This week I’ve got a real beauty, and honestly an SUV I’ve considered owning in the past. This is the 2026 Audi SQ5, a mid-sized two-row luxury SUV. Audi completely redesigned the Q5 lineup for 2026, and after spending time in the all-new SQ5 Prestige, I can tell you this luxury SUV feels like Audi finally got its swagger back. My tester came finished in Glacier White Metallic over an absolutely gorgeous Arras Red interior, and it turned heads everywhere I went. In a market where so many luxury SUVs are starting to look alike, the SQ5 manages to feel sporty, upscale, and modern without trying too hard.
The new body style is cleaner and more muscular than before. The front end sits more upright, the grille is wider, and the entire vehicle looks lower and more planted than the previous generation.
My tester had the Black Optic Package, which added 21-inch Audi Sport wheels, black exterior trim, black roof rails, black Audi rings, and dark chrome exhaust tips that really changed the personality of the vehicle. It gives the SQ5 a stealthy look without screaming for attention.
From the side, the proportions are excellent. Audi resisted the temptation to make this thing look bloated or oversized. It still fits comfortably into the midsized luxury SUV category, which matters because not everybody wants to drive a giant three-row SUV just to get luxury and performance.
Around back, the rear light bar treatment is sleek and modern, and the taillights have customizable digital OLED signatures that let owners personalize the appearance somewhat. It’s subtle, but cool.
Under the hood is a turbocharged 3.0-liter TFSI V6 putting out 362-horsepower paired with a 7-speed S tronic automatic transmission and Audi’s legendary quattro all-wheel-drive system. Audi also equips the SQ5 with sport adaptive air suspension, and honestly, that suspension setup deserves a lot of credit because it completely changes the personality of the vehicle depending on how you drive it. It will take you from 0-to-60 in just 4.6 seconds and it tops out at 155-miles per hour.
In normal driving, the SQ5 rides extremely well for a performance SUV sitting on 21-inch wheels. The suspension absorbs rough pavement far better than I expected, and even expansion joints and potholes never felt harsh. Put it into Dynamic mode and the entire vehicle tightens up noticeably. Steering gets heavier, throttle response sharpens, and the SQ5 suddenly feels much smaller than it actually is.
Acceleration is immediate. The turbo V6 delivers strong low-end torque, and the transmission shifts quickly without the hesitation you sometimes get from performance-oriented dual-clutch gearboxes. Audi says the SQ5 will hit 60 MPH in the mid four-second range, and based on how this thing launches, I believe it.
One thing I really appreciated is that Audi didn’t overdo the exhaust note. There’s enough sound to remind you this is the performance version of the Q5, but it never drones or becomes obnoxious on the highway. It sounds refined instead of juvenile, which honestly fits the personality of this SUV perfectly.
The seating position is excellent. Visibility out the front is very good thanks to the upright windshield design, and the side mirrors are large enough to make lane changes easy. Even with the sloping rear roofline, visibility out the back remains surprisingly good for this class.
Now let’s talk about the interior because this is where Audi still separates itself from a lot of competitors. The cabin feels incredibly well assembled, and the materials are first class. My tester’s Arras Red diamond-stitched leather seats completely transformed the interior. Combined with the carbon fiber trim and suede-like red inserts across the doors and center console, this cabin feels genuinely special.
The front sport seats are heavily bolstered without being difficult to climb in and out of. They’re supportive during spirited driving, but still comfortable enough for long highway trips. Heated and ventilated front seats are standard, along with a heated steering wheel and power steering column. The flat-bottom steering wheel also adds a sporty touch without looking gimmicky. Oh, and these seats will give you really nice massage.
The dashboard layout is dominated by a curved glass display setup that combines the 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit and the 14.5-inch center touchscreen into one clean design. Audi did a smart job with the graphics and menu structure because everything is easy to figure out quickly. I never found myself hunting endlessly through menus trying to perform basic functions.
One of the coolest features in the Prestige Package is the separate 10.9-inch passenger-side display integrated directly into the dash. The passenger can operate navigation, audio controls, apps, and other functions independently, while the system uses privacy technology to prevent the driver from seeing distracting content while driving. It’s one of those features that sounds gimmicky until you actually use it.
The lower portion of the touchscreen permanently houses the climate controls, which makes adjusting temperatures much easier than systems that bury climate functions inside multiple submenus. Audi clearly spent time thinking about usability here.
