Audi SQ5 2017 Review

SUV 2.0
Almost a decade after Audi's Q5 first hit the streets, version 2.0 has arrived. And it's a considerably improved vehicle but it has to be – the luxury SV game has changed.

Back in 2009 when the first version went on sale, Instagram wasn't invented yet, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was a free man and the luxury SUV category was half the size it is today.

Now there are more luxury SUVs than you can shake a road-raging, soccer mum's Louis Vuitton purse at. The Audi Q5 was Australia's top-selling medium-sized luxury SUV between 2009 and 2015. In 2016, Mercedes-Benz GLC was the market leader. Thus far in 2017 the top-selling medium-sized luxury SUV is the Land Rover Discovery Sport.

The take out: whether Audi likes it or not, the SUV battlefield lines have been redrawn. There is more choice and competition is fierce.

That doesn't mean the new Audi Q5 won't make buyers happy. On the contrary, it's a charming motor vehicle.

Indeed, the new second-generation model is an accomplished SUV with some very clever, convenience features. All models come standard with a kick-to-open powered tailgate, proximity key and push-button engine start, easy to use steering wheel buttons and paddle shifters, three-zone climate control with digital temperature adjust for rear seat passengers, satellite navigation with voice control and safety systems that'll do everything from braking automatically up to 85km/h to warning you against dooring a cyclist.

Above and beyond the cool technology and stylish interior update, the car is better to drive. It features Audi’s new all-wheel drive system (called quattro ultra) which significantly reduces fuel consumption. There's more advanced, more refined turbocharged engines and more space for occupants and their belongings.

It's small enough to dart around town and park easily but big enough for the family and plenty of luggage too, for longer trips to the snow fields or to the coast.

There are four models too choose from in the new Q5 range thus far, with a choice of three engines, all of them fitted as standard with automatic transmissions:

Q5 design 2.0 TDI – $65,900
Q5 sport 2.0 TDI – $70,700
Q5 sport 2.0 TFSI – $73,500
SQ5 3.0 TFSI – $99,611

Driving the Audi Q5 from Melbourne to Adelaide, it wouldn't be unreasonable to call the new SUV a genuine contender in the now chock-a-block medium luxury SUV category.

On the less-than-direct journey between Melbourne and Adelaide, the Q5s' seats provide good support over two days, electric adjustment and firm cushions assisting: No back aches to report here.

The 'sport' models come with adaptive cruise control which works a treat. Acrystal clear digital instrument panel (virtual cockpit in Audi-speak) displays road speed, navigation, fuel efficiency and other trip details and is a sight to behold. It's customisable and once you get used to how to flip between the settings, it's a powerful tool for interested drivers.

Extended periods of time spent in this car are not unpleasant. It's quiet inside the Q5 and the refined driveline contributes to a relaxing journey. Even driving at night, in lashing rain, the Q5 felt safe, secure and predictable.

The automatic high-beam headlights standard on 'sport' models work surprisingly well and were much faster to switch back to regular beams than any approaching vehicle managed. This compares well to an Audi Q7 tested over a year ago which struggled at times and dazzled a few drivers as a result.

Perhaps the only feature missing is active steering or lane keep assistance, which is offered by some of its rivals. The standard three-year, unlimited kilometre warranty applies here, which includes 24-hour roadside assistance for the duration in case something goes wrong.

There's also three-year, 45,000km service program, dubbed the Audi Genuine Care Service Plan, which is currently pegged at $1870 and includes three services, occurring once a year or every 15,000km.

If you've seen the Audi A4 interior, you've seen this one. It's almost a carbon copy. But as anyone who has sat in one – or read our reports of the A4 – will know, it takes an elegant design with aluminium inlays, and blends it with a sensible control arrangement and ample technology that's instinctive to use.

The cherry on top here is the qQ5 delivers a better view of the road than the A4, thanks to the 200mm ride height.

The bad news is the Audi Q5 is not quite as engaging to drive -- though that's not to say it has the dynamics of cold, congealed, porridge.

With a new platform underneath it (MLB evo in Audi-speak -- comprising new suspension and steering), the entry-level Audi Q5 2.0 TDI 'design' model offers reasonably good ride comfort with enough composure to carve up tighter corners.

Adaptive damper control is standard on 'sport' models but even in comfort it is not as settled as the regular rig over high-speed bumps, lumps and poor-quality country roads. It's just a tad too firm in my opinion.

That's partly due to the large 20-inch alloy wheels with sporty tyres, whereas the cheapest Q5 rides on 18-inch alloy wheels with more compliant tyres.

You can go one step further and add adaptive air suspension ($3990) which will adjust the Q5's ride height and has greater damper adjustability too. At slower speeds such as urban cruising it delivers good ride quality even on 20-inch wheels, but at higher speeds it's not quite as balanced as the ‘analogue’ chassis.

All models have light, direct steering which makes parking the Q5 a straightforward affair. With loads of proximity sensors and a reversing camera as standard, you'd be very unlucky to back it into something at the shopping centre.

The new Audi Q5 was awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating thanks to standard-fit features like eight airbags, autonomous emergency braking up to 85km/h, a rigid passenger cell, and an exit warning system (so you don't swing open your door into traffic or an approaching cyclist).

There are three engine types and four models in the new Audi Q5 range, ranging from $65,900 for the entry-level 140kW turbo-diesel to $99,611 for the flagship 260kW SQ5, a turbo V6 hot head.

