2021 Audi SQ5 Review: A do-it-all performance car | CarGurus

[@Car_conversati0nz]

Watching this video 3 years later, and it's amazing how far Forrest has come with his car reviewing skills

[@khoaphan294]

He’s become one of my favorites. Concise, entertaining, informative and his KZbin shorts are fun to watch.

[@camdoogy]

I am now the owner of this vehicle. I’m happy to report that the OEM Sport Exhaust has been installed. Enthusiasts don’t care about dirty exhaust tips, we just clean them!

[@MIAMIKNIGHTRIDER]

I’m 6’5 255 and fit comfortably in my sq5 definitely a fan!! I surprise ppl everyday with how quick it is !

[@riverexplorer]

I like the review and the reviewer does a great job giving necessary information in a very easy to understand way. I’m really glad to hear a reviewer who isn’t being judgemental about the features of the car. It’s refreshing not to be told what you should want rather than what the car has. Great review!

[@ausroboda4003]

Greatest car I have ever owned, hands down. Feels like a sedan cross over sport that corners amazingly and gets up and goes. Test drive one and you will be considering buying one. I went just to look at a A5 and somehow they convinced me to drive this.

[@MIAMIKNIGHTRIDER]

Haha I thought I was set for a jaguar fpace S till I drove the Audi sq5 🎉😂

[@RawTophat]

Wow, that color is beautiful! To bad dark green is not used more often within other car companies, really an under rated color.

[@Orvillerede100]

Agreed

[@Mysframe]

That green would look sick with the black package option

[@rufdymond]

Funny you should say that - when I first saw this car in this colour months ago, I hated it, but over time it really grew on me, saw one a few days ago and really love it. I live about 5 mins walk from an Audi dealership so see loads of Audi cars on the road.

[@gevinduxrs2]

agree 👍 👍

[@mikeolson7557]

@@Mysframe Would? It has the Black Optic package.

[@TheBigmobe]

Damn Forrest got a job. I was looking for your videos I wonder what happened to you glad to see you doing good man. Also man your hair is looking good.

[@mirroreffectchannel]

The middle hump in the back is just crazy

[@TheBetterFilm]

Mine had the factory exhaust tips, it's a $1350.00 upgrade but well worth it because that's mainly what people complain about.

[@BlkSpidey01]

Nice Audi, and I'm diggin the color. Dope review Forrest, keep it up man

[@jsfbay1]

Nice review! Another point of the adjustable height tailgate @7:50 is to adjust for a cargo box on top.

[@wanderpoltv4990]

I still have my 2015 Q5. This dark green metallic is freakin GORGEOUS!

[@michellep2682]

I just got an SQ5. Love they way it drives. I got the bright blue but really like this green as well

[@veryyyaquarius1414]

just ordered my 2022 model because of this video 😍😍

[@khuthinxumalo-gd3ey]

Bro you got a new acc😂 great job ... I will always support you ❤

[@samuelray1777]

I’m going to check out an identical color/spec on thursday. This vid was super informative, thank you!

[@kevinkok76]

Looking to buy one myself, but features mentioned are not quite correct, so do your homework if you want black optic (doesn’t include the matrix headlight animation, that’s part of prestige package) or Prestige pack (doesn’t include the quilted leather seats, that’s a stand alone $1,000 option).

[@Orvillerede100]

I miss the old headlights - they were my favorite headlights of any car

[@Jokero_YT]

Great review BUT I've watched about 5 videos so far with none of them mentioning the mild-hybrid system, are you sure that's not just on the 2.0T?

[@jsfbay1]

Does this have auto brake hold so that you can, for example, take your foot off the brake at a red light? Thanks.

[@baldheadlogic]

Great Review Forrest!!!

[@joepohr3104]

I agree best Audi review that i've seen

[@JeremyHouse-u2e]

My future Car... this color is wonderfull Thanks for your rieview

[@Billn1971]

The rear tailgate has the height adjustment for opening in your home garage...so you don't break something!! It has nothing to do with how tall people are. A lot of suvs have this feature.

