2021 Audi SQ5

From Edmunds:   All work and no play makes for a dull SUV. If you're seeking a little excitement from a luxury SUV, you're in luck there's no shortage of choices and the 2021 Audi SQ5 is well regarded in this class. It has a lot of the comfort and understated luxury of the regular Q5 but turns up the performance quotient with a potent 349-horsepower turbocharged V6 engine. This year, the SQ5 gets a styling refresh as well as an updated infotainment system and a few other tech feature additions. These upgrades are significant enough to keep the SQ5 fresh and up-to-date. We'd easily cross-shop it with other impressive sporty SUVs that include the BMW X3 M40i, Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 and Porsche Macan. In some ways, the SQ5 finds a narrow middle ground to give it a well-rounded set of skills. Still, it's a close battle among all of these SUVs, so we suggest thorough test drives of each. Which SQ5 does Edmunds recommend? The midrange Premium Plus trim gets our recommendation in the SQ5 lineup. Odds are if you're considering the $53,000 base Premium trim, another $4,400 to step up won't break the bank. In return, you get the contents of the Convenience package, along with adaptive cruise control and several other safety, tech and convenience features.   2021 Audi SQ5 models The SQ5 is a sporty version of the supporting Audi Q5 and is offered in three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige. The SQ5 is also available in an SQ5 Sportback version that features a sloping rear roofline for a sleeker silhouette. Both are similarly equipped and are powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine (349 horsepower, 369 lb-ft of torque) that is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive is standard.   Premium The base Premium trim is generously equipped with plenty of convenience and safety features that include: Roof rails Power liftgate Sport-tuned suspension Tri-zone automatic climate control Leather and faux suede upholstery Heated front sport seats Remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay Integrated toll-road payment system 10.1-inch touchscreen Advanced safety features that include: Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Blind-spot monitoring (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane) Automatic high beams Front and rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front or behind the vehicle when parking) The optional Convenience package adds: Auto-dimming exterior mirrors Keyless entry and ignition Heated steering wheel Driver-seat memory functions Satellite radio Premium Plus The midtier Premium Plus trim includes the Convenience package as well as: Panoramic sunroof Digital instrument panel Wireless charging pad with signal booster Additional faux leather interior coverings Enhanced and added safety features such as: Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front) Lane keeping assist (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane) Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings for tight parking situations) Prestige The range-topping Prestige trim adds several luxury and tech features that include: Dual-pane sound-insulating front windows Upgraded exterior lighting Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention) Traffic sign reader Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield) Heated rear seats Interior ambient lighting Navigation system 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio Some features are available on supporting trims as options. Other bundled option packages offered on