I sent an email complaining about the hitch situation after I saw Gossip Girl with the OEM hitch installed...I felt it was pretty lame that the hitch fit, but Audi was forcing owners to pay 2x and have the dealership install it instead of being a port option on the SQ5. Well, this is the response he got after inquiring with AoA:

The Model Year 2014 U.S. Audi Order Guide was updated/published today, Wednesday, August 21, 2013 and reflects the following:


MODEL YEAR 14

MODEL

DETAIL

A4/A5/S5

PIA Option Added: GHK - Grocery Hooks

A5 Coupe

PIA Option Added: ACS - Trunk Lid Spoiler

S4/A5

PIA Option Removed: SBA - Sunblinds are no longer available

A6 2.0T

Standard Equipment Correction: Audi advance key is not included in Premium model

A6 2.0T

Price Change: WPS - changed invoice price from $3,999 to $4,000 (rounding)

A6 3.0T

Price Change: 8RF - changed invoice price from $5,487 to $5,488 (rounding)

A6 TDI

Price Change: PPS - corrected invoice price from $1,209 to $1,210 (rounding)

Q5 2.0T, 3.0T, TDI

PIA Option Added: Q5B - Running Boards

Q5 Hybrid

PIA Option Added: QHT - Premium Textile Floor Mats

SQ5

PIA Option Added: BBB - Base Carrier Bar Bag, 5TH/ATH - Tow Hitches – SOLD orders only

Q5/Q7

Option Change: 9WM - Rear seat entertainment is currently not available

Q7 S line Prestige , TDI

Option Added: PKT - Offroad Style plus package

Q7

Exterior Color Added: S9S9-Scuba blue is now available

S6/S7

Verbiage Change: Trim Level "Prestige" Deleted from description

S7

PIA Option Added: S7M - Premium Textile Floor Mats

A8 (All Models)

Exterior Color Change: 3G3G, 7X7X, Q4Q4 are no longer available for ordering

A8 (All Models)

Exterior Color Change: 0C0C , W1W1 are now available for ordering


So a few changes for the SQ5/Q5. My order now has a hitch added and is set to load on a boat in a week or so...fingers crossed that when it lands in Houston that the hitch is there and gets installed.

 

See the original post. Helpful. Goes back to the explanations that it seems more about teething pains and spot parts shortages.

 

So what's the option price of the hitch for the SQ5 with side assist on the most recent order guide?

 

My non-side assist hitch option that was added was $820

 

So it appears the same as other Q5s: $820 w/o Side Assist, $920 with. Larry, get your dealer/AoA to honor that, stat!

 

Yup, looks like $920 is what they'll be charging me and they're eating the labor cost.

They even offered pick-up service from my home with loaner swap so I don't have to drive all the way to the dealer, but I think I'll pass on that because it might mean open-season for some kid to see what an SQ5 can do during the 50 mile roundtrip drive to and from the dealership. It still only has 300 miles.

I'm also having second thoughts now. After looking at how good the rear "diffusers" look, I'm all of a sudden a bit hesitant to ruin the esthetic.