Design and body
The Audi Q5 has a sporty and taut road stance. A sculpted Singleframe grille with a solid frame dominates its aerodynamically flat front end. It is available with headlights that are either in LED or high-resolution Matrix LED technology with dynamic turn signals. A distinctively curved and strongly undercut shoulder line gives structure to the side view. The tailgate with integrated LED tail lights wraps around the C-pillars – a typical feature of the Q models from Audi. A diffuser insert integrates the exhaust tailpipe trims.
4.66 meters (15.3 ft) long, 1.89 meters (6.2 ft) wide and 1.66 meters (5.4 ft) tall with a 2.82 meter (9.3 ft) wheelbase – compared to the previous model, the Q5 has grown in nearly all of its dimensions. Thanks to its intelligent material mix of high-strength steels and aluminum, it is also lighter. With a 2.0 TFSI engine, the Q5 has a curb weight (without driver) of just 1,720 kg (3,792.0 lb). The aerodynamically optimized roof enables it to achieve a Cd value of 0.30, top in its segment.
Drive system
The Audi Q5 is available with a choice of four engines: three TDI units and one TFSI. Particularly the 2.0 TDI engines with 110 kW (150 hp), 120 kW (163 hp) and 140 kW (190 hp) are very efficient. They entry-level diesel, which is combined with a six-speed manual transmission, consumes just 4.5 liters per 100 kilometers (52.3 US mpg), corresponding to 117 grams CO2 per kilometer (188.3 g/mi). The updated 2.0 TFSI produces 185 kW (252 hp) It consumes just 6.8 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers (34.6 US mpg), a CO2 equivalent of 154 grams per kilometer (247.8 g/mi).
Models equipped with more powerful four-cylinder TDI engines and the 2.0 TFSI come standard with the seven-speed S tronic and quattro with ultra technology. It offers maximum efficiency and does not perceptibly differ from permanent systems in terms of traction and driving dynamics.
If the Q5 is being driven at moderate speed and there is no risk of tire slip, quattro with ultra technology benefits from all of the advantages of front-wheel drive. If all-wheel drive is needed, it is immediately available.
Engine lineup
- 2.0 TFSI quattro with 185 kW (252 hp)
- 2.0 TDI with 110 kW (150 hp)
- 2.0 TDI quattro with 120 kW (163 hp)
- 2.0 TDI quattro with 140 kW (190 hp)
Suspension
The ride of the Audi Q5 is both sporty and comfortable. Laying the foundation for this are the newly developed five-link suspensions and the likewise new electromechanical power steering system. Optionally available is the dynamic steering, which changes its ratio as a function of speed and steering angle. Customers can choose from two configurations of springs and damping. The suspension with damper control offers a very wide spread between comfort and dynamics, which the driver can select via Audi drive select. The new adaptive air suspension adjusts the damper settings in five stages and also varies the ride height.
Interior and controls
The interior offers ample space for five. Its primarily horizontal lines underscore the impression of expanse and comfort. A three-dimensional inlay extends over the entire width of the instrument panel.
The MMI terminal in the center console acts as the main control element. The top infotainment system – the MMI navigation plus with MMI touch and an 8.3-inch display – integrates a touchpad into the rotary/push-button control. It recognizes handwritten entries as well as gestures familiar from consumer electronics, such as zooming. If the Q5 is equipped with an automatic transmission, it also has the larger MMI all-in-touch including haptic feedback. The MMI operating logic is based on the flat hierarchies used in today’s smartphones, and it offers such features as intelligent free-text search. The natural-language voice control function also recognizes inputs from everyday speech. The multifunction steering wheel serves as an additional third operating level.
Customers can also opt for the fully digital Audi virtual cockpit. It displays brilliant graphics on its high-resolution 12.3-inch screen. The driver can choose between two different display modes. The likewise optional head-up display projects key information onto the windshield. Rounding out the range of options are a heated steering wheel, seats with pneumatic massage function and ambient lighting that illuminates the interior in 30 different colors.
The rear seat backrest of the Q5 is split into three segments. Longitudinal and seat back angle adjustment are optional. Depending on the position of the back seat, the luggage compartment has a base capacity of 550 to 610 liters (19.4 to 21.5 cu ft). When the rear seat is folded down, the luggage compartment grows to 1,550 liters (54.7 cu ft). Cargo loading is simplified by intelligent solutions like a standard, variably folding mat, optional sensor control of the power tailgate and manual lowering of the body via the optional air suspension.
Infotainment and Audi connect
MMI navigation plus utilizes the Audi connect module to integrate an LTE module and a Wi-Fi hotspot – this lets passengers surf to surf the World Wide Web with up to eight mobile devices. With its permanently installed SIM card – the Audi connect SIM with a flat data rate – Audi connect enables convenient roaming in Europe for many Audi connect services. Customers can book data packages for the Wi-Fi hotspot at very attractive prices that likewise include EU roaming.
The Audi phone box connects smartphones with the vehicle’s antenna to provide for optimal reception quality. It also charges smartphones that support the Qi standard inductively. The Bang & Olufsen Sound System with innovative 3D sound introduces the spatial dimension of height. The Audi smartphone interface also brings Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to the SUV.
Like the Q7 and the A4, the Q5 features self-learning “personal route assistance.” After activating this function, the navigation system learns the routes and destinations that the customer regularly selects, and it associates this information with the parking location and time of day. The system uses this information to suggest optimized route planning for the next trip, taking into consideration the potential arrival time and current traffic conditions.
Assistance systems
With their intelligent interplay, the systems represent a next step towards piloted driving. They are bundled into three packages – Tour, City and Parking. The predictive efficiency assistant uses specific information about the car’s surroundings to help the driver save fuel. Adaptive cruise control (ACC) including traffic jam assist can take over some of the steering work in slow-moving traffic. Audi active lane assist makes it easier to stay in your lane. The distance warning display alerts the driver when the distance to another vehicle drops below a safe distance.
Other new safety features include rear cross traffic assist, exit warning, collision avoidance assist and turn assist. Also new are the pre sense systems: The standard Audi pre sense city warns the driver about pedestrians and vehicles, and initiates automatic emergency braking within system limits. Park assist, the camera-based recognition of traffic signs and hill descent control round out the features.
