The brand-new SQ5 is a big deal for Audi. The SUV is far and away its bestseller in the U.S., nearly doubling Audis next-best last year. When brand sales dropped 14% in 2024, and the Q5 and more powerful SQ5 were down 23%, its a big problem in need of a solution.

　　Audi needs to reverse that trend, and the Q5, along with the SQ5 performance SUV, is the best way for the automaker to do it. As I said, its important. Crucial, even. So Audi is going all-out.

　　This years new SQ5 is built on what Audi has been calling a brand-new architecture underneath it. Its one that it will use under at least half a dozen other new models over the next few years to bring the company toward the next decade.

　　In short: From behind the wheel, all I can think is that Audi might be in serious trouble. This sports SUV isnt particularly sporty, and it misses on what should be some easy feature implementation. New doesnt always mean better and this, unfortunately, is an excellent example of that.

　　2025 Audi SQ5

　　(Photo/Audi) 6.0 How we rate products Specifications Vehicle: 4-door, 5-seat, compact crossover Powertrain: 3.0L V6 turbocharged Horsepower: 362 hp Torque: 406 lb.-ft. Transmission/Driven wheels: 7-Speed DCT, quattro AWD MPG: 19 city, 26 highway, 22 combined Cargo area: 27.6 cubic feet, 57.1 with rear seats folded MSRP: $64,800 (plus $1,295 destination charge); $73,445 as tested Pros Excellent seats Solid highway stance Sleek new styling Useful cargo utility Cons Infuriating transmission Lackluster power Step back in vehicle tech usefulness Evan Williams 2025 Audi SQ5 Review

　　(Photo/Evan Williams) Old V6 Makes Slightly More Power Under the hood of the SQ5 is a familiar engine. The single-turbo 3.0L V6 is the same as the old model. It does make a little bit more horsepower this year, climbing from 349 to 362. Likewise, torque is up from 369 to 406 pound-feet.

　　But the SQ5 never feels that quick. The official 0-60 time is 4.6 seconds, and maybe itll do that from a launch. When youre driving, especially passing, it just doesnt feel particularly quick.

　　The biggest change Audi made to the driveline was a new transmission. A seven-speed dual-clutch box replaced a conventional eight-speed automatic. Audi is one of a few brands trying to make the DCT happen over the last few decades, and this is its latest effort.

　　It is also the worst part of the experience.

　　Transmission Is Not Up to Luxury or Performance Requirements

　　(Photo/Evan Williams) The Audi transmission feels its worst from a stop, that thing you do more than anything else while you drive. Press the throttle to pull away, and at first nothing happens. You wait a few beats for the engine to refire from start-stop. Followed by another moment while you wait for it to engage a gear. Then, when you think its about to accelerate, the nose dips. Finally, it goes forward.

　　Except that it isnt a smooth acceleration. Its a lurch. And it happens every single time, no matter how you try to use the throttle or the drive mode selected. Try to disable start–stop, or let the engine fire up when the light turns yellow, and its not any better.

　　The SQ5 takes a solid 3 seconds (I timed it) to move from a stop, and when it does, its awkward and unseemly. Each time, the worry of getting rear-ended at a light got a little more real because once your foot is on the gas, the brake lights go out.

　　A clunky transmission might be an acceptable trade-off if the rest of the experience is sports car fun. But it isnt.

　　2025 Audi SQ5 Needs More Sport

　　(Photo/Evan Williams) The SQ5 comes standard with Audis Sport adaptive suspension and, in most situations, delivers a comfortable drive. You feel the weight of the big tires and wheels, but it soaks up most bumps. And it keeps body roll well in check.

　　It isnt, however, a particularly sport-like feel. Its the same problem many Audi S models face. Theyre quicker than the standard A and Q models theyre based on, and they have more grip in corners. But they dont add any driver involvement. Much like a video game, they are quicker, but they lack any sort of feel.

　　The steering is the worst part of that. It lacks any sort of feel other than a pull back to the center. Turning into a corner felt notchy. As though it was settling into preset detents in the mechanism rather than turning freely.

　　Treat it more like a mildly quick SUV, and not the sport model that Audis badging and giant LED quattro brake light that projects onto the rear glass suggest, and it makes more sense. BMW shows that you can make an SUV like this feel satisfying to drive, even if its never up to the level of a sedan.

