Makes›Audi›SQ5›2020

2020 Audi SQ5

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.

Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Body styles
4dr SUV
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
20 combined · 18 city / 23 hwy
Length
183.9 in
Curb weight
4,398 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Few owner complaints8 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 25 for similar models.

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 20 MPG combined, 15% below the 2020 small SUV average of 23.5 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 28 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2020 Audi SQ5 is a small SUV offered with a 3.0L 6-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 184 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,398 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (18 city / 23 highway), 15% worse than the 2020 small SUV average of 23.5 MPG, for an estimated $4,100 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the forward collision avoidance.

What changed for 2020

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2019 SQ5 — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 SQ5 →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV183.9 in74.4 in65.4 in111 in63.8 / 63.4 in4,398 lb53/47

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
SQ53.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive18 / 23 / 20-15%$4,100444
4/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
4/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $8,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23.5 MPG2020 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2020 Audi SQ5 SUV AWDNot ratedNot rated–★ / –★Not ratedNot rated★★★★★16.3%
StandardElectronic stability control
StandardForward collision warning
OptionalLane departure warning

Similar 2020 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2020 Audi SQ5 (this car)20 MPGNot rated4
2020 Mercedes-Benz G-Class14 MPGNot rated0
2020 Tesla Model Y316 mi★★★★★24
2020 Porsche Cayenne21 MPGNot rated6
2020 Land Rover Defender19 MPGNot rated7
2020 BMW X327 MPG★★★★★16
2020 Lexus RX30 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (4)

Tires · Jan 26, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V034000 · 31,058 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi A5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, 2020-2021 A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, Q5, S4 Sedan, S5 Coupe, S5 Cabriolet, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, 2021 Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, and SQ8 vehicles. The rear axle alignment may not have been inspected after the repairs for Recall 21V-295 (42L1) were performed.
Risk
Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 3, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L5.
Structure › Body · Dec 8, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V947000 · 288,991 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid to penetrate the gateway control module, causing it to shutdown.
Risk
A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90S9.
Suspension › Rear › Axle › Non-Powered Axle Assembly · Apr 26, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V295000 · 40,993 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021 Q7, Q8, Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, RS6 Avant, RS7, RS Q8, 2020-2021 Audi S6 sedan, Q5, A8, S8, A7, A6 Allroad, A5 Cabriolet, A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, SQ5, S7, A6 sedan, S5 coupe, S4 sedan, S5 Cabriolet, A5 coupe, 2019-2021 RS5 coupe, A5 Sportback, S5 Sportback, RS5 Sportback vehicles. The lock nut on the trailing arm of the rear axle may break due to stress corrosion.
Risk
A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 4, 2021. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 42L1.
Seats · Aug 26, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V505000 · 5,376 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen ) is recalling certain 2020 Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport, Jetta, Jetta GLI and Tiguan and Audi Q5 and SQ5 and 2021 Volkswagen Atlas vehicles. Parts of the front seat frame and backrest adjuster may not have been welded properly.
Risk
In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2020. Volkswagen owners may contact their customer service at 1-888-241-2289. Audi owners may contact their customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 72L1, 72K8, and 72K9.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2020 Audi SQ5 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

8Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
12,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking3
Unknown Or Other3
Vehicle Speed Control2
Steering1
Service Brakes1
Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings1
Back Over Prevention › Warnings1
Engine1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
20/08: 122/04: 122/12: 123/03: 123/08: 125/01: 126/04: 126/09: 120/0822/0422/1223/0323/0825/0126/0426/09max 1

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2020 Audi SQ5 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 3 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
  3. Vehicle Speed Control — 2 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
  4. Steering — 1 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 12,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Audi SQ5. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other SQ5 years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 SQ523–Not rated00
2026 SQ523185.8 inNot rated04
2025 SQ522184.3 inNot rated18
2024 SQ521184.3 inNot rated06
2023 SQ521184.3 inNot rated03
2022 SQ521184.3 inNot rated26
2021 SQ520184.3 inNot rated513
2019 SQ521183.9 inNot rated520
2018 SQ521183.9 inNot rated525
2017 SQ519182.3 inNot rated05
2016 SQ519182.3 inNot rated06
2015 SQ519182.3 inNot rated19

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →