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
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV | 183.9 in | 74.4 in | 65.4 in | 111 in | 63.8 / 63.4 in | 4,398 lb | 53/47 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SQ5 | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 23 / 20 | -15% | $4,100 | 444 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Audi SQ5 SUV AWD | Not rated | Not rated | –★ / –★ | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★★ | 16.3% |
Similar 2020 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Audi SQ5 (this car) | 20 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2020 Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 14 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Tesla Model Y | 316 mi | ★★★★★ | 24 |
| 2020 Porsche Cayenne | 21 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2020 Land Rover Defender | 19 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2020 BMW X3 | 27 MPG | ★★★★★ | 16 |
| 2020 Lexus RX | 30 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
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.
Not every 2020 Audi SQ5 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2020 Audi SQ5 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 3 owner reports. Make sure driver-assist systems and the backup camera work without error messages.
- Vehicle Speed Control — 2 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Steering — 1 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 12,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- 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 →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 SQ5 | 23 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 SQ5 | 23 | 185.8 in | Not rated | 0 | 4 |
| 2025 SQ5 | 22 | 184.3 in | Not rated | 1 | 8 |
| 2024 SQ5 | 21 | 184.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 6 |
| 2023 SQ5 | 21 | 184.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 3 |
| 2022 SQ5 | 21 | 184.3 in | Not rated | 2 | 6 |
| 2021 SQ5 | 20 | 184.3 in | Not rated | 5 | 13 |
| 2019 SQ5 | 21 | 183.9 in | Not rated | 5 | 20 |
| 2018 SQ5 | 21 | 183.9 in | Not rated | 5 | 25 |
| 2017 SQ5 | 19 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 5 |
| 2016 SQ5 | 19 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 6 |
| 2015 SQ5 | 19 | 182.3 in | Not rated | 1 | 9 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Audi. How we calculate this →