Audi Q5: testing the second generation of the bestseller
The German crossover is already monitoring other vehicles on the road for sudden movements.
Despite impressive growth in recent decades, Audi is still the youngest child in BMW and Mercedes-Benz. But there are exceptions to this rule, and here are the brightest of them.
The Q5, a midsize crossover from Ingolstadt, has outperformed competitors like the X3 or GLK for years. The older model has slowed down a bit lately - but in 2018, Audi finally showed off the long-awaited second generation.
The Q5 sits on the same platform as the new A4, which means it has grown in size and interior space, but is 90kg lighter on average than the previous one.
We are testing the 40 TDI Quattro version, which will surely confuse many. Audi has recently tried to simplify the names of its models, but it seems the opposite is true.
In this case, the four in the name of the car indicates the number of cylinders, not the volume of the engine.
That's why we're in a hurry to translate it into normal language: 40 TDI quattro means a 190 horsepower 7-liter turbodiesel, all-wheel drive system and a XNUMX-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
In the good old days, a two-litre engine in a premium car meant a pretty basic version. For a long time this was not the case. Q5 is an upscale and expensive car.
Our design is already familiar from the smaller Q3 - emphatically athletic, with elegant metal ornaments on the front grille. Headlights can be LED and even matrix, that is, they can darken oncoming cars and adjust to the conditions.
The new generation quickly regained its position, but then gave way in 2019, despite the difficulties with the certification of the line in the new WLTP test cycle.
The best-selling Mercedes GLC in the segment last year.
As mentioned, the Q5 has grown over its predecessor in every way. In addition to lighter weight, the aerodynamics are improved - up to 0,30 flow factor, which is an excellent indicator for this segment.
The interior is also impressive, especially if you order three extras. This is Audi's virtual cockpit, where instruments have been replaced by a beautiful high-definition screen; a very practical head-up display that allows you to follow the road more closely; and finally the advanced information system MMI. You also get a wide choice of colors and extra care, such as sports seats with massage function for the driver and passenger, and glass that improves acoustics.
There's plenty of room inside, and the back seat can comfortably accommodate three adults. The luggage compartment volume already exceeds 600 liters, therefore, having gone on a long journey, you can calmly rest.
There are no surprises in driving and driving behavior. We know the diesel engine well from many other models of the Volkswagen concern. But if they have it in the upper part of the range, then here it is more likely at the base. We thought that with his 190 horses it would be enough. A solid 400 Newton meters of torque is available even at relatively low revs.
Audi claims that the average consumption of this car is 5,5 liters per 100 km. We were not convinced of this - in our main country test we scored about 7 percent, which is also not bad for a car of this size in dynamic driving mode. The quattro system handles off-road fairly confidently, but that's no surprise.
The only thing that might surprise you here is the price. Car inflation has outpaced statistics in recent years, and the fifth quarter was no exception. With such a drive, the cost of the model starts from 90 thousand leva, and with additional surcharges it exceeds one hundred thousand. They include an adaptive suspension with seven different levels, which in off-road mode increases the ground clearance to 22 centimeters.
Here is the new pre sense city system, which warns about vehicle stops or changes in direction, as well as pedestrians. It has active cruise control and even an active front cover to protect passers-by in the event of a collision. In short, Audi has kept all the good parts of its bestseller and added a few new ones. True, the regular A4 will offer you the same comfort and even better handling at a more reasonable price. But we have long been convinced that there is no point in fighting off-road mania. We can only follow her.
