Audi has a history of making smart cars and the Q5, their best selling model since it came out, is one of the best in its current lineup. It’s one of the most practical SUVs in its class, combining impressive levels of luxury and technology at lower prices than most of its competitors. However, while the standard Q5 lacks a certain spark, the SQ5, with its turbocharged V6 engine and aggressive styling, doesn’t leave anyone indifferent. And for the 2024 model year, the Audi SQ5 gets all the new technologies other, more expensive Audi models get in 2024, including the latest adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and hands-on detection, just to name a few. Moreover, despite getting all that new equipment as standard, the 2024 Audi SQ5 retains virtually the same pricing as the earlier model making it that much more tempting. But before diving deeper into what makes the 2024 SQ5 better than the 2023 model, check out the ones currently for sale here at Exotic Car Trader.
With the SUV trend continuously growing, it is unsurprising that the mid-tier Q5 is Audi’s best-selling model. In the US alone, Audi has sold around 500,000 examples between 2014 and 2024. That means it sold better than the BMW X3 and the Mercedes GLC. At the same time, when the Q5 was launched in the US, the SQ5 was introduced as the top-of-the-range model. In 2018 a second generation was introduced, which is still in production in 2024, although it got a major facelift in 2021. The 2021 update brought along a host of exterior styling changes and a next-generation infotainment system, and it made the SQ5 significantly quicker, thanks to revised gear ratios. After 2021, the SQ5 didn’t see any major updates, largely because an all-new model is scheduled for 2025. That said, the 2024 model does get new features that will be seen in future models, so let’s see what those are.
The Audi SQ5 interior looks unmistakably sportier than the standard model. That’s down to a three-spoke steering wheel with brushed aluminum inserts, diamond stitching leather seats, aluminum pedals, and aluminum shifter pedals, among other things. That said, the GLC AMG and X3 M40i still look more attractive but also arguably tackier, which is what makes the SQ5 more appealing to a large number of buyers. The SQ5 also features Audi’s virtual cockpit as standard, which is one of the best ones in the industry, as well as the 11.1” infotainment screen that came with the 2021 update. As for the 2024 Audi SQ5, it now allows drivers to download third-party apps like Spotify directly into the infotainment system, making it one of the first vehicles to have that feature. An all-new adaptive cruise control system with cruise control assist now comes as standard, with improved traffic sign recognition, hands-on detection, and a heated steering wheel. Moreover, the myAudi app now also includes remote start as standard, and with everything put together, the 2024 SQ5 gets significantly more standard equipment than its main competitors.
Apart from the new technologies, the 2024 SQ5 didn’t change much, especially outside. The only difference is the addition of a new Arkona White color that replaces the old Ibis White. The Arkona White has a colder and cleaner hue, but the difference is barely noticeable unless the two colors are next to each other. Other than that, the exterior remains the same. The SQ5 still looks attractive thanks to the 2021 update, which brought along OLED tail lights, new quad oval exhausts, and matrix headlights. The update also introduced a new hexagonal front grille, which adds to the design complexity and is seen on other, more expensive models. The SQ5 also sits lower and, coupled with 20” wheels, looks more like a giant hot hatchback than a family SUV. Muscular lines down the side and pronounced fender flares further add to the sporty look and put the SQ5 side by side with its competition in terms of attractiveness, although the SQ5 is more reserved and elegant at the same time.
While the 2024 Audi SQ5 uses the same drivetrain as the earlier model years, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Its turbocharged V6 pushes out 350 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Coupled with shorter gear ratios that were part of the 2021 update, the Audi SQ5 accelerates to 60 in just 4.7 seconds, almost half a second faster than pre-facelift models despite maintaining the same power output. Top speed is electronically limited to 150 mph, as with all German vehicles. But apart from those numbers, the SQ5 is also fun to drive as it weighs only 4,288 lbs. It also features an interesting four-wheel rear-biased drive system with an automatically locking center differential. Power is split 40:60 between front and rear wheels during normal driving but can shift between 75:35 and 15:85 on the go, depending on the conditions. That gives the SQ5 very engaging driving characteristics and helps minimize the dreaded understeer that plagues virtually all Audi models.
Despite boasting a good amount of new cutting-edge equipment that is standard for all trim levels, the 2024 SQ5 is only around $1,000 more expensive, regardless of which trim you choose. That’s quite a good deal, considering that the SQ5 has the lowest starting price of all its competitors at just $58,000. The top-of-the-line Prestige trim boosts the price to $68,000, and even with most of the options ticked off, the price barely crosses $75,000.
Audi has done its fair share of keeping the Audi SQ5 relevant in 2024. All the improvements made the SQ5 much better value for money than in the previous few years. But if the best possible deal isn’t your priority, it’s likely worth waiting for the all-new model that comes out next year. On the other hand, if you are after a used SQ5 or any other performance SUV or luxury vehicle, consider buying it through Exotic Car Trader. With Exotic Car Trader, you can count on escrow protection, delivery, and first inspection, among other advantages. The same goes for selling a car with Exotic Car Trader; only in that case will the process become even more convenient.
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