SQ5 -- Is there enough ground clearance to off-road??

[drew4392]

I'm debating between a SQ5/Range Rover Sport (6 cyl)/ Porsche Cayenne (base), and leaning towards the SQ5 due to great on-road performance and (hopefully) capable off-road performance.

I am not trying to kid myself... the SQ5 seems like a slightly raised sedan... especially with the performance tires. But...... is there enough ground clearance to do some basic off roading? Anything more than hard packed, convenient dirt roads without rocks or ruts?

The RRS and Cayenne I think are much more capable... especially the RRS. However, their price tags are much higher and they aren't as quick as the SQ5... unless I fork over more $$ for the bigger engines.

Q5s have been impressive off roaders... wondering if the SQ5 is similar.


Thanks!

[ibiski]

Just as much clearance as a standard Q5, but suspension is stiffer. Wouldn't go offroad especially with the stock, low profile rubber. RR & Cayenne is a different class.

[FuchsB]

Just as much clearance as a standard Q5, but suspension is stiffer. Wouldn't go offroad especially with the stock, low profile rubber. RR & Cayenne is a different class.

+1

[drew4392]

Gotcha. Thanks for the info. So, Q5 is my best best for healthiest mix of on-road and off-road.

[visualguy]

You need to think of the SQ5 as an S4 for people who want to sit higher and/or have more cargo space and/or have a hitch. It's not an off-road vehicle.

[visualguy]

Gotcha. Thanks for the info. So, Q5 is my best best for healthiest mix of on-road and off-road.

VW Touareg might be a better choice.

[drew4392]

VW Touareg might be a better choice.

Why do you say this? I've heard the Touareg mentioned in this regard before... trying to learn a little more about it. I'll research tonight, but curious to hear your thoughts.

Thanks

[josedebardi]

Why do you say this? I've heard the Touareg mentioned in this regard before... trying to learn a little more about it. I'll research tonight, but curious to hear your thoughts.

Thanks

It's the same platform as the cayenne and Q7 - just without the price tag due to the 'lesser brand'. Great cars though, build quality is spot on and very capable off road. Just not as sporty as an SQ5 of course.

I've taken my SQ5 off road, and aside from the lack of grip on wet/muddy surfaces it does pretty well (note mine is lower 30mm compared to a normal Q5 as it is Euro spec - as mentioned above, in the US it is not lowered in order for it to maintain its light truck status for tax purposes etc).

I've put the TC into off road mode on a wet field and purposely given it hell, doing complete 360 spins etc (most recently last night in fact!). It recovers grip very well considering its on 21s with road tyres, the ESP system goes into overdrive trying to keep you in a straight line while I fight to keep the car sideways! If you drive it properly then it's pretty hard to get into bother - the Quattro drive train does a good job putting power where you need it while the ESP helps with individual wheelslips very quickly (by grabbing a brake). If all you need to do is go down the odd rutted mud track and occasional foray into a field I don't think you will have any issues as your US 'full height' suspension will make the vehicle even more capable than mine!

If you were to get a little more serious, then putting 19" winter wheels on would overcome the lack of grip from the stock rubber - depends on if it so practical for you to change the wheels for a specific journey and I would only suggest this if you need winter rubber anyway in the colder months... Either that or go with the half way house of 20s and get some semi-off road rubber for them... I would say avoid the 21s for off roading!!

Here is my pic thread of it in some interesting angles for reference! (The link to the 'quarry day' in my first post has some pretty extreme stuff in it)
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=545871

Hope that helps!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[spijun]

Depends on what you need and what it is for you "off-road"



For some drivers the "off-road" driving as soon as he got off the road onto the grass, sand or gravel

[drew4392]

It's the same platform as the cayenne and Q7 - just without the price tag due to the 'lesser brand'. Great cars though, build quality is spot on and very capable off road. Just not as sporty as an SQ5 of course.

I've taken my SQ5 off road, and aside from the lack of grip on wet/muddy surfaces it does pretty well (note mine is lower 30mm compared to a normal Q5 as it is Euro spec - as mentioned above, in the US it is not lowered in order for it to maintain its light truck status for tax purposes etc).

I've put the TC into off road mode on a wet field and purposely given it hell, doing complete 360 spins etc (most recently last night in fact!). It recovers grip very well considering its on 21s with road tyres, the ESP system goes into overdrive trying to keep you in a straight line while I fight to keep the car sideways! If you drive it properly then it's pretty hard to get into bother - the Quattro drive train does a good job putting power where you need it while the ESP helps with individual wheelslips very quickly (by grabbing a brake). If all you need to do is go down the odd rutted mud track and occasional foray into a field I don't think you will have any issues as your US 'full height' suspension will make the vehicle even more capable than mine!

If you were to get a little more serious, then putting 19" winter wheels on would overcome the lack of grip from the stock rubber - depends on if it so practical for you to change the wheels for a specific journey and I would only suggest this if you need winter rubber anyway in the colder months... Either that or go with the half way house of 20s and get some semi-off road rubber for them... I would say avoid the 21s for off roading!!

Here is my pic thread of it in some interesting angles for reference! (The link to the 'quarry day' in my first post has some pretty extreme stuff in it)
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=545871

Hope that helps!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Helpful explanation, and great to hear your "off road" experience. Definitely helps. To your and spijun's point, it really depends on what I mean by off-road. The occasional muddy, rutted trail, sand, or grass is probably all I would want to venture into. Nice... an SQ5 is back as a good possibility! Just without the 21s and road tires....

Depends on what you need and what it is for you "off-road"



For some drivers the "off-road" driving as soon as he got off the road onto the grass, sand or gravel

Great image! Where did you find this?? I've been looking everywhere for this data. So this is why the air suspension on the Cayenne and Range Rover is so important if you need more than above clearance.

[spijun]

Great image! Where did you find this?? I've been looking everywhere for this data. So this is why the air suspension on the Cayenne and Range Rover is so important if you need more than above clearance.

Here you have a PDF format, size 41 MB (Service Training - The 2009 Audi Q5 Vehicle Introduction Self-Study Program 994803)

http://admin.audionlinetraining.com/..._Audi%20Q5.pdf

[VroomVroom]

http://admin.audionlinetraining.com/..._Audi%20Q5.pdf

What an awesome download. Thanks!