Audi SQ5 vs Audi S5

Updated and mostly upgraded, the redesigned Audi S5 is a multi-talented sportback with performance, comfort, utility, and the latest technology. Based on the redesigned Audi A5, it features a stealthy design, thrilling dynamics, and just enough room for a family of four. The new Audi Digital Stage technology impresses, but the driving assistance systems do not. The S5 could also use sharper styling with more prominent fender blisters and additional sound deadening for a quieter highway ride.

Verdict: Drive a new 2025 Audi S5 like a typical luxury sedan, and you’ll miss the point. We didn’t fall in love with it until we took it for a rousing run on a favorite back road. If that’s not your thing, consider the new A5 or the larger A6, which is getting redesigned for the 2026 model year.

Based on the redesigned 2025 Audi Q5, the SQ5 is a compact luxury crossover SUV that features styling, equipment, and mechanical upgrades to deliver a sporty, luxurious, and fun-to-drive experience. It comes in standard or Sportback body styles, the latter equipped with a racy roofline that doesn’t compromise passenger and cargo space as much as you expect. Upgrades with this redesign include a new vehicle architecture, more power, added practicality, and next-generation technology.

Verdict: Choosing a sport-tuned SUV over a sport-tuned sedan typically means making a dynamic compromise. The added weight and higher center of gravity can make an SUV less enjoyable when the road turns twisty. With the 2025 Audi SQ5, that’s not the case. We like it more than the Audi S5 Sportback that shares its Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture.