Great comparison! A few unsolicited comments

Interesting you feel better in snow in the F Pace since the SQ is full time AWD and the F Pace isn't.

Agreed on the B&O being much better than the Meridian.

I think the new SQ5 will be ahead of the F Pace in technology again, but it a fan of the exterior so far.

Both of your cars are beautiful! I almost considered trading in my S4 for the SQ5 but just couldn't get over the dated interior.

 

Thanks!

My gut feeling is that the new SQ5 will not be ahead, at best match what the Fpace has.

I have all the options in the fpace, including all the numerous driving aids, incar internet, HUD, connected navigation, etc etc.

I will for sure compare both when the SQ5 comes out.

 

It's nice to have someone who owns both and can compare. I had a Q7 a few years back and I still think the F_Pace competes with that other than the 3rd row and the sound system, which I seem to remember being just a little better than the F-Pace. However, I am going on memory rather than direct comparison. There is one place I which the F-pace had some better options though from the dealership and that is in wheel width and fatter tires. The S-Line Q7 rims, which I still have in the basement with some pretty good rubber on them if anyone with a Q7 is interested, looked really good on the Q7 and I like the meatier rubber stance it had. I'm hoping to fix that with some aftermarket rims and some new summer rubber this spring, but it would have been nice to have an option from the factory for that setup.

 

Thanks for the comparison. Do you have the 20" Goodyear tires? How to you feel they perform in the snow?

 

I don't know which tires came with the car because I removed them right away for winter tires (Nokia Ha. R2). I'll go check in the garage, didn't pay attention to them.

The ones supplied with the car are summer tires and are not derivable in the winter.

 

Jeez, people up in Canada have great tastes in cars! Both of them are beautiful! Of course I am biased to the F-pace but I also looked at the SQ5. Interesting to see about the cornering because if im correct the F-pace has torque vectoring by braking technology and the SQ5 doesn't... but then again the SQ5 is AWD so im sure there is some technology they have in there to make it good when cornering.

 

To be fair, my impression is in full winter driving, I will have a way better idea with summer conditions with the summer tires.

My gut feeling is that the FPace has more body roll than the SQ5, also I am used to drive the SQ5 for 3 years now, pushing it to the limit... whereas I just got the FPace and still not fully acclimated with it.

 

Thanks for the comparison! the 2018 SQ5 should definitely be more improved. Surprised by the difference in engine response...i think they both share the same 0-60 times of 5.1 seconds. Did you put your F Pace S in dynamic/sport?

 

SQ5 is faster to 60.

BTW f pace needs premium gas!!!!

 

A few comments from the above posts in no particular order of importance:

Gas is premium 91 octane not regular.

Tires if 20 inch for the S are All Season not summer tires. The reason you say not suitable in the winter is because in the province of Quebec, you must have winter rated tires by law. Obviously winter rated tires are better in the winter/snow/ice but according to some on this forum, notably Trek, not necessary. I do not agree with Trek on this one. Even in Toronto where we get very little heavy snow falls and some winters the grass is bare, I put on winter tires. My tires are Pirelli Winter & Ice which is a lighter tread, not great for heavy snow but better than the all seasons but very good on ice and slush. Very quiet running tires cannot tell the difference from my OEM All Seasons. My theory is that it is the one snowstorm or ice storm that I will not be close to home or driving in rush hour traffic up a hill or a down a hill (Toronto has hills) that the winter tires will save me from an accident. Also with two sets of tires all season and winter I will not have to buy replacement tires for the time I own the vehicle which usually is about 4 to 5 years at about 12000 kilometers or 7500 miles per year.

As for the make of OEM tire if you have 20 inch tires only one tire is sourced by Jaguar for this vehicle, made by Goodyear especially for the F Pace.

"Eagle F1 AT. They are M&S 255/50 R20 109W. Definitely built for Jaguar, as they actually have "JLR" on the sidewall." Quote comes from ddrsport june 29 2016 post on this forum.

As for the F Pace being better on snow, likely the condition, the make and model of the tire is a significant factor. Put on the same tires in the same condition to truly compare. Also the tires on the Audi are wider, they will have less traction in the snow.

