2022 Audi SQ5 Sportback

Riding on a front and rear multi-link suspension with the added benefit of adaptive damping, the SQ5 Sportback holds its own fairly well through a sharp series of corners. The electrically assisted power steering can change the feeling of weight, dependent on speed, making fast cornering an easier task on the arms. Both of these elements have been tuned to be elegant and graceful, so you'll never feel any element of a performance car while doing so. The ride is plush, despite the standard fitment of low-profile 20-inch alloy wheels, so any inconsistencies along the surface will be greatly softened from the perspective of the driver's seat.

If you select the S Sport package, available on the Premium Plus and Prestige trim for $3,000, the compact crossover evolves into a slightly more capable performance car with the inclusion of a sport rear differential and adaptive air suspension. Using these two pieces of equipment, the SQ5 becomes tighter around the corners but the overall feeling is still on the plush side. With the added benefit of air, this package also improves the overall ride quality that undulates over harsher surfaces. These models also have access to the $1,150 speed-dependent variable-ratio dynamic steering, available only with the S Sport pack. With this applied the steering sharpness of the crossover increases or decreases based on your speed. Audi says it enhances confidence behind the wheel when faced with a series of intricate apexes, but we think it does the opposite as the same corner at different speeds can feel entirely different.

Despite having active damping and generous ground clearance, the SQ5 Sportback has a clear weakness on gravel roads, regardless of whether the aforementioned package is selected. The ride becomes jittery and unbalanced, translation a total contrast to the brand's rich rally history.

Objectively speaking, the Audi SQ5 Sportback is a good car for one in the warm coupe crossover segment. But if it's an athletic ability that you're after, this is unlikely to suit your needs as much as the X4 M40i or GLC 43 Coupe would. Ingolstadt's contender fails to translate the same dynamic edge as its neighbors and resultantly fails to advance the Audi Sport reputation.

However, that doesn't mean that there's no appeal to be found in the SQ5 at all as it is the most practical offering of the big German three. The powertrain is one of the most refined examples in its segment without compromising straight-line performance. So long as you keep it off the gravel, the ride will be more than satisfactory for daily usage with the added benefit of an adaptive suspension system and speed-sensitive steering.

It's not the most visually striking model in its class, but next to the SQ5 SUV, it certainly is more distinctive as it merges conservative styling from the front and rear with an athletic silhouette provided by the sloping D-pillar to create a liftback appearance.

BMW pretty much invented the crossover coupe segment with the X6 so it has become more than familiar with how to tackle the segment. With the X4 M40i, BMW has successfully provided its contender with a distinctive M Sport feel that is not as apparent in the SQ5 Sportback. The powertrain offers more enthusiastic characteristics from the power delivery of its 382 hp (nearly 40 more than the Audi) and 369 lb-ft to the engine note on its way to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds (three-tenths quicker than the Audi). Its eight-speed automatic transmission also has an element of aggression when rapidly shifting through the gears. Despite this, it's a car that can be used with comfort daily thanks to a reasonably soft-sprung ride and a direct and fluid electrically assisted steering wheel. At $62,400 MSRP, it is a bit more of an expensive option compared to the base SQ5 Sportback but its standard specification is in line with the Premium Plus which bears the same price. If we were looking at non-performance-minded alternatives, we would be having a different conversation.

Whereas the SQ5 is a diluted Audi Sport experience, the GLC 43 is a fully-fledged AMG product powered by a delightful twin-turbo gasoline V6 engine. 385 hp is sent to all four wheels via its impressive 9G-Tronic automatic transmission that is more driver-oriented than Audi's Tiptronic. At $66,500, it is a costly choice. To get it to the same standard as the flagship SQ5 Sportback, you'll also need to select a good few optional extras that will see its price climb much closer to the $70,000 mark. If you are looking for a more commanding visual presence and an unfiltered performance experience, the AMG will be the right choice for you but where practicality and general daily usability are concerned, the SQ5 Sportback manages things better as it translates a better ride comfort and lower noise vehicle harshness levels partly thanks to a more refined powertrain.