SQ5 vs SQ8/7 vs Porsche Cayenne

[Queued]

Hi all,
I have a 2016 Q5 that is my first Audi and tuned with 034 stage 2+. Freakin love it, worked with Mops to get aftermarket wheels and have heat Xchgr, intake, etc…. however, the mileage is getting up there and I’m worried about melting cats (25k miles on stage 2+ with factory cats). Also, interested in a more modern cabin, possibly. My fear is the more modern cars have more electronics issues. Also, concerned about rear cargo space, as it seems the newer B9 SQ5’s have less then B8.5 and I can barely fit my bike in the back of the B8.5.

I’ve looked at the B9 SQ5 and absolutely cannot stand the seemingly tacked on tablet at the center dash (sorry personal preference, know I might get burned for this), I much prefer the the built-in center console on the SQ8 / SQ7, and Porsche Cayenne…. And also cargo space concerns. I certainly like the look of the SQ5 and it obviously has better gas mileage compared to the other 3, but it comes down to living with the dash - which could potentially grow on me. Have any of you considered the SQ8\7 or Porsche Cayenne before pulling the trigger on a SQ5 and why? TIA.

[Hostile]

The cars you mentioned are all in a larger size class of vehicle that are quite a bit more expensive. I doubt many are people are cross-shopping an SQ5 with any of them.

[CreoSTi]

If you need the extra cargo space frequently, I'd look at the other vehicles as they are larger.

We briefly looked at the Porsche Cayenne S, but it was ~$20K more expensive at the time for a 2-3 year old used one vs. new SQ5. It's my wife's daily (to drive to the office 1/week), and it's just barely enough room for us to take road trips with 2 dogs + 1 teenager for 5-7 days (until she allows me to get a roof box). But it works for us as 80-90% of the time the car is unfilled, and our bikes go on a 1UP hitch rack.

[GoCougs1234]

I have extensive experience with the A6/Q7/Q8 infotainment. The lower screen looks cheap, the haptic feedback I found worthless and just in general touch controls for HVAC are a terrible idea.

I found the B9.5 infotainment superior to everything on the market actually (no joystick or trackpad BS, hard controls for HVAC, Apple CarPlay) which was a major factor in my buying decision.

[Queued]

I have extensive experience with the A6/Q7/Q8 infotainment. The lower screen looks cheap, the haptic feedback I found worthless and just in general touch controls for HVAC are a terrible idea.

I found the B9.5 infotainment superior to everything on the market actually (no joystick or trackpad BS, hard controls for HVAC, Apple CarPlay) which was a major factor in my buying decision.

So you’re saying you prefer the sq5 elevated single screen vs the Q7/8 dual low screen. That’s good to know. Thx

[GoCougs1234]

So you’re saying you prefer the sq5 elevated single screen vs the Q7/8 dual low screen. That’s good to know. Thx

100% preferred. That lower screen also gives a bit when you press on it (just like a mouse click) which IMO adds to the fakiness. There are also no landmarks to orient your hand, so you have to look at it that much more often to press on it. The top of the B9.5 screen provides purchase for the hand such that it is fairly easy to orient your pressing without looking at it too much. Plus, the B9.5 screen is also much higher up so when you do have to look at it, it's much less distracting.

[MotoGP]

So you’re saying you prefer the sq5 elevated single screen vs the Q7/8 dual low screen. That’s good to know. Thx

GoCougs assessment is spot on. I preferred the Q5 and GV70 over competitors like the GLC or XC60 because they had buttons. I had a couple of "everything touch screen" Volvos. Trying to adjust the HVAC while driving was a pain. The software would occasionally freeze up, and then I couldn't do anything. I prefer the set up in my Q5. Having physical buttons and dials for things like the HVAC or the auto stop-start is much better. I don't mind the single elevated touch screen at all. I find the placement makes the touch screen easy to interact with while driving.

[TheContrarian]

Choosing between an SQ5, SQ7 and Cayenne based on the dash/controls is wild. There's massive size, price and powertrain differences that seem far more important. An SQ7 sized vehicle for a family of 3 is buying way more size than necessary. I went through the SQ5 vs Q7 consideration for a family of 4, but realized the Q7 was too big when I found out I couldn't even lift it with my Quikjack. The SQ7 is a full 1000 lbs heavier than SQ5.

Then there's fuel economy, the SQ5 and SQ7 are in different leagues. SQ5 is 19/24 and the SQ7 is 15/21.

[Local]

I had a rental Q7 for a week in california.

I own a SQ5.

I found the Q7 was huge at first, but after driving it for a while found it actually handled its size pretty well. Parking it was a bitch though, and our hotel valet actually hit another vehicle with it.

The lower screen controls for A/C and stuff sucked when we had to use them (i prefer buttons) but we actually had to use it very rarely - so it didn't really come up.

The SQ5 feels much smallers, sportier, and is much easier to deal with in a city. The Q7 is a great highway cruiser. The 3rd row of seating is pretty much useless - and even though we were trying to transport as many people as possible to my brothers wedding it was easier to make a 2nd trip than to try and squeeze people into that third row. The third row also makes the trunk almost useless. But with the third row of seats down its almost like they never existed and the Q7 cargo space is pretty good. The 2nd row of rear seats a have more room than the back seats in the SQ5 but both are pretty nice. The SQ5 has rear seats that recline, have USB power outlets, cup holders, and have seat heaters - pretty much everything you need for a nice ride.

I drove the Q7, not the SQ7 so i can't really compare power trains, motors, or handling - but I can tell you no matter how fast and how little body roll she has, you will always know you are driving a school bus - even if its a really really nice one.

My vote is, if you live in a city or travel in one frequently you will be much happier with the SQ5. The SQ7 would make a great country, ranch, LONG road trip car - but generally doesn't do anything that you couldn't do in an SQ5.

regards,