[@tajoumaru503]

It's a damned shame that more cars aren't sold in sweet shades of green.

[@karlsmith5218]

Excellent review! Provided some information that I was not certain of. The price of the SQ5!! Love the Prestidge Model and it would be the one I'm most interested in. Did I also mention passenger storage areas especially for the price! I truly dig the ride, however, I like the BMW, 3xM40i as well as the Gensis, GV70. Ether provide good cabin storage, I'm no certain on the 48V mild hybrid for the BMW. Still and all, great review of the Audi, SQ5!

[@ToOpen6seven]

Love, love, love this crossover. I wish I could afford the Audi Q8, but this one might be doable for my budget. Also, your hair is GORGEOUS. My son's hair is about your texture, but it always looks so dry, do you mind telling me what kind of products you use on your hair? Thank you :-)

[@Patsy-rd7kj]

On my second SQ5- Sepang Blue, BUT love the Green Color with the DE chrome Black Pack, very nice

[@TheBapowell]

To me, Audi is estetically unmatched 🤍

[@jimbv2168]

Great review! I find the driving impressions especially helpful. One suggestion for Forrest - consider some anti-reflective coatings for your glasses - it makes them much less reflective and distracting. Keep up the good work!

[@scottm3775]

Does anyone know how these are long term reliability wise?

[@GodsDaughterOrthodox]

What do you mean by lacks the steering feel! Right now I have a GLE 450 2021 and the wheel feels very loose to me! So much that I am trading it in for a 2022 SQ5. When I test drove the car the wheel felt far more stiff. But I noticed what you said about lack of steering feel and I do not understand what you mean. Please explain!

[@RR-ht9db]

Loved the review, but I disagree about the comment regarding the GLC feeling more luxurious inside. The Audi is definitely a step above in terms of luxury! The GLC uses cheaper quality materials for sure. The overall sense of luxury in the SQ5 is just on another level quite honestly!

[@ksrsukku]

Totally agree. GLC interiors are so bad, I test drove recently and even asked the dealer why it doesn’t feel premium. They said “we’ll if you want the best interiors, you’ve to go for AMG line”.

[@shannontillman157]

Great review! I just picked up one of these a few weeks ago. I really wanted this color but went with what was on the lot. Wish I had seen this video beforehand. 🙂

[@Gtrnsm1205]

wrap it

[@joedonaghue2952]

what i would like to know what is involved in swapping my 2019 sq5 fake grill exhausts thingy for this fake real looking quad exhaust if anyone has done it, it looks like just the bottom section can be swapped over ?

[@TheLumberJacked]

There is a kit to swap your fake exhaust to real exhaust quad tips. It looks amazing but does cost some money. It includes the tips, the rear valance with diffuser etc. very nice.

[@hugohugo2832]

Good review. I’m thinking of one.

[@mistersmith9739]

Front light looks nicer on prior models in my opinion. On this model in the video - lights are rounded which make them not good looking

[@AubreyBeauford]

I🤴🏾Crown Thee 👑 Sir Forrest King of the reviews 👏👏👏👏👏

[@classicparthing1469]

im not a big audi fan but this car I would put everything aside to get it! amazing car with a awesome car!

[@delantwine4081]

I’m thinking of buying one but 71,000 ?

[@remymartin15]

I drive a 23 Q5 coming from a 2014 5 series. front cup holders are in the wrong spot, and seats are a little narrow. And not having a place to really put a large phone is slightly annoying but what ever. Great car other wise. I'm looking to get a S4 or SQ5 this up coming Jan.

[@mdlc1439]

Good review

[@davidkelly1394]

Probably my 2nd favourite car at the moment, the range rover sport autobiography being my favourite, but would love to be able to own either 😀 , just a pipe dream though unfortunately 😪👍

[@weskergao307]

I hate cleaning the exhaust but I hate fake exhaust more

[@MrPetrello]

Does the spare tire require you to blow it up ?

[@RB-xv4si]

The taillights are not Matrix LED; that’s the headlights. The taillights are OLED.

