All indicators level to the up to date 2021 Audi Q5 persevering with to be its model’s best-seller. Its oh-so-Audi design, well-stocked gear record and affordable pricing are clearly interesting attributes to these purchasing within the crowded compact luxurious crossover phase. It is also one of many higher entries to drive, with the plug-in hybrid particularly impressing with its fast acceleration, excessive gas financial system and negligible dynamic compromises. Given hefty tax credit, it is arguably the one to get.
All of that stated, the 2021 Q5 not often exceeds the efforts of its many rivals. In some methods, it is poor: Its passenger and cargo house are unremarkable for the phase, and its inside high quality is disappointing for each the phase and by Audi’s common excessive requirements. Mainly, it’s a strong, mid-pack selection, however there are extra sensible, trendy and/or dynamic decisions on the market.
What’s new for 2021?
The present-generation Q5 will get its first important replace. The styling is tweaked, with every model (base, plug-in hybrid and SQ5) getting barely completely different seems. The inside will get Audi’s newest MIB3 infotainment system, which implies faster responses, a brand new consumer interface and an enlarged central show that is additionally now a touchscreen. The previous MMI system’s middle console controls are gone, leaving a relatively ineffective bin of their place. The accessible Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster is now a higher-resolution unit, whereas different function updates embrace three-zone local weather management, blind-spot warning and an upgraded entrance and rear automated emergency-braking system added as normal gear.
Mechanically, the bottom 2.0-liter turbo engine provides 12 further horses and a mild-hybrid system for improved effectivity and refinement. The plug-in hybrid Q5 and the high-performance SQ5 powertrains carry over unchanged aside from the latter’s recalibrated transmission leading to a significantly decrease 0-60-mph time.
What is the Q5 inside and in-car know-how like?
Fairly frankly, the Q5’s inside disappoints. A part of that’s Audi’s previous efforts setting the bar so excessive, nevertheless it additionally falls brief when evaluating it to different autos within the phase. At first look, the design is engaging and seemingly delivers the anticipated quantity of luxurious ambiance. Look nearer, nevertheless, and you may word the exhausting, Volkswagen-grade plastics on the middle console and doorways, or the unconvincing wooden trim that is a step down from the previous-generation Q5.
Its performance can also be disappointing. As a substitute of redesigning the middle console after eradicating the previous MMI infotainment system’s controls, Audi actually simply left a gap. Or, relatively, a bin the scale of Kleenex packet. It joins two different bins of questionable use, together with one adjoining to a USB port that is too small for any cellphone made for the reason that iPhone was invented. One should additionally select between utilizing the cupholders and maintaining objects within the under-armrest bin resulting from a sliding cowl that doubles as a wi-fi charger.
As for the brand new infotainment system, we miss these previous middle console controls – though touchscreen performance is at all times welcome, there are features which are higher managed with a knob and menu buttons. Many different luxurious manufacturers present a redundant mixture of touchscreen and middle console controls. That stated, Audi has arguably the best touchscreen know-how within the enterprise. Its haptic suggestions clicks again at you a lot in the best way its bodily buttons would. Moreover imparting a way of strong high quality, it is also useful when utilizing on the transfer. And talking of buttons, the Q5 maintains bodily controls for the local weather controls relatively than the second touchscreen present in different Audis. We really suppose that is a superb factor – they’re simpler and fewer distracting to make use of.
How huge is the Q5?
The Q5 is likely one of the smallest compact luxurious crossovers, particularly when it comes to cargo capability. Its 25.8 cubic toes of house behind its again seat is close to the underside of the phase and appeared even smaller than that in our testing – it fell in need of the also-small Mercedes-Benz GLC in our baggage check. Now, the Q5 does present higher flexibility than most resulting from its sliding again seat, which will increase cargo capability. That is positively a superb factor, however you additionally cut back passenger house within the course of. That is not supreme for the reason that again seat would not have a lot house to lose – in our back-to-back check drives of the Q5 and its key rivals, we discovered that it had the least spacious again seat.
On the subject of exterior dimensions, the Q5 is akin to most rivals. Its curb weight can also be mid-pack and its floor clearance comparably beneficiant. That stated, it feels a lot smaller when behind the wheel, however we’ll contact on that extra under.
What are the efficiency and gas financial system?
There are three Q5 fashions, all with completely different powertrains together with barely completely different styling. You’ll be able to see every of these seems above.
The usual Q5 (also referred to as the 45 TFSI Quattro) has a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four bolstered by a mild-hybrid system that powers to automobile programs and successfully smooths out the automated cease/begin system relatively than enhancing acceleration. A seven-speed dual-clutch automated handbook is normal. Output is a aggressive 261 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60-mph estimate of an also-competitive 5.7 seconds. EPA-estimated gas financial system is 23 mpg metropolis, 28 mpg freeway and 25 mpg mixed. “Quattro with Extremely” all-wheel drive is normal, indicating Audi’s system that primarily drives the entrance wheels beneath cruising circumstances to save lots of gas however sends it rearward as wanted in varied situations.
