2021 AUDI SQ5 | WA1B4AFY1M2001646

2021 AUDI SQ5 | WA1B4AFY1M2001646

Specifications

Engine Versions
2
Original Highest MSRP
~$56,000
The most powerful engine version for models
SQ5 TFSI
Engine: 3.0L turbocharged V6
Torque: 500 Nm
0–100 km/h: ~5.1 s

The SQ5’s V6 turbocharged engine delivers its power with clarity and minimal delay, offering a wave of torque that remains available through a broad rev range. Acceleration from a standstill is forceful but measured, with the eight-speed torque converter transmission delivering shifts that are smooth under light load and purposeful under pressure. It completes the 0–100 km/h sprint in just over five seconds, a time that places it squarely within the performance territory for midsize crossovers, but it achieves this without ever feeling harsh or unruly.

Chassis control is at the heart of the SQ5’s dynamic character. The all-wheel-drive system continuously adjusts torque distribution to maximize traction and balance. The suspension, firmed up in comparison to the standard Q5, resists roll without turning brittle. The steering, while slightly insulated, remains accurate and proportional, especially when transitioning through long, fast curves. Body movements are restrained, and changes in direction feel more natural than forced, a result of carefully tuned damping rather than brute rigidity.

The SQ5 is not aggressive by design—it’s precise by intention. It doesn’t shout or demand attention but instead invites the driver to settle into a rhythm defined by balance and reserve. There’s no pretense of being a sports car; it’s a crossover that knows its place, delivering high-speed confidence and usable traction across seasons. The powertrain’s calm maturity and the chassis’s controlled responses give it an identity: fast, functional, and fundamentally Audi.

Body Styles

The SQ5 is offered in two distinct silhouettes: a conventional five-door SUV and a fastback-style Sportback. Both share a long wheelbase and relatively short overhangs, emphasizing cabin space and wheel presence. The SUV presents a familiar upright profile with minimal stylistic interference, while the Sportback introduces a steeper roof drop after the C-pillar, extending to a clean tail with an integrated spoiler edge. The beltline remains consistent across both variants, giving a cohesive shoulder structure and maintaining a strong horizontal axis from front fender to rear lamp.

The stance is low for its class, aided by subtle wheel arch extensions and wide-set lighting signatures. Unlike more expressive competitors, the SQ5 refrains from excess detailing—its bodywork is defined by pressed surfaces rather than ornament. In both body styles, the proportions are taut, the roofline precise, and the design entirely consistent with Audi’s disciplined aesthetic language.

Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)

The "S" prefix in SQ5 is Audi’s internal designation for sport-enhanced models, indicating a step above the standard Q lineup in both performance and specification. The "Q" signifies its placement within the SUV family, while the "5" denotes its size and segment positioning between the more compact Q3 and the larger Q7. The model’s name is more than a code—it communicates hierarchy, intention, and configuration in one concise formula.

Body & Interior Colors and Rims

The SQ5’s exterior finishes include metallic and pearl tones with restrained saturation, designed to accentuate its flat surfaces and clean contours. Greys and silvers dominate the palette, though deeper blues and greens are occasionally offered to underline its premium orientation. Matte accents surround the grille and window frames, avoiding brightwork in favor of understated aggression. Sportback versions may include blacked-out mirror housings and lower inserts, depending on trim configuration.

Inside, the cabin is defined by horizontal geometry and a deliberate separation of materials. Leather upholstery with stitched edge work forms the basis, available in understated shades like jet black, mid-gray, or a pale rock gray. Red stitching or diamond patterns appear subtly depending on trim level but never dominate. Inlays are finished in brushed metal or carbon composite, with the center console aligned in a symmetrical Y-structure that places all functions within arm’s reach. The instrument panel remains focused, clean, and non-reflective, with a digital cluster that communicates without visual clutter.

