Makes›Audi›SQ5›2021

2021 Audi SQ5

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2021 models.

Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Body styles
4dr SUV, Sportback 4dr SUV
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
20 combined · 18 city / 24 hwy
Length
184.3–184.6 in
Curb weight
4,266–4,398 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
5 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 20 MPG combined, 16% below the 2021 small SUV average of 23.9 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 29 similar 2021 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2021 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 (4dr SUV).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (18 city / 24 highway), 16% worse than the 2021 small SUV average of 23.9 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 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2021

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2020 SQ5 — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2020; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2020 SQ5 →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV184.3 in74.4 in65.4 in111 in63.8 / 63.4 in4,398 lb53/47
Sportback 4dr SUV184.6 in74.4 in65.4 in111 in63.8 / 63.4 in4,266 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 / 24 / 20-16%$4,100441
SQ5 Sportback3.0L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive18 / 24 / 20-16%$4,100441
4/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
4/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $8,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23.9 MPG2021 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2021 Audi SQ5 SUV AWDNot ratedNot rated–★ / –★Not ratedNot rated★★★★★16.3%
StandardElectronic stability control
StandardForward collision warning
StandardLane departure warning

Similar 2021 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2021 Audi SQ5 (this car)20 MPGNot rated5
2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class18 MPGNot rated0
2021 Tesla Model Y326 miNot rated23
2021 Porsche Cayenne21 MPGNot rated7
2021 BMW X523 MPG★★★★★12
2021 Land Rover Defender19 MPGNot rated9
2021 BMW X327 MPG★★★★★10

Recalls (5)

Back Over Prevention › Display Function · Oct 5, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V742000 · 170,296 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Audi A8, RS7, RS6 Avant, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, Q8, Q7, Q5 Sportback, S4 Sedan, Q5, A7, A6, A6 Allroad, A5 Sportback, A5 Coupe, A5 Cabrioleet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, SQ7, S5 Cabriolet, E-Tron Quattro, SQ8, SQ5 Sportback, SQ5, S8, S7, S6 Sedan, S5 Sportback, S5 Coupe, 2022 E-Tron GT, and 2021-2022 RSQ8 vehicles. Due to a software issue, a blank or black screen may be displayed instead of the rearview camera image when the vehicle is placed in reverse gear. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk
A blank rearview camera display can reduce the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the infotainment unit software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 91DZ.
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.
Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Retractor · Aug 5, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V606000 · 45,496 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2021 Volkswagen ID4, Audi A4 Allroad, A4 Sedan, A5 Cabriolet, A5 Coupe, A5 Sportback, A6 Allroad, A6 Sedan, A7, A8, E-Tron Quattro, E-Tron Sportback Quattro, Q3, Q5, Q5 Sportback, Q7, Q8, RS5 Sportback, RS5 Coupe, RS6 Avant, RS7, RSQ8, S4 Sedan, S5 Cabriolet, S5 Coupe, S5 Sportback, S6 Sedan, S7, S8, SQ5, SQ5 Sportback, SQ7, SQ8, and 2021-2022 S3 Sedan vehicles. The rear seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix
Dealers will inspect, and replace as necessary, the middle-rear seat belt assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 27, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 and Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69CR (VW) and 69CS (Audi).
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2021 Audi SQ5 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

13Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
0Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
1Injuries reported
10,715 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine5
Electrical System4
Power Train3
Steering1
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking1
Exterior Lighting1
Air Bags1
Seat Belts1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/04: 121/06: 121/08: 222/12: 125/04: 125/08: 225/09: 126/05: 126/06: 126/09: 221/0421/0825/0425/0926/06max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2021 Audi SQ5 buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Engine — 5 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  3. Electrical System — 4 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Power Train — 3 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 10,715 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 2021 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
2020 SQ520183.9 inNot rated48
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 →