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
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV | 184.3 in | 74.4 in | 65.4 in | 111 in | 63.8 / 63.4 in | 4,398 lb | 53/47 |
| Sportback 4dr SUV | 184.6 in | 74.4 in | 65.4 in | 111 in | 63.8 / 63.4 in | 4,266 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 / 24 / 20 | -16% | $4,100 | 441 |
| SQ5 Sportback | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | -16% | $4,100 | 441 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2021 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Driver / passenger | Side | Side pole | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Audi SQ5 SUV AWD | Not rated | Not rated | –★ / –★ | Not rated | Not rated | ★★★★★ | 16.3% |
Similar 2021 small SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Audi SQ5 (this car) | 20 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 18 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model Y | 326 mi | Not rated | 23 |
| 2021 Porsche Cayenne | 21 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2021 BMW X5 | 23 MPG | ★★★★★ | 12 |
| 2021 Land Rover Defender | 19 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2021 BMW X3 | 27 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.
Not every 2021 Audi SQ5 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2021 Audi SQ5 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 5 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 4 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Power Train — 3 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 10,715 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 2021 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 |
| 2020 SQ5 | 20 | 183.9 in | Not rated | 4 | 8 |
| 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 →