The 2025 Audi SQ5 is a luxury SUV that embodies the perfect blend of performance and sophistication, making it a sneaky fast SUV that can leave many cars in its dust.
With its powerful V6 single-turbo engine and agile handling, the Audi SQ5 has great dynamic performance, but is it enough? In this car review, I take a closer look at the Audi SQ5’s performance capabilities, luxury features, and overall driving experience.
The SQ5 review highlights the car’s exceptional acceleration, smooth transmission, and responsive handling, making it a joy to drive on both city streets and winding roads.
As a luxury car, the Audi SQ5 also boasts a range of premium features, including a comfortable and technologically advanced interior with a ton of screens taking over the dash.
Whether you’re a fan of Audi S models or just looking for a fast and luxurious SUV, be sure to like & subscribe and let me know if the Audi SQ5 is worth considering!
Also check out Drive Culture on YouTube. Drive Culture is detailed car review YouTube channel hosted by the ultimate car enthusiast, Jonathon Rivers.
Who is Jonathon Rivers?
Well, he’s a +15 year Auto Industry veteran, born and raised in the Motor City!
He lived several years in Japan, speaks & reads Japanese, and now works for American Honda Motor. (Although this channel is his own & not affiliated)
He’s owned several fun cars including a Evo IV, multiple Civic Si, Focus RS, and most recently the Integra Type S (which he lead planning for Acura)!
He’s also been lucky enough to drive just about every key new product in the market from compact cars, to SUVs, EVs and super cars!
If that isn’t enough to prove his “car guy” status, Jonathon has also been featured in Motor Trend, Car and Driver, AutoBlog, Jay Leno’s Garage, Raiti’s Rides and the SavageGeese channels! He’s on Instagram here and Facebook here.
Check back every Friday at 7 am Pacific Time for new content and videos!
The TTAC Creators Series tells stories and amplifies creators from all corners of the car world, including culture, dealerships, collections, modified builds and more.
A transcript, cleaned up by AI and edited by a staffer, is below.
[Image: YouTube Screenshot]
Become a TTAC insider. Get the latest news, features, TTAC takes, and everything else that gets to the truth about cars first by subscribing to our newsletter.
Transcript:
Intro / Cold Open
Going to downshift. Now I’m in second gear—and this thing is quick. It’s awesome. The brakes are very good, too. A lot of times, especially in a big SUV, you wonder if you really have enough braking power. This one does.
Welcome to Drive Culture. I’m Jonathan Rivers, and today I’m driving the 2025 Audi SQ5.
I’m going to tell you why this third-generation Q5 might be the best one yet. We’ll go over the exterior, the interior, the powertrain, and of course, take it for a drive. If this is the kind of content you’re into, or if you’re new to the channel, hit that bell and subscribe. Let’s get into it.
Pricing & Trims
Here we are with the 2025 Audi SQ5, but let’s take a step back and talk about what the Q5 and SQ5 are.
The Q5 is Audi’s midsize SUV, and it’s been around since 2008. Over time, Audi introduced the SQ5 by dialing up the performance, and that evolution continues here with the third-generation Q5 and SQ5, launching for 2025.
Audi has made updates across performance, design, and infotainment. We’ll cover all of that, but let’s talk pricing first.
The base SQ5 starts at $64,800. To get a spec like this one, you’re adding premium paint, the Prestige package, and the Black Optics package. With those options, pricing climbs past $74,000, and once destination and handling are added, you’re over $75,000. That’s a significant jump, but it reflects the level of equipment you see here.
The paint alone is $595. This color is called Tambora Gray Metallic. Even though it’s a darker shade of gray, it really highlights the body lines and premium detailing.
Next, let’s do a full exterior walkaround of the 2025 Audi SQ5.
Exterior
This is the third generation of the Q5 and SQ5, and Audi has made meaningful updates to the design, features, and performance.
This Tambora Gray Metallic paint looks excellent here. It does a great job showing off the strong character lines and surfacing throughout the body, including the hood cut lines. The SQ5 already has a more aggressive look than the standard Q5, and with the Black Optics package and dark paint, it comes across as properly menacing.
Audi’s LED headlights continue to be a standout. The housing, projectors, and startup animations all feel premium. Moving down to the grille, you’ll notice the anthracite Audi rings, which are part of the Black Optics package. The S badge is integrated cleanly, and the grille itself features blacked-out accents throughout.
Lower down, you’ll find integrated parking sensors, visible intercooler openings, radar sensors, and the front surround camera tucked beneath the rings. Everything is neatly integrated.
From the side, the SQ5 still fits firmly in the midsize SUV category, though it appears slightly larger than the previous generation. This example rides on optional 21-inch wheels, up from the standard 20-inch setup. These are wrapped in Bridgestone summer performance tires—255/40R21—which is notable for a luxury SUV.
Behind the wheels are large red-painted brake calipers with S branding up front and matching hardware in the rear. Even the wheels feature subtle RS branding near the valve stems.
As part of the Black Optics package, you also get black mirror caps with integrated LED turn signals, black window trim, black roof rails, and blacked-out side blades.
At the rear, the design takes a more tech-forward approach. A full-width LED taillight spans the tailgate. You’ll find anthracite Audi rings, black SQ5 badging, gloss-black lower bumper trim, integrated parking sensors, and an aggressive rear diffuser with quad exhaust outlets finished in black chrome.
