SQ5 Owners - Did you consider the Macan S?

[rollininstyle04]

Thinking about consolidating cars and selling both my A6 and Q5 and getting either an SQ5 or a Macan.

For those who ended up with the SQ5, did you consider the Macan at all? What led you to end up with the Audi?

I have always been an Audi guy, but am struggling with this decision, I have driven them both and liked them both a lot. I need to go drive them back to back and see how I feel as I drove them a few weeks apart, but wanted to hear thoughts from others.

Thanks!

[Adplaya]

Thinking about consolidating cars and selling both my A6 and Q5 and getting either an SQ5 or a Macan.

For those who ended up with the SQ5, did you consider the Macan at all? What led you to end up with the Audi?

I have always been an Audi guy, but am struggling with this decision, I have driven them both and liked them both a lot. I need to go drive them back to back and see how I feel as I drove them a few weeks apart, but wanted to hear thoughts from others.

Thanks!

I'm a practical man, and I need trunk space. Macan has none of it. And it suffers from slope in the rear so taller passengers in the back seat will suffer. Performance wise its right up there with the SQ, doubt you'll notice much of a difference. It is a Porsche and it definitely has a better mmi than the Audi. I believe though with all the features I have (carbon atlas, side assist, technology package) it would have been more expensive to go Porsche. I got the loyalty 1k discount and haggled down about 4k from sticker.

[mmth_ski_bum]

Exactly what I was going to say, the internal volume of the Audi is greater across the board, no way I was going to fit two car seats in the Macan plus all the stuff that comes with two toddlers. Aside from that, I think the Macan is better handling stock, acceleration performance for the SQ5 is just about between the Macan S and Macan Turbo. The cost/content favors the Audi, the Macan S can get crazy expensive if you get deep into the options, you should be able to negotiate down on the SQ5, too. The Macan does have an advantage in Tech, the Q5/SQ5 is reaching the end of lifecycle so the MMI is a generation behind.

Tuning potential for the Turbo in the Macan is obviously greater than the SQ5, but I don't find Stage 2 on the SQ5 lacking at all. I would hope the next-gen SQ5 gets the same enging as the B9 S4, or just bring the damn TDI.

[drumnjuny]

absolutely considered the macan S, drove it a ton, spec'd it out and kept getting low 70's, which is more than i wanted to spend on a daily/SUV

plus, as others noted, trunk space was low, towing is only 1600 lbs, but it drives like a dream! and PDK is awesome.

Well, PDK/DSG will murder tow capacity. and the ZF isn't thaaaat bad. shit i actually kind of like the umph between gears.

Well, 3 weeks in I installed KW V1's, and WOW! now it handles just like the macan. saved over 10k off a similarly spec'd macan S, too.

[rollininstyle04]

Thanks for all the input, keep it coming. I was leaning towards the SQ5, but one of the local Porsche Dealers has a CPO 2015 Macan S with only 7,800 miles for just under $60 so that has me reconsidering my choices. Plus it has the Garnet Red interior which I love. Tough choices...

[wrxray]

Cross shopped extensively, plus my co-worker has a Macan S. My thoughts...

1) The overall utility is much better with the SQ5.
2) The interior materials in the Macan are a step above the SQ5.
3) I actually prefer the tech in the SQ5. The Macan nav is horrible, unless I had the settings wrong on the one I drove.
4) I love the sleeper aspect of the SQ5 which you don't get with the Macan.

Both are great vehicles though...good luck with your decision!

[drumnjuny]

Ah, yes i hated the 2016 macan nav. the nappa leather in my SQ5 feels just as nice as the leather in the macan to me, but porsche is porsche so I naturally felt like it was nicer inside. the porsche seats are very snuggly and nice also. I was only considering a 2017 which comes with PCM 4, porsches latest and greatest with carplay. just got debuted in the 991.2

[rollininstyle04]

I am going to drive them back to back tomorrow and see if that helps at all.

I will say from browsing the Macan forums today for the first time, I much prefer Audi folks. Some strange owners over on their side.

