After a long and successful first-generation run, Audi?s Q5 crossover has been redesigned for 2018, and the new model goes on sale soon in the United States. We now have pricing information on the Q5 and its high-performance SQ5 stablemate, both of which go up a bit in starting cost to reflect new equipment and improved performance. The 2018 Q5, which comes standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four and all-wheel drive, starts at $42,475, while the V-6?powered SQ5 starts at $55,275. That is a $625 increase over the base 2017 Q5 and $1025 more than the base price of the 2017 SQ5.
The Q5 menu includes three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. The standard equipment list for the base Premium model is a bit sparse, but it includes a backup camera, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and automatic climate control. Items such as a proximity key, a sunroof, and navigation are optional. Pay $4000 extra for the Premium Plus trim, and you get a panoramic sunroof, LED headlights, and blind-spot monitoring. The Q5 Prestige requires another $5300 and includes Audi?s virtual cockpit TFT instrument cluster, a 360-degree camera system, and a head-up display. The adaptive damping system we lauded on our Q5 first drive is a $1000 option available only on the Q5 Prestige.
The SQ5 is a significant step up in performance, with its 354-hp turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 and upgraded chassis, so it?s no surprise you?ll pay significantly more for it. It comes only in $55,275 Premium Pl...