The Audi Q5 is a premium compact family crossover that will leave a positive impression not only on soccer moms but also on busy urban white-collar executives. This well-balanced car features good family amenities and enough power to convey a sense of urgency on the road. I had the opportunity to test the Q5 last weekend and I liked the overall experience, though there were some niggles that deserve a closer look. Read on...

Style

Audi Q5 Style

The design is distinctly Audi. The style is deceptively simple and minimalist, yet very elegant, especially the front grille. The 20-inch alloy wheels feature a minimalist 5-arm design. The lights look particularly stylish in the dark, especially the LED rear lights. One female college student described the Q5 lights as "kind of like a winged eyeliner shape" when seen in the dark. The sporty S-Line badge adorns the rear and side profiles and can also be seen on the running boards. The front swiveling headlights are adaptive for steering turns and also for driving range. Very cool.

Interior Material and Finishing

Audi Q5 Interior Material and Finishing

Our loaded full-options test car came with the special S-Line package, which includes fine Nappa leather for seats and special wood trim with the Audi Q5 badge on the doors. There is leather everywhere, but the real test is on the doors, dashboard, and center console where manufacturers often cut corners. Not so with the Q5, as it features soft touch and premium materials all around. Good job.

Interior Space and Visibility

Audi Q5 Interior Space and Visibility

Visibility is great all around and bolstered with driving aids as well. Interior space in the front is quite adequate; however, headroom may be an issue for individuals over 5 ft 8 inches approximately. In the rear, legroom is acceptable for short trips but may become uncomfortable on long journeys. Definitely below average. Kids will do great in the rear seats, but adults may find it cramped on highway trips. The silver lining is that the rear midsection is flat, providing some extra inches. Where the Q5 falls short on rear legroom, it makes up in the boot space, which is quite decent at 540 liters. While the boot is not as large as, say, the Volkswagen Tiguan (see comparison at the end), it still offers plenty of space for shopping bags and equipment, making it great for family requirements.

Interior Features and Technology

Audi Q5 Features and Technology

The Audi Q5 has an understated, minimalist, and sporty feel throughout the interior, reflected in its technology as well. While it is not overloaded with gadgets, it has just enough to satisfy most buyers. The quattro model enables Hill Start Assist mode. An electronic parking brake is included, and you can set vehicle settings as well as check oil levels and tire pressures. You can adjust lighting through the 6.5-inch infotainment system. The sound system in our test car was Bang & Olufsen, which was fantastic. Overall, it is adequate for the most part, although it would be awesome to have the independent suspension and drive mode settings we experienced in the Audi RS4 Avant during our recent drive. Am I being too greedy? Sure!

Safety Features

Audi Q5 Safety Features

The Audi Q5's safety features are quite competitive, offering 6 airbags, front and rear parking sensors, a rear camera, the aforementioned Hill Start Assist, cruise control, and ISOFix child seat anchors. Sadly, there is no adaptive cruise control, but it is not a major requirement for city driving. There is even a Rest Recommendation feature that senses when the driver is losing control and offers a visual warning for the driver to stop and have a cup of coffee to refresh. Not too shabby at all.

Power and Transmission

Audi Q5 Power and Transmission

The Q5 3.0 Quattro generates 272 HP and 400 NM torque, easily overpowering its main rivals, the BMW X3 and Volvo XC60. The 8-speed Quattro transmission not only saves fuel but also is a pleasure to operate. The pickup of this car is one of the best I have experienced, with readily available torque and an average 0-100 km acceleration time of 7.5 seconds. It’s a lot of fun overtaking smaller vehicles. Cheaper crossovers like the Volkswagen Tiguan will pale in comparison when it comes to power in the Audi Q5.

Handling, Suspension, and Brakes

Let's talk about the good parts first. The suspension is very family-friendly and comfortable. Period. The brakes are sharp, with a 100-0 km brake time of 4 seconds on average. Cool. Now, let's discuss handling! For a family crossover, it is decent, although it could be better. There will be some body roll, and the steering is a bit on the lighter side, but what do we expect? This is not a car for sharp cornering when you have kids in the back watching Teletubbies! So let's keep it in context: Compared to its rival crossovers, it beats most of them, except maybe the BMW X3.

Verdict

The Audi Q5 is a great crossover for daily driving, shopping, school trips, etc. It is also a premium quality crossover that combines a minimalist, elegant design with a sporty touch. It has enough power to zip through the roads and ample safety features to put a mom at ease. However, the rear legroom, while great for kids, might feel cramped for adults on long trips. It is not for budget-conscious families, as it is priced over 200,000 AED, which is 50,000 AED more than the Volkswagen Tiguan, but competitively priced with the BMW X3 and Volvo XC60 R Design.