The center console is clean, modern, and functional. You get dual cupholders, drive mode controls, a wireless charging pad, USB ports, and Audi’s compact electronic shifter setup. The gloss black surfaces will probably show fingerprints over time, but visually the entire console area looks upscale and uncluttered.
Rear seat passengers are treated surprisingly well. Legroom is very good, the rear seats are nicely padded and heated, and rear passengers get dedicated climate controls, USB charging ports, rear air vents, and a fold-down center armrest. The panoramic glass roof also helps keep the cabin feeling open and airy.
Utility
Cargo space is also quite usable. The rear opening is wide, the load floor is low enough to make loading easier, and the cargo area itself is nicely finished instead of looking like an afterthought. Audi also included a cargo cover on my tester, and there is a large area under the floor for valuables.
Standard Equipment
Standard equipment on the SQ5 is extensive and Audi loads this SUV with far more content than most buyers will expect before they ever start checking option boxes. The list includes the adaptive air suspension, Quattro all-wheel drive system, LED lighting with digital daytime running lights, panoramic glass roof, leather and Dinamica seating surfaces, heated front sport seats with driver memory, heated steering wheel, tri-zone automatic climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Audi virtual cockpit, navigation, wireless charging pad, SiriusXM, Audi connect services, power tailgate, integrated toll module capability, rear side airbags, and Audi’s full MMI infotainment system with the large curved display setup.
Safety
The SQ5 also comes standard with a very strong suite of safety technology including adaptive cruise assist, active front assist with automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, electronic stability control, tire pressure monitoring system, traffic sign recognition, and Audi’s extensive airbag and collision mitigation systems.
The Prestige Package on my tester added another layer of luxury and technology. For $5,900, it included the Bang & Olufsen 3D premium sound system, passenger-side 10.9-inch display screen, digital OLED taillights with eight selectable light signatures, head-up display, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, top-view camera system with 3D view, park assist plus with remote parking capability, rear emergency brake assist, dynamic interaction lighting, dual-pane acoustic glass, and additional passenger-seat memory functions.
The Black Optic Package added 21-inch Audi Sport wheels with all-season run-flat tires, black exterior trim, black roof rails, black Audi rings, and dark chrome exhaust tips. Additional extras included Glacier White Metallic paint for $595, the dark chrome package for $385, Audi Beam rings for $300, wheel locks for $150, and the cargo cover for $345.
Just a few standout features I noticed that you don’t typically see in SUVs in this price range include an integrated toll module that allows owners to activate compatible toll-road payment services directly through the vehicle instead of mounting multiple aftermarket transponders to the windshield. Once activated through participating toll providers, the system can electronically handle toll payments while keeping the windshield cleaner and less cluttered.
Also, Audi’s customizable digital OLED taillights and programmable daytime running lights, allowing owners to select from multiple lighting signatures through the MMI system. Beyond looking cool, the OLED taillights can also change their light pattern in certain situations to improve visibility and safety for other drivers.
There is also Park Assist Pro with remote functionality that allows the SQ5 to automatically steer, brake, accelerate, and maneuver itself into parallel or perpendicular parking spaces with very little driver input. The system can even perform certain parking maneuvers remotely using the myAudi smartphone app, allowing the driver to stand outside the vehicle while the SUV parks itself into tighter spaces where opening the doors afterward might be difficult.
MSRP and MPG
Base MSRP for the SQ5 starts at $65,400, and with all options plus destination charges, my tester came in at $76,270.
Fuel economy is rated at 21 MPG city and 28 MPG highway, which is solid considering the level of performance this SUV delivers.
What impressed me most about the SQ5 is how balanced it feels. A lot of luxury performance SUVs either focus too heavily on comfort and become numb to drive, or they chase performance so aggressively they become tiring as daily transportation. The Audi manages to walk the line beautifully.
It’s quick without feeling harsh, refined without feeling isolated, and packed with technology that actually improves the ownership experience instead of complicating it. The air suspension deserves special praise because it gives the SQ5 multiple personalities depending on your mood. In Comfort mode it feels smooth and composed enough for long highway trips, while Dynamic mode noticeably tightens the suspension, sharpens throttle response, and makes the SQ5 feel smaller and more athletic than it actually is.
The interior may ultimately be the star of the show. Audi continues to build some of the best cabins in the business, and the combination of the Arras Red interior, carbon fiber trim, suede-like accents, ambient lighting, and curved display layout gives this SUV a genuine upscale feel every time you climb inside.
Photo: 2026 Audi SQ5 with Driftshot AI/iDec Apps. CarPro.