The 2021 Audi SQ5 receives a freshened exterior styling, including an updated grille and bumpers. It also receives updated interior technology, a faster 0-60 mph time, and a few more standard features.

The SQ5 is available in three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. Pricing starts at $53,955 including destination for the Premium and tops out at $63,595 for the Prestige.

The SQ5 is equipped with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 that generates 349 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Power is routed through an eight-speed transmission and standard quattro all-wheel drive.

Despite the carryover engine, Audi has helped the SQ5 accelerate from zero to 60 mph faster than last year’s model by 0.4 seconds, bringing its time down to 4.7 seconds.

The performance-minded powertrain scores an EPA-estimated 18 miles per gallon city, 24 mpg highway, and 20 combined. That's on par with a similarly powered Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and Porsche Macan S, but less than a BMW X3 M40i.

Towing capacity is limited to 4,400 pounds.

The SQ5 stretches to 183.9 inches in length and rides on a 111.2-inch long wheelbase. That affords this five-seat crossover with 38 inches of rear leg room. Its crossover body shape generates 25.8 cubic feet of space behind the second row, and 54 cubic feet with the back row folded.

The SQ5 is standard with a moderate level of active safety technology, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Adaptive cruise control with low-speed assist, lane keeping assist, and a surround-view camera system are newly included in the Premium Plus trim, while parallel and perpendicular park assist is reserved for the Prestige trim.

The NHTSA has given the SQ5 a five-star overall safety rating.

The SQ5 receives Audi’s latest, third-generation infotainment platform that allows for faster downloads and features improved graphics. A 10.1-inch centrally-located touchscreen display with a secondary touchpad control is compatible with Apple Wireless CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth.

The Premium Plus gains a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a wireless charging pad. It also offers a 19-speaker Bang and Olufsen audio system for $950. The Prestige model is equipped with navigation and a head-up display. The navigation system is a $1,500 option on the middle trim.

The SQ5 is visually differentiated from the Q5 on the outside with a unique grille and rear lower fascia, quad exhaust outlets, 20-inch wheels, and silver-painted mirror housings (an Audi S trim tradition). Otherwise, LED exterior lighting with rear taillight turn signal animation, heated mirrors, and aluminum window surrounds and roof rails are shared.

Inside, leather sport seats with eight-way power adjustability and heating, a black headliner, a sport steering wheel, and brushed aluminum trim further hint at the sportier nature of the SQ5. A three-zone automatic climate control system, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with an integrated toll transponder, LED ambient lighting, and a 7-inch gauge cluster digital display are among the other noteworthy interior features.

The Convenience Package is $1,100 and includes proximity entry, a motion-activated power tailgate, auto-dimming and power-folding exterior mirrors, and driver’s seat position memory. A power panoramic sunroof is a stand-alone option for $1,450.

The mid-level trim includes the Premium’s Convenience Package and the power panoramic sunroof as well as a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster display and extended leather surfaces.

The Premium Plus is also available with the Black Optic Package ($600) that trades the silver exterior trim on the bumpers, window surrounds, roof, and mirrors for a gloss black finish and adds exclusive 20-inch wheels. The Sport Plus Package ($3,000) adds an adaptive air suspension, a sport rear differential, and red brake caliper.

The Prestige trim includes several features that are exclusive to the top-tier trim such as Matrix-design LED headlights that provide improved light distribution, OLED taillights that allow for more intricate animation sequences, a head-up display, noise-reducing dual-pane front windows, extended interior ambient lighting, and heated rear seats.

Compare SQ5 Specs