Review of Audi SQ5 Sportback helps me remember why I love my base Macan

11510 Views 51 Replies 30 Participants Last post by David45, 4 mo ago

woodypup

Discussion Starter · Jan 20, 2022

CNET review

I figured I'd read this review of a car that is quite closely related to the Macan, but gives you 349 hp from a 3.0V6 for $60,000 while I paid that much for the engine that even Audi puts in its base models.

Then I read this: "It's got a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 producing 349 horsepower and 369 pound-feet, with Audi saying the SQ5 will hit 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, but it doesn't feel that quick. It sounds boring, too, especially when pitted against competitors from BMW and Mercedes-AMG. The ride quality is fantastic and the cabin is nice and quiet at highway speeds, but the SQ5's steering is too numb and light for my liking. All in, my test car comes to $74,240. That's a whole lot of money for a crossover that just doesn't feel special or different enough to justify its existence"

And I agree-- I love my 2.0 Macan for so many other reasons than just a hp/$ ratio. Reasons I see and feel everyday, every ride. Styling, handling, the brand, lighting, interior feels, etc.

I'm still mad that the Macan 2.0 only gets 19mpg though.

Reactions: 5

1 - 20 of 52 Posts

strawberry

· #2 · Jan 20, 2022

woodypup said:
I'm still mad that the Macan 2.0 only gets 19mpg though

It is a big car running with a tiny engine... high consumption shouldn't be unexpected.

woodypup

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 20, 2022

it's not unexpected, it's just disappointing. doesn't negate all the other lovable qualities though.

Reactions: 2

Kendall Riley

· #4 · Jan 20, 2022

Interesting. I’ve always been interested in the SQ5 because it’s so similar to the Macan in pricing and platform (precious gen? I can’t remember). I guess I’d have to drive them back to back to really see if there’s a difference. I always wanted a Q5 but I didn’t want an Audi… one of the reasons I got my Macan.

My 17 Macan 2.0 gets 24MPG and I drive it like a maniac. You must be flooring it at every stop light lmao (which is something I also do).

Reactions: 1

mac_anon

· #5 · Jan 20, 2022

I spent some time at the AudiWorld forum a few months ago. I was kicking tires on an S5 or an SQ5. More than a few threads there bad-mouthing the Macan as "old" technology (not entirely wrong) on an "old" platform (nothing wrong with it). Can a CUV be a driver's car? Open to debate but no matter your answer we can probably agree the SQ5 is not one. And the iPad-style control interface is a design aesthetic that will not age well IMO. So I ended up here, helped along by my previous experience owning 911s and an enabling wife.

TL/DR: CNET is right, it's a boring car (at least to me).

Reactions: 2

mcb

· #6 · Jan 20, 2022

We recently test drove a 2021 Audi Q5 2.0T Tecknik (top line, with sport package, etc. ~$70k Canadian). It drove well enough, and is calm on the highway, but neither my wife nor I could get over how soft / uninspired the steering was. It was a deal-breaker.

We drove a Macan later that week, and hands down it was a much more engaging vehicle (even though on paper it looks near identical...). We didn't continue the search, and ordered a MY22 base Macan shortly thereafter. It should arrive in about a week.

I would be interested in the Genesis GV70, since it has been getting incredible reviews. Maybe I'll check one out closer as the Macan approaches the end of warranty

-- 2022 Genesis GV70 Review, Pricing, and Specs

Reactions: 3

jzwu

· #7 · Jan 20, 2022

It’s like 2 people who look alike, until you get to know them…..

Reactions: 5

mac_anon

· #8 · Jan 20, 2022

jzwu said:
It’s like 2 people who look alike, until you get to know them…..

As my dad used to say: if you can't find something wrong with somebody you just don't know them well enough!

Reactions: 5

CourtneyNYC

· #9 · Jan 20, 2022

We picked up a new S5 Cabriolet a couple weeks ago . . . . the 4th in a row identical.

She loves the convertible, has looked at an R8 Spyder (which her girlfriend has) and loves the S5. I will say . . it is a rocket ship and a pleasure to drive.

