Skip advert
Advertisement

Audi SQ5 Plus – more power, more torque and more kit

The Audi Q5 crossover gets a new range-topper, with extra urge and a sports rear differential

In the spirit of constant development, Audi has made a series of improvements to the range-topping SQ5, with a new model dubbed SQ5 Plus.

The diesel-powered model now gets greater power and torque, for extra performance, while small changes to the equipment roster keep the styling fresh.

At the SQ5’s heart remains a three-litre, twin-turbocharged turbodiesel powerplant. In Plus form Audi has raised injection pressure, which raises power to 335bhp – 27bhp greater than before.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Torque has also risen, by 37lb ft, to a new 516lb ft peak. Audi also claims combined economy of 42.8mpg and CO2 of 174g/km – figures that lag the 47.1mpg of a BMW X3 xDrive35d M Sport.

Audi’s car is still the quicker of the pair, by two tenths over the 0-62mph sprint, at 5.1sec. That’s also the same as the non-Plus Audi SQ5, while top speed remains electronically limited to 155mph.

Quattro permanent all-wheel drive is standard, but Audi has augmented the Plus’s specification with a sports differential on the rear axle, to apportion power between the rear wheels.

Visual changes are subtle, though gloss black 21-inch, 5-twin-spoke alloy wheels separate the SQ5 Plus from its lesser-performing stablemates. Gloss black also features on the exterior mirror housings, door handles, roof edge spoiler and rear diffuser. Another blink-and-you’ll-miss-it detail can be found at exhaust level, where each of the twin pipes is now joined by a central clasp.

The interior is bedecked in diamond-stitched Nappa leather and front seat passengers get sports seats. Practicality is maintained by way of a sliding rear bench, that can be adjusted to boost either passenger legroom or luggage space.

The existing Audi SQ5 will continue alongside the Plus model, which goes on sale later this year. Pricing has not yet been confirmed.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Audi SQ5 Sportback (2021-2024) review – does diesel power work in a performance SUV?
Audi SQ5 Sportback 2021 – front cornering
Reviews

Audi SQ5 Sportback (2021-2024) review – does diesel power work in a performance SUV?

Broadly competent, the second-generation SQ5 is a polished but ultimately perplexing proposition
1 Mar 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Best cars of the 1980s – performance icons from the decade of excess
Best '80s cars
Best cars

Best cars of the 1980s – performance icons from the decade of excess

The performance car as we’ve come to adore it has its origins in the 1980s. Family cars got fast, fast cars got faster, all of them were huge fun
19 Aug 2025
Mercedes-Benz EQS 2025 review – electric S-class takes aim at the BMW i7
Mercedes EQS – front
In-depth reviews

Mercedes-Benz EQS 2025 review – electric S-class takes aim at the BMW i7

Mercedes put all of its resources into creating a bespoke all-electric flagship, but it’s not quite worthy of replacing the S-class yet
18 Aug 2025
Gordon Murray has built two new supercars, and one of them looks just like a McLaren F1
GMSV S1 LM and Le Mans GTR
News

Gordon Murray has built two new supercars, and one of them looks just like a McLaren F1

Gordon Murray has announced the Le Mans GTR and S1 LM – a pair of track-oriented spin-off supercars from a new Special Vehicles division
15 Aug 2025