Audi Q5
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- two thousand eighteen
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Audi’s Q5 is the German brand’s entry to the luxury compact crossover segment and it competes directly with the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. Like most compact crossovers, the Q5 seats up to five passengers but unlike some of its rivals, it comes standard with all-wheel drive.
The Audi Q5 very first entered the U.S. market for the two thousand nine model year and was powered by a naturally aspirated 270-hp Three.2-liter V-6 paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. A 211-hp Two.0-liter turbo-four was added for the two thousand eleven model year followed by a hybrid variant that was sold in a single, loaded trim. Audi suggested a diesel-powered Q5 until two thousand fifteen when the Volkswagen Group’s diesel emissions cheating scandal coerced a stop-sale on the models.
Audi refreshed the Q5 for the two thousand thirteen model year and along with mild exterior styling tweaks, the car received some powertrain updates. The standard Two.0-liter turbo-four now made two hundred twenty hp and the Three.2-liter V-6 was discontinued in favor of a supercharged Three.0-liter V-6 tuned for two hundred seventy two hp and two hundred ninety five lb-ft of torque. The six-speed automatic transmission was also substituted by an eight-speed unit.
Perhaps the most significant addition to the Q5 lineup is the SQ5, a performance-oriented model powered by an uprated version of the supercharged Three.0-liter V-6 making three hundred fifty four hp and three hundred forty six lb-ft paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. We said in a two thousand fifteen Very first Test that the SQ5 combines effortless acceleration and practicality in one package.
“The SQ5 is a relative bargain in the growing compact-ish luxury spectacle crossover segment. Its combination of speed and practicality makes it a bona fide sleeper, and albeit its interior has seen better days, its sheetmetal has aged fairly nicely and can hold its own standing next to the Macan. Better yet, the SQ5 is ready to perform on the spot, regardless of what boots it’s wearing,” we said.
The 2nd generation is expected to arrive for the two thousand eighteen model year and will boast a more powerful turbo-four engine, better fuel efficiency, and a more advanced suite of active safety tech, with an available fully digital instrument cluster.
The Q5 is stylish, relatively spacious, and has standard all-wheel drive. Those looking to turn their Q5 into an all-weather missile should consider the SQ5, which is the most powerful variant available.
Albeit the Audi Q5’s interior is well built, before the fresh model arrives, the existing crossover is missing some connectivity features found in some newer competitors such as the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and Cadillac XT5.