The 2022 Laser Matrix Project Lights are amazing.

But . . . . the reason I would never get one for me . . . and some of the cool blacked out SQ5s have caught my eye . . . is that crazy iPad sticking out of the dash. I had that on a Mercedes when they first started it years ago and to me . . the darn thing just looks "tacked on".

The styling of the Macan . . .outside drew me in and the inside kept me in. . . . . . is without peer.

Reactions: 3

THX_ZORA

· #10 · Jan 21, 2022

mac_anon said:
I spent some time at the AudiWorld forum a few months ago. I was kicking tires on an S5 or an SQ5. More than a few threads there bad-mouthing the Macan as "old" technology (not entirely wrong) on an "old" platform (nothing wrong with it). Can a CUV be a driver's car? Open to debate but no matter your answer we can probably agree the SQ5 is not one. And the iPad-style control interface is a design aesthetic that will not age well IMO. So I ended up here, helped along by my previous experience owning 911s and an enabling wife.

TL/DR: CNET is right, it's a boring car (at least to me).

My wife and I are DRIVERS....we love to jump into a car and just take off somewhere. No need to have a destination or chore that needs to get done. As a result, the only SUV we approached was a 2022 GTS....didn't even bother to look at Audi, BMW, or Merc. Porsche knows how to build a driver's car better than anyone else IMO. yea it does not have Android connectivity, and the driver's info center is too outdated for some people's taste. Those are all minor annoyance's to me. We have had 3 Porsches: Cayenne S, Boxster S, and 911 4S, and they all had true driver's elements in common. Incredible steering feel, wonderfully sorted chassis, great sounds, and plenty of power to get you to the next corner quickly...

Reactions: 3

yrralis1

· #11 · Jan 21, 2022

woodypup said:
CNET review

I figured I'd read this review of a car that is quite closely related to the Macan, but gives you 349 hp from a 3.0V6 for $60,000 while I paid that much for the engine that even Audi puts in its base models.

Then I read this: "It's got a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 producing 349 horsepower and 369 pound-feet, with Audi saying the SQ5 will hit 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, but it doesn't feel that quick. It sounds boring, too, especially when pitted against competitors from BMW and Mercedes-AMG. The ride quality is fantastic and the cabin is nice and quiet at highway speeds, but the SQ5's steering is too numb and light for my liking. All in, my test car comes to $74,240. That's a whole lot of money for a crossover that just doesn't feel special or different enough to justify its existence"

And I agree-- I love my 2.0 Macan for so many other reasons than just a hp/$ ratio. Reasons I see and feel everyday, every ride. Styling, handling, the brand, lighting, interior feels, etc.

I'm still mad that the Macan 2.0 only gets 19mpg though.

Audi does have one strength here. They have lease programs for the person who leases cars will find the pricing attractive . In the pricing comparison it was the only thing that mentioned.

CowtownP

· #12 · Jan 21, 2022

As someone who has for the past 10+ years owned nothing but Audi; and just recently traded my RS5 for a ‘21 Macan S.

Audi builds a very good car, no question. Great interiors, and in the case of the RS5 phenomenal engine that just pulls. It comes down to one thing Audi just cannot do that Porsche can. . . Steering. Audi steering, except for our TTRS that is pretty good, is just overly light in every setting and has zero steering feel. I always commented that I wish Audi would just steal someone from the steering development team just once!

That and I just feel that Porsche styling is more timeless than Audi and tends to age better.

peter_

· #13 · Jan 21, 2022

Good friend as an SQ5, speced out - Audi tech is really nice, SQ5 sounds better than my Macan (before exhaust mods), interior is a bit nicer/sportier, it drives significantly worse steering is light and unresponsive imo.

BadNewsBz

· #14 · Jan 21, 2022

I’ve also have Audis for the past 10 years and currently have an S4. Agree with the steering comments and also would add that the PDK is much better than the ZF 8-speed in the SQ5 (which has the same engine and transmission as the S4).

maxdbunny

· #15 · Jan 21, 2022

I had a S5, and when I found out the next gen was getting a ZF 8, I was immediately turned off. I love dual clutch so that’s what brought me to Porsche. After I took one drive in the Macan vs the SQ5 and S5 Sportback, I knew. PDK is telepathic.