[rusq5]

I did. I really didn't have a huge need for space I only have 1 small dog, so that wasn't a concern. I did find the fit and finish better and the Porsche more fun to drive. I really liked the adaptive suspension on the Macan. Over all I'd consider it better than the SQ. However, I clearly went with the Audi.

My issues with the Porsche were:
1. Porsche tax (options, mods, maintenance)
2. Long waiting when I was ready to buy (I was told there was a 6+ wait list to order)

[SQive]

I cross-shopped the Macan when I was between SQ5's. The one thing I truly loved about the Macan is that you can still get one without a sunroof. Otherwise, they were just too damn expensive. Forgetting the fancy Porsche options, just spec-ing it to the SQ level put it in the mid 70's. Besides...if you fancy a stage-2 tune and a few other mods, you can blow the doors off a stock Macan Turbo!

[Drichardson72]

I struggled with this decision as well! Something about driving a Porsche with the exhaust note, awesome interior and superior handling. BUT, I couldn't stomach the $10K premium, plus I think the SQ pulls harder off the line than the Macan S. Add the cargo room and lower cost, and my decision was made. I'm thrilled with my 2016 SQ and have no regrets.


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[drumnjuny]

I am going to drive them back to back tomorrow and see if that helps at all.

I will say from browsing the Macan forums today for the first time, I much prefer Audi folks. Some strange owners over on their side.

don't dip into the other forums then. the forum for this grocery getter is understandably docile i think the rule of thumb is there are assholes and opinions everywhere and people get bold over the internet

[Charles.waite]

Arjun when did you get the sq?? Good to see you still around.

[drumnjuny]

Arjun when did you get the sq?? Good to see you still around.

thanks man! I bought a loaded F-150 but got bored of burnouts. 3.5TT in those motors is legit!! buuut its a bitch to park anywhere in the city. SQ5 is good shit though, loving it so far. got it like 7 weeks ago?

[Charles.waite]

thanks man! I bought a loaded F-150 but got bored of burnouts. 3.5TT in those motors is legit!! buuut its a bitch to park anywhere in the city. SQ5 is good shit though, loving it so far. got it like 7 weeks ago?

Nice. The wife picked up a 2012 2.0t q5 last spring. That 8-speed is definitely no 6mt but it's a great transmission for sure.

[snig]

Thinking about consolidating cars and selling both my A6 and Q5 and getting either an SQ5 or a Macan.

For those who ended up with the SQ5, did you consider the Macan at all? What led you to end up with the Audi?

I have always been an Audi guy, but am struggling with this decision, I have driven them both and liked them both a lot. I need to go drive them back to back and see how I feel as I drove them a few weeks apart, but wanted to hear thoughts from others.

Thanks!

I cancelled my Macan Turbo order for the SQ5. Test drive the SQ5 and was immediately sold. Test drove a stage 2 SQ5 and knew I made the right choice. The Macan S and Turbo are nice, and the Turbo is faster than a stock SQ5 (stage 2 is the obvious answer), but they are quiet and linear in their acceleration to the point where it felt boring. The SQ5 had a bit more grunt. Gave me the same woody as driving my supercharged E9x M3.

[AUDIMAN33]

Get the Macan. At the end of the day you are posting on an Audi forum about another brand what do you think is going to be the answer? The Macan forum is strange that is true lol. The Macan you will have more fun with at the end of the day.

[Silverarrow240]

I 100% considered the Macan... Here's why I went with SQ:

1. Back seat room... SQ is our family car. Macan was way smaller in rear seat room
2. Cargo room. Nuff said.
3. Price... Would have wanted a turbo prob... Lol
4. Lastly, availability. Last spring there was a 9 month back log on Macans. I wanted something sooner than that.

[rollininstyle04]

Get the Macan. At the end of the day you are posting on an Audi forum about another brand what do you think is going to be the answer? The Macan forum is strange that is true lol. The Macan you will have more fun with at the end of the day.

I expected an honest and informed discussion as to the pros and cons of each, which thus far has been exactly what I've received. I've read threads on the Porsche forums as well debating the two models to get the Macan owners views as to why they chose there's as well. I've been an AZ member for over a decade and trust the average user here and this thread is no exception with a ton of valid points being brought up in favor of both models.