Wheel options range from 20 to 21 inches in diameter, using angular or twin-spoke layouts to reinforce the vehicle’s width and stance. The wheels fill the arches confidently but leave room for suspension travel, preserving usability. Their finish varies from satin silver to graphite gray, with polished faces on select variants to break up the monotone bodywork. Tires are performance all-season by default, balancing grip with year-round compliance.

Top Expensive Options

  • Quilted leather sport seats with massage function: $1,900
  • Adaptive air suspension with selectable ride height: $2,700
  • Matrix LED headlights with dynamic turn indicators: $1,450
  • Carbon Atlas interior trim package: $1,000
  • Sport differential with torque vectoring: $1,750
  • Panoramic fixed glass roof with powered shade: $1,300
  • Head-up display with driver assist overlays: $1,100
  • Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system: $950
  • Heated rear seats and steering wheel: $750
  • Red-painted calipers with ventilated front rotors: $600

vs Competitors

The SQ5 competes in a narrow segment where mid-size luxury meets understated performance. It does not seek to overpower its rivals through raw acceleration or flamboyant styling. Instead, it outmaneuvers them by refinement. Compared to the BMW X3 M40i, the SQ5 feels calmer and more cohesive, preferring balance over edge. Where the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 presents a more extroverted image and firmer tuning, the Audi leans into neutrality and fluidity. Against the Porsche Macan S, it lacks some mechanical intimacy, but delivers greater usability, space, and composure. It stands apart not because it excels at everything, but because it avoids imbalance. It’s a performance SUV for drivers who want speed in silence, control without chaos, and design that reflects restraint rather than impulse.

Fun Fact

The 3.0 TFSI engine powering the SQ5 was part of a development lineage shared across Audi’s S models, but in this application, it was recalibrated specifically for a broader torque plateau and smoother delivery across load conditions. This change wasn’t done to chase lap times, but to align perfectly with the expectations of a performance SUV—capable of real pace without the drama. As a result, the SQ5 can tow, climb, and cruise with the same confidence, all while maintaining the muted urgency that defines the S philosophy.

IAAI
Final Bid: $20,650
VIN WA1B4AFY1M2001646
  • Make
  • Model
    SQ5
  • Year
    2021
  • ACV
    $35,427

Lot Details

Final Bid Audi SQ5 (2021)

Minimum Final Bid:
$11,800
Average Final Bid:
$23,817
Maximum Final Bid:
$41,500
Source Distribution:
Copart: 92% (11) | IAAI: 8% (1)

Specifications

Engine Versions
2
Original Highest MSRP
~$56,000
The most powerful engine version for models
Engine:
Torque:
0–100 km/h:

The SQ5’s V6 turbocharged engine delivers its power with clarity and minimal delay, offering a wave of torque that remains available through a broad rev range. Acceleration from a standstill is forceful but measured, with the eight-speed torque converter transmission delivering shifts that are smooth under light load and purposeful under pressure. It completes the 0–100 km/h sprint in just over five seconds, a time that places it squarely within the performance territory for midsize crossovers, but it achieves this without ever feeling harsh or unruly.

Chassis control is at the heart of the SQ5’s dynamic character. The all-wheel-drive system continuously adjusts torque distribution to maximize traction and balance. The suspension, firmed up in comparison to the standard Q5, resists roll without turning brittle. The steering, while slightly insulated, remains accurate and proportional, especially when transitioning through long, fast curves. Body movements are restrained, and changes in direction feel more natural than forced, a result of carefully tuned damping rather than brute rigidity.

The SQ5 is not aggressive by design—it’s precise by intention. It doesn’t shout or demand attention but instead invites the driver to settle into a rhythm defined by balance and reserve. There’s no pretense of being a sports car; it’s a crossover that knows its place, delivering high-speed confidence and usable traction across seasons. The powertrain’s calm maturity and the chassis’s controlled responses give it an identity: fast, functional, and fundamentally Audi.

