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2017 Audi Q5:: What’s changed?

As the segment sales leader in Australia from 2009 to 2015, there’s serious pressure on the new 2017 Audi Q5 to continue the momentum the current model has managed to achieve over a prolonged period.


Audi has made widespread and significant changes to its medium SUV, which was a favourite around the world. More than 23,000 Q5s have been sold in Australia alone, with sales increasing year-on-year since launch.

Audi says exterior highlights include a sharper, more muscular design language, and the revised engines deliver more power, while using less fuel. Audi’s revered quattro AWD system has been changed, too, with the 2.0-litre TFSI and TDI variants getting 'quattro ultra'.

The 2.0 TDI engine generates 140kW and 400Nm, uses 5.2L/100km and will sprint from 0-100km/h in 7.9 seconds, while the 2.0 TFSI engine makes 185kW and 370Nm, using 7.1L/100km and will scoot from 0-100km/h in 6.3 seconds.

The 3.0 TDI engine - which hasn’t been fully specified for Australia as yet, and will arrive early in 2018 - will generate 210kW and 620Nm.

The 2.0-litre engines are mated to a seven-speed, S tronic dual clutch automatic, while the bigger engine is mated to a conventional eight-seed tiptronic auto. All automatic transmissions feature a fuel-saving freewheel function and two versions of Audi’s quattro AWD system are available.

Australian Q5s will have up to a 65kg weight reduction (depending on specification), with a new multi-link suspensions system and new for the Q5 optional air suspension. Audi claims class-leading refinement, class leading aerodynamics, and a comprehensive array of infotainment and driver assistance systems.

Outside, the changes aren’t huge, but park the 2017 Audi Q5 next to an older model, and you’ll notice them straight away.

The shoulder lines have evolved and the wheel arches are more flared now than before. There’s a lower horizontal line at the front of the Q5 and there’s also a wide array of new wheels designs available.

The headlights are xenon as standard with LED and LED Matrix headlights available as options, while the taillights are all LED across the range.

Inside the cabin, Audi claims class-leading infotainment with the 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit available as an option. Opt for that system and the 8.3-inch centre screen remains in place, allowing passengers to use the middle screen while the driver uses Virtual Cockpit - if so desired.

There’s also a head-up display, MMI Navigation with Google Map interactivity and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The slightly larger exterior gives even more shoulder room, with more comfort across the second row, and there’s plenty of storage space too.

The cabin borrows styling elements from the classy redesigns of A4 and Q7, and is also better insulated than the outgoing model, with a noticeably quieter ambience at highway speed. The 40:20:40 second row seat slides, tilts and folds flat to open the luggage space up from 620 litres to 1550 litres.

Q5 gets a broad suite of safety kit, including active cruise control with stop and go, pre-sense front with pedestrian warning, side assist, rear cross traffic assist and exit warning.

So, while the new Q5 might look like "just another Audi" and not far evolved from the outgoing model, there's plenty of 'all-new' about this one.

For more on the new Q5, see our links below.

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MORE:Search Used Audi Cars for Sale
Trent Nikolic

Trent Nikolic has been road testing and writing about cars for almost 20 years. He’s been at CarAdvice/Drive since 2014 and has been a motoring editor at the NRMA, Overlander 4WD Magazine, Hot4s and Auto Salon Magazine.

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