Frustrated with my SQ5

[saejin99]

Just need to vent a bit...

Bought a 2022 SQ5 Prestige last year...traded in a 2021 BMW X7 M50i and still have a 2019 BMW X3 M40i. By no means a BMW fanboy, but they build great cars.

Chose the SQ5 over a fully loaded BMW X5 40i...$76K versus $82K MSRP.
Actual offered price was $71K versus $82K as BMW was offering no discounts and Audi gave me $5K off sticker.

- Favorites keep resetting...three times now, so I've given up and no longer try
- Cup holders are useless...why in the world did Audi put them behind the shifter and under the armrest and what cups actually fit besides tall and skinny cans
- Drivers seat frame is loose from the first day...dealer ordered new frame finally and is replacing it next week..what happened to QA
- Cargo space is smaller than I thought...took a cross country drive last year and almost couldn't fit everything for three people
- Brakes don't bite as well as BMW...I can make some upgrades maybe in rotors/pads, but my X3 has much better brake feel with OEM
- Steering is still too light at speed...I've got dynamic steering and it weights up on high speed curves, but still much lighter than others
- 21" tires are summer only...WTF...had to buy all season's the week after I got it in winter
- Zero storage space...not a huge issue, but is it that hard to build in some storage under the armrest

But, I still love to drive it. It's something about the size, interior, seating position, power/shifting while in dynamic, and so on that makes it work better than my X3.

Just in case, I've got something else on order if after a year these things are still bothering me.

[raudiace4]

The cup holders drive me insane as well. Trash design absolutely useless.

Rear view camera is useless in any inclement weather rain/snow. Horrible design by Audi.. could learn a thing or two from MB and BMW.

[robb1887]

- Favorites keep resetting...three times now, so I've given up and no longer try
You should bring this up before you go in for your seat frame replacement, this sounds like a computer issue and should be addressed by Audi

- Cup holders are useless...why in the world did Audi put them behind the shifter and under the armrest and what cups actually fit besides tall and skinny cans
I've found that a 20ox Hydroflask fits well in the cupholsters and my 32oz hydroflask (lightweight) fits in the door pocket pretty well.

- Drivers seat frame is loose from the first day...dealer ordered new frame finally and is replacing it next week..what happened to QA
I have an issue in my 2018, seems they never fixed it but I'm out of warranty. I'm planning to take the seat apart to see what the issue is in the coming weeks

- Brakes don't bite as well as BMW...I can make some upgrades maybe in rotors/pads, but my X3 has much better brake feel with OEM
Hawk HPS 5.0 pads and new rotors are in my near future. I do not care for the OEM pads myself.

Some feedback to some of your comments/vents (unsolicited)

An after through for your favorites, are you using the same key or could you be grabbing different ones that coincide with these changes in settings?

[383vett]

I also came from a X3M40i and now have a 21 SQ5 (still have a X3). The M40i is quicker and handles and stops better. The ride definitely was stiff. The SQ5 is more comfortable. I agree with you on the cup holder issue. The console storage is not accessible with if cups are in the holder. Fortunately I don't have the problem with the loose seat rails and the steering is ok for me.

[Hostile]

Just need to vent a bit...

Bought a 2022 SQ5 Prestige last year...traded in a 2021 BMW X7 M50i and still have a 2019 BMW X3 M40i. By no means a BMW fanboy, but they build great cars.

Chose the SQ5 over a fully loaded BMW X5 40i...$76K versus $82K MSRP.

- Cargo space is smaller than I thought...took a cross country drive last year and almost couldn't fit everything for three people

Well, we told you before you bought the SQ5 that it was smaller than the X5 and was not a competitor...

- Cup holders are useless...why in the world did Audi put them behind the shifter and under the armrest and what cups actually fit besides tall and skinny cans

I generally agree with this. The cupholders are in a lousy spot and they are bit on the small side. For reference, starbucks tall cups can be hard to get in and out. Two grande cold drink cups side-by-side don't fit well because of their width.

- 21" tires are summer only...WTF...had to buy all season's the week after I got it in winter

Even the website configurator says that 21" wheels are summer tires only. This shouldn't have been a surprise.

- Zero storage space...not a huge issue, but is it that hard to build in some storage under the armrest

"Zero storage space" is nonsense but sure there could be some more.

[bpang1]

A few questions for OP as I am working through my decision between X3 M40i and SQ5.

1. Cargo Space - how would you compare the two? I read that the X3 has significantly more space but have read elsewhere they are similar. What are your thoughts here?
2. Suspension Comfort for Daily Driving - is the SQ5 that much nicer of a ride when just driving around town?
3. Steering Weight - so would you say that you prefer the X3's steering weight better? I see a lot of reviews that say the X3 has overly stiff steering rack.

Any other thoughts between the two? Thank you!

[TheMysticWizard]

I generally agree with this. The cupholders are in a lousy spot and they are bit on the small side. For reference, starbucks tall cups can be hard to get in and out. Two grande cold drink cups side-by-side don't fit well because of their width.

Coming from a 4L Q7, they are leaps and bounds better.

Losing the passenger arm rest because you want to use both cup holders? What were they thinking there...?

Believe it or not, the Arm Rests / Cup Holders in Q7 is what lead us to car shopping, with the SQ5 being a much better option in that department.

[Hostile]

The new Q7 looks to have a much better cup holder situation.

[amw896]

The cupholders drive me bonkers also! I have the wireless charging pad so the center console storage is useless when I have a drink in there.

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