2015 Audi SQ5 FIRST DRIVE REVIEW: This or a Porsche Macan? 

I've owned an SQ5 for over a year now. I have the Monsoon gray metallic, with Black and red interior. Carbon fiber inlays. You cannot buy a Macan that looks this good! This car is very fast and handles great! If you need more performance, although I can't see how you would, maybe you're not looking for a crossover. If you have an extra $30,000, maybe buy the Macan Turbo, but don't settle for the Macan S. You'll find yourself saying, "I should have gotten the SQ5!"

Audi SQ5 because of the looks, and Price

Both the SQ5 and Macan are very nice cars with great styling inside and out, as well as great performance. In the end, I'd rather have the SQ5 because I like the way it looks more. One thing that's for sure though, is that the VW family definitely produces amazing vehicles. You can't really lose with either one.

Het Moto great stuff,i find myself watching more and more.Keep up the great work and i spread the word

Well - for starters it's missing one important thing = The Target group. You own a performance car (example a Audi S4) but need more space (or share car with wifie) yet keep the S performance, you get a SQ5 (Audi owners are extremely loyal to the brand). The Macan has a trunk that is smaller and also the sticker price is a huge difference - not sure how you can compare a $62,000 car with a $75,000+, it's more than 20% difference in price. Other mentions: The interior - the new Q5 coming out next year = interior upgrades, he should know that. Transmission - he should know that the reason for not gearing up in down hill is because the transmission is programmed to engine break in S mode unless you punch it more. The reviewer should know that this car was first built for the European market. Different suspension (lower) and a completely different engine set up. The US version is a bit of a compromise, which should clearly have been pointed out when talking about the suspension. But again - maybe this review was all just about the Macan vs SQ5. In that case I will say SQ5 due to utility, lower price and space.

MotoManTV I had the opportunity to test drive a Macan S spec'd out the same as a $63000 SQ5, and the Macan S was $91000. The Macan S is slower, doesn't sound as good as the SQ5, and didn't even have a cigarette lighter (smoking package) to power my electronics. Are you kidding me? Needless to say I walked over to Audi and left with the SQ5. In the test drive with the Macan, I was so distracted with all the buttons on the center console, I really couldn't focus on the fun part, driving it, and my utter fear of accidentally pushing the "wrong button" while driving along. The Audi doesn't have the adjustable suspension in the US, so it cannot be adjusted in Drive Select. Great review!!

I own an sq5 (as well as other performance cars i.e. f80 m3, f10 550i,). the sq5 is a fantastic car, and it is exceptionally quick. I strongly disagree about this guys thoughts on the transmission not feeling matched to the car. The transmission is one of the highlights, and was one of my first observations when I first drove the sq5. I've never had a single complaint about the car. It is extremely practical and would run a lot of sportier cars on the street.

The driving experience of the Macan is simply in a different league from that of the SQ5! Handling and just about the most perfect gearbox you can imagine set the Macan apart from any SUV/Cross-over on the market. The SQ5 has a bit more kick-in -the-butt acceleration than the Macan S, but the Macan feels more refined. The classic Porsche lines are also very apparent in the Macan (unlike the Cayenne) and subjectively looks better than the dated Audi. And unlike what a previous poster mentioned, even without the ashtray (Smoker Package) there is a power outlet present in both the console and the center compartment and the Smoker Package is a no-cost option- one of the few things that Porsche doesn't charge anything for, unlike most of the competition!

which one is cheaper on mantenance? that's the question, and reliability

Here is the issue. Many responses, included MotoMan are hypothetical "if I was going to buy". Find out from those who did. It was a tough choice but for my $60 k I picked the Audi as it was more complete and optioned. Sure, I could have gotten a poorly optioned Macan with less cargo space, but then why not just buy a car? The point is, if you are requiring utility and family hauling there are sacrifices, and there is less sacrificed in the SQ5 than in the Macan. That is the decision when the rubber hits the road and you are actually spending the money, not just pretendinding as if you did.

Doesn't longitudinally mounting the engine put more weight out front of the wheels?

