The Q5 is by far the best-selling SUV in Audi’s extensive portfolio, so as you can imagine, any model refresh or update is vital, and Audi 100% can’t afford to mess it up. They’ve had a really good streak so far, with each slight yearly upgrade making everyone’s favourite Audi that bit better than its predecessor. But, with a new generation of Q5s now taking the reins, does Audi continue to have a superbly lucrative breadwinner on their hands?
With an ever-brutal compact SUV market closing in, this new Audi Q5 sticks to a tried-and-tested formula, so let us see if this is still enough to make me buy one. On paper, there’s definitely something appealing with all its normalcy and an old-school recipe for success, eschewing any form of electrification or hybridisation in favour of regular diesel and petrol engines, and it even looks ‘normal’. That said, let’s see what else the new Q5 offers.
What Is The Audi Q5 Launch Edition About?
It’s worth mentioning that this Launch Edition model does come with some extra cosmetic bits and bobs over the regular Audi Q5. Most notably, there’s the S-Line exterior styling pack, which dabs a lot of phantom black over its front grille, among other body panels and bits of exterior trim, as well as their S-Line bumpers, which are finished in contrasting Volcano grey. It’s not a huge change over the entry-level Q5s, but just about different enough.
Still, all the extra upgrades complement this Grenadine Red paintwork rather beautifully, and even more so with the mixture of aluminium brightwork, in addition to those 20-inch black metallic alloy wheels. Peel away all that fancy trim, and the Q5 itself is a handsome SUV. You can see where Audi’s going with their new design language, which we’ve seen in the next-generation A5 and A6, with their slim headlights and the rear lightbar design.
How Does It Drive?
Here in the UK, the new Audi Q5 comes with either one of two 4-cylinder engine options. Most likely, the popular choice might be the 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine, cranking out 204 PS of power and 340 Nm of torque. This should be good for a 0 to 62 mph sprint in around 7.2 seconds, before topping out at 140 mph. The other engine option, meanwhile, is a 2.0-litre TDI diesel, putting out the same horsepower, but with even more torque: 400 Nm.
That diesel engine is a tiny bit slower, taking 7.4 seconds to go from 0 to 62 mph, though it shares the same top speed, at 140 mph. Either way, regardless of whether you choose the petrol or diesel engine, you get Audi’s well-regarded and iconic Quattro all-wheel drive system. Additionally, both engines also share pretty much the same 7-speed S-Tronic automatic transmission, and most of the running gear is practically the same between them.
Of course, while both of these powertrains may appear quite similar, there is one major upside to opting for the diesel engine over the petrol version, and it has all to do with fuel economy. For context, that TFSI petrol engine nets you around 35.8 to 38.0 mpg (WLTP Combined), while the TDI diesel engine averages between 41.6 to 44.3 mpg (WLTP Combined). Plus, the TDI diesel engine emits just a tiny bit fewer tailpipe emissions, as well!
If you spec the TDI engine, however, you will notice that it is a smidge more expensive than the TFSI variant, but who knows, over time, maybe those extra couple of MPGs might end up being worth it. An equally pricey option and upgrade that you might want to consider for your shiny-new Audi Q5 is the adaptive air suspension. On that note, once I got behind the wheel of the new Audi Q5 SUV, I was pleasantly struck by how ‘normal’ it is.
That’s by no means a bad thing, though these days, every single new car seems to either be an EV or a hybrid of some kind, or there’s some odd gimmick that tries to make them stand out. But, with the new Q5, everything on here feels conventional even being a Mild Hybrid and easy to understand, using a tried-and-tested formula, and one that most folks here can just get in and drive, without having to think about it! It certainly lacks any weird learning curves, too.
The new Q5 is automatically an appealing choice for anyone who needs and wants something more traditional, but with modern amenities and refinement. That said, I suppose you could make the argument that if you had to pick one to occupy that gap in your driveway, why bother with the 2.0-litre diesel engine in the first place?
At least here in the UK and throughout most of Europe, diesels seem to be going the way of the dodo, and there are plenty of reasons to make out that the new Audi Q5, with the 2.0-litre TDI diesel, seems far less desirable. In spending a bit more time driving it, I’d actually pull a 180 and go as far as saying that you’d be missing out on a whole lot if you don’t at least give it a quick test drive and see what’s what, and it’s definitely worth a shot.
The all-new Audi Q5’s 2.0-litre TDI inline-4 is a very lively, punchy, yet efficient little motor, and honestly, unless you’re intentionally looking for it, this diesel engine feels and drives with all the refinement and smoothness of a petrol engine in many ways. Rather, you’d be hard-pressed to notice if there is even a difference! The rest of the car, too, is fantastically enjoyable to drive, which I don’t really expect from an SUV or a compact crossover.