[@davidlewis2148]

Please correct your Video with Text over it. Your comment that this is a mild Hybrid is totally wrong. It is not a 48v system. Only the Diesel version of this car in Europe is a Mild Hybrid. This is the same Driveline as the Audi S5. I know because I owned a 2018 S5 Sportback before I bought the 2021 SQ5! Also 48v systems would have Orange Cables visible as they are higher voltage.

[@bc67]

Solid vehicle. The Q5 is the perfect size for an active lifestyle. Adding a longitudinal V6 to the equation makes me like this SUV even more. Unfortunate though that Audi kowtowed to the finicky segment of their market by creating faux exhaust tips. Personally, I like to see some carbon coating on exhaust tips and I love the look of condensation coming from real tips. One question I have is around those sharp creases you pointed out on the hood; is the paint going to be more susceptible to wear on those areas for owners who use car washes? I think so.

[@TheLumberJacked]

No one asked for fake exhaust tips. No one. Not one person ever, in the history of the Audi vehicles ever said, “please sir, I want to buy your car but it has exhaust tips…I only buy cars with fake exhaust tips”. The exhaust tip things was a monstrously stupid idea to try and make people forget that their cars have engines and burn gas…gee I wonder if it was an over reaction by a company (VW) that had recently been embroiled in a diesel emissions controversy?

[@TheLumberJacked]

Forgive my simmering rage. It’s not directed at you…it’s directed at stupid virtue signalling car companies. Even pretending they have no exhaust is just a bad idea wrapped in a bad concept. Audi somehow believed that perhaps some of their customers (rich environmentalists?) were just holding their noses in disgust as they climbed into their Audi SUV. One could only surmise that Audi concluded that their customers are so fragile and stupid as to need the equivalent of an exhaust free safe space so they could drive their Audi with a clear conscience, knowing that if you can’t see the exhaust, it doesn’t exist. OR their customers are so concerned with image that they would prefer to try and fool everyone else into thinking this vehicle must be good for the environment. It’s like a little kid who plays hide and seek by covering his eyes so you disappear. Historically it would be like removing the hilt from a sword so no one thinks it’s a sword, even though everyone knows it’s a sword and thinks it’s stupid your sword has no hilt. The exhaust finishes a vehicle, Makes it complete like guilting on a fine picture frame, or flourishes on a pendant or a ring. We seem to be counting down the years to an all electric hellscape (and it will be regardless of your view on the environment, I’m not personally concerned about CO2 on any level, I accept all criticism, but don’t anyone try and convince me that electric cars will be better for the environment or cheaper to run. The nightmare electrics represent hasn’t even been slightly elucidated and their functionality beyond equatorial living far from certain…) I’M PISSED that Audi wasted years on this design feature. It’s sad. Ya clearly I’m emotional 😂 Please know you have my deepest respect for buying this vehicle. They are awesome and truly wonderful to drive.

[@bc67]

@@TheLumberJacked I'll be honest; I don't know why I wrote what I did about finicky customers. Knowing myself though, I probably did some research before commenting. BUT, it still doesn't make sense to me why I wrote that. I've since read or heard that using fake exhaust tips gives engineers more options in that area. Not sure why or if I agree with that because there's a "hot exhaust" option available from Audi where one can replace the fake tips with real ones. One Audi dealer who has a KZbin channel said it's for EPA reasons. I don't know how that makes sense either. I'd love to read about the rationale behind this awful design decision right from the horses mouths though. Mazda is doing the same thing with some of their new SUVs and I just don't get it! I say eliminate any indication of exhaust before putting fake tips on. Many of us are smart enough to know the difference and it is a major blemish on the brand!

[@bc67]

@@TheLumberJacked Very well said.

[@silent--killz3176]

Hp and tq?

[@ChrisDavis333]

I’d really like for those power numbers to be more to the tune of 450-500, I’d also like to see this be a 3.9-4.0 0-60 instead of 5.6 or whatever it is. To embody that Audi S to the fullest, instead it feels a little bit weak to me. I love the car, wish it had a little more gusto under the hood.