I'd prefer the Audi SQ5 because you can get a loaded one with all the options for the same price as a base Macan with a few options. It's how my parents go through life as well, get the best you can when you need to get something. In my opinion, I want my things top of the line. I don't like basics or missing features (those empty buttons on the dash).

@MotomanTV, all Audi A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q5, Q7 have longitudinal engines, so mostly all Audis have longitudinal engine layout. That is specific for Audi platforms. Only the A1, A2, A3, Q3 have transversely mounted engines, because they use VW platforms.

SQ5 I am an Audi Guy Love the SQ5 Blk or Monsoon Grey Pearl with Lunar Silver is so nice 21" always I bought Blk with Drk Grey full leather seats and 21" Had S5 will always miss that car with the 3.2 Monsoon Grey Pearl with RS8 19"wheels and lunar seats.

Would Macan be a more expensive car to maintain for a prolonged period of time? And, what about the new BMW X4 M40i?

That's an interesting interior color combination. Is that an option?

Can anyone tell me what the fuel economy is on the sq5 2015 ?

I actually started out shopping for a 2015 Macan, but lost to competitive buyers. I didn't want to get a car without having leverage, but that's impossible with a used 2015 Macan S. they're rare finds in my area. With that said, there was only one certified SQ5 in the whole state as well. So I ultimately compromised on the SQ5, but I at least had bargaining power unlike the Macan. In the future, I'm still eyeing on getting a Macan S one day because that best reflects my priorities, as the host discussed in this video.

Awesome review. Is there a more recent review?

The choice of the Macan vs the SQ5 is a tough one, but after going back and forth a bunch, I would take the Macan due to its much better driving dynamics. The Porsche option game is aggravating, but I was also able to get a nicely optioned Macan S for about the same 62K MSRP. I picked the Sport Chrono Package, Air Suspension, and Torque Vectoring. Also Nav (over 3K), a Back-up Camera ($1460, just ridiculous for what should be standard), and lastly Bose audio and heated front seats. Somehow, I have a feeling the Macan would be more expensive to maintain and repair, but it would hopefully be worth it for the driving experience.

is this daytona grey ??

Which one to choose will depend on your background. Anyone who would buy a Macan over an SQ5 solely for the driving dynamics needs to question why they are driving an SUV in the first place. After testing both the SQ5 and the Macan Turbo, I came away with the realization that neither gave me the grin-inducing visceral experience that my seven-year-old Z4M was still giving me. Their ability to defy physics and drive better than they have any legitimate right to is amazing, and the engineers who worked that magic should be commended. But it still isn't the full monty, and it likely never will be. I went with the SQ5 because it did what I needed: utility with speed. The money I saved over the Macan Turbo will go towards a grin-inducing fun machine to be named later (and perhaps some performance upgrades). I also have to admit that I have a bit of old-school Porsche blood in me: any model with more than two doors has too many, and I tend to hold their SUV owners in the same regard that die-hard fans of a sports team have for the fare-weathered.

Good stuff!

Read somewhere the Haldex 5 system in the S3/TT has a rear bias of 5%.

If you can only have one utility car to have fun - Macan If you can have two cars (utility and fun) - SQ5 + 911

Macan....I just ordered lol

Q5, Macan, and Toureg are related because they're all from the VW Group. Actually, a better question is you said the SQ5 is supercharged, but there is a V6 T badge on the side. I'd probably de-badge it.

I chose the Macan but being in Europe, I chose the Macan S Diesel. The SQ5 wasn't even on the radar, but I did try a BMW X4 (having come from a X6) My main options are 19" Macan Turbo wheels, PASM and PCM. My regrets are not optioning the bi-xenons or the surround cameras, although the surround cameras were not available at the time I ordered my car as Porsche didn't have it working yet.

The funny part is that the Q5 is based on the A4, and the Macan is based on the Q5.

Looks: SQ5 > Macan Performance: SQ5 < Macan Price: SQ5 > Macan Would I rather have a nicely optioned SQ5 or a base Macan? I love my SQ5.

