Hey all,

Test drove both vehicles last night, back-to-back, and just wanted to share my impressions with you all - FWIW

* note - I am currently in an '09 Q5 S-Line Prestige, 3.2L (w/ 20" wheels) and will be in the market in a few months, presumably for another Q5 in some shape or form since I LOVE these cars (and Audi!)

First out = SQ5 (w/ 21" "tuning-fork" wheels):

BEAUTIFUL car! All of the cosmetic "extras" (steering wheel, pedals, shifter, gauges, body kit mods, wheels, quad exhaust, rear lip spolier, etc) that come with the S are class-A, well done and lend a definite upscale feel. Of course we all know the fit and finish of these cars are top-notch, so nothing new there - just expertly built all around.

Anyway, moving on - and speaking of moving, the S MOVES. Quickly. While it's power and resulting speed aren't earth-shattering, it's MORE than adequate for putting a huge smile on your face and then immediately erasing that smile when finding yourself in deep sh*t with local law enforcement. Wonderful exhaust note BTW (both windows up and down) - especially the fun "burrble" upon decel/throttle off And, for technically being a cross-over SUV and not being equipped with the lower suspension like we all wish it had (and yes, the wheel arch gap bothers me...not enough to not buy one, but nonetheless) - the S is VERY nimble and quite "toss-able". I tried several times to "upset" it by some very quick back and forth steering maneuvers (even under hard breaking - trying to get the rear to break loose), but it held on incredibly. ESP didn't even interfere - which was nice. Don't get me wrong, you can DEFinitely tell your in a vehicle that is higher off the ground (as opposed to a true sports car, or even a sedan like the S4) as there is SOME body roll/dive/squat - but it's minimal and very livable IMO. Brakes are very strong - but I would imagine they'll get substantially better once they're broken in (car only had 92 miles on it ). Car behaved nicely in just regular old "D", but when switched to "S" - that's when the fun really began. Very entertaining flicking through the newly designed shift paddles in "manual" mode too...but, that brings to mind my only real complaint with the SQ5 (and actually EVERY Q currently available). The new 8-speed trannys are such a let down. Of course, we all know it's basically just a "slush-box", but it seems to always be confused as to what gear to be in - perhaps cause there's just too many of them? But, I would take the six speed slush-box that I currently have in my '09 any day over the new trannys. I really think Audi dropped the ball on not making the DSGs available as an option. That said - the car is still a BLAST to drive and overall I give it an A/A- (lowered suspension and DSG would have pushed it to an A+ IMO)


Next up = Q5 TDI (Premium plus w/ 19" 5-spokers)

What can I say - other than the TDI badging (and the engine that corresponds to it), it's a Q5 through and through. Nothing really new or different. It certainly doesn't have any of the "bells and whistles" that the S model has, but it's still the well built, top notch vehicle we here all know and have come to love! So, nothing more on that front.

The drive? WOW. This thing really MOVES too. But, in a very different way. The torque is INCREDIBLE and the engine is buttery smooth all the way through the revs. I felt no real discernible "turbo lag" like some have described on the forum in recent posts. But, where as the S seemed to pull hard all the way to red-line and had a much more angry or aggressive feel to it, the TDI definitely ran out of breath when nearing the red - which comes very quickly b/c naturally they don't spin as high as the petrol models do. So, while there is torque abundant, it is short lived and there is not as much room to play with like there was with the S. Handling and breaking on TDI were of course not as crisp as the S, but that was to be expected because of obvious equipment differences. But, it was still characteristically a Q5 - which I think is just awesome anyway, so it's not like you're really missing anything. It's still a GREAT ride and a great option.

Conclusion = all things considered (and of course if fuel economy isn't a concern/factor...which it's not terribly high on my list), I will most likely be parking an SQ5 in my garage when the time comes. Optioned the way I would like them, the S is only ~2k more than the TDI and I think all of the "extras" that come with the S are MORE than worth it. Plus, and more importantly, I had bigger smile on when driving the S. Not that the TDI wasn't a blast - it was - that TORQUE! But, overall, I just think the Audi accomplished with the S what it is meant to be - all the practicality of the Q5 but juiced with the flavor of an S model for those of us that REALLY enjoy that type of driving experience.

