2016 sq5 2018 Macan s — thoughts

[scottst]

We are fortunate to have both of them in the garage. Bought the Macan for my wife a few months ago to replace her 2010 q5 3.2 and then recently swapped a cayenne for my CPO sq5. Thought I would share some thoughts since they are the same platform. First of two posts because pics.




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[scottst]

Hmm. Strange that the pics didn't post from Tapatalk. A few thoughts from the keyboard.

Driving:

Handling
- Macan handles better and rides better. Porsche has made the car supple but still responsive. The Macan has the base steel springs.
- SQ5's handling is more "fun". The Macan feels like it pushes initially a bit where the SQ5 is more balanced. As you push through the corner the torque split of the Macan comes into play and it feels more RWD vs Audi's rear biased Torsen. The Macan uses a computer controlled transfer case that starts out more rear biased. FWIW I had a horrible time w/the transfer case in my Cayenne (design flaw). Hope to not see the same issue w/the Macan.
- You sit lower in the Macan and it feels like it rolls a bit less. Feels more "sports car" than the SQ5. This neither good nor bad.
- Steering has a bit more weight in the Macan which feels sportier. I also prefer the steering wheel by a bit. It wanders a bit on the highway which I don't like. Feels like the electro steering is trying to help a bit which feels unnatural.
Powertrain
- This one is a surprise to me. Porsche has tuned the non-Sport mode to be pretty lazy and turbo lag makes the car feel sluggish. They are comparable from a power POV but the SQ5 just feels 10x faster. Putting the Macan in Sport mode helps a lot. Better gear, more aggressive downshift. Still can't match the instant torque of the SC in the SQ5. The SQ5 punches way above its weight here. Feels nearly as fast as my Carrera S. If you punch it the Macan goes well, but you've got to anticipate a bit or you can be caught flat footed.
- Another surprise. I prefer the ZF8 to the DSG. The ZF tuning in the SQ is amazing and feels like a good DSG without all of the subtle funkiness at slow speeds.

Practical:
- SQ5 has a bit better rear headroom but really shines in the cargo department. Macan suffers for style here.

Build:
- Build quality feels equal between the two. Both quite good. Interior materials top notch. Paint, build, etc all solid.

Look:
- I just love the staggered look on the Macan. The wheels are amazing. I have two sets (one winter) and am planning to throw them on the SQ5 this winter just to see how it looks. I know staggered on the Torsen Audis is dumb. But, the Macan's wheel offset and fit is just great. Also overall a bit better looking car but not by much.

Misc:
- You get attitude in the Macan that you don't in the SQ. Fly more under the radar in the SQ which I like. I guess most people don't know the Macan is just a tarted up Audi.
- Exhaust sound in the Macan is amazing. Especially at startup. So cool. Audi sounds pretty tepid by comparison especially with the Soundaktor turned off. Sounds really cool with it on but I don't like fake.

Value: No contest IMO. Hands down to the SQ and the CPO deal I got makes the new macan and the SQ5 comparo almost laughable. Our Macan was lightly optioned and still pretty painful. Super fun car and my wife loves nearly all of it (except lack of torque). But, I reach for hte SQ keys all the time. It's just a rowdy little hooligan of a car that has really surprised me. One of my favorite cars and I think I'm at about 32 cars so far.

LMK if any questions.

[SQive]

No questions, but I fully concur. I'm on my second one, and sadly, my last. They lost me with the new design, turbo, etc.

I'm guessing that since the SQ5 is CPO, that it is stock. Get it down to ROW height, tune it, and you'll be thrilled that your wife is happy with the P-car.

[scottst]

No questions, but I fully concur. I'm on my second one, and sadly, my last. They lost me with the new design, turbo, etc.

I'm guessing that since the SQ5 is CPO, that it is stock. Get it down to ROW height, tune it, and you'll be thrilled that your wife is happy with the P-car.

Same. We tried to like the B9. That is why we ended up with the Macan. Just not for either of us.

Yes, still bone stock. i am spending way too much time thinking about mods, but given my history with mods (pretty deep) I'm seriously impressed with how good this thing is stock.

I may go a different path and do -1 19x8.5s with bigger rubber for a bit better ride and then bring it down to ROW height as a first step. The thing is seriously quick stock. Enough to scare the kids. Given it's CPO I'm going to rail on it a bit stock to see if anything breaks before going Stage1.

I'm also kind of curious to know if the Macan sways a) are stiffer and b) would bolt on. I don't want to go with anything using poly bushings. Love OEM upgrades when I can.

I'm wary of letting my wife drive the Audi because I think she'll take it and I'll be "stuck" with the Macan ;)

[Mops@Nemesis]

Excellent review and nice rides! Beautiful home too. I've peeped the property more than the vehicles. 😁 I'm right there in the 32-35 range and well, the B8.5 is right there at the top for sure! I feel like I'd love a Macan GTS, but I've purposely stayed away. With the Macan, I just don't love the overall shape. The nose is fantastic, but the rear and side profile just look a bit soft. Congrats on owning three really great vehicles.

[scottst]

Thanks :) I need more garage slots but my wife doesn't want the garage looking bigger than the house for some reason ;)

They bumped the power (and changed the engine?) for the 2019 Macan S and GTS. My dad has one being delivered in July (Chalk, of course...). Very curious to see how the bump in power changes the dynamic. After driving a few of the better examples I think I personally am just not a fan of turbo engines with automatic transmissions. The double whammy of not being sure what the transmission is going to do the uncertainty of boost leads to frustration for me. SC or NA is a far better mix for me personally unless it's a manual tranny.