I just bought a 2018 SQ5 because I'm 69 years old and like the bells and whistles. Never been much into speed and precise handling. I don't drive that way. I play with it on occasion, that's all. If I'd known that a stripped down Macan could be had for the same price, I might have test driven one. But mine has the Bang Olufsen sound system, the tow package, the sports package and will go 155 mph. I like it. And it's a beautiful deep green color. I paid less than $65k before tax. A comparably equipped Macan would have been $20k more, I'm guessing. Granted it's more an expensive toy than a go-fast track car, but if I wanted the latter, I'd buy a 911 or a Boxster.

Is there not supposed to be a "new" Q5 in 2016 ?

Honestly, for the price point and performance? The SQ5. A Macan S if money was no option. Granted, the difference between the two is about 20k. Understand that, Motoman. This all seems like a huge Bash-Fest for the SQ5 from what I gathered from the video. *We get it, you don't like it*. Look at the cost to own over time and also going back to the 20k difference for the Macan S over the SQ5, you could go through a little company called APR and get your SQ5 running a 12.7 in the quarter mile (2-tenths a second faster then the Macan S) for a much smaller price-point then 20k. It's all obviously preference.

The problem with the Macan is the cargo space is getting to the point where it's so small that you realize you're paying $10K extra to have a jacked up hatchback, rather than a real utility vehicle. Of course most of these things are jacked up hatches and wagons, but it just screams it to you. And it can't really out handle a good sportwagen. Or at least it won't feel as satisfying.

Macan. Why? The interior (918 steering wheel!) and PDK transmission. A Macan Turbo is going to be very tempting once they have depreciated a bit, and start hitting CarMax, in 3-4 years. The Audi seems to be geared (pun intended) towards comfort: dual-clutch vs. torque converter, supercharged vs. twin-turbo, etc.

I would choose the Macan Turbo but at the price of the Turbo I would choose the SQ5. Adding most options the Audi maxes out around $65,000 and the Porshe maxes out above $80000! When I get my Audi (ordered) I will comment on my impressions. Great reviews and video's. Thanks.

The 8 speed automatic transmission in this SQ5 is not an S-tronic. The S-tronic in Audis are 7 speed dual clutch transmissions, this SQ5 has an 8 speed tiptronic transmission which is a classic torque converter automatic.

Macan given the price. What about the GLA45? Is it in a different/smaller class for a fair comparison?

If the Macan is a sports car with utility and the SQ5 is a utility car with speed and performance, then VAG did a bang up job of not diluting either brand while sharing the platform.

I'll take a striped down Macan S all day long. Plan be would have to be an x3 2t with 10k in pocket. But in reality while at the dealership picking up the 3x I'd last minute upgrade to base x5 which is a completely different animal all together. Then I'd wonder why I didn't get the Macan S.

I am truly confused on whether to buy an Audi SQ5 or a BMW X3 X35i XDrive. Can somebody help me please?

The audi front isn't too appealing when compared with the porshe macan. It's missing it's beauty like the s5 or s7

Better off with the diesel model with a £125 pro diesel chip,takes it from 313bhp to 395bhp and 836nm of Torque :)

I would still choose this SQ5 over the Macan.I prefer to drive and have the space.The Macan's trunk space due to the coupe rear, abysmal - which affects anyone who would ride in the back seat unless they less than 5.6 ft.Plus, maintenance cost of the Audi is affordable compared to the Macan.Lastly, best bang for your dollar (just my opinion...) is the Audi

Now I have to go price out both options...

Came by for a SQ5 review and ended up getting an lesson on Audi as a brand? FML

Do you have a video where you compare a fully loaded 2016 convertable Camaro SS to a base 2015 Corvette? Because that's what you did here.

Easy choice. Porshe is on another level. It makes the driver feel special when driving it. I hope the next generation of audis will base on the dashboard of the new TT.

Been on the fence here with both models, I did see a Macan on the road and felt the envy. I don't get this feeling about the Q5 which you will commonly see more on the road.I know the SQ5 is not the Q5 but the styling is not as inspiring,. The Porsche does price out higher on a lease , even if the pricing is the same for some reason. That was the tipping scale for me, Same WHP, Fuel consumption, Cabin Space .....and spirited driving capabilities, it is a tough decision, but IMO the Porsche charges for Torque Vectoring and Panoramic roof plus more for option that come standard or more aggressively priced. If cost is a factor then the Porsche may not stack up, if you are comparing to macan S

V6T badging denotes a V6 turbo. so is it turbo or supercharged.?