[@fanman71]

I thought the same thing. Got the Integrated Engineering Tuning Module that pushed the hp to a bit over 400hp & 500 ft.-lb tq on 91 octane. It is exactly what I thought would make this car just about perfect.

[@ChrisDavis333]

That sounds like an awesome idea.. about how much did that run you and is it a pretty common modification? I won’t lie it feels like audi could have sent it with more power from factory, it’s not unheard of for a power package like what it has to do more nowadays. Congrats on the awesome car!

[@fanman71]

@@ChrisDavis333 Best decision I made. It was $900. IE & 034 are the 2 big ones that I've heard about. Really makes this car what it should be. Install was relatively straight forward. Done within 30 min. from an app on my phone, bluetooth & the module. It's really very common because it doesn't involve adding/removing parts, just a download to the OBD port. I was thinking about putting an intake on it to add a few more hp, but all the reviews said it makes quite a bit more turbo noise, which I didn't want. The "S" line for Audi is really not their AMG/BMW M line counterpart. That is their RS line, but doesn't seem like Audi really wanted to do that with this model.

[@schmoestudy]

0-60 is 4.7s stock

[@stevenjames1138]

Love the color! I wish green was a more common color among vehicles nowadays.

[@elg5870]

Nice review, but I stopped at fake exhausts🥺

[@bens1221sop]

Red brake calipers not to be mess with. Why?

[@sumatralex250]

This car should be a perfect choice for me if I can customize every single Interior signature.

[@irenafacelli4853]

This dude is fly. Love the reviewer. Not the price on this Audi. Only affordable for the ultra rich. Sigh. 😥

[@user587-bba]

Great car! 💘

[@bens1221sop]

Previous grill version

[@sworks7124]

that slit for storage by the shifter is for sunglasses.

[@TS-wp3wt]

Genesis gv70 might be the best newcomer in this category

[@barryvonsteinen6460]

fake exhaust tips ruins the entire idea of an S model. usually black optic package blacks out all of the emblems too.

[@genieotl]

This car vs Lexus RX 350 FSport. Luxury Prestige vs Luxury Reliability. Hmmmmm? Which one

[@rufaimuhammadaminu6873]

I am waiting for my pay for a JOB,i am going to buy this Sq5. I don't care what SCOTTY KILMER is going to say that Audi are not relyable.

[@leerob342]

Gahhhh DAMMIT!!! Lol... This is my third video review of this bad boy and its the third person that doesnt touch on those lights(?) in the cargo area!! The small white strips next to the suspension adjustment button. Lol, its driving me nuts that no one is pointing those out! Are they actually lights or what?!?!?!

[@Kiss__Kiss]

Yes, it's an LED strip to see your groceries or whatever you put back there, at night.

[@justinfay3011]

He looks like Peele from Key and Peele, but with a wig.

[@kevinn1158]

Too bad Audi hasn't brought the RS Q3. That's a much better looking vehicle and it doesn't have fake exhausts.

[@luislanda2228]

Whats with hair?

[@mariomorais1974]

All good with the car except the seats colour 😢

[@hanchanginglives]

Who said I hate cleaning my exhausts, hell no, let me clean them, make them real!!!!!!!

[@charlt7670]

This review has misleading info, the engine of this car is NOT a mild hybrid! There is no 48 VOLT! Guy needs read the stickers before showing up to put a review video

[@myqe2]

Meh, i have the 2021 sq5. Center console space IS an issue. Those cubbies hold nothing. Fake exhausts, didn't know when I got it. NOT pleased. Drive is boring. Coming off MB AMG and BMW not a great drive feel. Best drive is the BMW. Bought is in cement gray, and red diamond interior. Pretty. Three yr lease.

[@nyclassic4ever130]

This might easily be my next car.... Coming from a Q5.

[@face2much]

Audi really just has no direction at this point

[@jamesonwaltz7246]

im gonna vomit, 71k, a german luxury brand and it has a MANUAL THIGH EXTENSION?!?!?!?! i dont want an ounce of anything manual in a 71k car unless its the hand E brake. jesus companies are being cheap. and how does the touch screen still stick out like a sore thumb? how have they not found a way to collapse? and fake exhaust.... cars are becoming so lazy

[@Travis73917]

Manual is a good thing for example less things to break down , for the screen well they save that for the q7 and q8 for a sleeker look , and yea I would prefer real exhaust but they don't sound bad.

