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"  On-Sale Date: Now Price: $52,795  Competitors: BMW X3 335Xi, Mercedes-Benz GLK 250 Powertrains: Supercharged 3.0-liter V-6, 354 hp, 347 lb-ft; eight-speed auto; AWD EPA Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 16/23  What&amp;#039;s New: Audi slaps the S (for Sport) on its high-performance editions, but this is the first Q model to earn the designation, though an SQ7 may be in the works. Exterior enhancements are subtle, but the key distinction\u2014power\u2014is more tangible. The SQ5 employs the same 3.0-liter supercharged V-6 as the Q5 3.0T but with a substantial bump in output: 82 hp and 52 lb-ft of torque. Firmer suspension, bigger front brakes, and 20-inch wheels round out the main mechanical upgrades. Tech Tidbit: Raising output in a turbo or supercharged engine is more than a matter of simply turning up the boost pressure. In the SQ5 it entailed a stiffened version of the 3.0-liter V-6 engine block plus a heftier crankshaft and main bearings to handle the big increase in power.  Driving Character: More power is always welcome in a vehicle weighing more than 4400 pounds, and the extra oomph makes the SQ5 a lively performer. Audi claims 0 to 60 in 5.1 seconds, almost a full second quicker than the Q5 3.0T, and after a day of mountain driving we think this claim is a bit conservative. Throttle response is instantaneous, amplified by the exhaust system&amp;#039;s resonant baritone. Sportier suspension tuning reduces body roll in hard cornering without excessive ride-quality penalties. Tactile info from the electric power steering is a little vague, but the ratio is quick and all-wheel drive adds confidence in fast turns.  Favorite Detail: Audi&amp;#039;s SQ5 preview drive route traversed 10,000-foot mountain passes that made it easy to appreciate the supercharged power. The standard rule of thumb is that a naturally aspirated engine loses 3 percent of its power for every 1000 feet of altitude. But force-fed powerplants fare better than nonboosted engines in thin air, and the SQ5 had plenty of punch left even at the highest points of the high country.  Driver&amp;#039;s Grievance: Fast, smooth, and competent, the SQ5 doesn&amp;#039;t really have any glaring weak spots. Still, it&amp;#039;s possible to imagine some drivers finding the suspension a little too soft. The shock absorbers allow a fair amount of up and down motion, and that, plus a relatively high center of gravity, can provoke a hint of wallowing when the SQ5 is pushed hard in quick transitions. But few owners are likely to take this vehicle to its limits.  Bottom Line: Audi portrays the SQ5 as a logical step-up for guys whose families have outgrown their Audi S4 sport sedans\u2014a crossover that provides more room without giving up too much of the S4&amp;#039;s feline agility and straight-ahead rush. If that&amp;#039;s the goal then mission accomplished. The added power puts the SQ5 ahead of the curve in its class (the prime target is the BMW X3) and the eight-speed automatic makes the most of it, with paddle shifters for occasions when the driver feels frisky.  From the family point of view, the Audi is quiet and comfortable, with a comprehensive array of infotainment and safety features. Fuel economy is a weak point. The SQ5 burns premium, force-fed engines are thirsty, and the SQ5&amp;#039;s habit-forming thrust, fortified by seductive exhaust music, is likely to add up at the gas pump. And the price premium\u2014some $7500 more than the 3.0T\u2014may seem a little heavy, though it&amp;#039;s basically on par with the X3. And the combination of handsome Audi interior, agreeable dynamics, and performance that trumps its Bavarian rival makes the SQ5 look like a pretty attractive deal. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/reviews/a9657/crossover-with-clout-2014-audi-sq5-quattro-tiptronic-16066686/>