Audi Q5 2.0 TDI Sport 2017 Review

Audi is holding nothing back in the chase to regain the Q5’s position as best-selling prestige medium SUV.

Even though the car does not go on sale until June, the Australian sales team has flown in a number of demo models in a bid to get bums on seats and no doubt stem the flow of buyers moving to competitor vehicles.

The Q5 has been extensively updated with a bold new exterior design, more space and a new fuel-saving quattro drivetrain, which switches from all-wheel drive to front wheel drive to deliver improved efficiency.

Delivering on Audi’s intent to remain a leader in technology, the Q5 has also had a much-needed revamp on the gadgets front, with 2017 models loaded with new safety features, additional infotainment technology and driver assistance aides.

The Q5 launch line-up for Australia is simple, with each vehicle loaded with standard features.

Two powertrains will be offered at launch, a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel carried over from the previous generation Q5 and 2.0-litre turbo-petrol. Both engines have been paired with an updated seven-speed dual-clutch transmission which has been redesigned to shift more quickly and contribute to Audi’s fuel saving goals for the Q5.

The 2.0-litre TDI engine, which we drove at this early preview, generates 140kW and 400Nm and promises fuel usage of 5.3L/100km, a saving of 12 per cent over the previous generation Q5 diesel. The 2.0 litre TFSI petrol engine promises punchier performance, generating 185kW and 370Nm.
Model Line-Up

The Audi Q5 will be introduced in two specification levels, ‘design’ and ‘sport.’ The design designation is the most affordable model and will be available exclusively with the diesel powertrain for $65,900.

The up-spec ‘sport’ model is available in both diesel and petrol engine options. The diesel is on sale for $70,700 and the range-topping petrol model will arrive at $73,500 plus on-road costs.

Safety features
Regardless of specification level, all Audi Q5 models will receive a broad range of standard safety features, including autonomous emergency braking and pedestrian detection up to 85km/h, rear cross traffic alert with braking input, side assist blind spot monitoring, pre-sense rear alert which warns following traffic if the car stops suddenly, parking system with sensors and reverse camera and pre-sense basic which takes preventative measures if the vehicle detects an emergency.

Sport models add adaptive cruise control with stop and go, turn assist which will intervene if it detects there isn’t time to complete a turning manoeuvre in traffic, high beam assist, pre-sense collision warning up to 250km/h and predictive efficient assistant which gives the driver tips on how to moderate driving depending on road conditions.
Infotainment and Specification

Infotainment and connectivity is also a focus on the new Q5 with all models equipped with Audi’s new MMI interface including navigation with 3D maps and a sim card which allows the vehicle to act as a wireless hot spot and facilitate Google Earth and Google search functions.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is included on all Q5 models with a CD player on design models and a DVD player part of an included upgraded audio package. Reflecting the popularity of Audi’s virtual cockpit in the Q7, A4 and A5, all Sport models receive Virtual cockpit with a 12.3-inch configurable dashboard.

High specification levels extend throughout the Q5 and leather is your only choice for seat upholstery, however the functional, clean lines of the cabin and console do serve to make the interior feel a little clinical and sparse. The design model rolls on an 18-inch wheel while all sport models feature a larger 20-inch wheel shod with Pirelli Scorpion Verde tyres.

Convenience features abound including keyless entry with kick motion sensor at the electric tailgate allow for easy entrance while air conditioned comfort is afforded to all occupants with tri-zone climate control with digital rear display a feature of all models.

Accommodation
The new Audi Q5 is slightly longer than its predecessor, adding 10 litres of storage to its luggage capacity and offering up to 610 litres of boot space with an optional sliding rear seat pulled forward.

The Q5 retains the 40:20:40 rear seats we like and folded forward these extend luggage capacity to 1550 litres.

Internal storage options are plentiful, with door pockets designed to hold 1.5-litre bottles and centre console storage adequate for phones and wallets and a sliding coin tray giving access to cup holders.

Drive test
While it is easy to get glassy-eyed with the Q5’s tech and features list, its revitalised engineering delivers too.

The new quattro ultra system is clever and plays a large role in reducing fuel consumption for the 2.0 TDI by 0.7L/100km.

The system employs two clutches to adapt from all-wheel-drive traction to front only drive where the vehicle detects it doesn’t need drive from all four wheels. The Q5 will always start up in all-wheel drive mode, but reduce the load through the engine and it will shift seamlessly to front-drive.

A new off-road drive mode, added in Audi’s update of the drive select function acts as a lock mode, instructing the vehicle to remain in all-wheel drive mode while dynamic mode will shift power to the rear axle sooner and promises improved handling in slippery conditions.

On our brief drive on tarmac in the dry, we weren’t able to assess off-road mode or take the car off the beaten track so we’ll have to reserve judgement until we’ve been able to spend some more time with it.

The updated shift patterns on the seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch auto are noticeable quicker and sharper and the good band of mid to high range torque means you won’t be shifting down too aggressively to maintain good pace.

Audi has updated both the front and rear suspension set-ups – the rear moving to a five-link suspension with aluminium components, delivering a car which feels well composed on the road. While it wasn’t fitted to our test vehicle, air suspension and adaptive dampers will be available as an option as tested on the international launch program.

With standard suspension, the Q5 performs adequately during cornering and dynamic sections of roads, but stops short of delivering a genuinely sports-oriented feel. A contributing factor is likely the high driving position, which is exceptional for giving a commanding view of the road ahead but feels too high for a really engaging drive experience.

The 20-inch wheel probably isn’t the choice for really dynamic road holding either, although I couldn’t say it had a negative impact on the overall drive feel of the Q5 particularly. That said, I did feel the tyre noise from the Pirelli’s was quite significant on rougher sections of road.

None of which really matters for the urban warriors who won’t be troubled into pushing the Q5 dynamically, and will like the bling factor for around-town cred.

Drivers who will be looking for extra performance from their next SUV won’t need to wait too long however, as the SQ5 is hot on the heels of the bread and butter Q5s and should arrive in Australia in July.

Expect a full review of the Q5 range closer to launch in June 2017.

2017 Audi Q5 2.0 TDI Sport pricing and specifications:
On sale: June
Price: $70,700 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 140kW/400Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 5.3/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 132g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star (Euro NCAP)