The Audi Q5 has been a favourite in the premium mid-size segment, around the world and for many years. And now, Audi has made it even better and even more attractive with a refreshed facelift. The optimized Q5 now combines a sporty character with excellent everyday usability and versatility. The sharpened exterior design of this highly successful model now emphasizes the Audi Q SUV identity and boasts a rear light cluster featuring digital OLED technology, for the first time.
The exterior design: Audi Q design language now even more distinctive
The strong Q identity characterizes the exterior of the refreshed Audi Q5 with its expression of power, robustness and safety. In executing the exterior update, Audi designers further emphasised this look and feel with a series of distinctive details. The octagonal single frame is now shallower and appears wider than before.
The side air intakes have grown in height and are now structured by trapezoidal insets. The upper section of the LED headlamps features a new signature for the daytime running lights. Viewed from the side, the Q5 now has a lighter look with greater ground clearance thanks to the redesigned sill insert. At the rear end is a new trim element between the light clusters and a new diffusor insert with a horizontal fin.
In addition to the standard trim there are also two other design trim lines. The Advanced model comes with chromed vertical ribs in the single frame, along with under-ride guards beneath the front and rear bumpers in silver finish instead of black. The S line model comprises a sportier honeycomb structure in the single frame and a chrome strip framing the rear diffusor.
Both Advanced and S line models also include the high gloss styling package as standard which adds more distinctive design elements to the exterior look of the cars with the roof frame and window slot strips in anodized aluminium.
Two of the twelve available paint colours are new – district green and ultra-blue. The black appearance package is available as an option on the Advanced, S line and S models and sets expressive accents through black painted areas on the single frame, the trim strips on the side windows and the front and rear bumpers. Exterior mirror housings in black are available at additional cost while black roof rails are available as a no cost option.
The interior design: a light touch and first-class quality
The horizontal emphasis of the interior design conveys a feeling of breadth and lightness. The sculptural, elegant sweep of the trim inlay separates the lower and upper sections of the dashboard, with the focal point formed by the new freestanding MMI touch display with acoustic feedback. The previous rotary/push control on the centre-tunnel console is absent, its place now occupied by a storage cubby.
World first: digital OLED technology in the rear lights of the Audi Q5The cockpit of Next-generation OLED lighting technology is available for the first time ever in the modified Q5. OLEDs are extremely efficient organic light-emitting diodes that generate a homogenous light surface. The optional OLED rear light is split into three tiles of six segments each, which enables Audi designers and developers to create different light designs and signatures from a single item of hardware.
Audi Q5 customers can enjoy a rear-light signature animation for the coming and leaving home function. On switching the Audi drive select mode to “dynamic”, the lights change to yet another signature. The OLED rear-light cluster is also equipped with proximity detection: If a road user approaches a stationary Q5 from the rear to within less than two metres, all the OLED segments light up. When the Q5 starts to move, it returns to the original light signature.
The prerequisite for the proximity detection function is that the car has one of the tow assistance systems – either Adaptive Cruise Control or Active Lane Assist – on board. The full spectrum of the OLED rear lights is rounded off by dynamic turn indicators. The standard equipment for the Q5 is now LED headlamps, with matrix LED headlamps available as an option. Their intelligent, adaptable high beam offers greater safety and convenience without dazzling other road users.
Spacious and variable: dimensions and interior space
At 4.68 metres, the redesigned Audi Q5 is now 19 millimetres longer – due primarily to its larger bumpers. Its width (excluding mirrors) of 1.89 metres and height of 1.66 metres remain unchanged. The long wheelbase of 2.82 metres facilitates spacious interior proportions. Audi’s sliding rear bench plus with adjustable backrests is available as an option and enables a luggage space of 580 to 1,580 litres.
With the normal rear bench, the luggage space measures 520 to 1,520 litres. A variable folding floor mat is optionally available and a power tailgate is standard on the Q5. Thanks to its intelligent material mix, the Q5 has one of the lightest body shells in the segment, while the cd figure of 0.30 is among the best-in-class. Refined aero-acoustics make for an exceptionally quiet interior.
Control, infotainment and Audi connect: first-class connectivity
Behind the new control setup in the updated Audi Q5 is a new main unit – the third-generation Modular Infotainment Platform (MIB 3), which offers ten times the computing power of its predecessor, the MIB 2.
Its basis is a conventional dashboard with a centrally positioned driver information system. The top of the range is the Audi virtual cockpit plus – a high-resolution 12.3-inch digital display with three different graphic layouts – is optionally available with the Technology package. The driver controls the displays via the multifunction steering wheel. Audi smartphone interface is now standard throughout the range. A head-up display is also available as an option.
