2023 Audi SQ5 Review: Sporty Sophisticate

The class of the premium sporty compact crossover SUV is a hotly contested one and a review of the Audi SQ5's competitors shows that it includes heavy hitters such as the BMW X3 M40i and Porsche Macan S. Perhaps because many of its natural rivals have placed the emphasis firmly on providing a hard-edged sportiness, Audi has taken a different tack and endowed the in-between S with much of the comfort of the normal Q5, with outright agility a secondary consideration. There is no doubting its performance credentials and its punchy 349-horsepower turbocharged V6 provides excellent performance, with Audi's MLB platform allowing longitudinal engine placement and a rear-biased Quattro AWD system - specifications that should please the performance driver. To spec up the SQ5 to the requisite level of sportiness to match said rivals will push its price past $63,000, at which point an X3 or Macan makes a compelling argument for superiority. Does the Audi deliver in the face of such stiff competition?

What's the Price of the 2023 Audi SQ5?

The base price of the Audi SQ5 comes in lower than rivals, with a starting MSRP of $56,500 for the entry-level Premium trim. Upgrading to the Premium Plus will push the price up to $60,900 while the range-topping Prestige will set buyers back $66,100. These prices are exclusive of tax, licensing, registration, and incentives, as well as the $1,195 destination charge. A fully loaded Prestige derivative can easily hit upwards of $77k, including destination.

2023 Audi SQ5 Handling And Driving Impressions

Audi's S models are meant to provide a decent combination of sportiness and comfort, leaving the hardcore personas for the RS models. In our view, the SQ5's suspension system strikes a superb balance. It's a sporty crossover SUV you can use every day, with a luxury-car ride that absorbs shocks and quells vibrations expertly, yet still serves up well-balanced handling, thanks to its rear-biased Quattro AWD system that avoids that nose-heavy, understeery feeling some Audis have suffered from. The 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 delivers 349 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque and with the help of an eight-speed automatic transmission, the 0-60 sprint of 4.7 seconds is plenty fast enough for most, although some rivals like the X3 M40i are even faster. It's sharper too and, for some, the SQ5 may just be a little too comfort-orientated. Both the X3 M40i and Macan S feel more engaging and for gung-ho mountain-pass driving, the SQ5 is possibly too soft, not helped by the numb steering feel, even if the tiller is accurate. You can always select the mid-range Premium Plus and add the S Sport package with the Sport adaptive air suspension and Sport rear differential to add the missing sharpness without losing any of the comfort.

Verdict: Is The 2023 Audi SQ5 A Good SUV?

The new 2023 Audi SQ5 SUV leaves its tried-and-trusted recipe the same for this year, so if you are very much attuned to the S in the SQ5, well, it might just not be "Sport" enough for you. The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43, BMW X3 M40i, and Porsche Macan S are all sharper to drive and feel more exciting as a result. To this end, model selection is important, and you can dial up that excitement by adding the S Sport package. However, this is not available on the base trim and by the time you've added it to the Premium Plus, your SQ5 costs over $3,000 more than an X3 M40i. For this reason, some might see the BMW as the better buy, because it's faster, sportier, roomier, and has a larger trunk, so it can still do all the SUV things you want from it with aplomb, while putting a bigger grin on your face when you push it hard. The Audi is excellent in its own right, but not the best in a cutthroat class.

What 2023 Audi SQ5 Model Should I Buy?

At $60,900, the mid-range Premium Plus derivative is certainly worth the extra outlay needed to upgrade from the base model. Besides the fact that this nets you nice-to-haves such as a panoramic sunroof and Audi's Virtual Cockpit, it also unlocks a few key options not available for the base model Premium. From a personalization standpoint, this allows customers to tailor the SQ5 to their specific needs. But tread lightly; frivolous spending on options and packages will increase the price of the Audi SQ5 considerably.

If we were buying, we'd opt for metallic paint ($595), Nappa leather ($1,000), the navigation package ($1,500), and the S Sport package ($3,000). This brings the price to $68,190 including destination. This is barely pricier than the $66,100 Prestige but comes with everything you need, including air suspension.