The comment about full time all wheel drive vs part time drive is not valid. Part time is actually very sophisticated. Adjustments to the torque and power going to each wheel is being constantly adjusted in microseconds by the onboard computer, if it detects slippage in one wheel or the other, to get the vehicle back on track. Full time all wheel drive can have the same system but what is the point of driving all four wheels on flat dry pavement other than wasting fuel.

 

I agree 100% with what you have here. Especially the part about AWD. Audi's quatro is better than Mercedes and BMW's system, as it provides both torque vectoring and a sport differential supplying both more torque to the outside wheels and braking on the inside wheels (option on Q5 -although I didn't see it in the build options- and std on SQ5) and it handles difft rotating rates among the wheels better. There are other differences as well, but these are the big ones. I don't know enough about Jag's AWD system so I can't offer much beyond the fact that it has torque vectoring std and if nothing is slipping, it provides up to 90% of the torque to the rear wheels. I was surprised to see posts full time AWD etc. IMO the correct way of describing Jag's AWD system is that it is not limited to a rudimentary split of power front-back it is much more adaptive.

 

Audis mechanical Quattro AWD is better (in my opinion) than the electronic torque vectoring on the F Pace. It seems like the F Pace is geared toward more "fun" and the Audi geared more toward "don't slip don't slip don't slip". Depending on how you like it, the former could be more fun, but probably not in adverse weather.

You guys are probably right though, I'm sure the difference is negligible most of the time.

 

I think its the right way of describing both systems, the SQ5 would never slip, I would have to force it. Whereas the FPace would slip in speedy curve which is more fun but personally not excited about in the winter (the black ice here is horrible)

 

The trouble that I have with the Hakkapaleta R2s is that I believe they are R or T speed Rated Tires. This Translate to: not for use at speeds above 90 and 100 miles per hour respectively

 

It works for me, since I never contemplate driving at close to those speeds with full winters:|
I am not sure I would be comfortable with them at such speeds.

 

Malek,

Sounds like you would prefer the SQ5 which is perfectly fine.


For my money I think the F-Pace blows the SQ5 away in looks both the old version and even the new one that I think is still mundane looking. Keep in mind I did own an S-Line Audi Q7 with 21" wheels in 2012 and I thought then it was absolutely the prettiest SUV on the planet. They Supercharged V6 was also very sporty, but it would drink Oil like a 20 year old american V8. It burned 1 quart every 5k miles or so, and Audi told me that was normal. I also lost a rear axle at 18k miles. So that left a bad taste for me when it comes to Audi. I still like the looks of their vehicles and I think their interiors and audio systems are the best around, but mechanically...not so much.

By the way, I think the older version of the Q7 is much prettier and sporty looking than what Audi did with the new version. The new version is too boxy and the change is far to conservative with the competition they now have.

 

Actually I do prefer the Jaguar way better, I don't understand how you got this from my comparison

 

Own both as well...wife drives the SQ5 and I drive the F-Pace.


SQ5 definitely feels quicker - haven't lined up with the wife for a 0-60 mph test but I have a feeling the SQ5 will edge out the F-Pace even with comparable times.


The F-Pace is definitely more comfortable but the SQ5 is sportier. My wife enjoys riding in the F-Pace every once in a while because it gives her a break from the stiffer SQ5 suspension. And the SQ5 is easier to get into a sporty mode compared to the F-Pace.


Both great looking cars although the F-Pace is newer compared to the SQ5, but the 2018 SQ5 should bring that back to near equal. The SQ5 is slightly smaller, so that is a plus for the F-Pace.


I love Audis - had a 2014 S4 Prestige with everything on it including sport differential and loved it. While I love the mechanics behind the SQ5, not a huge fan of the SUV or Audi SUVs in general. Prefer the F-Pace. Oddly enough, prefer the Audi sedans/coupes over the Jaguar sedans/coupes.

 

Im not sure any suspension is stiffer than the F-paces... I feel every bump and the F-pace definitely does not smoothly glide over them; which I am okay with. Im not sure how any car could be easier than the F-pace to get into a sporty mode. You just hit an arrow on the center console and your in dynamic mode... not sure if you can verbally tell the Audi to enter its sportiest mode but thats the only way it would be easier I think.

 

The Audi just needs a flick of the gear shift down and its in sport mode. Unless you have the adaptive dampers, the dynamic mode in the car is just a change in steering feel and engine noise level.