The central 10.1-inch MMI touch display is standard equipment in the Q5. Its menu structure with flat hierarchies makes it extremely easy to use, and is searchable using free text. The driver has the choice of entering characters and letters manually or via voice control, which understands a vast array of everyday terms.
The Audi connect online services network the Audi Q5 closely with the internet and traffic infrastructure. The navigation system offers high-resolution satellite images and traffic forecasts. The car-to-x services provided by Audi connect make for even more relaxed driving – helping, for example, to find available parking spots or using online search to guide on destination information (e.g., trading times). The myAudi app connects the user’s smartphone to the car and provides a suite of convenience and safety functions on the go.
A wide assortment of personal settings – from frequently used navigation destinations, seating positions to preferred air-conditioning levels – can be saved in six user profiles, adding to additional driver convenience.
Driveline: powerful performance, low emissions
The upgraded premium SUV comes to market in South Africa in two engine offerings. The Audi Q5 40 TDI. Its powerful two-litre four-cylinder diesel generates 140 kW and 400 Nm of torque. The Audi Q5 40 TDI accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds.
The second engine in the range is the Audi Q5 45 TFSI. Its 2.0-liter four-cylinder TFSI engine generates 183 kW and 370 Nm of torque. The Audi Q5 45 TFSI accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds. The mild hybrid system (MHEV) available on this model contributes to the low fuel consumption. A belt-driven starter/generator (BSG) supplies the 12-volt vehicle electrical system, which incorporates a compact lithium-ion battery. The BSG recuperates braking energy and stores it in the battery. The MHEV system enables the Audi Q5 45 TFSI to coast with the engine off, and allows for start-stop mode at speeds below 22 km/h. Overall, this results in a fuel-efficiency improvement of approx. 0.3 litres per 100 kilometres.
Both models are powered by a seven-speed S tronic that sends the engine power to the quattro all-wheel drive with ultra-technology, which also contributes to efficiency. In normal operation, it sends all the power to the front wheels. If all-wheel drive becomes necessary e.g. in slippery conditions or during dynamic driving, two clutches connect the rear wheels to the driveline in fractions of a second – in many situations, this happens predictively. In terms of traction and performance, the system leaves nothing to be desired.
The running gear: even more comfort and agility
Both sporty and comfortable – the well-balanced running gear is a great strength of the Audi Q5. The multilink suspension front and rear are exceptionally lightweight, thus improving not only handling, but also efficiency. Available as an option for the Q5 is Audi’s dynamic steering, which varies its ratio by up to 100 percent in accordance with speed and steering angle.
Q5 customers can choose from different setup options. The sports suspension offers an alternative to the standard suspension and is an option for all models except the S line model, in which it is standard. The standard suspension with steel springs is also available with damper control and delivers a broad spread between comfortable and dynamic. As well as damper control, the adaptive air suspension can also vary the ground clearance of the body in five stages, which makes it an exceptionally good match for the Q5.
The Audi drive select handling system, which influences the characteristics of several technical components, is part of the standard equipment package. The driver can choose from up to seven profiles, including off-road and all-road (with air suspension). The hill descent assistant provides support on steep inclines. The Audi Q5 runs as standard on 19-inch alloy wheels with an option to upgrade to 20-inch wheel designs.
Sporty, powerful, and efficient: SQ5 TFSI
Even sharper, sportier, and more efficient: The optimized Audi SQ5 TFSI now looks even more impressive with a powerful stance and striking details that give it an even more rugged appearance. Vertical fins provide structure to the large side air inlets on the front bumpers. In the octagonal single frame grille that is specific to the S models, large octagonal honeycomb sections are linked by narrow bars. These have an aluminium finish, as do the fins on the air inlets.
At the rear, a matte aluminium strip is integrated in the lower bumpers, below which are the diffuser insert and four chromium-plated oval tailpipe trims. Customers have a choice of nine exterior paint finishes. The black styling package, which adds sporty accents, is available on request. Its V6 three-litre petrol engine with an output of 260 kW and 500 Nm of torque delivers its power smoothly and forcefully. It accelerates the top model of the Q5 product line from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. An actuator in the exhaust system, gives the V6 a sonorous sound.
Key standard equipment on the Audi SQ5 includes quattro with self-locking centre differential, red brake callipers with “S” lettering, sports suspension system with damper control, S model bumpers in full paint finish, “S” emblem detailing, Audi connect navigation & infotainment, Audi virtual cockpit Plus, Audi smartphone interface, MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, rear view camera system, interior accent surfaces painted in glossy black, decorative inserts in matte brushed aluminium, fine Nappa leather with embossed “S“, sports seats in front, rear bench seat plus and sports contour leather-wrapped steering wheel with multi-function Plus in a 3-spoke flat-bottom design.