Sorry for the long post, but just wanted to share - CHEERS, ALL!!

 

Very nice write up. Thanks for that.

 

Awesome. Since I may not have the luxury of driving before deciding I live vicariously through others. I'm looking at TDI (or 3.0T) with the S -line package or SQ with 20s. Of course that doesn't make too much of a difference considering the biggest difference is the natural behavior of diesel vs gas engine. If they made the SQ w a black optic/titanium package I think it would help my decision. Thanks for the review.

 

Thank you for the detailed comparison.

 

Great review/comparison!! Thanks for putting the time in

 

Finally, someone who has test driven both vehicles. For some reason, I couldn't find anyone who had actually driven both cars, or at least anyone that would talk about it. Thanks for your opinions. Based on your experience, I think I won't regret my choice with going with the SQ5.

 

David - I drove the plain 'ol 3.0T back when they came out (which, I don't mean to be-little an otherwise GREAT power plant), but the difference between 3.0T and 3.0TDI (or SQ5) is VASTLY different. Like I said, the 3.0T is a fantastic engine (better than my current and now obsolete 3.2), but the TDI is in a whole different league IMO. The way I see the current line up is 2 different flavors with 2 slight twists available with each: Regular (2.0T & 3.0T) and Sport (3.0 TDI & SQ5). I don't really know where the Hybrid fits in as I have not driven that guy...and don't really have an interest quite honestly (I feel it's too much money for not that much benefit, plus the risk of "new" territory for Audi where there's not enough miles on that drive train to reveal any potential reliability/warranty issues long-term battery-wise, etc.)

That said - if the titanium package is on your priority list (which is certainly a sweet unique look), I don't think you will be disappointed with the TDI in the LEAST. It was a blast to drive and a like I said, a Q5 through and through. For me, looking at more of the performance flavor side of things, and having the choice b/w TDI & SQ5 - for my tastes, I just happen to like the twist of the S's flavor a bit more. Chocloate and vanilla, strawberry and banana - there's definitely a flavor for everyone now with the Q5 - can't really go wrong with ANY of them!

 

## Regular (2.0T & 3.0T) and Sport (3.0 TDI & SQ5).

I would put 3.0TDI more against 2.0T then SQ5. Definitely I would not put the 3.0TDI in the sport category. Regular 3.0T is quicker, sportier and faster then the TDI. The TDI is MPGs and torque for city driving and towing. Great engine but not really one that you would track.

 

Yeah - putting it that way, I wouldn't argue against you. I guess I was really simply considering "seat-of-the-pants" feel of the torque b/w 3.0TDI and SQ5. Which is comparable IMO. But, torque-wise, the 2.0 & 3.0T's just don't feel anywhere as ferocious as the other's

 

Drove both myself as well recently and I would generally agree with the OP's write up, although I didn't notice much of an issue with the 8-speed struggling to find the right gear in the SQ5 and I would add that the road noise generated from the stock 21" Dunlops was significant - particularly on asphalt roads. We have a mix of asphalt and concrete freeways in California and the road noise was bad on the concrete and (more surprisingly) on the asphalt as well. Just make sure you do a portion of your test drive on the freeway with the audio off to make sure it's not a deal-breaker for you.

Overall though the SQ5 was just an enjoyable experience. The OP's TDI review I completely agree with. It does get breathless at high revs but there is so much torque there's still plenty of fun factor.

One important note for those considering drive select, the TDI offers the adjustable suspension dampers option as part of drive select. The SQ5 does NOT, and it's not an option, so if you want the adjustable suspension, it's only in the TDI. Not the SQ5.

As far as the wheel gaps in the SQ5, it is noticeable with the 21's (and does look a bit silly but again not enough to dissuade me from buying a car of the lot that had them). If you have a choice though, the easiest remedy to that is just to stick to the stock 20" SQ5 rims. The 20" rims combined with the wider sidewalls makes the wheel arches and gap appear more balanced. You also get the added bonus of a much wider selection of tires that cost significantly less than the two 21" sizes that are available currently.