Hokie

· #16 · Jan 21, 2022

maxdbunny said:
I had a S5, and when I found out the next gen was getting a ZF 8, I was immediately turned off. I love dual clutch so that’s what brought me to Porsche. After I took one drive in the Macan vs the SQ5 and S5 Sportback, I knew. PDK is telepathic.

I have a '21 MB GLA 45 AMG with 8 speed dual clutch. I've had 3 Macan's with PDK. Yep, I'll go with 'telepathic' for the PDK, especially for low speed around town driving.

Pretorien

· #17 · Jan 21, 2022

mcb said:
We recently test drove a 2021 Audi Q5 2.0T Tecknik (top line, with sport package, etc. ~$70k Canadian). It drove well enough, and is calm on the highway, but neither my wife nor I could get over how soft / uninspired the steering was. It was a deal-breaker.

We drove a Macan later that week, and hands down it was a much more engaging vehicle (even though on paper it looks near identical...). We didn't continue the search, and ordered a MY22 base Macan shortly thereafter. It should arrive in about a week.

I would be interested in the Genesis GV70, since it has been getting incredible reviews. Maybe I'll check one out closer as the Macan approaches the end of warranty -- 2022 Genesis GV70 Review, Pricing, and Specs

I drove the GV70 (Sport Edition) and a Macan literally back-to-back (The two dealerships are about a mile apart) same test circuit, same traffic, time of day etc.) The Genesis was very smooth and capable but, to my taste, a bit soft. It bests the Porsche in the "driver convenience" area and the camera system in the mirrors that puts an image of the camera view on the instrument panel when the turn signal is used is brilliant. The Porsche was also very smooth but, in addition, where the Genesis handled curves, lane changes etc. very very well, the Porsche conveyed a feeling of being literally "bolted" to the road and ready to respond to even unreasonable demands. Some of this may reflect the fact that while the Porsche uses multi link suspension on all 4 corners, the Genesis front suspension is McPherson strut which places some limitations on the geometry. (Also really did not like the Genesis "twist the knob" shifter)

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Reactions: 2

mcb

· #18 · Jan 21, 2022

Pretorien said:
I drove the GV70 (Sport Edition) and a Macan literally back-to-back (The two dealerships are about a mile apart) same test circuit, same traffic, time of day etc.) The Genesis was very smooth and capable but, to my taste, a bit soft. It bests the Porsche in the "driver convenience" area and the camera system in the mirrors that puts an image of the camera view on the instrument panel when the turn signal is used is brilliant. The Porsche was also very smooth but, in addition, where the Genesis handled curves, lane changes etc. very very well, the Porsche conveyed a feeling of being literally "bolted" to the road and ready to respond to even unreasonable demands. Some of this may reflect the fact that while the Porsche uses multi link suspension on all 4 corners, the Genesis front suspension is McPherson strut which places some limitations on the geometry. (Also really did not like the Genesis "twist the knob" shifter)

Thanks for your comments! I guess that's the reason the Macan has been substantially unchanged since 2015, while the "competition" makes major changes and/or creates new models to try to keep up

Reactions: 1

strawberry

· #19 · Jan 21, 2022

Pretorien said:
the camera system in the mirrors that puts an image of the camera view on the instrument panel when the turn signal is used is brilliant.

This is not even that new. I've seen this exact feature in a 2015 civic.

Sad that porsche is so slow to advance tech-wise and I don't like their trickle down strategy. I wish we had on the new macans the more digital 911 dash and console.

THX_ZORA

· #20 · Jan 21, 2022

strawberry said:
This is not even that new. I've seen this exact feature in a 2015 civic.

Sad that porsche is so slow to advance tech-wise and I don't like their trickle down strategy. I wish we had on the new macans the more digital 911 dash and console.

But if it had all the toys, my GTS build would be over $100k

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