Body Styles

The SQ5 is offered in two distinct silhouettes: a conventional five-door SUV and a fastback-style Sportback. Both share a long wheelbase and relatively short overhangs, emphasizing cabin space and wheel presence. The SUV presents a familiar upright profile with minimal stylistic interference, while the Sportback introduces a steeper roof drop after the C-pillar, extending to a clean tail with an integrated spoiler edge. The beltline remains consistent across both variants, giving a cohesive shoulder structure and maintaining a strong horizontal axis from front fender to rear lamp.

The stance is low for its class, aided by subtle wheel arch extensions and wide-set lighting signatures. Unlike more expressive competitors, the SQ5 refrains from excess detailing—its bodywork is defined by pressed surfaces rather than ornament. In both body styles, the proportions are taut, the roofline precise, and the design entirely consistent with Audi’s disciplined aesthetic language.

Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)

The "S" prefix in SQ5 is Audi’s internal designation for sport-enhanced models, indicating a step above the standard Q lineup in both performance and specification. The "Q" signifies its placement within the SUV family, while the "5" denotes its size and segment positioning between the more compact Q3 and the larger Q7. The model’s name is more than a code—it communicates hierarchy, intention, and configuration in one concise formula.

Body & Interior Colors and Rims

The SQ5’s exterior finishes include metallic and pearl tones with restrained saturation, designed to accentuate its flat surfaces and clean contours. Greys and silvers dominate the palette, though deeper blues and greens are occasionally offered to underline its premium orientation. Matte accents surround the grille and window frames, avoiding brightwork in favor of understated aggression. Sportback versions may include blacked-out mirror housings and lower inserts, depending on trim configuration.

Inside, the cabin is defined by horizontal geometry and a deliberate separation of materials. Leather upholstery with stitched edge work forms the basis, available in understated shades like jet black, mid-gray, or a pale rock gray. Red stitching or diamond patterns appear subtly depending on trim level but never dominate. Inlays are finished in brushed metal or carbon composite, with the center console aligned in a symmetrical Y-structure that places all functions within arm’s reach. The instrument panel remains focused, clean, and non-reflective, with a digital cluster that communicates without visual clutter.

Wheel options range from 20 to 21 inches in diameter, using angular or twin-spoke layouts to reinforce the vehicle’s width and stance. The wheels fill the arches confidently but leave room for suspension travel, preserving usability. Their finish varies from satin silver to graphite gray, with polished faces on select variants to break up the monotone bodywork. Tires are performance all-season by default, balancing grip with year-round compliance.

Top Expensive Options

  • Quilted leather sport seats with massage function: $1,900
  • Adaptive air suspension with selectable ride height: $2,700
  • Matrix LED headlights with dynamic turn indicators: $1,450
  • Carbon Atlas interior trim package: $1,000
  • Sport differential with torque vectoring: $1,750
  • Panoramic fixed glass roof with powered shade: $1,300
  • Head-up display with driver assist overlays: $1,100
  • Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system: $950
  • Heated rear seats and steering wheel: $750
  • Red-painted calipers with ventilated front rotors: $600

vs Competitors

The SQ5 competes in a narrow segment where mid-size luxury meets understated performance. It does not seek to overpower its rivals through raw acceleration or flamboyant styling. Instead, it outmaneuvers them by refinement. Compared to the BMW X3 M40i, the SQ5 feels calmer and more cohesive, preferring balance over edge. Where the Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 presents a more extroverted image and firmer tuning, the Audi leans into neutrality and fluidity. Against the Porsche Macan S, it lacks some mechanical intimacy, but delivers greater usability, space, and composure. It stands apart not because it excels at everything, but because it avoids imbalance. It’s a performance SUV for drivers who want speed in silence, control without chaos, and design that reflects restraint rather than impulse.

Fun Fact

The 3.0 TFSI engine powering the SQ5 was part of a development lineage shared across Audi’s S models, but in this application, it was recalibrated specifically for a broader torque plateau and smoother delivery across load conditions. This change wasn’t done to chase lap times, but to align perfectly with the expectations of a performance SUV—capable of real pace without the drama. As a result, the SQ5 can tow, climb, and cruise with the same confidence, all while maintaining the muted urgency that defines the S philosophy.