Audi SQ5/Plus review: Performance meets polish

Craig Duff cuts to the chase on the Audi SQ5/Plus.

2016 Audi SQ5 TDI.

VALUE

A sticker price starting at $91,700 places the SQ5 at the upper end of the prestige medium SUV segment. The combination of discreet sophistication and diesel-powered sportiness means it deserves to be there.

The SQ5 Plus adds a 10kW power upgrade and an appreciable 50Nm kick to the torque … but it will set you back $108,900.

For the end of financial year deal for both, Audi threw in registration, stamp duty and compulsory third party insurance, along with free scheduled servicing for the first three years/45,000km and extended the warranty from three to five years. That officially ended on Thursday — but still try twisting the dealer’s arm for the same terms this weekend.

The heart of the SQ5 is a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo diesel good for 240kW/650Nm matched to a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission and Audi’s signature quattro all-wheel drive. It is smooth around town and sensational through the turns.

The Plus simply elevates the equation. There’s more bling to match the sticker price and trickier electronics and hardware to govern the grunt.

Audi expects the Plus variant to account for 20 per cent of SQ5 sales.

COMFORT

2016 Audi SQ5 TDI

The interior is trademark understated elegance, though the life-cycle of the car means it misses out on the customisable digital virtual cockpit (of which Carsguide is a massive fan) and the infotainment screen isn’t as big as more recent arrivals. Some features are still options, from digital audio at $800 to adaptive headlamps at $950. Metallic or pearl effect paint adds $1850, while crystal paint is a Swarovski-like $2950.

To be fair the SQ5 packs plenty of standard gear, including powered front seats, tri-zone aircon and power tailgate. The 540L cargo area is flat, deep and tall so there’s no issue in carrying most items. Flip the rear seats down and the space expands to 1560L. Space in either row is good and there are no complaints about the bolstering.

ON THE ROAD

2016 Audi SQ5 TDI.

The ride is on the firm side even by sports SUV standards but delivers a controlled cornering that belies the 2075kg mass. The SQ5 rides 30mm lower than a regular Q5 and upgraded springs and shock absorbers handle the higher velocities.

It can jostle up and down a little over broken ground, where the dampers can’t quite keep pace with the undulations of the body and road — one of the few negatives.

The SQ5 Plus doesn’t feel phenomenally quick. Put that down to the relatively narrow rev range in which the engine works best and the lack of aural accompaniment, despite the fact Audi pumps the prime sound frequencies into the cabin to amplify the experience.

It is a good around-town commuter and only improves on country drives where the brakes, reassuringly, are more than capable of reining it in at public road pace, even with repeated hard stabs at the pedal.

SAFETY

Eight airbags and five-star ANCAP safety rating make the SQ5 a solid buy. Adaptive cruise and autonomous emergency braking are a $1650 option on the SQ5 and part of the standard kit on the Plus.

ALTERNATIVES

The only comparable rival for the SQ5 — in either guise — is the BMW X4 35d. The Beemer’s swoopier roofline compromises rear seating for taller bodies. It compensates by being more fuel efficient than the Audi at 6.0L/100km against 6.8L, while only conceding 0.1 of a second in the run to 100km/h.

VERDICT ★★★½

If diesel is your preference the SQ5 has all bases covered. Until the arrival of the SQ7 this is as good a combination of performance and polish as you can find in an Australian showroom. You pay a premium for it but the best things in life are never free.

AT A GLANCE

Audi SQ5 TDI

PRICE $91,700; $108,900 (SQ5 Plus)

SAFETY  ★★★★★, 8 airbags

ENGINE 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel, 240kW/650Nm and 250kW/700Nm

TRANSMISSION 8-speed auto; AWD

THIRST 6.8L/100km