- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0T, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
185kW, 370Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 7.3L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2017)
2017 Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI Sport she says, he says review
He: Audi has become increasingly popular with Australian car buyers in the last decade, Dani. Models like the Q5 have played a big role in that, with the German brand quick to pick up on the shift to SUVs. The old Q5 was the best-selling mid-size luxury SUV for much of its life so the four-ringed brand hasn’t changed the formula too much for this second generation model.
She: Steve, I live in a culturally diverse suburb that appears to have a fondness for Audis, with every second car sporting the four-ring logo. That’s not necessarily a bad thing because the Q5 is a gem of a car. It’s always looked sharp on the road and, to me, the changes to the body are more like a subtle dose of botox. The new Q5 looks fresher and more rejuvenated but not overly different.
He: It’s a subtle evolution of the design but I like it. The lines are sharper so it doesn’t look like a big, bloated SUV; instead it looks more athletic. That’s especially true of our test car which was fitted with the optional and sporty S Line package.
The sleek design continues inside where it’s well presented, true to Audi form, and a nice size. There’s good room in both the front and rear seats, enough for young families who don’t want to or can’t stretch to the larger Q7.
She: I’ve always loved Audi’s interior layout and the cabin retains that premium, luxury theme. It presents immaculately, there are plenty of creature comforts such as tri-zone climate control and a powered tailgate. The leather seats look and feel good, I agree with you about there being plenty of room for passengers. There’s also an optional sliding rear seat and families will appreciate the big boot.
The infotainment system includes Wi-Fi hotspot and Google interactivity along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s pretty hard to fault the tech?
He: Yep, it’s well-equipped for the money. We drove the petrol model, which is fitted with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine that’s good for 185kW and 370Nm. While the turbo diesel offers a bit more torque (400Nm) and uses less fuel (5.3-litres per 100km versus 7.3L/100km) I like the TFSI. It’s got plenty of performance and performs smoothly with a nice subtle soundtrack. It just feels well suited to the Q5. Did you like driving it, Dani?
She: I forgot how much I enjoyed driving Audis until I took this for a spin. It feels so refined and it’s really quiet. It’s well balanced on the road and the new suspension feels good. The seven-speed transmission does the job and the steering is well-weighted. Audi is making a big deal over its new 'quattro ultra' four-wheel drive system. What do you think of it?
He: I think it’s nice marketing. It’s a fancy name for a part-time all-wheel drive system, which only sends power to the rear wheels when it needs to - quicker than before. By running in front-wheel drive mode most of the time it saves fuel. Having said that, it’s a seamless system that can engage in a fraction of a second so you never feel much difference in the drive experience.
It’s competitively priced at $73,211 given everything it offers. Has it done enough to convince you?
She: Luxury cars aren’t cheap, you’re paying for the badge, comfort and looks. But the Q5 is a classy SUV that has every angle covered. The standard safety offerings are very impressive (autonomous emergency braking up to 85km/h and pedestrian detection, attention assist, blind-spot warning, cross-traffic assist, and a warning in case you’re about to open the door on cyclists). I think the Q5 will be another success story for the German brand. If there is a downside, it’s that you may get a bit bored seeing too many of them on the road.
He: I think Audi has done a very good on the new Q5; it looks smart, drives well and offers up good value. But anything less wouldn’t be good enough given the competition from the popular Mercedes-Benz GLC as well as the new BMW X3 and Range Rover Velar.
2017 Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI Sport price and specifications
Price: From $73,211 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 185kW at 5000-6000rpm
Torque: 370Nm at 1600-4500rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, all-wheel drive
Fuel use: 7.3L/100km