Loaner Review: Audi SQ5

"average user" (avgusr)
07/29/2019 at 23:44 • Filed to: None

So I have to take the S3 to the dealer for the annual service and take care of a weird issue (turned out to be a busted thermostat, warranty replacement, yay!) So I got this for my loaner.

The SQ5 feels like a tank. It is heavy. The steering can be set to heavy. The doors are decently weighted. The entire car feels as solid as a vault.

Highway driving is where it excels. It gobbles up miles without any complaint and the ride is reasonably smooth even with the suspension tuned on the sportiest setting. In fact the car feels slower than it is.

There are plenty of toys in my loaner. Virtual Cockpit, 360 camera, and head up display. Missing though is ventilated seats, which is only available if you order it with regular seat with black leather. Look Audi, I don’t know how it feels in Germany in a heat wave, but I live in Florida, where it is hot as fuck and ventilated seats should be available. Why is ventilated seat only an option if you order a black interior, a color that makes the car HOTTER?!? The loaner has red seats, which is pleasant but not my favorite. The Nappa leather is soft enough, but i want cold air blowing up my arse, dammit. The B&O stereo is good.

AMA if you have any questions.

DISCUSSION (9)

Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's > average user
07/30/2019 at 00:06

Does it have real or faux exhaust tips?

Why does audi give out such nice loaners?

Is there any obvious plastic on things you have to tou ch to use the car?

LastFirstMI is my name > average user
07/30/2019 at 00:12

Could a wagon-lover convince themselves it is actually just a slightly tall S3 Avant? Asking for a friend.

pip bip - choose Corrour > average user
07/30/2019 at 03:34

broken thermostat on an S3?

i’m shocked.

not that shocked

Arrivederci > pip bip - choose Corrour
07/30/2019 at 07:37

Better than a broken water pump housing, which my S3 had.

Arrivederci > average user
07/30/2019 at 07:37

Uh, lucky! All my Audi dealer ever gave me as loaners were A4s.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Arrivederci
07/30/2019 at 07:39

again, that too doesn’t shock me

average user > pip bip - choose Corrour
07/30/2019 at 08:22

Yeah I had them run a pressure test because the coolant warning came up twice briefly over this past week. This is when a Facebook group for 8V owners suggested I check for leaks.

average user > LastFirstMI is my name
07/30/2019 at 08:44

In one word, no.

The car is simply too large and too heavy. the Q5 is more A4-sized and A3-sized (i just realized you can discuss both Audi and paper size in the same conversation, LOL). It is also too heavy. S3 is much more agile, while the SQ5 is much more of a straight-road rocket. Y ou can feel the momentum pushing you forward.

average user > Arrivederci
07/30/2019 at 08:45

This dealer is pretty restrictive with where you can go with this car.