I think it really depends on which ones are your priorities.... In my own perspective, I love the SQ5's performance compared with the Macan S, and yes, interior wise, the Macan S has it. So I would go with the SQ5, interior designs are just my least priority, I would always vote and go for performance.

I love the front end of the Macan, it really stands out! But love the rear end of the Q5... I don't care for the rear end of the Macan and don't care for the front end of the Q5.... I'd probably go with the Porsche. Has a more sporty look overall.

The Macan is prettier.

Great looking vehicle. More horsepower no, more torque, absolutely! 50 to 100 lb ft more of torque would really be great here.

For the same price I would pick a Porsche, because it is looks sick.

I watched this review to get impressions on the SQ5, obviously. But, I completely forgot about the Porsche Macan. I'd have to go with the Macan hands down. I do like Audi's border style running head lights, though!

I would definitely choose the Macan

Tough choice. But I think I would go for a loaded SQ5 with the same interior as this one. I have to disagree MotoMan, I love that interior color combination. I would get it in a different exterior color other than grey, maybe a silver, black, or a nice blue. I like the Macan, but Porsche is a little crazy with their prices, because if I was to consider buying a Macan, I would just get the Cayenne.

ok. love the exterior of the SQ5, love the interior and the air suspension of the macan. and most importantly, it is a PORSCHE. so macan it is.

I'd take the Macan for sure

i'm tryin to understand why are those rims come as Optional ....when this is the top of the range Q5.......Even worse that the suspension isn't adjustable... i jus fail to get the reason why audi isn't giving that as standard

For me the SQ5 is more beautiful, the Macan is a Girls car. For a man a SQ5 is the better option. If you want to drive a Porsche, you need to take a Cayenne.

I like both vehicles But the Macan has my vote.

Still nice

It would be the Macan S for me. It is a much sportier feeling CUV that sacrifices only slightly in utility to the SQ5. The 7 speed PDK alone is a huge improvement over the 8 speed S-tronic. The SQ5 unfortunately does not look that different from the regular Q5 S-line. Yes the body is slightly more aggressive, with bigger wheels and quad exhaust tips but regular people would not be able to tell. The Macan on the other hand is much more distinct and special, and you won't see them around as much as the Q5. If you can get one for the same price as the SQ5... it is a easy answer for me.

Ah but what are the downstream costs of ownership? In the UK the Audi wins every time, (and I've owned both Porsche's and Audi's) hence my SQ5 is on order.

Man! why did you ever do this to me! Now I have a dilemma, I love the Porsche more, but it's so expensive and not very roomy

Sleeper! 💪

i got a sweet deal and went for sq5, love it. macan would've been too much with similar options, and too much to maintain.

Given the same level of trim the Porsche is going to be considerably more expensive. I would prefer a Macan, but may end up with the SQ5. Also, try to find a Macan on a dealer's lot for that price...not happening.

I prefer the sudi q5 3.0t premium plus with 19 inch wheels with the supercharger

I would pick the Audi purely on style alone. I know both are great cars, but I prefer the SQ5 in just about all ways. Also, as having had a car with "real" quattro, I'd trust it more with my life.. Probably makes zero sense, but whatever.. :)

Definitely would get the Macan. One, it's a Porsche. Two, you can get the adjustable air suspension and the PDK. Three, it's tuned more for performance than the Audi. Four, it's a Porsche. Enough said.

Is simple, the Macan is just a better car and I happen to like Audi cars in general, but it is what it is. Long gone were the days when Porsche used to make bad cars. There was a time when the 911 was a badly made car and a widow maker at that. But, modern day Porsche is a completely different cattle of fish. Ask yourself this, when was the last time you read or watched a negative Porsche car review? Remember when the BMW X5 was the benchmark of the SUV segment? Yes, I loved the X5 too, but eventually all the car reviewers had to cave in to announce the Cayenne had surpassed it. The 991, the Boxster, the Cayman, the Cayenne and now the Macan, all of their reviews have been nothing but glowing. Think of it like this, Porsche is just that much better than the rest of the three German marques. The only thing that you can dispute is on looks, that's OK cos you can like brunettes while I can love blondes and there is no right answer as it is subjective.

