You won’t be caught behind slow traffic for long towing with the Audi SQ5. With 313PS (309bhp) to call upon, it can tow from 30-60mph in 7.2 seconds, making it one of the fastest cars tested this year.
The Audi has the stability to match its speed, hardly ever needing steering corrections at the legal limit or beyond. However, in the lane-change test the back of the car slid wide on the fastest of the three test runs.
There were no issues at all with the SQ5’s hill-start test. It pulled up the 1-in-6 gradient with ease, and also reversed uphill without complaint.
Leave the caravan behind and the Audi’s mighty engine delivers even more vivid performance, but the stiff suspension can feel harsh. It’s certainly not as supple as the air suspension fitted to the Audi A6 Allroad.
The 540-litre boot was roomy enough for all our holiday luggage, and the reversing camera and fitment of a Trailer Stability Programme earned more points from our practicality judges.
With a list price of £44,715, the SQ5 isn’t cheap. However, What Car?’s used car experts predict it will hold on to 57% of the original price after three years and 36,000 miles on the road.