Audi SQ5 review

So, you’ve decided you want the hottest version of the new Q5? Well done you. And now that you’ve settled on the V6-engined SQ5, there aren’t actually that many more decisions for you to make.

You’ll need to pick whether you want the SUV or Sportback of course, but both are only available in Edition 1 trim here in the UK, with prices starting at £72,025 for the SUV and £74,525 for the coupe-ified Sportback.

As standard that spec includes 21in wheels, Matrix LED headlights, digital OLED taillights (with eight different signatures), red brake calipers, and the black exterior trim.

Inside there are those excellent Nappa leather seats that are heated, ventilated and massaging. There’s also additional multi-coloured ambient lighting, the extra passenger screen, heated rear seats, a Bang & Olufsen sound system and adaptive cruise control.

Vorsprung SQ5s start at just shy of £80k, but you get black metallic 21s, a panoramic sunroof, adaptive air suspension and a few other trinkets for your money.

As mentioned, the red nappa leather interior is an optional freebie and you should absolutely go there. It's marvellous.

Given the straight-six BMW X3 M50 starts at £74k these days, it’ll actually cost a fair lick more than the SQ5 once you’ve ticked a few boxes.

Options on the Audi include £750 for metallic paint (or £1,495 for the interesting ‘Sakhir gold metallic’), £250 for some chunky five-spoke 21in wheels and £590 for some carbon fibre door mirrors. If you’re paying for the latter, please reevaluate your life choices.

Audi reckons on 33.6mpg and 190g/km of CO2.