I drove both again today, but had a shitty route with the Macan so couldn't really open it up (straight road, traffic, no curves, 35mph speed limit in what I know is a cop heavy area, why that is this dealerships test drive route confuses me). I liked the SQ5 more today, but going to hit up another Porsche dealership and give the Macan a better chance later this week.

I optioned out a Macan, premium plus, few other things, and price point is pretty similar, which only makes it harder. I like Porsche's color pallete more (aside from doing an Audi Exclusive). Both are readily available with no wait/build time for appropriately optioned cars.

Overall leaning SQ5 at the moment though. What I do know is I need to move some cars. Who wants a 2010 Q5 3.2 Prestige S-Line or a heavily modified 2006 A6 4.2 S-Line? :)

[drumnjuny]

All I can tell you is if you're on the fence, ride in a tuned SQ or even a stock one with suspension!

[snig]

I expected an honest and informed discussion as to the pros and cons of each, which thus far has been exactly what I've received. I've read threads on the Porsche forums as well debating the two models to get the Macan owners views as to why they chose there's as well. I've been an AZ member for over a decade and trust the average user here and this thread is no exception with a ton of valid points being brought up in favor of both models.

I drove both again today, but had a shitty route with the Macan so couldn't really open it up (straight road, traffic, no curves, 35mph speed limit in what I know is a cop heavy area, why that is this dealerships test drive route confuses me). I liked the SQ5 more today, but going to hit up another Porsche dealership and give the Macan a better chance later this week.

I optioned out a Macan, premium plus, few other things, and price point is pretty similar, which only makes it harder. I like Porsche's color pallete more (aside from doing an Audi Exclusive). Both are readily available with no wait/build time for appropriately optioned cars.

Overall leaning SQ5 at the moment though. What I do know is I need to move some cars. Who wants a 2010 Q5 3.2 Prestige S-Line or a heavily modified 2006 A6 4.2 S-Line? :)

If you already have a Q5 and don't need the space that the cargo area and rear seats provide (Macan rear bench is definitely tight, especially for infant seats), then get the Macan for something different. It'll turn some heads for sure and it is no slouch. The SQ5 is a real sleeper though. Cops won't give it a second glance, as long as you don't get it in Sepang Blue or the Volcano Red.

[S-Fore]

Interesting sight the other day, I was driving thru NNJ and saw what appeared to be an X3/335 model. It was a Camo'd out X3 with the dual 335 like exhaust and had an M pkg style front bumper. I rode next to him for about a mile and he looked over and was smiling... A car with those specs would be a straight competitor to the SQ I'd imagine.

[Q5 Bob]

From strictly a styling standpoint, the Macan is newer/fresher looking. The styling on the SQ5/Q5, while still good looking, is now in its 8th model year and there are a lot of them on the road, so the Porsche is more unique IMO.

[Adplaya]

From strictly a styling standpoint, the Macan is newer/fresher looking. The styling on the SQ5/Q5, while still good looking, is now in its 8th model year and there are a lot of them on the road, so the Porsche is more unique IMO.

Yea.. that really pisses me off. And people make fun of the Porsche guys for having relatively the same body style year after year.

[Charles.waite]

I think the q5 still looks really good personally. But there are simply a million of them on the road around here. It's the wifemobile though and she wants the anonymity. She used to hate driving the avant when it was hers because it was a Brilliant Black with the Titanium package (the douchebag package is what she called it). It was much too aggressive looking for her.

[Q5 Bob]

I think the q5 still looks really good personally. But there are simply a million of them on the road around here. It's the wifemobile though and she wants the anonymity. She used to hate driving the avant when it was hers because it was a Brilliant Black with the Titanium package (the douchebag package is what she called it). It was much too aggressive looking for her.

Au#i sold 52,000 Q5's in the U.S. alone last year so one does see them frequently.

[snig]

Interesting sight the other day, I was driving thru NNJ and saw what appeared to be an X3/335 model. It was a Camo'd out X3 with the dual 335 like exhaust and had an M pkg style front bumper. I rode next to him for about a mile and he looked over and was smiling... A car with those specs would be a straight competitor to the SQ I'd imagine.

