Presentation and test drive of the Audi Q5 2017, exquisite reinterpretation

The second generation of the Audi Q5 has just arrived in our country. We travelled to Madrid to get a first impression of the details of this successful SUV.

With a continuous exterior design and an interior in line with the latest creations of the brand with the four rings, the Q5 has perfectly understood the saying “change to stay the same”.

The first generation of the Audi Q5 went on sale in 2008, becoming the second member of the Q family after the launch of the Q7 in 2006. Built on the Audi MLB modular platform, the first-generation Q5 shared many components with the A4 and A5 of the time.

With the arrival of the new Q5, history repeats itself. The second generation of the mid-size SUV from the brand with the four rings once again uses an MLB modular platform, which is also used by the current generations of the A4 and A5. The new Q5 that arrives in Europe is manufactured in the recently opened factory the brand owns in Mexico.

Exterior design, novelty with discretion

The exterior look of the second-generation Q5 may seem very similar to that of its predecessor to the untrained eye, and in fact it is clear that both generations maintain continuity in their lines. However, the Q5 has been completely redesigned, with all of its body panels new.

The new Q5 is 3 centimetres longer than the previous one, 1 centimetre narrower and 3 centimetres taller The new Q5 measures 4.66 metres long, 1.89 metres wide and 1.66 metres high, so it is 3 centimetres longer than the previous model, 1 centimetre narrower and 3 centimetres taller. These new dimensions have not resulted in a weight increase; quite the opposite. The second-generation Q5 can be up to 90 kg lighter than the first.

The front is typically Audi. The large front grille, combined with rectangular light clusters with LED daytime running lights, makes it instantly recognisable as an SUV from the brand. The front is finished with side mouldings that house the radar sensors for the driver assistance systems.

The side view is, together with the rear, where the two generations of the Q5 are easiest to confuse. The glazed area is similar to that of its predecessor, with a shoulder line running along the entire side that marks the most characteristic features of the German model.

At the rear we find LED-technology tail lights, again fully integrated into the tailgate, a feature shared with the Q3 and Q7. Secondary lamps in the bumper complement the lighting functions, and the styling is completed by lower mouldings that simulate the presence of exhaust outlets.

Interior design, top quality and sufficient space

The interior of the new Q5 once again recalls the latest creations of the Audi family, with a minimalist and well-structured dashboard in which the front section and the centre console, set quite high, blend harmoniously to give a sense of continuity.

The materials used are of first-class quality, as is usual for the brand, making the Q5 the owner of the best interior in its segment in qualitative terms. The latest technical additions from the brand are also present, such as the three-zone climate control with touch controls, the digital instrument cluster, the Head-Up Display system and the MMI with a large touchpad.

The quality exuded by the Q5’s cabin is unquestionable The atmosphere on board is that of a very relaxing vehicle, with very comfortable seats and excellent soundproofing against both mechanical and aerodynamic noise. The ambient lighting in several colours also helps enhance the sense of quality and comfort.

The space available for occupants is average for the segment, with very generous front seats in every dimension and rear seats that are not quite as roomy but are wide and comfortably accommodate two adults, while a third passenger will be less comfortable, mainly because of the bulky central tunnel.

The rear seats offer backrest angle adjustment, can slide fore and aft, and fold in a 40:20:40 split using two buttons located on the sides of the boot. The boot capacity varies between 550 and 610 litres, depending on the position of the seats.

Engineering and dynamics, the good work of Audi

The Q5 is available with four diesel engine options and one petrol. Of the diesels, three use the same 2.0 TDI four-cylinder unit, with three different power levels (150, 163 and 190 CV), and the fourth stands apart with a 3-litre V6 – the 3.0 TDI V6 – producing 286 CV.

In petrol, the only option today is the four-cylinder 2.0 TFSI, which with 252 CV is the second most powerful version after the 3.0 TDI, not counting, of course, the powerful SQ5 with its 354 CV 3.0 TFSI engine. The four-cylinder versions are paired with a 7-speed S-Tronic automatic gearbox, except for the least powerful one, which is manual only, while the V6 engines are fitted with an 8-speed Tiptronic gearbox.

Another major advance in the second generation of the Q5 is the introduction of a new all-wheel-drive system, named by the brand quattro ultra. The system is described as “productive” all-wheel drive: although under normal conditions it operates as front-wheel drive, it is able to engage the rear axle effectively before it is needed.

With quattro ultra all-wheel drive, the Q5 secures its traction without penalising fuel consumption This system, which uses two clutches (one in the gearbox itself and another in the rear differential), can disengage all the components of the rear axle, with the consequent benefits in consumption, noise and driving dynamics.

All Q5s come as standard with a conventional dynamic suspension, with a sports suspension, a suspension with variable dampers and, finally, air suspension, with five different ride heights, capable of raising ground clearance up to 220 millimetres.

We chose what will presumably be the best-selling version in Spain, equipped with the 190 CV 2.0 TDI engine, S-Tronic automatic gearbox and quattro ultra all-wheel drive. On the road, this engine maintains high cruising speeds effortlessly, although in spirited driving it lacks a little punch.

Behind the wheel, the Q5 offers very capable driving dynamics, combined with excellent ride comfort, a combination of insulation, soundproofing and good suspension damping. The lack of linearity of this engine is offset by very low consumption, which on the road is around 6 litres per 100 km and in sporty driving around 8 litres.

We had the chance to test the Q5’s capabilities off-road, on two routes designed by the brand, where the German SUV coped without any problems with broken tracks, loose gravel and muddy terrain.

Range and versions, already on sale from just over €40,000

The Q5 comes in four trim levels: a “base” one, which already includes features such as xenon headlights, LED rear lights, an electric tailgate and the PreSense City anti-collision system. For €2,800 more you get the Advanced trim, which adds, among other things, satellite navigation, 18-inch wheels, cruise control and rear side airbags.

Above that, with a €2,500 premium over the Advanced trim, is the Design line, which includes exterior personalisation, LED headlights, three-zone climate control and the APS Plus parking assistance system.

Similarly, for those who value sportiness, there is the S-Line trim with a €3,000 premium, which also includes LED headlights and the APS Plus system, adding sports seats, 19-inch alloy wheels and sporty exterior trim.

Photography | Daniel Valdivielso

Technical specifications of this car

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