Used Audi SQ5 for sale: everything you need to know
The SQ5 name first appeared on the back of an Audi in 2013 with both a supercharged V6 petrol and turbocharged V6 diesel version of the first generation Audi Q5. When the second generation Q5 arrived in 2017, Audi wasted little time in including a turbo V6 petrol SQ5 - but then replaced it in 2019 with a turbocharged diesel instead.
That’s the car we’re focusing on here, and served as the top model in the Q5 range until 2023. Thanks to its diesel power it’s a performance SUV that, while not exactly cheap to run, isn’t outrageous either, and is a little more subtle than some of the petrol competition.
Rivals for the SQ5 include several versions of the Porsche Macan, as well as higher-performance models in the Mercedes GLC and BMW X3 ranges. As an offbeat alternative, if you don’t need the SQ5’s extra space, the smaller five-cylinder petrol RS Q3 is an underrated fast SUV too.
Should you buy an Audi SQ5?
The regular Audi Q5 makes a great all-rounder in the premium family SUV market, and that doesn’t change if you opt for the high-performance SQ5 - but naturally, the higher pricing and higher running costs of the top model do make it slightly less sensible, so this isn’t a car for everyone.
A handful of enthusiasts might have complained when the SQ5 went diesel in 2019, but it was a sensible move on Audi’s part - cars like this just make more sense as diesels, and the SQ5 actually got quicker as a diesel than it was as a petrol, so other than a slightly less musical engine note, there was no real downside.
The SQ5’s mighty torque dominates the driving experience. It’s a capable handler too but not as good to drive as some of Audi’s hot estates like the S4 and S6 Avant, as the taller body means it’s not quite as agile, and the steering doesn’t feed as much information to your fingertips. It’s an excellent high-speed cruiser though and the diesel V6 keeps noise levels down.
Like many Audi interiors, the SQ5’s driving environment looks and feels high-quality, it’s well-equipped across the board, and feels just a little more special than that of a regular Q5. The boot space doesn’t suffer compared to a normal Q5 either, so it’s no less practical.
If you’re considering a performance SUV, then the Porsche Macan is hard to beat in this segment - it drives even better than the SQ5, though Porsche dropped diesel from the range just as Audi adopted it. The Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 is a petrol-powered alternative, while the less overtly sporty BMW X3 M40d is quicker and more frugal than the Audi.
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What’s the best used Audi SQ5 model to buy?
If you’d prefer petrol power in your high-performance SUV then you’ll want to look at pre-2019 Audi SQ5s, but otherwise you’re limited to a diesel engine and a handful of trim levels. We’ve no real preference when it comes to specification - the SQ5 isn’t as sharp to drive as some of Audi’s other performance cars so the Sport differential of the Vorsprung is probably overkill, and the higher-spec car’s larger alloy wheels will undoubtedly provide less cushioning on poor surfaces and over potholes.
Used Audi SQ5 fuel economy and performance
Audi SQ5: Since 2019 the SQ5 has been powered by a 3-litre turbocharged V6 diesel, producing 341PS through an eight-speed automatic gearbox and quattro all-wheel drive. 0-62mph takes 5.1 seconds, and combined economy is up to 34.4mpg.
What used Audi SQ5 trim levels are available?
The SQ5 was offered in a handful of different trim lines, but can be primarily separated into the standard SQ5 model and the better-equipped (and when new, much more expensive) Vorsprung. Several elements of the Vorsprung’s standard equipment were optionally available on the regular car though, so some models may be better equipped than others.
The Audi SQ5 features 20-inch alloy wheels, a standard Virtual Cockpit display, adaptive sports suspension, an 8.3-inch touchscreen display with navigation, LED headlights, Nappa leather sports seats, and aluminium interior inlays.
The Audi SQ5 Vorsprung steps up to 21-inch wheels, and gets a Sport differential at the rear axle, extra safety and driver assistance features, a head-up display, Bang & Olufsen audio, and matrix LED headlights.
Used Audi SQ5 dimensions and boot size
The Audi SQ5’s dimensions are:
The Audi SQ5’s boot size is:
Used Audi SQ5 road tax
The Audi SQ5's high price when new means road tax can be surprisingly expensive, even if you're buying a used example that's depreciated considerably.
SQ5 models registered from 1 April 2017 cost £200 a year in Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), but the expensive-car supplement adds another £440 annually because the SQ5 originally cost more than £40,000. That brings the total to £640 a year from the second to sixth years of registration.
Once the supplement expires, the annual bill drops to £200, making an older SQ5 potentially cheaper to tax than a newer one. SQ5s registered before April 2017 follow the older CO2-based tax system, with annual charges determined by their emissions rather than their original list price.
For more information, read our guide to car road tax.
How much is it to insure an Audi SQ5?
Depending on model year and specification, the SQ5 sits in insurance groups 42-46, out of a maximum group 50. This is roughly on par with most rivals - the entire Porsche Macan range, including models with less power than the Audi, spans groups 35 to 47.
