If you want to drive around in style, the 2018 Audi Q5 may seem like a great choice. It’s a small luxury crossover SUV that competes with some very tough competitors. Luxury crossovers are popular and typically expensive, and consumers have several options to choose from, including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Jaguar, and Lincoln, to mention a few.
The 2018 Audi Q5 is powered by a 2.0-litre four cylinder turb engine othat distributes power to all four wheels. The turbo V-6 in a performance-oriented SQ5 produces 354 horsepower. In addition, the Q5 is offered in three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus, and Platinum, with a significant amount of customizability within those three options.
Look and performance of the Audi Q5
The 2018 Q5 may not appear to have changed much from its predecessors, but it is all-new underneath. Its exterior design is more sinewy, emphasising a shapely beltline and a nose that seems longer than before.
The main distinction is in the details, with standard HID and optional LED headlights thrusting forward and surrounding the latest version of Audi’s shield grille. The Q5 has a tailgate that seems like it carried it over from last year, but new LED lighting cleans up the backlights.
Meanwhile, SQ5s feature a slightly altered exterior design with their alloy wheel styles.
Inside, the Q5 receives the automaker’s most recent interior design language. Unlike some Audis, the central display screen does not retract when not in use, giving it the appearance of a tablet computer held in place by an aftermarket clip. It’s a rare blemish in an otherwise relaxing and rational environment.
The switches are arranged on a single panel below the climate control, but all infotainment controls are accessed via a large touchpad that appears to be from a Dell laptop. Audi’s Virtual Cockpit replaces traditional instruments with a customizable LCD screen in higher-spec cars.
The Q5’s base engine is a 2.0-litre inline-4; however, it has been upgraded to the automaker’s most recent unit. As a result, the engine in the Q5 is nearly identical to the engine in the bigger Q7, and it performs well in this minor application.
Nevertheless, it’s only available with a 7-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, which now separates the driveshaft from the rear wheels to save gas in most situations. This saves a lot of fuel.
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In addition, unlike competitors, Audi’s technology spins up in a fraction of a second to distribute power rearward as needed, and it can detect when a driver is approaching bad conditions that necessitate a little extra traction.
As with the current S4 and S5, the SQ5 is powered by a new turbocharged 3.0-litre V-6 engine, making 354 horsepower 6,000 pm. It also generates 369 pound-feet of torque.
With an 8-speed automatic transmission, the machine drives all four wheels. As a result, the SQ5 can go from 0 to 60mph in just over five seconds.
The updated Q5 rides on a new modular chassis shared with the A4, resulting in a significant structural strength increase. However, despite the increased usage of aluminium and lower weight for its all-wheel-drive system, it is not significantly lighter than the previous model.
More standard and extra equipment and more excellent sound deadening keep the Premium trim level at roughly 4,000 pounds and somewhat higher with more features added.
Features, comfort, and safety
Despite its new architecture, the Q5 only gets marginally longer, but Audi can squeeze out a little more space for the second row. In addition, it is now as comfy as any competitor, with two 6-footers sitting behind other 6-footers. As with most compact crossovers, the middle seat is best suited for children or occasional adult use.
Upfront, there’s plenty of room for two, with comfy leather seats on all models; most competitors outfit base versions in leatherette rather than genuine hides. The cargo area is neatly polished, and the back seats fold down quickly, but they do not produce an utterly level load space.
The Q5 has not yet been tested for safety by the IIHS or the NHTSA. However, adaptive cruise control, which may bring the car to a halt in heavy traffic and then restart it automatically, as well as autonomous emergency braking, are available options. One new, optional feature is detecting oncoming vehicles and warning passengers if they are about to open the vehicle’s doors into traffic.
The Q5 comes in three different trim levels, which are well-equipped. Leather seats come with all of the base Premium models. Premium Plus models include a panoramic sunroof with a shade that doesn’t completely block out the sun, memory seats, and some safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear automatic braking. Finally, the Prestige trim level goes all-out indulgent, with 20-inch wheels and a Bang & Olufsen audio system.
Audi’s SQ5
The SQ5 is a more powerful version of the Q5 crossover. It has a better air suspension and a turbocharged V6, making 354 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.
It accelerates the 4,400-pound machine to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds owing to a quick 8-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. In cornering, an optional rear mechanical limited-slip differential can redirect power to the outside wheels, keeping the SQ5 light on its feet despite its massive weight and frame.
As a result, the SQ5’s height is lower than the Q5’s average of 8.2 inches. In addition, different settings on the SQ5’s adjustable suspension may raise or drop the vehicle for off-road or sportier drives-or even depending on the driver’s mood.
When you mash the throttle, the SQ5’s V-6 sits up, but it’s when you turn the dial to “Dynamic” that the SQ5 comes to life.
2018 Audi Q5 quality and comfort
Even the base Audi Q5 seems upscale on the inside, thanks in part to standard leather trim, but things only get better as you add extras.
There’s enough room for two people in the front, with leather seats on all versions. Most competitors don’t use natural leather to cover the base models. Instead, they use fake leather. The same way Audi has done for many years, wood trims can be introduced for a small fee.
Despite its new architecture, the Q5 only becomes slightly longer and a couple of inches wider, but Audi has been able to chisel out a bit extra room for the second row. As a result, it’s now as comfy as any competition, with two 6-footers sitting behind each other. As in most compact crossovers, the centre seat is suited for kids or occasional adult use, which is understandable given that the outboard seats are deeply scalloped for only two.
When the second row of seats is upright, the cargo room is roughly half a cubic foot smaller than previously, adding about three cubic feet when those seats are folded forward for maximum cargo hauling.
The rear seats are divided in a standard 40/60 configuration and fold manually with the pull of a lever. Unfortunately, the cargo space isn’t completely flat while they’re down.
The 2018 Audi Q5 received high marks from both federal and independent testing.
The Q5 has improved outward visibility than the previous model due to more oversized side mirrors, rear seats that don’t hinder the view backward, and slim roof pillars. However, the beltline is higher than in some competitors, which means it can have a little more of a bathtub-like sensation behind the wheel than we want.
All Q5s come standard with airbags and stability control, as well as a system that begins lowering windows and the optional sunroof if it senses a collision, and they can also automatically stop to prevent or minimize the severity of an accident at speeds under 52 mph.
In traffic congestion, adaptive cruise control can slow the car to a halt and then restart it, as can blind-spot monitors, automatic rear braking, and rear cross-traffic warning.
It’s good for city people to have a feature that lights up on the door panel when a vehicle or bicycle is nearing the car before the door is opened. This is useful when you’re in a parallel parking spot.
Fuel economy
According to the EPA, the 2018 Audi Q5 achieves 23 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined.
Most competitors offer a more fuel-efficient two-wheel-drive vehicle, but Audi does not. However, the company’s latest all-wheel-drive system is intended to close the significant fuel economy deficit.