Perhaps the move that Audi is making to the 48v? Electronic Turbo "boost" to fill in for turbo lag will help here.

[scottst]

Garage mate, feeling neglected. Orig owner 19k miles.


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[Mops@Nemesis]

Thanks :) I need more garage slots but my wife doesn't want the garage looking bigger than the house for some reason ;)

They bumped the power (and changed the engine?) for the 2019 Macan S and GTS. My dad has one being delivered in July (Chalk, of course...). Very curious to see how the bump in power changes the dynamic. After driving a few of the better examples I think I personally am just not a fan of turbo engines with automatic transmissions. The double whammy of not being sure what the transmission is going to do the uncertainty of boost leads to frustration for me. SC or NA is a far better mix for me personally unless it's a manual tranny.

Perhaps the move that Audi is making to the 48v? Electronic Turbo "boost" to fill in for turbo lag will help here.

Ha! My garage is actually about 40% of the size of my main level. As long as you make it look like living space from the street view, you're good 😆 But yea, I'm going to do 3 bay attached and a double detached next time.

Makes complete sense, especially in regard to performance driving, and keeping the vehicle settled. My previous SQ was the first SC vehicle I've had. The instant punch and linear power is pretty fantastic. Certainly a good combo for getting the power to the ground.

Great looking 997. That car would be the perfect intro to Porsche for me. And it's the best color. One day!

[chawski]

The trick for the garage is to go double depth. Looks like a 3 car from the street, but parks 6

Im going to hopefully be building in the next year and that's the plan. Plan is to go at least 15 to 17 feet tall to make room for a 2-post that I don't have to slouch under

Great review on both cars. I really wanted to love the macan but the reality is its a taller golf. The Sq seems to have more trunk and rear leg room which is a big thing with a rear facing car seat and stroller

[JD S4]

Great review and cars.


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[SQive]

Does this ass make my car look fat? If this car was a woman, she's bitch-slap you for taking a picture from that angle.

[scottst]

What are you trying to say?


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[Mops@Nemesis]

What are you trying to say?

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Booty booty booty 🍑

The creamy white residual makes sense now. 😁

[SQive]

Booty booty booty 🍑

The creamy white residual makes sense now. 😁

Yeah. . .LOL
It's the Jennifer Lopez of cars.

[Pittdawg]

Booty booty booty 🍑

The creamy white residual makes sense now. 😁

And our significant others are concerned we are lusting over other women LOL!

[KillerQuattro]

And our significant others are concerned we are lusting over other women LOL!

HAhahaha! Seriously...

[phillyquattro]

Only 19k miles? You're doing that car and yourself a great disservice. Stop taking pictures of that booty and get your own booty in that driver seat! LOL.

[scottst]

Yeah I know. Started driving my girls to school in the morning not long after I bought it. Becomes impractical. Just about done being the school bus


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[csf]

Thanks for posting your review.

I am currently leasing a 2017 SQ5 for 36 months . . . although the standard Q5s were on the new B9 platform in 2017, I guess that was actually also the last year for the SQ5 on the B8.5 platform.

Mine is Premium Plus trim, Ibis White with Black Optics, red calipers, 21 inch wheels, carbon dash inlays, Nappa leather with diamond stitching and more.

It is my first Audi. No Porsches or VWs either. We have had BMW and Mercedes and also many Japanese and American vehicles.


Our SQ5 had been on the lot almost 6 months when we got it and seemed to get a fair deal. Lease is $606/month including Audicare. We also traded a 2004 RAV4 with 200,00 miles and got $4000. We went into the lease assuming we would buy it at the end if we liked it and it was reliable. We can buy it for $34,500 at the end.

I like the SQ5 and have had no real problems. But the Ibis White is so hard to keep looking clean and the brake dust in the wheels and calipers is the worst I have ever had on over 40 vehicles. Sounds silly but if I choose to turn it back in that could be the reasons . . . .and I might then look at a Macan. But the SQ5 is quick for an SUV, and I have a 500hp Corvette as well.


So I enjoyed your post and found it very helpful. Thanks again. Enjoy.

[MSq5]

Thanks for posting your review.

I am currently leasing a 2017 SQ5 for 36 months . . . although the standard Q5s were on the new B9 platform in 2017, I guess that was actually also the last year for the SQ5 on the B8.5 platform.

Mine is Premium Plus trim, Ibis White with Black Optics, red calipers, 21 inch wheels, carbon dash inlays, Nappa leather with diamond stitching and more.

It is my first Audi. No Porsches or VWs either. We have had BMW and Mercedes and also many Japanese and American vehicles.


Our SQ5 had been on the lot almost 6 months when we got it and seemed to get a fair deal. Lease is $606/month including Audicare. We also traded a 2004 RAV4 with 200,00 miles and got $4000. We went into the lease assuming we would buy it at the end if we liked it and it was reliable. We can buy it for $34,500 at the end.

I like the SQ5 and have had no real problems. But the Ibis White is so hard to keep looking clean and the brake dust in the wheels and calipers is the worst I have ever had on over 40 vehicles. Sounds silly but if I choose to turn it back in that could be the reasons . . . .and I might then look at a Macan. But the SQ5 is quick for an SUV, and I have a 500hp Corvette as well.


So I enjoyed your post and found it very helpful. Thanks again. Enjoy.

Uh, not that it matters, but I have a '17 Q5 S-Line. It is not on the B9 platform. I have the supercharged 3.0TFSI engine. I wanted that engine and found it available, but only on the S-Line in '17. I grabbed it while I could. I believe the change to B9 was in '18.