The plug-in hybrid, or formally the “Q5 55 TFSI e quattro,” provides an electrical motor and 14.1 kWh battery to a model of the two.0-liter turbo engine. Complete output is 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with the 0-60 time falling to five.0 seconds. The EPA says it should go 19 miles on a cost, which is typical amongst plug-in hybrid crossovers, and helpful sufficient to restrict gasoline use for a lot of commutes. In 84 miles of combined suburban, freeway and mountain highway driving that began with a full battery, this Q5 averaged 29.3 mpg. It additionally has Quattro with Extremely.
On the opposite finish of the spectrum is the SQ5 efficiency mannequin, pictured under, which is powered by a 3.0-liter turbo V6 good for 349 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. It has a conventional eight-speed automated (and an awesome one at that) and a sport-tuned model of Quattro (with out Extremely) that additionally transfers torque between the axles however defaults to a rear bias. With adjustments made to the transmission for 2021, the 0-60 time drops to 4.7 seconds. That brings it properly inside attain of the BMW X3 M40i when it comes to straight-line efficiency, and evens it with the Mercedes AMG GLC 43. The SQ5 returns 18/24/20 mpg.
What is the Q5 prefer to drive?
The Q5 feels smaller behind the wheel than most rivals, transitioning via successive corners with poise due to a well-sorted chassis and clever Quattro all-wheel drive. The experience is buttoned down and complex, hanging a terrific experience/dealing with steadiness with out fancy adaptive dampers. The steering is relatively numb, although, and the Dynamic effort setting is extra just like the one-size-fits-all setup of previous-generation Audis. In different phrases, it looks like the traditional setting – Consolation and “Auto” have an excessive amount of play and intensify the numbness. Fortunately, an Particular person mode permits for the heftier steering with out the caffeinated Dynamic powertrain settings.
The usual 2.0-liter turbo engine most consumers will find yourself with is a robust engine backed up by one of many extra clever, well-executed all-wheel-drive programs round. The seven-speed dual-clutch automated handbook is not fairly as easy as a conventional automated, nevertheless it additionally appears seemingly that many will not discover.
We might extremely advocate contemplating the 55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid, which is much extra highly effective and environment friendly, and given federal and state tax credit, might simply find yourself being cheaper (or a minimum of barely dearer). The electrical motor additionally smooths out the four-cylinder’s edges in sound and really feel, leading to a stage of refinement paying homage to a V6. When driving with a full battery, the Q5 largely behaves like a full electrical automobile with easy, silent and torque-rich acceleration. We might skip the Eco mode, which provides a disconcerting detented accelerator to teach you into driving economically (no thanks, it is not exhausting). There’s additionally inconsistency within the regenerative braking system, because the automobile will add extra deceleration than anticipated at occasions, most notably when going downhill.
For these within the higher-octane Audi SQ5, we’d recommend testing our full first drive overview.
What extra can I learn concerning the Audi Q5?
2021 Audi Q5 First Drive
We dig deeper into the adjustments for ’21 and supply a extra in-depth overview of the inside and driving expertise.
2021 Audi Q5 Baggage Check
We have a look at how a lot the Q5 can match behind its raised again seat … together with with that seat slid ahead so as to add more room.
2018 Audi SQ5 First Drive
Our overview of the high-performance SQ5, which is broadly unchanged mechanically from the 2021 model.
2022 Audi Q5 Sportback Revealed
Coming subsequent 12 months is the “crossover-coupe” model of the Q5 that has a extra aggressively raked roofline (that absolutely will not assist the cargo scenario). It is the reply to related autos from BMW and Mercedes.
What options can be found and what is the worth?
Pricing begins at $44,395 for a base Q5 45 TFSI, together with the $1,095 vacation spot cost, with the plug-in hybrid 55 TFSI e beginning at $53,995. That doesn’t embrace the $6,712 federal tax credit score or potential extra state credit. The SQ5 begins at $53,995. All of those fashions are then damaged down into sub trims: Premium, Premium Plus and Status.
Customary options on the Premium embrace LED headlights, roof rails, an influence liftgate, entrance and rear parking sensors, varied driver help applied sciences (see Security part under), tri-zone automated local weather management, heated eight-way energy entrance seats, leather-based upholstery (most rivals include premium vinyl), a 40/20/40-split sliding and reclining again seat, two rear USB ports, and the ten.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wi-fi Apple CarPlay.
Key upgrades with the Premium Plus embrace adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go functionality and steering help, 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a top-view digicam system, the Digital Cockpit digital instrument panel and leatherette utilized to varied inside surfaces.
The Status bumps issues up significantly in price and gear to incorporate fancier exterior and inside lighting, acoustic glass, a power-adjustable steering column, heated rear seats, heated and cooled entrance cupholders, built-in navigation and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. A few of these upgrades can be found on decrease trim ranges via packages or as stand-alone objects.
What are its security gear and crash scores?
Each 2021 Q5 contains ahead collision warning with automated emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane-departure warning. The Premium Plus package deal provides lane-keeping help together with an adaptive cruise management system enhanced by steering help and stop-and-go functionality.
The federal government gave the Q5 an ideal 5 stars in all classes however rollover the place it received a completely regular four-star score. The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security gave it the absolute best scores for crash safety and prevention, however hasn’t examined the ’21 fashions’ new headlights but.
Audi Q5 Info
