RS4 (B8) and SQ5 Comparison

[C2 VXT]

Hello to all from a Newbie

I currently own an SQ5 but I am seriously considering a B8 RS4 Avant (Sepang Blue) I appreciate ones a diesel and ones a Stonking V8 petrol beast.

However the following questions, are to those of you who have already made the upgrade from SQ5 to RS4 or indeed are fortunate enough to own both. How do they compare to live with on a daily basis, based on the following criteria.

1. Cross country pace.
2. Practicality.
3. Depreciation.
4. Running Costs (being a shrewd git, I have to ask)
5. Motorway Driving.

From what I can tell the interior from the rear seats forward are nigh on identical, and the SQ5 has a lot more torque. The RS4 is stunning to look at though and has a proper engine.

FYI
I have a missus, 2 kids and enough road and mountain bikes for 2 families. I will cover 15-20k per annum.

Regards

Ian

[Graeme4130]

I have a missus, 2 kids and enough road and mountain bikes for 2 families. I will cover 15-20k per annum.

Plenty of roadies and downhillers on here as RS4 owners, (myself included) you don't need to know any more in terms of purchase decision criteria

FWIW, in the limited exposure I've had in driving an SQ5, if you're looking for cross country pace when driving at 70%, then an SQ5 is a much easier experience. However, you start pushing on to >80%, then an RS4 will trounce all over it
Sq5 is more comfortable on the motorway and the increased torque comes in useful for passing without stopping 3 gears
Practicality is similar although I think RS4 boot is larger in depth but not height from memory

[1199Panigale]

I was ready to buy an SQ5 earlier this year when I decided to test drive the demo RS4 at my local dealers, needless to say the RS is now parked in the garage. I felt the SQ was the more practical every day drive option but the 'I want' factor of the RS was just too much to ignore - for me anyway. From memory the rear seat and boot space was slightly smaller in the SQ, the torque of the diesel made for an easier daily drive but handling wise the RS is head and shoulders ahead. Finally when it comes to looks, I think of the SQ as the girl next door and the RS is a supermodel.

[Ranfurly66]

Hi
I'm lucky enough to now have both, Panther Black SQ5 and a Missano Red RS.

A bit controversial but if this is going to be your main family car then I'd go for the SQ5. You get great milage, it's practical, the wife will love driving it, it gets up and boogies when you want ( seriously quick in its own right), drives okay for a SUV. It is what we use to get around town in doing whatever we need to do.

That is where the rub is, it is a SUV and looks pretty close to the other SUV models, the diesel has fantastic pull from low down, but isn't a RS engine.

The RS is as practical as any A4 avant, the RS drives better than other models (RS6 included.....?), the engine is everything about the car, it has a drinking problem if you even think about driving it in fun mode, but to really know its full abilities you need to be on a empty open road then it is a magical car. If you can wait for those moments to pop up every so often then you can't refuse it. Great choice either way.

The SQ5 will be the better car if you're happy with a great compromise car - practical that can give you a thrill but doesn't go to above 7 10th. I guess the difference between S and RS.

[doodlebug]

The RS4 is good, but the RS6 is the daddy.

[steviefleming]

I was ready to buy an SQ5 earlier this year when I decided to test drive the demo RS4 at my local dealers, needless to say the RS is now parked in the garage. I felt the SQ was the more practical every day drive option but the 'I want' factor of the RS was just too much to ignore - for me anyway. From memory the rear seat and boot space was slightly smaller in the SQ, the torque of the diesel made for an easier daily drive but handling wise the RS is head and shoulders ahead. Finally when it comes to looks, I think of the SQ as the girl next door and the RS is a supermodel.

+1 ....

I think the SQ5 has everything you need (and more for the family ) ......

The RS4 has everything you want !!!!

[C2 VXT]

I was ready to buy an SQ5 earlier this year when I decided to test drive the demo RS4 at my local dealers, needless to say the RS is now parked in the garage. I felt the SQ was the more practical every day drive option but the 'I want' factor of the RS was just too much to ignore - for me anyway. From memory the rear seat and boot space was slightly smaller in the SQ, the torque of the diesel made for an easier daily drive but handling wise the RS is head and shoulders ahead. Finally when it comes to looks, I think of the SQ as the girl next door and the RS is a supermodel.

+1 ....

I think the SQ5 has everything you need (and more for the family ) ......

The RS4 has everything you want !!!!

Thanks for all of the replies.

Stevie

You have summed up the comparison perfectly.

I have ordered one today in Sepang Blue for March delivery

So if anyone fancies a 13plate SQ5 in Panther black for a good price, send me a PM for further details.

[steviefleming]

OMG Ian !!!

Well , I did not expect that !

The SQ5 is a brill motor and if I had one ( with the family demands you have ) I don't know if I'd be allowed to swap.

That's said , I can dream up a few excuses myself ....I'm doing less than 10k miles per annum now and petrol is an option now and I'm spending as much as I can afford while I can.

Well done and best of luck with the new car !

Sepang blue ...lovely choice .

I was so torn between sepang and Missano , but chose Missano .

The more sepang and less the Missano on the road , the better from now on

Happy new year when it comes