The Audi SQ5 is redesigned for 2018. Highlights include a new body structure, updated styling, a more powerful V6 engine, and new tech and driver-assistance features.The 2018 Audi SQ5 comes in either Premium Plus or Prestige trims. This means every SQ5 comes very well-equipped. But there are still plenty of upgrades to be had in terms of luxury, technology and performance.
PROS All-new chassis should improve ride and handling Increased torque for even livelier performance Major upgrades to driving and infotainment technology Luxurious but restrained interior design
CONS Reduced cargo space behind rear seats
The SQ5 strikes a careful balance between sporty and comfortable, making a strong showing in a tough class.The SQ5 enters a new generation this year, with top-to-bottom changes that include an all-new 354-hp turbocharged V-6 engine in place of last year’s supercharged V-6, an all-new chassis, standard adaptive dampers, and available air springs. Updated interior packaging means there’s a little more space for both passengers and cargo than in previous SQ5s, and exterior design tweaks including a revised front grille and a character line running the length of the car serve as differentiators between new and not-so-new models.
Pros Comfortable ride, surprisingly fuel efficient, abundance of standard interior features.
Cons Disappointing real-world cargo capacity, ho-hum exterior design, top competitors have better dynamics.
Pros Comfortable, adjustable backseat Visibility Power liftgate standard Aggressive engine note Responsive transmission
Cons Multimedia functionality Control ergonomics Price premium over Q5 Mild styling for a sport model Requires premium fuel
The BMW X6 M is available in only one feature-loaded trim, so there's not much to recommend. This is a BMW, however, so there are several other option boxes you can check, and the most appealing might be the Executive package. Highlights include cooled front seats, heated rear seats, wireless smartphone charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a host of driver safety aids (including blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, surround-view cameras). It's a pricey package, but it's packed with details that will make the X6 M that much more enjoyable.
PROS Performance is astonishing for an SUV High-quality interior packed with features Seats are comfortable and supportive
CONS Distinctive exterior design limits rear-seat room and cargo space Sporty suspension may feel too firm for some drivers, passengers Gas pedal sometimes responds slowly in low-speed driving
The X6 M is a style item: it has sleek lines, a plush interior, and a coveted badge on the hood. It’s also stunningly quick and handles more like a sports car than anything that weighs 5000 pounds has any right to. It’s powered by a 567-hp twin-turbo V-8. An eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive are standard, and up to 100 percent of torque can be routed to either the front or rear wheels, depending on driving conditions. It’s less practical than the boxy X5 M, but it’ll turn more heads.
Pros Blistering performance, commanding seating position.
Cons Harsh ride, constricted cargo space.
The BMW X6 M is a large SUV with a coupe body that offers sports car handling with all the practicality of a big 4×4.Driving is where the X6 M not only impresses but even amazes – there is endless grip and you rarely feel the 2.3-tonne weight of the car.
Pros Astonishingly fast High-quality interior Great engine
Cons Little bit of road noise A tad firm Not cheap