First up I'm driving the four-cylinder turbo-petrol Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI. It's got loads of thrust (185kW/370Nm) as the variable geometry turbo huffs and puffs, so overtaking B-double semis at 110km/h is never in doubt. It's quick off the line too, the seven-speed S tronic (dual-clutch) automatic transmission whipping through gears like a frenzied dominatrix in full flight.

It dispatches the 0-100km/h dash in 6.3sec, claims Audi and despite accelerating with gusto it's not too bad on fuel, burning it at a claimed rate of 7.3L/100km. My numbers ended up being 9.7L/100km over a 300km stretch with the car, but with an average speed of 87km/h and an exuberant driving style, that's a respectable outcome.

My favourite model of the lot is the entry-level Q5 2.0 TDI 'design' variant. Okay, so it doesn't have adaptive cruise control, gets smaller 18-inch alloy wheels and misses out on the so-cool-it-hurts virtual cockpit. But it's smooth, quiet and has more than enough mumbo for almost every scenario.

The diesel engine's throttle response isn't as rapid-fire as the petrol engines' but with 140kW/400Nm it's a slow-build sledgehammer. A dual-clutch S tronic seven-speed automatic transmission ensures you're always in control at speed and is unobtrusive in traffic.

Fuel consumption for the oiler is rated at 5.3L/100km, a 12 per cent improvement on its predecessor, and each tank should provide a better cruising range than the petrol models.

Then there's the SQ5, a medium SUV which comes with all the bells and whistles and a big whacking stick to boot.

Priced at a smidge under $100,000, it's significantly more expensive but it's louder, meaner and faster than its kid-siblings. It gets a lot more standard equipment, such as 360-degree surround parking cameras, while massive 21-inch alloy wheels and aggressive body work communicates its athletic character in a subtle but satisfying way.

Unlike the previous turbo-diesel Audi SQ5 which sold in droves, the new SQ5 is powered by a turbo-petrol V6, generating 260kW/500Nm.

It has more power now but less torque than the 230kW/650Nm diesel SQ5 launched in 2013 and although the stats insist the old diesel was faster to 100km/h (5.1vs 5.4sec), the new SQ5 is still red hot.

It scorches away from standing starts with venom. I loved the subdued burble punctuated by muffled barks between gearshifts as you’re gently but irresistibly pressed into the diamond-stitched Nappa leather seats.

Pumping through a large twin-scroll turbocharger nestled within the cylinder vee, the SQ5 develops peak torque of 500Nm at just 1370rpm, while peak power of 260kW at 6400rpm ensures effortless propulsion wherever the tacho needle sits.

The upgraded sports seats and carbon-fibre accents in the cabin add just the right amount of arrogance too, without being in-your-face.

Sharper than its garden-variety Q5 relatives in terms of acceleration, the SQ5 also scores bigger brakes with 350mm discs fore and 330mm discs aft, the former clamped by hefty six-piston calipers.

Cornering is via uprated suspension, brakes and powertrain and as a result the SQ5 is a more engaging vehicle to drive and rarely does it feel top-heavy or SUV-like.

It’s clichéd but faced with challenging conditions – damp roads, tricky corners – the SQ5 feels like it's on rails, with excellent road holding and control.

An optional torque vectoring sports rear differential ($2950) sharpens turn-in and unlike the new part-time AWD setup of the regular Q5 range, this one gets a full-time quattro layout with a mechanical Torsen centre diff.

It's not as effortlessly swift as the previously generation SQ5 but Audi Australia says a diesel-powered SQ5 could return soon. Translation: bank on it.

As it stands, the petrol-powered SQ5 is a fitting hero model for the range for now… Until the booming 330kW RSQ5 arrives. Cue the maniacal laughter, thanks.

Not just performance
The 2017 Audi SQ5 is easy and relaxing to drive, the satellite navigation is generally very good and the inclusion of Google Earth improves the experience significantly. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality are welcome, but it would have been nice to enable this via WiFi and not physically plug in your phone, like the new BMW 5 Series offers.

There's all the usual Bluetooth connectivity options or you can plug in a USB stick with music files to get your favourite tunes. There are two USB ports up front and storage areas are okay. I wish there was a bit more incidental storage for devices, as even two phones gets a bit tight in the small cubby underneath the temperature controls.

There are bottle holders in all four doors but the twin cup-holders for driver and front passenger are touch small and buried deep.

Passenger space is very good, with ample room for four adults. We stuck three well-fed journalists in the back of an SQ5 and it was cramped but not uncomfortable. There's good head and leg room in the back and if you opt for just two in the back there's a fold down arm rest with twin cup holders.

Cargo nets behind front seats are handy for quickly securing an apple or an iPad and there's lots of stowage functionality in the boot as well.

Cargo space has improved slightly to 550 litres, which is more than enough room for three large suitcases and a number of smaller soft bags crammed in between. There's tie-down hooks and a number of partition accessories available to stop things rolling about.

Fold down the rear seats (40:20:40 split) and you get 1550 litres of luggage space, enough to swallow a couple of bikes sans front wheel.

With an elegant design inside and out, a sensibly equipped cabin with easy-to-use technology and solid dynamics, the SQ5 and indeed the full all-new generation Q5 range is a major step forward.

Is it the best vehicle in its class? It'll certainly go close, and we’re looking forward to a comparison soon.

2017 Audi Q5 design 2.0 TDI pricing and specifications:
Price: $65,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder
Output: 140kW/400Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 5.3L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 139g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

2017 Audi SQ5 pricing and specifications:
Price: $99,611 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6
Output: 260kW/500Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.7L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 200g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP