Test drive: Audi Q5 55 TFSIe S-Tronic, 367 CV with bite

It seems the future will be electric, we don’t know with which powertrains, but for now, having a plug-in hybrid or an electric vehicle seems most sensible.

To keep the benefits of a combustion engine while saving money and qualifying for the “0 Emissions” label, there are alternatives such as this Audi Q5 55 TFSIe, a plug-in hybrid Q5 with up to 367 CV.

Is this Q5 TFSIe worth it compared with traditional combustion engines? Is it really economical? According to the spec sheet, thanks to its battery, we can cover up to 59 km in fully electric mode (WLTP cycle).

Design: sporty and very eye-catching

In the first kilometres behind the wheel of this Audi Q5 TFSIe, we realise that the Q5 draws many glances, even though it has been on the market for some time. Still, it must be admitted that this configuration with the “Black Line Edition” trim, 21″ Audi Sport wheels and the blue colour make it very striking.

The sporty cut is present from the black grille to the rear, with straight lines that outline a very distinctive rear end.

Moving into the interior, we see the unmistakable Audi design, highlighted by the central screen from which we control all navigation and multimedia functions, as well as the climate control placed lower down and with all physical controls (a detail these days, when the trend is to remove buttons, which complicates climate control operation).

Our unit features fully digital instrumentation, as always, with all kinds of information that can be adapted to our needs and tastes.

The front seats are genuine bucket seats, wide, hold the body very well and offer adequate lateral support. The driving position stands out, slightly elevated with good visibility. Microperforated leather or ventilated seats are recommended if you live in a hot area, as you will appreciate them.

The sense of space is also felt in the rear seats, with more than enough room for two adults, and even three, to travel comfortably. The seats can be adjusted to gain more boot space or change the backrest angle.

Inside, the sense of space stands out, with a very Audi design, everything within reach and well organised. Yet it is true that the perceived quality of certain controls and finishes feels more like its smaller sibling the Q3 than a Q5, at least in my perception of the plastics on the lower part of the dashboard and the area around the central screen.

The boot has a capacity of 465 litres, with a loading lip that, thanks to the air suspension, lets us adjust the height when loading bulky or heavy items.

Engine and performance: 367 CV from a four-cylinder and an electric motor

The mechanical base of this Audi Q5 55 TFSIe is the well-known 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder unit with 265 CV (45 TFSI) combined with an electric motor with 143 CV, together delivering a total output of 367 CV and 500 Nm of torque. There is also a 50 TFSIe version with 299 CV, sharing the same mechanical base.

The operation of the system is outstanding in terms of performance and smoothness. When the car behaves as a hybrid because the battery is not charged, it is smooth, and the switch between combustion and electric power is barely noticeable.

The operation of the gearbox, S-Tronic, the well-known dual-clutch unit from the German maker, also stands out.

The gearbox behaves unusually, optimised to achieve good fuel consumption. Its most notable trait is its tendency not to exceed 2,000 rpm, unless we drive in Dynamic mode, keeping consumption in check while always maintaining a high level of comfort and smoothness.

Handling: economical, dynamic and fun

The buyer of a Audi Q5 TFSIe is certainly not thinking of taking it to a circuit, but even so, this unit with air suspension (a recommended option), Quattro all-wheel drive and the different driving modes that adjust suspension, steering, gearbox and throttle response, offer a very high dynamic response, unafraid of a mountain pass or a winding road.

That said, as a good hybrid, everything is more focused on saving fuel than on extreme dynamism, something noticeable even in Dynamic mode.

It is unbeatable in comfort and smoothness, since its good interior soundproofing is combined with an engine and suspension setup that maintains comfort at all times. Making a long journey in it is a pleasure and the kilometres barely register.

On the other hand, Quattro all-wheel drive is always a plus, not only for dynamic behaviour but also because, with good tyres, we can get out of most situations without much trouble.

Electric operation: range up to 60 km

The Audi Q5 55 TFSIe has a 14.4 kWh battery (usable), which in practice translates into around 50 kilometres in fully electric mode. That said, everything depends on how we drive, since in terms of consumption it is not economical, although in urban environments it is easy to reach the rated range.

When charging, it can take 7.4 kW, which lets us charge to 100% at a semi-fast public point in just 2.5 hours. If we use a standard domestic socket, charging takes over 7 hours.

The only drawback to the electric operation of this Q5 TFSIe is that it lacks a regeneration mode selector or even a button to activate it, as other similar models have, which would allow us to optimise its battery even further.

Consumption: 367 CV that use little

With the battery fully charged, over the first 100 km the average consumption was around 2.5 litres per 100 km, slightly above the homologated figure but in line with other similar models.

Once the battery was fully depleted, on the motorway the average consumption was 8.9 litres per 100 km. On country roads we could get around 7.5-8 litres per 100 km, good figures for its power and size.

Equipment

Among the standout equipment of our test unit, beyond what we have already covered on the exterior, are the Matrix-LED headlights which offer outstanding lighting.

Details such as the three-zone climate control, the electric tailgate, the Audi virtual cockpit and navigation come standard on this trim (a nice touch).

Among the options, besides an enormous range of driver assistance systems, notable items include the Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with 3D sound, thanks to 15 high-fidelity speakers with a total output of 680 W. Its bigger siblings do offer a more elaborate version of this sound system, but the one offered on the Q5 range has a reasonable price (1,420 euros) and outstanding sound.

Personal opinion and price of this Audi Q5 55 TFSIe

The Audi Q5 TFSIe is available from 65,490 euros, for the 50 TFSIe version. Our unit exceeds 75,000 euros, though at least it comes fairly fully equipped without needing a long list of options.

Its charging time of just 2.5 hours and a realistic electric range of 50 km make it an ally for daily journeys around cities or their outskirts. On the other hand, when the battery is depleted, consumption is very reasonable.

Finally, it stands out for its character: not all plug-in hybrids have air suspension and a chassis that craves more horsepower to devour corners. On the downside, the interior, which I personally think needs a tune-up compared with other models from the brand, is correct in finish but has points to improve.

Photos | Diego G. Moreira

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverAudi Q528 versions · from 63,000 €