　　At least the Audi is relatively comfortable on the highway. There is plenty of noise from the wide performance tires and the loud sports exhaust, but if you picked the SQ model, thats what youve asked for.

　　Its also a quite comfortable place to sit. The seats have countless adjustments, including pull-out thigh bolsters, so once you get everything how you want it, the seats are great. Theyre supportive and, in the optional red leather, look the part of this SUVs pricetag.

　　Audis Software Needs Hard Work

　　(Photo/Evan Williams) If the level of horsepower is missing the mark, the performance of the SQ5s software is downright disappointing. The wide single-screen setup is Audis newest software and hardware, and this is the first model to use it.

　　This could explain why its buggy and sluggish during normal operation, doing things like defaulting to a nonexistent FM station with every engine start. Unsure if it was just my tester, I reached out to colleagues who reported similar experiences in different SQ5s.

　　Being new, though, doesnt excuse the abysmal camera operation.

　　Its wonderful to be able to see 360 degrees around your SUV as you maneuver around a parking lot. Its not wonderful when the frame rate is so slow that it makes it look like youre watching a slideshow. When the image is taking such a long time to update that its nearly useless when you are trying to use it and distracting when youre trying not to.

　　Audi turns the camera image to help you see better in the direction youre turning, which would be amazing if you could actually see what was going on. The poor image quality just gets worse in poor light, which is when you need it most.

　　Newest Virtual Cockpit Is a Step Back

　　(Photo/Evan Williams) Theres one feature that best sums up the infotainment experience, and thats Audis signature Virtual Cockpit. For more than a decade, Audis use of the digital dash to deliver an extremely customizable experience, which can include a full-screen navigation map, has wowed owners.

　　On the new SQ5, it loses almost all of its signature features. The new interface has a couple of different options for the left and right sides of the dash, none of which is a blank screen. And, worst of all, the map is gone.

　　In its place, the center of the dash is now a driver-assist screen that displays your vehicle, other traffic, and your position in the lane. The icon showing your SQ5 bounces wildly around the virtual lane, constantly pulling my eyes downward. No, you cant turn it off.

　　Good Details Make the Bad Ones Stand Out

　　(Photo/Evan Williams) I know its starting to sound like I hate everything about the SQ5, but thats absolutely not the case. I love how composed it feels during highway driving, for example. The Teutonic dynamics that can handle triple-digit Autobahn speeds make it a breeze to drive at 70 mph.

　　Some of the interior details are wonderful as well. Like the microsuede on the interior door panels, and just how effective the seat massage is. Most seat massagers are less effective than a toddler sitting behind you, but the Audis is actually relaxing.

　　The SQ5 also has one feature Ive never seen before: The camera display will tell you exactly how far you are from an obstacle — in inches, not just in beeps or colored lines. Its a super-cool use of tech, and Im surprised nobody else is doing the same.

　　Unfortunately, those wonderful details make the other parts stand out. I know Audi can do better, and seeing the blank button where the door lock button should be — its instead on the infuriating flat plate filled with switches on the door handle — just hammers that point home.

　　SQ5 Has Cargo Carrying Done Right

　　(Photo/Evan Williams) Pop the power hatch, and Audi at least has an excellent cargo area. The rear seat is a 40-20-40 split, so long and thin items like skis can fit without leaving you just a single back seat.

　　The cargo floors tie-down hooks are metal instead of the usual plastic, and they feel like theyll actually stay in place if you use them to strap things down. Thanks to the air suspension, you can make loading a little easier. Dropping the rear of the SQ5 by a couple of inches is just a button press away.

　　2025 Audi SQ5 Review: Conclusions

　　(Photo/Evan Williams) If youre already on board with the Audi brand, then youll probably like most aspects of the 2025 SQ5. But if youve got a late-model Audi, youre probably going to miss what was a great camera system and Virtual Cockpit display. While the tech could get over-the-air improvements, thats not a guarantee.

　　With a starting price of $64,800, the SQ5 needs to be more than just a little quick and OK. My tester, at $74,740 including $1,295 destination, needs to push the needle all the way to Great. The brand-new 2025 Audi SQ5 doesnt do that, which makes it a tough recommendation with excellent and more powerful models from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and even Genesis all waiting for you.

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