If there’s a crossover you could call balanced from a visual standpoint in Audi’s lineup that would be the Q5 and subsequently, its performance-oriented SQ5 cousin. Maybe it’s just us, but it just looks right and well-proportioned and as of now, those who love oil burners can now buy Audi’s diesel-centric take on performance.

Here’s all you need to know about the SQ5 TDI.

2021 Audi SQ5 TDI

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2021 Audi SQ5 TDI
  • Engine/Motor: V6
  • Horsepower: 337
  • Torque: 516
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Engine, power, torque, performance

Obviously, the U.S. doesn’t get the SQ5 TDI as it is only reserved to European customers. Bummer.

For those customers, however, there’s good news on the engine front. With the revamp, Audi took the time to further tweak the 3-liter V-6 found under the SQ5’s hood. Some of the key changes include replacing the old aluminum pistons with forged-steel ones, a solution that was picked because it reduces heat loses, says Audi. The intercooler is also gone and replaced by water-air cooler positioned right inside the valley created by the V-6’s cylinders.

In addition, the turbo has a smaller and lighter compressor that gets quicker into gear, boosting the SQ5 TDI’s acceleration response.

On top of these fixes, the V-6 was imbued with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that mixes together a belt alternator starter, a lithium-ion battery, and a converter. Audi says the setup can recuperate up to 8 kilowatts of power during deceleration and it also helps the car coast for up to 40 seconds with the engine switched off. At the same time, the fuel economy drops by a projected 0.7 l/100 km.

The 3-liter diesel V-6 makes 337 horsepower (341 PS) and 700 Newton-meters of torque, or about 516 pound-feet, from as low as 1,750 rpm all the way to 3,250 rpm.

With help from Audi’s eight-speed tiptronic gearbox and quattro all-wheel-drive, the SQ5 TDI goes from zero to 100 kph (62 mph) in 5.1 seconds on its way to an electronically-governed top speed of 250 kph (155 mph).

During normal operation, the quattro all-wheel-drive dictates a 40/60 torque split between the front axle and the rear axle. Depending on driving style and conditions, the system is able to move 70-percent of torque to the front wheels and up to 85-percent to the rear wheels.

On top of this, customers can also get a sport differential mounted on the rear axle. What it essentially does is route more torque to the rear wheel that’s situated on the outside in a turn, so it basically pushes the car inside the bend to counter understeer.

Exterior and interior

The front bumper gets aluminum-finished vertical fins on its side air inlets and the octagonal Singleframe grille marks that this is an S model. LED headlights are standard, but Audi will gladly upgrade your shopping cart with Matrix LED headlights with automatic high beam for extra cash.

OLED technology has been baked into the taillights, but you’ll have to pay extra to get it. Each cluster has three tiles and each tile is made of eight light segments.

On the inside, the SQ5 looks rather sober with just a touch of sportiness courtesy of a black/dark gray cabin theme. To spice up the atmosphere a little bit you can opt for leather and Dinamica upholstery, as well as Nappa leather with Magma Red decorative elements, carbon fiber, and piano black.

Tech-wise, the base offering is the 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen display. Optional features include a multifunction steering wheel and a 12.3-inch digital display that acts as instrument cluster, as well as a head-up display. Music lovers can also upgrade to a Bang&Olufsen 3D sound system.

Price and availability

Audi assembles the revised SQ5 at its plant in San José Chiapa, Mexico. From there, the super-Q5 will travel to Europe, where a market launch is scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2021.

In Germany, the Audi SQ5 starts at €68,138 (the price includes the 16-percent value-added tax).