Audi SQ5 TDI 2021 UK test Car News

Less convincing is the increased exhaust note, which is both channeled into the cabin and outward to the rear of the car. It looks pretty convincing on the inside, but can’t mask the less harmonious noise coming from under the hood. The engine may have the smoothness of a six-cylinder, but it’s still a diesel. There is more counterfeiting as you approach the four chrome tailpipes, which may look like the part but hide the real tailpipes behind the rear bumper.

The quattro all-wheel-drive system ensures sufficient traction in all conditions and the car has good control over the movements of its body when cornering. It is reassuring and predictable in its reaction to your inputs, to the detriment of genuine driver engagement. The variable-ratio steering, which feels unusually light for low-speed maneuvering, weighs well at more extreme angles but provides little feedback.

This car is at its best as a long distance cruiser, able to pick up speed with minimal effort and little drama. The smoothly integrated mild hybrid system allows the engine to be shut down in Efficiency mode, and while average fuel economy in the 1930s is not very good, it is still good for a country covering 600 miles in cruise.

It’s also surprisingly comfortable for a performance-oriented machine that rides on 20-inch alloy rims. The SQ5 has a remarkably composed ride, adapting well to rougher B roads and providing largely smooth cruising on the new tarmac. Dynamic mode adds an extra degree of firmness, but not so much that you’ll want to shift to comfort as soon as you exit the freeway.

Inside the cabin, front occupants will appreciate the comfortable sport seats, which offer unobstructed views of the road. Rear passengers will benefit from the SQ5’s additional headroom compared to the swoopier Sportback variant, and the trunk has more luggage capacity – although the difference between the two is not as great as one might think. to think.