Difference in TDI Premium Plus & SQ5 Prestige
 

I'm looking at a 2015 TDI Premium Plus and a 2014 SQ5 Prestige and was wondeing other than the obvious differences that the TDI is a diesel and will get better fuel economy at about 27 combined and the SQ5 being the supercharged sporty model that will eat gas at 19 mpg combined can anyone tell me what differences I should consider?

I'm a little confused I thought I had read here or somewhere else that to get cooled seats you had to get a Prestige model because they weren't an option on Prem or Prem Plus.. so I had been searching only Prestige vehicles for quite a while exclusively and whenever I did look at a Premium or Premium Plus I would never see them so I assumed what I had read was correct. Did that change in 2015 (I had been looking mostly at '13 & '14) or I'm wondering if this ad I'm reading is a misprint?

What are the other differences between Prestige and Premium Plus? All I really 'must have' is GPS, Bluetooth, Backup camera, sun roof, heated & cooled seats which it appears both these cars have all of so I'm wondering what else the Prestige might have I'm not realizing?

More concerned with total cost of ownership I have calculated based on how much I drive the SQ5 would likely be about $9k more in fuel costs over 5 years / 125k miles.. which I think I could handle.. probably a little more in insurance, but then I'm guessing certain parts or lots of parts cost more? Brake pads, Rotors, Tires, other parts are going to be more? I know the SQ5 has the super charger and thicker rotors and bigger wheels.. what other differences are there?

Are you concerned with how many 'Smiles to the Gallon' you're getting?

If so, the SQ5 tops the TDI...

Jason
New York

I did extensive searching to try to find a Q5 with cooled seats that came with the "comfort package"

It is very difficult to use the online search engines to find them. The best way was to actually look at the photos and figure out if the buttons on the center console had the vented seats switch. That switch is under the heated seats switch.

I found very few Q5 with the comfort package out there. They do pop up from time to time but you will pay a premium as they only seem to be on Prestige level Q5. I was looking at 2014 exclusively BTW

I happen to like the options on the SQ5 better...it has a trailer package, the B&O music system. Unfortunately, I can't tell if either of them have the vented seats.

Jason
New York

Both of those have cooled seats!! Nice finds. The Milano leather is also a better material than the stock and the sport seats.

In case you haven't seen them, here are the window stickers. They verify the ventilated seats.

http://mclaren722.herokuapp.com/VWvi...VGAFP5EA025838
http://mclaren722.herokuapp.com/VWvi...DMAFP8FA092830

They both look like nice cars. I note that the TDI has some factory warranty left, plus it'll have the extended emissions warranty. And less miles on it. But I like the hitch too, didn't realize that the hitch must be standard on SQ5s (I have a TDI)?

Between the 2 I’d opt for the TDI. You’ll love the torque, appreciate the mpg, have the ext warranty and you can always add a hitch if you want one.

With the miles you’ll be driving the TDI will payoff in the long run. I did an all highway run and got 615 miles in 1 tank. The gauge said I had another 25 miles to go but I didn’t want to guess on the gauge/nor gas station being open. A/C on in 90-100 heat through a couple mountain ranges at left lane speeds. The TDI is a nice machine.

I went in intending to buy a SQ but by chance I walked by a TDI, thought what the hell, lets test drive it and that’s all it took. The SQ was +15k (no Tow) and with all the options on the TDI the only thing I didn’t get that I wanted was the Sport Interior. B&O, Tow, Tech, 20” Wheels, etc. it was all there. It’s a buyers market on the TDI’s, do some searching on the web and have it shipped if needed.

When I was ordering my 14' TDI, I didn't get a Prestige because it didn't offer much more value for the price. Prestige only gave me adaptive headlights, cooling cup holders, rear sunshades and maybe some other convenience options. Don't believe in 14' with s-line sport seats you could get cooled seats. The price difference between my Premium Plus with options and prestige just didn't make sense so I went for the Premium Plus.

With that said, it all depends on your driving style whether you'll like the SQ5 or TDI. SQ5 is faster but you pay the cost in fuel economy and its a convention engine where its fun to open up and redline. The TDI is much lazier and better for cruising and towing. You can still have fun acceleration bursts and high speed cruise and not worry about fuel economy. The TDI on the highway is such an animal though. All that torque makes passing a breeze.

Premium and diesel are roughly the same cost. the mileage though varies. The tdi will easily get 31-33 on the highway and a combined of 27-29. City, you have to TRY to get lower than 24. The SQ5 will easily give you 16 in the city and not much better for combined. Do the math and see how the savings are there but also keep in mind, the TDI has a nice warranty for peace of mind with the scandal.