Does The New Audi SQ5 Earn the 'S' Badge?

ACCELERATION: FAST AND DRAMA-FREE

Audi claims 0–100 km/h in the 4.5 second range, and our test car delivered 4.6 seconds with launch control and two of us on board. The new dual clutch transmission means we get a proper shove off the line, and between the revised turbo and the mild hybrid system the torque comes on quickly. That torque hangs around all throughout the rev range and doesn’t miss a beat, assuming you’re at full throttle. 

But after that huge opening punch, the SQ5 becomes very polite. It doesn’t shout. It doesn’t crackle. It doesn’t throw elbows. Instead, it delivers “clinical pace.” It’s rapid, and undeniably effective. But don’t expect theatre. 

DRIVING DYNAMICS: TEXTBOOK AUDI

Predictable. Controlled. Confident. Light. Lofty. Disconnected. Those are the words that best describe the SQ5’s handling.

The steering feels very electronically boosted (as all cars are today), and it doesn’t communicate much of what’s happening underneath. But the chassis feels solid, the grip is excellent, and the Quattro system makes sure you’re never surprised.

As for brakes, we noticed they were quite difficult to modulate at low speeds. We can’t confirm for sure, but the S5 Avant we tested earlier this year had a single-piston setup and it looks the same here. That means the hybrid system is picking up the slack.

It’s the kind of SUV that can carry serious speed through corners… it just won’t excite you doing it. But we assume the average owner isn’t chasing lap times. They’re chasing confidence on wet roads and stability on school runs, and the SQ5 nails that. 

COMFORT: THE REAL SUPERPOWER

The ride is the star of the show. The B10 SQ5 continues Audi’s tradition of giving this model air suspension, and it might be the main feature that differentiates it from rivals. It irons out bumps like a luxury SUV, stays composed at high speed, and combined with fantastic seats and strong sound insulation, the SQ5 becomes a genuinely premium-feeling place to spend time.

This is where the “refinement-first” philosophy starts making sense. Daily drivers will love this car. Families will love this car. Commuters will love this car. Enthusiasts might be a harder sell.

INTERIOR: SCREENS FOR DAYS (AND A FEW MISSES)

Audi calls it a “panoramic display.” We call it a cinema because the screen stretches so far you half expect someone to walk down the aisle and ask for your ticket.

There’s no question it looks modern. Sleek. High-tech. Future-forward. And if you compare it to the latest screens from BMW and Mercedes, its contoured edges set it apart. Our passengers were impressed. But it does come with compromises - mainly the lack of physical buttons which the B9 generation did so well. And the instrument cluster graphics are not as good as the previous digital cockpit in our humble opinion (especially in Dynamic mode).

The cabin does feel premium, but it’s premium in the “2025 tech showcase” sense, not the “timeless German craftsmanship” sense. That said, the seats are excellent, the Bang & Olufsen system thumps, and overall the space feels contemporary with plenty of room for small families and luggage.

STYLING: A MATURE EVOLUTION

From 3/4 angles, the new SQ5 looks fantastic - especially with the right colour and wheel combo. The rear light bar looks sharp, but has less of a distinct identity among the sea of manufacturers adopting this design. The new “island” floating above the rear valence is a question mark, as is the “upside down moustache” around the front grille. They get points for trying something different, but we’re not sure if it lands - maybe it will grow on us over time. 

But overall it’s still beautiful. And very recognisably Audi. We generally like the new B10 generation designs, even if online sentiment seems to suggest the crowds don’t.

VERDICT: DO YOU WANT SMOOTH SPEED?

Audi has clearly made the SQ5 more refined, more comfortable, and more luxurious. 

But they’ve also made it less dramatic. And that was deliberate. Yes there might be increasing regulations around exhaust volume, but even the piped-in sound has been dialed down.

It’s a fantastic daily driver and an excellent premium SUV. If you want smooth speed, this is a top contender. If you want a wild, exciting, characterful performance SUV in this segment… wait for the RSQ5 if it ever comes.