Audi Q5 Mild Hybrid 2.0 First Drive Review

The Audi Q5 is one of my favourite SUVs, but just because it's a favourite doesn't mean it isn't flawed. From the first generation model right through to the current third generation one - and all the different facelifts in between - I've driven them all... and none of them were perfect.

I still enjoy them nonetheless because, sure, they're not perfect, but they're not pretentious either. That's the one thing I've always appreciated the Q5 for. It doesn't pretend to be something it's not and it sure as hell doesn't give you some sort of false hope by trying to be sporty. It is what it is, and I absolutely respect the car for that.

The all new Audi Q5 is a good-looking SUV, with lines and curves at the right places

Sing me something new

You'll also have to respect the Audi Q5 for staying afloat amidst very stiff competition. Mind you, it goes up against the class leading BMW X3, the hospitable Lexus NX, the popular Mercedes-Benz GLC and the contemporary Range Rover Velar, which is also why this is an undoubtedly important car for the German carmaker.  

I say that because I suspect while electric vehicles like the Q4 e-tron and the Q6 e-tron make up the quota for Audi to push to its customers, it's the mid-sized premium SUV like the Q5 that people are genuinely after. 

Hence, plenty of tweaks are necessary to keep the car you see here on this page current and competitive. The styling, for one, has certainly evolved from its predecessor, with a fascia that's immediately brasher and busier than before. The rear, on the other hand, is arguably cleaner and neater, featuring a full-width taillight in what's becoming a necessary design.

The rear of the Audi Q5 has a neat and uncluttered design

The way it's going to be

But it's on the inside, really, that you'll be able to fully experience the big change. Here, the Q5 features Audi's new Digital Stage that comprises of the 11.9-inch digital instrument panel and a 14.5-inch MMI touchscreen. The result is a nice panoramic curved touchscreen that's highly intuitive and crisp. Hell, there's even a clear 10.9-inch screen in front of the passenger seat just for them to meddle with! 

Elsewhere, the cabin of the new Audi Q5 is a lovely place to be. Benches are comfortable and supportive, driving position is hard to fault and the attention to detail is impeccable. Unfortunately like its predecessor, there is sufficient space for five occupants but because the hump at the rear is high and short, the middle rear passenger inevitably gets affected.

The cabin is a tech-savvy place to be in, while the boot space (right) remains to be more than adequate to swallow your items on a daily basis

Weirdly though, boot space has dropped a tad, too. While the previous generation model gets 550 litres of hauling capacity, the current new model gets a lesser 520-litre boot space.

To put things into perspective, the BMW X3 has a bigger 570-litre boot space while the Mercedes-Benz GLC and the Range Rover Velar gets 620 litres and 748 litres respectively.  

Live it up!

Where it lacks, the Audi Q5 makes up with its on-road behaviour. The premium SUV is quite an easy-going companion. Based on Audi's Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) underpinnings, which debuted on the Audi A5 Sedan, it's a silent affair when on the move. More relevantly, the car rides with the sort of comfort level that is simply second to none. It copes very well with bumps and lumps, sending little to no vibrations to the cabin.

The Audi Q5 is the first SUV in the carmaker's lineup to feature the new PPC platform

It's neither the most exciting nor the most dramatic when you're pushing it hard. For that, you will be better off with the BMW X3 or even the Porsche Macan. Instead, the Audi Q5 has a different proposition altogether. It dominates the segment with high levels of refinement and grip as well as low levels of body roll and external noises, making it a luxury family SUV that's competent and confidence-inspiring enough to tackle different road conditions.  

And where the new Audi really aces is around town and city driving. The 48V mild hybrid system helps sort out low-speed driving, which helps to save a bit of fuel. Squeeze the throttle steadily and the Q5 will fire up the 2.0-litre engine seamlessly.

Squeeze it harder and the full 201bhp and 340Nm of twisting force will be sent to all four wheels via a smooth-shifting seven-speed dual clutch gearbox. It's not the quickest SUV out there, but the figures do a good job by bringing the car of close to two tonnes up to the legal speed limit.

The 2.0-litre powerplant sends out 201bhp and 340Nm of twisting force to all four wheels for the Quattro variant that we tested

Taking it all in

Speaking of doing a good job, Audi has done well to implement a number of changes to the Q5 to ensure it stays competitive in its extremely intense segment. While many will lament just how much more other cars in its class can give over the Q5, I still enjoy being behind the wheel of one.

Sure, the Audi Q5 isn't perfect, but it isn't pretentious either. It is what it is, and I absolutely respect the car for that. The car is expected to arrive in Singapore at the end of this year.