[@TheRacingShawn]

New SQ5 vs Used Macan GTS. Not an easy choice :)

[@kurtisjroush]

I drive a 18 SQ5. I mean they aren’t really comparable cars. The Macan GTS has 85 more HP and also costs $20k more. In many ways, I think the Macan Turbo & Macan GTS are why there’s never been an Audi RSQ5. VW Group wants to avoid competing with themselves. The Q5 is Uber-luxurious with enough power for 80% of buyers. The SQ5 fulfills the need of the next 15% of buyers who want (and are willing to pay for) a bit more power. The top trim Macans are for that top 5% of buyers who want (and will pay for) the most power they can get.

[@TheRacingShawn]

@@kurtisjroush I totally agree. I was thinking from a budget perspective. I never drove an SQ5 so far. I like the exterior shape and infotainment design with buttons. I will try it when I look for new car replacement.

[@kurtisjroush]

They’re great cars. And with a Stage 1 tuner, you can get an SQ5 near 450 hp. But that voids any remaining factory warranty, so I’m waiting until mine expires

[@TheRacingShawn]

@@kurtisjroush If you live in an area with Audi dealerships collaborating with APR. You may try APR plus. It's similar to stage 1 tune (about $300-500 more expensive) and comes with a decent powertrain warranty. I have it on my Golf R. No complaint so far.

[@davidlewis2148]

I was actually was torn between the 2021 SQ5 and the 2021 Macan GTS. Not only was the AUDI cheaper, but the deal breaker that kept me in an AUDI (from a 2018 SQ5 Sportback), was that the Macan GTS does NOT have a HUD! Or a Virtual Cockpit. The customizable screen vs the Dials is just so appealing. Glad I made the choice, love the 2021 SQ5 with the Sport Air Suspension!

[@konsen6149]

Dangerous to buy this Audi Q5, reason it is using plastic water pump that can easily break or broken anytime .

[@joeeacott9707]

Fake twin exhaust pipes... fake... the reason isn't cleaning lol.

[@ahmedk633]

We need more African American 👩🏿 female care reviewers like this!

[@Username85254]

Male*

[@kilove1]

I quit like this SUV...

[@Origen17]

Fake exhaust tips are no different than a toy car. Deal breaker.

[@kurtisjroush]

If you refuse to buy cars that have fake things, I have some bad news news for you about exhaust notes. Good luck buying any car made in the past 10 years with over 300hp that doesn’t include some level of fake exhaust note.

[@wearethehaunted3831]

You can option to buy with real exhaust. About $1300.00

[@Origen17]

@@kurtisjroush YES! Those are highly annoying as well. But not so much as fake exhaust pipes.

[@kurtisjroush]

@@Origen17 Have to agree to disagree with you there. I also don't like fake exhaust tips on the car, but see those as no worse than fake hood vents (which is increasingly prevalent on cars these days). But at least these are just asking the obsever to assume its a functional piece of equipment without actively lying to the driver. Fake engine noise is a different story. The auto maker had to go in and actively program a sound to come through the car's speakers and simulate an engine that sounds more aggressive than it is. I hate it, but if I want to buy a modern faster car, I don't know of any cars which don't do this. It exists on my Audi S-series. But it's also on BMW M's, Mercedes AMG's, all American muscle cars, etc. I hate this feature so much, but don't see how I can avoid having it.

[@davidlewis2148]

I am on the side of the Fake Exhaust being terrible. I own the 2021 SQ5 and one of the requirements was the availability of real Tips. I was rewarded when I put them on with even better sound than the standard downward exhaust. The New tips are attenuated and that can be seen from the perforations on the inside. Sounds perfect with the new Tips. As mine was one of the first ones in the country the Tips weren't ready so they had to be added. Now they can be ordered pre-installed, or still added to one that does not have it.

[@hifirulezzz]

2018 looks better