It’s not overly flashy, but it clearly signals that this isn’t a standard Q5.
Now let’s head inside.
Interior
Inside the 2025 Audi SQ5, this is a genuinely premium place to be—which you’d expect at this price point.
Audi interiors are known for build quality, materials, and integration, and that’s all on display here. Despite the large screens, outward visibility remains excellent in all directions.
The dashboard combines leather, contrast stitching, textured trim that resembles carbon fiber, and suede accents that extend across the dash and into the doors. Everything feels well thought out and cohesive.
The steering wheel has a unique flattened top and bottom, with smooth leather at the top and bottom and perforated leather on the sides. It features subtle contrast stitching, Audi rings on the airbag cover, an S badge, haptic controls, and paddle shifters. There’s also a dedicated cruise control stalk, very much in Audi’s traditional European layout.
The center console includes adjustable air vents with individual shutoff controls, piano-black trim, suede accents, and brushed metallic detailing. You’ll find the volume knob, power button, a large hazard switch, and the engine start/stop button with a red accent ring.
Below that is a storage cubby with two USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, and a 12-volt outlet. Behind it are two cupholders and Audi’s compact gear selector, which uses a separate park button and a toggle-style shifter.
The center armrest opens to a reasonably deep storage area with a premium latch mechanism.
Now to the screens. The centerpiece is a 14.5-inch central touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM 360L. It’s sharp, high-resolution, and easy to read.
In front of the driver is an 11.9-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster. As part of the Prestige package, there’s also a 10.9-inch passenger-side touchscreen that allows the front passenger to control navigation, media, and apps independently.
The seats are full leather with diamond quilting, contrast stitching, adjustable headrests, and embossed S logos. They offer supportive bolstering without being overly aggressive and are power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated.
Door panels carry over soft-touch materials, suede inserts, piano-black switchgear, and illuminated controls. The Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system delivers excellent clarity and punch.
You also get a panoramic moonroof with a powered shade—something that’s increasingly rare and very welcome.
Next, let’s check out the second row.
Second Row
I’m about 5-foot-10, and I have plenty of legroom, headroom, and shoulder room back here. Knee clearance is good, and my feet fit comfortably under the front seat.
There is a noticeable center tunnel, so the middle seat is best suited for a child or shorter trips. Two adults will be very comfortable on the outboard seats.
The rear seats mirror the front with diamond quilting, contrast stitching, and adjustable headrests. A fold-down center armrest includes premium cupholders.
Rear passengers get two USB-C ports, adjustable air vents, and heated seat controls. Materials remain high quality throughout, including suede trim and premium speaker grilles. Manual side sunshades add another upscale touch.
Now let’s move to the cargo area.
Cargo
The power tailgate opens to a well-finished cargo area with premium materials throughout. With the rear seats up, cargo space measures 27.6 cubic feet. Folding the seats down expands that to 56.9 cubic feet—both improvements over the previous Q5.
This SQ5 is equipped with air suspension, and there’s a button in the cargo area to lower the rear of the vehicle for easier loading.
Under the floor, there’s no spare tire, but you do get useful underfloor storage and access to air suspension components.
Now let’s talk about what powers it.
Powertrain
Under the hood is a turbocharged 3.0-liter TFSI V6 producing 369 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and standard quattro all-wheel drive with an active rear differential.
This example is also equipped with optional air suspension.
But the real test is how it drives—so let’s get behind the wheel.
Drive Review
Pulling away in Comfort mode, the SQ5 is impressively quiet. This particular spec includes acoustic front glass, and it makes a noticeable difference. Around town, there’s virtually no road or wind noise.
The Drive Select system offers Off-Road, Comfort, Dynamic, and Individual modes. Comfort mode prioritizes refinement, and with the air suspension, ride quality is excellent.
The infotainment system is touch-heavy, but once you learn the layout, it’s intuitive. The 14.5-inch display is sharp and responsive, and the digital instrument cluster offers extensive customization.
Switching into Dynamic mode immediately sharpens throttle response and adds more presence to the exhaust note. Steering weight increases slightly, though it remains on the lighter side for a performance setting.
The dual-clutch transmission shifts quickly and decisively, especially in Sport mode. Paddle shifters allow manual control, and while the system will upshift automatically at redline, it still feels engaging.
Acceleration is strong thanks to the broad torque curve from the twin-scroll turbo. The SQ5 pulls hard from low speeds and surges forward confidently when passing.
Braking performance is equally impressive. The pedal feel inspires confidence, and the vehicle sheds speed easily despite its size.
From outside, the exhaust has more character than you’d expect—complete with pops and crackles—while remaining refined inside the cabin.
Overall, the SQ5 strikes a strong balance between luxury and performance. It’s quiet and comfortable when you want it to be, but genuinely quick and engaging when pushed.
Outro
That wraps up the drive review of the 2025 Audi SQ5.
What do you think? Is this one of the best performance-oriented midsize SUVs on the market? Is it worth stepping up to the Prestige and Black Optics packages, or would you stick with a base trim?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments. If you’d like to see other Audi models or competitors, let me know—and I’ll bring that content to the channel.
Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
