The Q5 is one of the better choices among luxury compact SUV. It is comfortable, agile, and very well finished inside. Fuel economy is respectable for the class. It packs a lot of high-tech features and a variety of standard advanced safety features.
The standard 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine is responsive. Note that it's available with two versions; a 201 horsepower or a more powerful 261 hp version of that engine. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission plays a supporting role. We measured the 0-60 mph acceleration in a scant 6.8 seconds when we originally tested it with its 248 hp engine. And, it managed a decent 24 mpg overall, but on premium fuel.
The engine is smooth and energetic in normal driving, emitting a polished hum when pressed hard. Shifting is quick, smooth and direct, but the Q5 can exhibit a slight delay from a rolling stop.
If the Q5 isn't snappy enough for you, there's an SQ5 version with a new 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine making 349 hp that's paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The Q5's ride is firm, planted, and controlled, yet there is a level of compliance that makes it comfortable and controlled. Handling is taut and agile, instilling a feeling of precision and stability.
The Q5's reworked interior includes an uncluttered center stack that reflects Audi's latest design themes. The MMI infotainment system is filled with features, but it requires some getting used to before you can deftly operate it while driving. Once its intricacies are mastered, it proves to be a logical system. Choosing the Navigation package adds Audi's Virtual Cockpit; this feature lets you minimize the speedometer and tachometer gauges while expanding the instrument cluster into a slick, eye-catching color screen that can display audio, phone, or navigation information. The standard audio system includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.
The cabin looks appropriately upscale, but there are a couple areas where the company skimped; for instance, the door trim isn't as nicely padded as we would expect.
We would be happy to sit in the firm, well-padded front seats all day long. The driver's seat gets a wide range of power adjustments, including four-way lumbar; the front passenger seat has to make do without lumbar adjustment, even at the Premium Plus trim level.
The rear seat is one of the roomiest in the class. The seatbacks are able to recline to fine tune passengers' posture and it can also slide forward and back to increase legroom or maximize cargo hauling. Folding the rear seat in three sections also adds versatility. The standard power liftgate reveals a nicely finished cargo area and a sturdy cover.
Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning are standard. Adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist is standard.
In all, the Audi Q5 is a very satisfying package that melds luxury, refinement, comfort, room, and good fuel economy in a manageable and maneuverable size.