This new generation of Audi’s venerable Q5 feels light and nimble, with a quick and sharp steering rack, and I’d give props to the folks who sorted out the suspension and chassis. With its compact dimensions and form factor, the Q5 also feels like it’s the perfect match for UK roads. It’s neither too big nor too tiny, and it soaks up bumps with ease. Moreover, with Audi’s Drive Select system, there are umpteen different drive modes to pick from.
What It Is Like Inside?
As with the exterior styling of the new Q5, the Launch Edition package comes with a few extra creature comforts and nice-to-haves once you take a step inside. That 3-spoke flat bottom and top leather steering wheel comes to mind, which is heated too, as well as the abundance of gloss black trim, distinct leather upholstery, and ambient lighting, not to mention all that aluminium finishing, and the shiny, stainless steel pedals and footrest.
Elsewhere, it’s a pretty stereotypical Audi bit of Bauhaus-esque interior styling, which is beautifully laid out and adorned inside. Personally, I did quite enjoy spending my time with it, and there’s a lot to like about it. There’s a nice mixture of functional and practical elements, set inside a luxuriant atmosphere. Besides, opting for an SUV gets you other upsides too, such as a huge boot in the rear for everything you could possibly fit in it.
Naturally, the highlight of any Audi cabin, aside from the posh environment, is all those fancy gadgets and bits of tech that come with it. Up front and centre is an impressive 14.5-inch infotainment display, with Audi’s superb MMI system, which is no doubt one of the best multimedia systems on the market. It’s then flanked by two other screens, which include Audi’s signature 11.9-inch Virtual Cockpit fully digital instrument cluster.
Aside from that, this Launch Edition model features a 10.9-inch display for your front passenger, with additional pages and menus just for your co-driver to navigate. Some other bits of welcomed tech and modernity that help to elevate the new Audi Q5’s interior to the next level, at least with this Launch Edition bundle, include the Bang & Olufsen premium sound system with 3D sound, and a dynamic interior lighting system, on top of that.
Besides that, you get even speedier charging speeds if you plug a phone into the USB port, which is all included as part of the Sound & Vision pack. The latter of which also gets you a nice heads-up display, and you then gain a special compartment to store your phone, which comes with wireless charging aswell. Suffice it to say, if you like tech or even just enjoy having them around for ease and convenience, the new Audi Q5 doesn’t disappoint.
The Experience
As you may expect with every new car, the new Audi Q5 features a plethora of safety systems and driver aids to keep you safe while you’re out on the road, and to make your driving experience that bit more effortless. Among the noteworthy highlights are adaptive cruise control, parking assist, automated emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, cross-traffic alerts, lane-change assist, lane-departure warning, and even more besides.
Probably the best and most useful system here that I’ve been using quite a lot during my testing is Audi’s handy 360-degree surround-view camera system, which makes navigating narrow streets and trying to park into tight parking spaces a breeze. I reckon this ought to come into it’s own if you’re towing stuff with your new Audi Q5, too, and letting you see around your trailer, though the folding towbar and trailer hitch is an optional extra.
Audi Q5 Launch Edition Cost
While the new Audi Q5 line-up starts from a somewhat reasonable (by luxury SUV standards, anyway), £51,410, it only goes up from there once you start spec’ing pricier trim levels, and if you opt for the TDI diesel engine over the TFSI petrol model, not to mention all those optional extras that you could include, as well. With that in mind, the Audi Q5 2.0 TDI Launch Edition example that I have here, as an example, has a sticker price of £63,060!
Verdict
All in all, the new Audi Q5 doesn’t try to be anything too different, nor does it raise the bar for experimenting on new technologies and design studies, unlike some of its rivals. It’s for that specific reason why I think it’s actually a superb SUV, refining and perfecting what makes the old Q5 great. It has sensible and efficient engines, and it’s great to drive, as well, in addition to cocooning you inside a relaxing, comfortable, and luxurious interior.
Specification
Audi Q5 Launch Edition Specs
- Price: £63,060
- Engine: 2.0-litre TDI diesel inline-4
- Power: 204 PS
- Torque: 400 Nm
- Transmission: 7-speed S-Tronic automatic
- 0-62mph: 7.4 seconds
- Top speed: 140 mph
- Weight: 1,955 kg
- Economy combined: 37.7 mpg (WLTP Combined)
- CO2: 170 g/km