2018 Audi SQ5: A Practical Speedster [Review]

2018 Audi SQ5
The 2018 Audi SQ5 rewards fast drivers. [photo: Audi USA]

Audi’s Latest Howler

TFLcar’s Roman Mica tested the new 2018 Audi SQ5 in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. What’s the SQ5? It’s the high-performance version of the German automaker’s best-selling compact crossover, the Q5.

Did they deliver? It did on paper at least. A 3-liter, turbo V6 packs 354 hp and 369 lb-ft. of head-snapping torque. An 8-speed automatic manages all that juice, and Audi claims a 0-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds. As Roman shows, you can feel — and hear — that acceleration. The SQ5 comes with a sensuous and distinctive exhaust note that Roman could not listen to enough.

Twenty-one inch wheels keep the SQ5 planted on the road. An optional air-suspension can jack the vehicle up for light soft-roading or slam it down for high-speed autobahn travel. The tech show continues inside as well. A customizable dash screen lets drivers see Google Earth mapping on their dash, not just the center stack touchscreen.

All that performance equals EPA mpg numbers that rate a meh, 21 mpg combined. Sticker price starts at $54,000. The tricked out crossover Roman tested, complete with adjustable air suspension, leather, 21-inch wheels, etc. totaled $65,800.

Check out all these features and Roman’s impromptu 0-60 test in the video below. (OK, he had to do a 0-62 mph test since he was in Canada and 100km was as close to 60 as he could get.)