好车，好车，SQ5在中国卖69.98万

Promontory Point, Utah.

how can he say the interior of this car is dated ?? it's logic .The Q5 was produced in 2008 and at that time the interior looked good compared to cars like X3 but the Macan came out in 2014 so that's the answer right there . Good news is a new Q5 is coming out soon so then we can compare their interior.

Okay i just saw a youtube video of the Porsche Macan, i got to be honest over here, i didn't like the front of that car, like, i really didn't like it at all, as for the rest of the car, it was just beautiful... Specially the back, those taillights are really beautiful,. Now i have seen another clip with that same Porsche in Matt black, that i found more nice but even then i think the front of the Audi is still nicer. I don't know why, but my guess is that i like the sharper headlights from the Audi over the round headlights from the Porsche. As for the interior i do like the from the Audi, i like the white/black color from the seats, i think it looks gorgeous, but then again, you know what they say about taste and color... :-) So for me, (at this time anyway), i would go for the Audi... But in the future who knows what may change!

In depth review, but you haven't taken into account the prices of the 2. Because of supply and demand, there are not so many Macan available out there. Therefore, you will have a hard time bargaining over at Porsche dealers (same thing to any other Porsche cars). Bottom line is that the Audi has a price advantage while Macan has the better brand name and its exhaust sounds better ( and of course it comes with a more expensive price tag)

Hmm let me think ... Macan, no doubt here.

I sped thru alot of the talking but this is way better than the video shit than came out of russia on this car. Only a car with manual transmission should be rewarded with this much of your breath. Still subscribing. For now.

As God intended XD 1:06

It's not a high performance SUV for sure but the engine sounds so damn good

Macan

A reasonably loaded SQ5 vs a stripped down base Macan S??? I'd take a SQ5. If I plunk down 60g's+, I don't want to feel like I got the base "economy" version. Plus, resale should be better for the SQ5, even though a Macan is a more "exclusive" vehicle.

Macan Turbo, Duh.

yeah i just cant get myself to like superchargers, not sure why.

Joe Rohan and dr rhonda

normally the SQ5 is a Diesel

I'm going to have to say Porsche. The looks look more sleek on the Porsche

I’m happy with my 3.0T SLine with Black optics. Didn’t want a 2.0 and SQ5 will be over my budget for the extra horse, but the interior is identical (Black optic package). I used to drive a full size 5.3 GMC. So, I rather have a wannabe sports car, rather than a wannabe SUV.

Nobody. No Buh Dee orders a stripped Porsche in these segments (or really, any segment Porsche competes in). So if you're going to compare apples to apples you look at a similarly optioned Macan, which is going to be AT LEAST $10K more. However you're right about the fact it comes down to taste.

S to the Q to the 5...

Overtaxing the platform? The trackhawk exists.. And can't turn a corner

porsche is so nouveau riche. audi is way more sober

Macan Turbo all day... Because it looks much better.

You need stop saying the “same platform” like they are on the same frame, or share an entire system, it's misleading. First off, you're incorrect, they have entirely different wheelbases. The engines, entirely different, not just because one is Turbo and the other is SC. Coming from Porsche once you dig deeper, states that the Macan shares roughly 30% (14 non essential parts) with the Q5 as a whole. That's not a lot. They use the term platform because Porsche design team used the entire Q5 Cad as a starting place, and redesigned and overhauled from from there. What do they have in common? Mainly they share most of the same pieces in the linkage system, but really only on the Macan's that do not have PASM air suspension. From a driver's perspective, you'll really only notice that they share the same tuner volume knobs, A pillar airbag symbols, placement of cupholders on the interior... and I think the lug pattern on the wheels. That is really it. My point is, the term platform sharing here is not the same here as it would be for like a Lexus NX300T and the Toyota RAV4. Those two literally share a platform.

Your gesticulation is completely out of control

MotoManTV can you explain to me how audi and porsche are cousins?

Pretty sure its a bi-turbo and not supercharged