel consumption rates in the line, but on the highway the hybrid is outdone by its diesel counterpart. So, when determining which Q5 is best for you, you should first think about what kind of driving you do most—especially if purchase price isn’t your primary concern.

If, on the other hand, you’re not too concerned about fuel consumption, you might prefer the sporty handling and power offered by the top-of-the-line SQ5. Somewhere between an SUV and a race car, this vehicle is practical, family-oriented and capable of having a lot of fun on the track, too.

Outperforming your expectations

While several automakers offer a juiced-up version of their compact SUV whose main attribute is extra power, Audi made an effort to preserve the vehicle’s balance. The SQ5’s chassis was lowered by 30 millimetres (1 3/16 inches) to bring its centre of gravity down. Obviously this translates into less ground clearance, but this model wasn’t made for the jungle; it was designed for exceptional performance on pavement. In the same spirit, the suspension was firmed up and a little more resistance was added to the power steering. As a result, you get a sense of enhanced control in sport driving. It goes without saying that the brakes were adjusted accordingly.

These dynamic adjustments allow for better management of the extra power deployed by the SQ5’s supercharged 3.0-litre V6. Thanks to its direct fuel injection and air compressor, this engine develops an impressive 354 horses and 347 lb.-ft. of torque. These figures are more than respectable for a compact model that also boasts an excellent weight-to-power ratio. Speaking of power, it is transmitted to all four wheels via an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission. These mechanics can take the vehicle from 0-100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds. These days, there’s no point in even discussing top speeds, as almost all super-fast vehicles are electronically limited to 250 km/h, which is more than enough for any driver. With its rich sound, this engine adds a lot to your driving pleasure. Power is delivered without lag, and even faster when you want to pass another vehicle. It makes you feel like you’re driving a sport sedan.  

Let’s talk style

In order to give the SQ5 a unique style, a few esthetic changes were made. The most notable change involves the 21-inch forged aluminum wheels, which offer glimpses of the S-branded brake calipers. The front grille is metallic gray, as are the side mirrors. But if you want to quickly determine whether or not you’re looking at an SQ5, just check the front fender for the V6 T emblem. This vehicle’s style is nicely accomplished, and since style sells, the Q5 has been selling like hotcakes.

What we like best about Audi products, however, are the passenger compartments. As soon as you slide into one, you are immediately seduced by the quality of the materials and the attention to detail. Nothing has been overlooked, including the controls and their feedback—and even the smell of the leather. Inside the SQ5, things have been kicked up a notch with sport instrumentation on a grey background, seats with superior support and aluminum accents. It really feels like a luxury model!

Since this is a compact SUV, it was to be expected that there would be less room in back and a smaller cargo hold. It’s more modular and practical than a sedan, but less so than BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

The Audi Q5 lives up to expectations. It’s reliable and comes with everything you’d expect from a luxury SUV.