Here's Why The 2017 Audi SQ5 TFSI Is My Goldilocks SUV

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In this episode of JayEmm On Cars I am once again back in the seat of a modern fast Audi. However, this is one that's just a few years old and for that reason stands out. It has a turbocharged petrol engine, is well sized and has decent performance. But, as this is not the RS model, can it still excite a somewhat jaded cynic like myself?

#Audi #SQ5 #TFSI

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[thedetailingdoctor]

Those exhaust tips are absolutely criminal!!!

[wfwiwck]

I bought a 2018 one of these in 2020 and have done 20k miles in it over the last 3 years.

I have this as a family car along side an Exige 350 and previously a Caterham 420R.

Honestly, it's one of the best cars I've ever owned. It's plenty fast enough to carry the family round in...sounds great...and build quality is very good.

I thought I might have it for a year...but here I am 3 years later and can't think of anything I'd want to change it for.

[stephencollins]

It is interesting (to me at least) that VW group seem to be cutting corners on interior build quality at a time when BMW, Mercedes, LR and even Tesla are upping their games. Such a shame as for the longest time Audi were the benchmark but risk dropping down to the next class. Really cannot get excited about whether the exhaust tips are real or fake, there will soon be none at all so no point in getting upset about it. My Q7 has fakes ones and I was marvelling at how much easier they are to clean at the weekend!

[jester]

Maybe you're spoiled by your Super Cars Jay (I'm just jealous) but a v6 345 BHP block with 5.4 0-62 and limited at 155mph is still a high performance engine! It's got more than "a little poke"! Great videos though mate - many thanks!

[georgeskiener]

Good review. I absolutely love that car with which I have often done 1’000 km a day trips. It is my 3rd one, but the first with petrol. For me it is a Swiss Army knife. It does everything.

[BarryMakariou]

The extra cash you spend on fuel will be covered by your much lower monthly’s as it has a the best future value of all q5s

[mrmattson]

I went from a 2016 A6 to a 2018 SQ5 and my only complaint is the hard and creaky interior plastics when you put pressure on them. Other than that it’s one of the top 3 cars I’ve owned.

[kamseihra]

Owned one of these for 2 years now and other than a few recalls/warranty claims it’s been great!

[alanahern]

I've a 2104 SQ5 petrol supercharged (354bhp) imported from the US. The specification is way higher - the interior has far more leather - the door trims Jay complained about as being plasticky are leather - door cards are leather and seats are the softer Napa leather in back with red inserts. All the stitching in the seats, door cards armrest and steering well is red to match the seats. The Panoramic sunroof is standard as is the B&O stereo and everything else you would expect. The only downside of my car is the infotainment system spec - it is now well outdated. The original screen is tiny and it doesn't have Carplay for example, however, fortunately, there are after market upgrades available. I've upgraded the screen to a 9" which fits in the original space in the dash, which I much prefer to, as Jay put it, the iPad stuck on the dashboard, and it now is touchscreen with Carplay. Personally I prefer the real dials to the virtual cockpit, which I had in my previous S3.
Performance wise - there is no turbo lag (supercharger) and it goes down the road at a faster rate than a 2 ton SUV should.
My car might be old but I think it has a lot more character, and I love it.
P.S. It has real quad exhaust tips with valves - noise? No problem!

[drew]

I picked up a 2018 SQ5 back in November last year over on the west coast of the USA. Spec it's basically identical to what you Brits got in the 2017 model. Put just over 10k on her since I bought her and here's my observations.

First, the automatic transmission in automatic mode can lurch and hiccup from time to time. Especially when first starting out. Not uncommon within the first 5 mins of driving to have the shift from 1>2 rev past 3.5k for no discernible reason. It just does. All the time. When warmed up & operating to it's normal process, it's almost oppressively aggressive in it's perpetual shifting as high as possible as quick as possible. The other day I was doing around 40 mph on a roadway, and I was in 7th gear at 1.2k revs. What's the point there Audi? Seriously.

The dynamic setting in general operates better than comfort, but it still leaves a bit to be desired in terms of good shifting dynamics overall. It also likes to hang onto revs sometimes and not always for any reason you can identify, but when operating as normal will shift around 2.5k which is about right. However when on the highway/freeway, it will also hold onto 6th gear at 65mph and 2.4k to 2.6k revs. So for the trans you really need to put it in manual all the time and shift when you want to so you can either get a little more torque with the revs in the right spot, or keep the revs down if you're cruising and want to focus more on MPGs.

As far as performance goes, it's pretty damn good. 0-60 in just over 5 seconds which is darn good for a 2 ton SUV. For most petrol heads looking for a comfortable but spirited daily, you'd be hard pressed to find better value than the SQ5. You can certainly find quicker and nicer, but you're paying several grand more to get either one or both. And for some, that extra money is probably better spent on their weekend toys.

Great film as always Jay.

[Patsy-rdkj]

I've got the SQ5 Plus+, B8 version 3Ltr V6 Diesel 2017... fantastic SUV, & this is coming from an Audi RS4, ( needed the larger space= Kids)😁

[jhvanderstighelen]

Need a JayEmm review of X3/X4 M40i and GLC 43 for completeness!

[arda_]

James you are mistaken mate x3 and Q5 are the same class cars. X1 and Q3 are in the same class too. Q5 is the suv version of a4 same as x3 being the suv version of 3. Really surprised you thought Q5 was a higher class car, a bit of a rookie mistake really(but you are far from being a rookie).

[pogoworley]

I had one for 18 months.
I can’t remember a single week of trouble free motoring.
Before that I had a mki which was bulletproof

[SDKb]

I completely agree on the exhaust tips. I was looking at getting one of these in 2017 but those tips put me off and I got a 5 Series Touring instead.

[ianyorath]

I own one of these. Once you select Dynamic, you need to pull down on the gearstick to put it in sport - then you would have noticed a difference in the exhaust note, as well as the performance. Totally agree re the fake 'exhaust' tho...

[richardh]

I'm in the US (where we still have a petrol SQ5), but am considering picking up a pre-facelift version of one of these as well. Kind of hits a sweet spot for me in terms of performance, luxury, ergonomics and features. An X3 M40 is ultimatley probably a better vehicle, but I prefer the seats/leather and ride quality of the SQ5. Would love to find one specced exactly as in this video

[Elliottcam]

I have a Q5, there’s more room for luggage and the driver, I’m 6ft 4, than in an A4 avant… Just been to Scotland and back, no issues, but ride gets harsh after a while. SQ5 would suit me, wife and kids. Agree on the A6 Allroad, superb car.

[christofts]

Love my 2017 SQ5 TFSI. Best car I’ve owned.

[shannongovender]

Our families keyless entry vehicles, key fob batteries are constantly needing replacement. Spares sit draining their batteries in the safe. And the irritation of alarm going off coupled to removing the door handle clips has become an inconvenience rather than a convenience.

One option I will recommend not ticking.