Audi Q5 - Engines, performance & drive
The Audi Q5 majors on comfort, while new hybrid technology boosts takes refinement to another level
The Mk3 Audi Q5 sits on a new Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), which it shares with the latest Audi A5, and the brand claims the latest iteration of its top-selling SUV “achieves a noticeable increase in comfort” thanks to its “optimised suspension and steering.”
We couldn’t say definitively how much refinement or ride comfort has improved on the Q5 at this stage, because the international launch for the car took place in Spain – where the sun is almost always shining and the roads are generally a lot smoother than ours. Plus all the cars we tested rode on the optional adaptive air suspension. Hopefully we won’t have to wait long to see how the standard-fit steel spring set-up handles some good old British potholes.
As well as the new underpinnings, every Mk3 Q5 features hybrid assistance of some sort. The 2.0-litre TFSI and TDI engines, plus the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 in the spicier SQ5, are all equipped with Audi’s latest 48-volt ‘MHEV plus’ system.
It uses an electric motor capable of producing 24bhp and 230Nm of torque, and is powered by a 1.7kWh battery. The system not only provides a small boost in performance and efficiency, but also allows for short bursts of pure-electric driving and engine-off, coasting and can recuperate up to 25kW of energy under braking.
| Model | Power | 0-62mph | Top speed |
| Audi Q5 TFSI quattro | 201bhp | 7.2 seconds | 140mph |
| Audi Q5 TDI quattro | 201bhp | 7.4 seconds | 140mph |
| Audi Q5 TFSI e | 295bhp or 362bhp | TBC | TBC |
| Audi SQ5 | 362bhp | 4.5 seconds | 155mph |
What is the Audi Q5 like to drive?
In town
The ‘MHEV plus’ technology shines around town, when the Q5 can silently coast along with the engine off, and can trick you into thinking you’re driving a plug-in hybrid or even an electric car at times. The regenerative braking system also gradually slows the car down, but doesn’t offer one-pedal driving like some electric cars.
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The Q5’s progressive steering system is great at low speeds around town, making manoeuvring this 4.7-metre-long SUV easier than you might expect. The huge windows and rear windscreen provide a great view out, while the standard-fit 360-degree camera system can come in handy in tight situations.
On A- and B-roads
The Audi Q5 is very much focused on comfort, rather than driving dynamics or thrills. If they’re a priority for you, then the BMW X3 is more deserving of your attention, or perhaps the recently discontinued Jaguar F-Pace. The Q5 does manage to stay composed on twisty roads, and is predictable for the most part. Right up until the nose runs wide when the car corners very hard, as Audis often do, and happened more than once during our testing.
On the motorway
At higher speeds, the progressive steering becomes slower and helps the Q5 feel more stable as you cruise along on the motorway. A noticeable amount of road noise makes its way into the cabin, but that’s about the only intrusion. The ride is very comfortable, though again our test cars were riding on air suspension and smooth Spanish tarmac, which definitely worked in the Q5’s favour.
0-62mph acceleration and top speed
The entry-level TFSI 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine produces 201bhp and 340Nm of torque, which Audi says is enough to propel the Q5 to 62mph in a respectable 7.2 seconds. However, the acceleration feels a lot slower than that in the real world, and the engine underpowered too. Put your foot down to overtake or join the motorway, and the motor sounds thrashy and stressed too. Luckily the noise becomes faint once you’re at cruising speed.
In our opinion, the TDI 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel is a much better engine for the Q5. It sounds like a typical diesel, yet at the same time less strained, plus the mild-hybrid system means you can glide around with the engine off around town, giving no hints there’s an diesel engine under the bonnet.
The Q5 TDI delivers the same 201bhp, but 400Nm of torque. Low-down torque particularly is far better than in the petrol version, and the extra grunt makes the car feel much quicker – despite the fact that, on paper, the diesel is 0.2 seconds slower from 0-62mph.
Both engines are paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that shifts smoothly.
The rorty 3.0-litre, twin-turbo V6 in the SQ5 produces 362bhp and 550Nm of torque for 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds. Power delivery is smooth, and you feel all that torque when you accelerate. But more impressive to us was the howling note when you put the hammer down, with the occasional pop and crackle when you lift off the throttle.