For the F-Pace, you have to hit the arrow to Dynamic and change the gear lever to Sport. It also takes a second to confirm it all...whereas the Audi is extremely quick once the gear lever is pushed down.


As for suspension...I definitely feel the SQ5 is stiffer...it does not glide as comfortably over imperfections as the F-Pace does. It's noticeable, to my wife and I at least. To each their own though .

 

Actually to get the real sports mode in the SQ5, you need to be both in Dynamic mode and hit the S gear. The S alone is not the same in comfort mode.

The SQ5 doesn't have the adaptatives damper until next years model, the SQ5 is for sure stiffer with the 21' 40 profile tires.

 

For N/A engine, exhaust crackle & pops can be done by a tuner with ignition timing and perhaps injection setting adjusted. There's nothing much to do with force induction.

This video shows a tuned N/A Mazda MX5 2.0 with crackle pop

 

^That...for the Audi, looking at the different modes, they only adjust the steering feel (which does nothing for actual performance) and the sound of the engine. Putting it in Sport mode is the only thing that changes the performance and all that does is change the transmission - makes for shifting at higher RPMs.




Wasn't sure if the SQ5 had the adaptive dampers like the S4 does (as an option), so the modes only really change the level of comfort.

 

Let's agree to disagree... to get the best performance on the SQ5, you have to put it in Dynamic + Sports mode... and turn off ESC.

Comfort and Sports mode is not the same thing at all.

And I am not alone saying this, this is straight from the SQ5 enthusiast forum.

 

No one said comfort and sports mode were the same.

I'm saying it as a current S4 owner with adaptive dynamics which is the same program as used in the SQ5 except the sports diff and adaptive dampers..I win.

The topic at hand....new SQ5 was released today. Styling is still meh for me but comparable performance to the F Pace with all the tech too.

 

I was a little disappointed with the new SQ5 specs - hp stays about the same although torque goes up. Hope its lighter. Like the looks of it though and can see my wife wanting one in about 4 years, haha.

 

Interesting posts since I am really considering the FPace, especially after test driving on a custom circuit from a local dealer. First, great sports car feel to drive, and it's a SUV. My wife's Audi Q5 is also a great car to drive, but lacks the ooomph, that the FPace has in spades.The Q5 is so comfortable, almost compares to my Jag portfolio. I did previously own a SUV, the Evoque, really HATED that one. Turned it in after a year on a 3yr lease.
Test drove the MBenz newest GLC. Gorgeous interior, smooth ride. Not sporty as the FPace. Would love to test drive with the AMG engine that supposedly will be an option down the road. My lease expires in May. The sQ5 and the GLC AMG will not be available by my date.

So I am 'Stuck' with only one choice, the FPace. It's a tough position to be in ;-)

 

Hi Tony,

I tested the GLC AMG (Merc Laval), and it is very very similar to the SQ5, couldn't tell them apart in regards of perf., other than the AMG being more pricy and noisy.

BTW my SQ5 is on sale

 

Isn't there a restyled SQ5 coming for 2018?

 

Yes it will be delivered mid 2017 in Germany, most probably the year after in North America.

My Audi dealer contacted me about it... but too late the F-Pace stole my heart lol

 

One other factor to consider with the Audi- they are now going to make them in Mexico - a total deal breaker for me.

 

Looks good? Compared to what?

 

Looks good compared to the outgoing SQ5 with a much needed tech update.

Link with some actual info in it.

The 354 Horsepower 2018 Audi SQ5 Is Here To Ensure The R8's Existence

 

Take a close look at the Audi in profile. There is practically no space between the back of the rear seat & the hatch. I mean what a joke, what are you going to carry without folding the seats down, a couple bags of groceries?

 

I agree, the touch screen is cool when stopped... but the wheel is way better to do the stuff you're used to (except entering an address).

 

For the sake of memories, both my cars

 

Malek, your cars are very sharp looking. However, the F-Pace S could benefit from a set of 22 inch summer tires, even though it will have to wait till Spring. It would look really hot with 22 inch summer Pirelli Zeros mounted on all-black Double Helix wheels. Totally kick-a$$.

 

I decided against the 22 this time around to gain some comfort (my 21 on the SQ5 were brutal).

And my F-Pace is a rental, no need to put some money into it anymore that I have to pay for the lease $$$$