2026 Audi SQ5

Audi's Q5 and SQ5 SUVs have never been extroverted. Rather, these small luxury SUVs have been humble but excellent offerings in a class where every manufacturer is trying to strike the perfect balance of luxury, performance and cost. The SQ5 is the sporty version of the Q5, boasting a more powerful engine and firmer, more precise handling. It comes in a standard SUV body and a shortened-roof Sportback version, which we review separately. The 2026 Audi SQ5 is a continuation of the fully redesigned third-generation model that debuted midway through last year.

A handful of competitors are close to the SQ5 in spirit, but it's the German rivals that seem to have its measure. The BMW X3 M50 xDrive and the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 both offer more power and cost about the same to start. The Genesis GV70, which is optionally powered by a turbocharged 3.5-liter V6, offers spicier styling, similar performance, and a few more standard driver aids for the same money as the SQ5. And if you want a different flavor of Audi SUV, the less powerful standard Q5 and less spacious SQ5 Sportback are worth considering.

Audi can be sneaky. Look carefully at the new Q5 and SQ5 that debuted in the middle of last year, and at a glance, you'll struggle to see significant differences relative to the SUVs they replaced. The styling remains stoic and subdued, there's no added flourish, and you'd be forgiven for not spotting meaningful differences unless you're part of the Audi cognoscenti. But look with a more discerning eye, and you'll see some marginal improvements that matter. Space and fuel efficiency are slightly better. There are a few additional cubic feet of cargo space in a footprint that's nearly identical to the last generation. And the EPA combined fuel economy estimate improves by 1 mpg despite an additional 13 horsepower and 37 lb-ft of torque. Those are small differences that the brand isn't bragging about, but they matter.