Sounds like an X3 M40i model or Mule for the next gen X3 or X3M.

[rollininstyle04]

This decision is proving to be much harder than I initially thought. Thanks everyone for the feedback so far, at a minimum this is a good thread for some future shoppers of both models.

Both are fast enough, both are spacious enough (for my needs), both are nice enough on the inside, both handle well (would do suspension on either), both are readily available at a number of local dealers, and price point is +/- a few thousand...

Ultimately I need to decide what I want out of a car, if I am looking for another sleeper type vehicle, in which case a Brilliant Black on Black w/ Black Optic SQ5 would probably be what I'd end up with. Or something a little flashier to do something different than I have always done, in which case a White on Garnet Red Macan would fit that bill nicely.

I really wish Audi offered more of their colors on all models (the R/RS color options are so much better than the standard). I would love a Suzuka Grey SQ5 w/ full Magma Red interior (not a fan of the 2-tone seats). Or a Merlin Purple with full Lunar Silver interior. Either of those being regular orderable combos (not the excessive wait and cost for an Exclusive) would seal the deal for me, but alas, the struggle continues.

[drumnjuny]

if i didn't care about money, i would have definitely taken the porsche. the options of air suspension, torque vectoring, etc really appeal to my "gotta have all the performance in my dog car" disease. unfortunately i'm not rich so. SQ5 it is lol. my choice was Macan with no aftermarket toys or SQ with all the aftermarket toys... i like to wrench so.

[rollininstyle04]

if i didn't care about money, i would have definitely taken the porsche. the options of air suspension, torque vectoring, etc really appeal to my "gotta have all the performance in my dog car" disease. unfortunately i'm not rich so. SQ5 it is lol. my choice was Macan with no aftermarket toys or SQ with all the aftermarket toys... i like to wrench so.

I'm with you on that one, part of the appeal of the Macan is in attempt to wrench a little less...however, not convinced I would actually stick to that...

[MilesM]

To add to this, I was in this exact boat before ordering my SQ5.

I now have an SQ5 coming...

The main factor for me was the $$ difference. It may only seem like 5-10k, but I had to really think about why I was about to spend at least 5k more on a car with far less options than on a fully loaded SQ5. If it was a Q5 vs Macan S I'd likely have gone the Macan route, but the SQ is such a fantastic package for the money that I couldn't go Porsche. And I'm a diehard Porsche fan and wanted the Macan from the moment they showed it. I had considered a Macan when I got my S5 but they were ~3 months away so it didnt work.

I drove both the S and the Turbo and that was another thing that made me realize I wasn't making the right decision on an S. Of the two, I knew that the Turbo was exactly what I wanted but it was also 80k bare... I couldn't do that. The GTS may be a better option now, but I think the SQ beats the Macan S all day.

Macan S < SQ5 < Macan GTS? < Macan Turbo

Plus it meant I get to stay around Audizine :P

[drumnjuny]

I'm with you on that one, part of the appeal of the Macan is in attempt to wrench a little less...however, not convinced I would actually stick to that...

bought an F150 ecobewbs for this reason... loaded, had everything, way more features than my SQ. sold it after ~4 months and zero mods lmao, got into a SQ. can't fight the truth.

[TJay74]

Yep, we cross shopped it as well. Actually it was the car that caught the wifes eye and caused me to check into the SQ5 once we found out it was another option after we drove a S-line Q5. As said once you spec out the Macan to be comparable to the SQ5 it is mid $70k's easily, plus it is only 340hp versus the 355hp of the SQ5. Mods for the SQ5 seem to be move available as well and the over all package on the SQ5 just seemed to be the better bargain over the Macan.

[Charles.waite]

The one positive is that like previous Porsche SUVs, I'm sure the Macan will depreciate like mad so they'll be on the used market for pretty cheap soon.

[Cicatrix]

Looked at both as well, but at the end of the day the Audi offered everything she wanted (power, styling, options, ease of use, cargo space) and everything I wanted (price).

Actually..I guess I just bought what she wanted.