The Audi SQ5 is the performance version of the compact Audi luxury family SUV, the Q5. The SQ5 differs from the regular Audi Q5 because it gets a larger, more powerful engine, stiffened up suspension, larger brakes, a pair of two exhaust pipes, and loads of special exterior and interior touches such as Alcantara, sports seats, and blacked out/aluminum/carbon fiber trim pieces.
The SQ5 is the very top end of the Audi Q5 catalog, but the Q5 never got the full RS treatment which means that it can’t compete with top-of-the-line AMG GLC models or the top-of-the-line BMW M X3 models. Either way, the SQ5 is a really great all-around car that seems to hold itself really well when it comes to reliability.
The most common SQ5 issues are related to the electricals, the body and trim, the engine, the transmission, and the suspension. The SQ5 may be a really expensive SUV, but it does not come with high-end V8 engines which means that it is not as expensive to run as the GLC 63 AMG is.
All in all, the SQ5 is a great all-around car and many deem it to be not only the best Audi SUV but also the best current Audi model out there. No matter how you look at it, the SQ5 delivers because it is luxurious, fast, stylish, filled with technology, safe, and really practical.
Audi SQ5 – Electrical issues
The most common Audi SQ5 electrical issues are associated with the water pump which tends to fail a few times during the SQ5’s lifespan. Many customers believe that water pumps are a sore point of many VAG products and that these are usually related to an electrical issue of some sort. The car also experiences issues with driver assistance systems.
These include adaptive cruise control issues, auto-braking issues, lane departure warning issues, collision prediction systems, window regulator issues, and potential issues with screens and the infotainment system.
Audi SQ5 – Body and trim issues
Even older Audi SQ5 models come with full-length panoramic sunroofs which are known to cause a few issues during the car’s lifespan. For starters, the drains around the sunroof are known to get clogged which results in water entering the cabin. Older SQ5s are known to suffer from prematurely worn-out leather and really scratchy plastic interior trim pieces.
Some owners even stated that their older SQ5 models were experiencing rust underneath the car which is not something anyone wants. Finally, SQ5 models are known to go through tires like nobody’s business because the car comes with wide section tires with large diameters which are known to cost a lot of money to replace as well.
Audi SQ5 – Engine issues
The Audi SQ5 and many other Audi Q5 models are known to consume way too much oil which can cause engine issues due to not knowing the adequate time to replace the oil. The SQ5 and other Q5 models also experience issues with the start/stop system that can even cause issues with the starter motor and the alternator.
Leaking fuel pumps are also a relatively common occurrence with older SQ5 models while newer ones are a lot better. Some SQ5 models were even part of a few recalls caused by leaky fuel pumps. Issues such as these can end up catastrophically in an event of a fire, but there aren’t many of these that ended up that way.
Audi SQ5 – Transmission issues
The SQ5 comes with an automatic gearbox exclusively while lower-level Q5 models were available with a manual before the 2nd generation of the Q5 came out. The most common transmission issues that plague the SQ5 are associated with the box being hesitant, lazy, or even emitting grinding noises during shifts.
Solenoid problems and clutch problems are also a thing with older SQ5 models as well. All in all, you need to change the transmission oil according to the owner’s manual and try to be gentle while shifting the gears.
Audi SQ5 – Suspension issues
The Audi SQ5 is a heavy SUV while also being a dynamic SUV which means that the suspension is tasked with combating the Q5s heft without the car rolling too much. The most common SQ5 issues are related to the springs, the shock absorbers, steering tie rods, upper and lower control arms, and wheel bearings.
Many of these are expendable and should be replaced during the car’s lifespan, but if you are gentle with the car you can avoid doing so for a few years at the very least.
FAQ Section
Is the Audi SQ5 a good buy?
The Audi SQ5 is a great buy because it is practical, powerful, comfortable, luxurious, and desirable. It is a great family car because it offers lots of space in both rows of seating and because it offers a comparably large trunk space. It is large enough to feel substantial behind the wheel, but not overly so to feel like a bus.
The SQ5 truly is one of the best all-in-one-package cars Audi makes, especially if you love diesels and you get yourself a diesel SQ5 that also offers great economy. It’s really hard not to recommend the SQ5 and it’s easy to see why.
Does Audi make diesel Audi SQ5?
The Audi SQ5 is the very first Audi S model to be powered by a diesel which can be viewed in two different ways. Some people believe that this is heresy and that the gods of performance cars will punish Audi for belittling such an iconic letter within the Audi family.
On the other hand, a diesel SQ5 actually makes a lot of sense for those who prefer diesel engines, and there are many people that do. The reason why is because diesel engines are a lot more economical and they offer huge amounts of torque which make the car feel like a tank behind the wheel.
How long can the Audi SQ5 last?
The SQ5 can last a few hundred thousand miles without needing major overhauls if everything goes according to plan. The SQ5 is not a cheap car to run and it is not a car that will run perfectly after a while, but that does not mean that one needs to stop maintaining it when that happens.
The SQ5 is like every other high-end German luxury car in a way that it needs proper maintenance. If you do that, the car will last a really long time, if you don’t, the car will fall apart.
