Never-ending series of issues from thermostats to air-flow valves to fans... At one point they had to remove the entire dashboard to replace a sensor. It was a fiasco.

But since I didn’t commute by car and didn’t need a loaner, I brought it in right away every time there was a problem. So we ran through the maximum number of repair attempts under WA State law in a few months and I was done. The Q5 was in service >40% of the days I owned it.

I bought the Q5 July 2019 and Audi repurchased it for 99% of the value early January 2020. I bought my Macan off the lot without even a test drive as I’d already driven a friend’s Macan extensively. It was frustrating, for sure, but in the end it all worked out.

 

I owned an SQ5 and absolutely loved it. I thought its performance and comfort were top shelf. When my wife was needing to replace her SUV we drove all the usual suspects and then we drove a Macan. Hands down, the Macan is the better performance vehicle. We bought a Macan GTS and it still puts a smile on my face when she "allows" me to drive it. I do believe the seats in the GTS are far more comfortable than the base, S or the SQ5. We have taken multiple 1,000 mi+ trips and neither of our backs have ever complained once.

As many have pointed out, there will be more fun tech in an SQ5 compared to a similar price point Macan, but I enjoy the performance way more than I wanted a fancier instrument cluster or other, albeit convenient, tech. My wife absolutely loves her Macan GTS also. If I were to even suggest an SQ5 to her (even with more convenient tech), she would likely take me out while I sleep!

 

Good thread. I’m thinking of getting a new DD. My current car is loud/unrefined/punishing/rattling. Just tired of it.

I have a deposit down on an M3 xDrive - but I’ve started thinking maybe that’s a waste of the performance and will be less comfortable than I really want. I also have my 911 for “fun” duties so there would be some overlap of purpose between the m3 and 911. Lastly It will be a pain in the butt with the M3 to be having a rack for mountain bike duty. I really like the idea of a hitch mount instead.

So I started thinking about Macan vs Q5. Specifically the Macan T vs SQ5 vs Macan GTS vs M3 xdrive. In the same ballpark price wise. Macan T vs SQ5 probably being more sensible for my uses if I’m being honest here. And trying to be a little more price conscious (hah)

I have some experience with Q5s - we have a 9yr old 3.0 supercharged Q5 which we’ve loved.(wife’s car) When that has been in for minor service/maintenance a few times I was fortunate enough to get an SQ5. Loved that car - seems like a great package. Very fast, good tech and ok styling.

In my next car Im looking for good dynamics- handling is #1 and I want something that looks good. Something that I can take the whole family in - drive on road trips etc. Or maybe shred a backroad here and there when on my way to a trail.

It’s obvious the SQ5 is the better deal. You get the GTS engine essentially and fully loaded for roughly 65-70k. Same features for the GTS is more like 100k. Macan T maybe 79k.

But the SQ5 handling is so numb / wooden. It rides nice but just doesn’t feel that fun. I’m willing to pay for fun- and I don’t mind sacrificing the engine for some fun in the case of the Macan T. My perception from the limited reviews Ive seen is that the Macan T would just be way better in the handling department over the Q5. (I would option PTV etc to get all the goodies on the macan). I also think the macan looks 100x better than the audi. The SQ5 just looks a little more bland / family car to me.

But if they truly drive similarly I can’t i’m good conscience spend the same dollars just for a lesser engine and better styling.

Anyway - I hope I could get some people with real world experience share more opinions on handling differences.

There are not base macans around optioned with the handling goodies so I need to somewhat make a decision based on opinion.

 

To me, the biggest differentiator is the transmission and how each delivers the power. The SQ5's automatic was definitely family SUV like whereas the Macan's dual clutch is just more engaging. It's odd to me that the regular Q5 gets a dual clutch but the SQ5 gets an 8 speed auto but I guess most SQ5 buyers prefer the smoothness of the 8 speed auto. Then came the suspension and handling. Macan's PASM air suspension just felt so much more confident to me than the SQ5's air suspension which is definitely tuned to be more on the comfort side. Yes, on paper the SQ5 is very appealing and makes a lot more sense financially. I really wanted to like the SQ5 more but a drive of the Macan ended that debate. And of course the styling of the Macan both inside and out were better to me. I generally like Audi styling as I have a 2014 RS 5 but I'm just not a big fan of the current sharp edged method.

 

This is fantastic information thank you. So that is a good point you brought up regarding the transmission. I had assumed the SQ5 and Macan both had torque converter automatics. If the macan is a dual clutch box for the 4 cyl and the 6 cyl that’s a big difference. Also the 4 should make the car less nose heavy and better to turn in.

 

We traded our 19 sq5 in for the 22 gts. Not even on the same planet. I’m about as big an Audi fan boy as you can get but the Porsche is just better in every way except space. Sq5 is very numb feeling driving. Porsche has nailed the steering unles you like zero feedback from the wheel. Even our 21 rs5 doesn’t even come close to the gts in the steering department. We love the macan so much I’ve been thinking about getting rid of our rs5 for the 911.

 

I've often thought about getting rid of my RS5 for a 911 4S but the 8500 rpm redline V8 keeps it around.

 

I have both a 2017 SQ5 (Gen-1) and a 2019 Macan Base. For raw performance, the SQ5 is ahead of the Macan, even the handling is sharper (except for steering feedback), but the ride is somewhat harsher (SQ5= 21 inch wheels, steel springs, Macan = 20 inch wheels, steel springs).

The SQ5 sport seats are better than the Macan 14-way seats. The SQ5 3.0 supercharged V6 and ZF automatic is a better powertrain (smoother, lots of instant torque) than the 4-cyl 2.0T, and the ZF trans and Torsen Quattro are bulletproof compared to the Macan PDK and Transfer Case. The SQ5 ergonomics (of the infotainment system and climate control system) are superior to the Macan. It also has a nice fat-rimmed flat bottom steering wheel, versus the "delicate" wheel of the Macan.

What is better in the Macan is ride comfort, a slightly better quality interior, better steering feedback and precision, better exterior styling, and no rattles (the SQ5 pano-roof has the infamous unfixable rattle).

Honestly, I would have bought another Gen-1 SQ5 over a Base Macan, if I could have found another used one in the right condition.

The Gen-2 SQ5 (2018 +) is a step down in performance compared to the Gen-1 SQ5, but it has better tech and more contemporary styling. But, as they are now built in Mexico, that alone took it off my shopping list.

 

If comparing a gen 1 SQ5 with the supercharger to a base base Macan, I'd choose the SQ5 too. I also enjoyed the performance of the supercharged motor to the current turbo one. I'm not a fan of the Macan's non-PASM suspension or its 14 way seats at all. What you call ride comfort, I actually think is too wallowy for what a Porsche should be. But I do agree with you that I like the gen 1 SQ5 over the gen 2 in pretty much every way.

 

Have had my Macan base for a few months now, definitely haven't regretted choosing it over an SQ5. It does lack a bit of power but the handling is unmatched which makes a great daily driver especially in the city. If I were to buy a car now, I would have order the Macan T as it's a well optioned base model.

It really just depends if you want performance or luxury/handling.

 

I upgraded front and rear sway-bars to stiffer aftermarket ones (H&R) to tidy-up the handling of my steel spring Base Macan. It is now more to my liking.