Staying Alive in the Audi Q5

Audi’s second-generation Q5 has arrived in SA, and has some rather large shoes to fill.

The first-generation Q5 was the most successful SUV - ever. In 2017 alone, 1.9 million Q5s were sold across the world. Audi proudly takes the credit for forming this ‘B-SUV segment’,  and currently stands at the top of the global sales podium.

Leaner and meaner

We’ve become so accustomed to Audi’s recent design language that we’re actually missing how much it has changed from the outgoing model. The new car is more sleek and edgy, whereas the older model has much more rounded curves. Shall we compare Beyonce (the previous incarnation) to lean, young Halle Berry? Despite its more sculpted looks, the new Q5 is actually a little bigger, but has shed 90 kilos.

German Techno

From a technological perspective, the changes are huge. The tech in the new Q5 vs. the old is like an alien spacecraft vs a Boeing 747, especially the driver assistance systems. All of the Q5s on the launch were fitted with Audi’s optional 12.3-inch virtual cockpit.

The cabin can be described as plush, minimalistic luxury. Switchgear is first class. Design, fit, finish, tactile quality -  the other Germans (Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3) are not quite at this level yet. I’d say that the Volvo XC60 is the only SUV that is on an equal interior footing with their tasteful Swedish cabin.

Our launch route started at Cape Town International Airport, and led us through a few gravel sections in the Overberg region. With our Manhattan Grey Q5 2.0TDI quattro S Tronic Sport set on Allroad, we seemed to float over undulations, yet sure-footedly made our way through the dirt. If you opt for Adaptive Air Suspension (fitted to our test car at R 27 150), you can raise or lower the Q5 to your preferred  ride height.

Divine German Intervention

Driving over the Franschhoek Pass, we had a yob driving on our tail who wanted to overtake us on a blind corner. He then proceeded to cut in again behind us as oncoming traffic was fast approaching. I had no choice but to speed up to prevent being rear-ended, but I was approaching a sharp corner too.

Suddenly I could feel every system kicking in to keep us safe and on the road - stability control, traction control, collision avoidance as well as pre sense rear, and the new standard quattro ultra system that preempts when and where traction is needed. For a full explanation as to how this all works, nobody explains it better than the manufacturer:

https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/technology-lexicon-7180/driver-assistance-systems-7184

As disconcerting as our experience was at the time,  in retrospect it was highly reassuring. The Q5 just took over to keep us out of harm’s way. Worst case scenario, six standard airbags (opt for two more to have eight) would have deployed. Scary stuff, but this was a good time to be sitting inside a new Audi Q5.

Audi SQ5 3.0 TFSI quattro Tiptronic

Lucky for us, our 200 km trip back to the airport the following morning was in the SQ5. When we reached the top of Sir Lowry’s Pass we realized they had closed the road. After sitting deadlocked for an hour, we decided to make a U-turn and drive the R44, but we took a dirt detour that led us through the Elgin wine route.

Heavy rains were coming down and we were in a hurry to have the car back on time, so it wasn’t a slow trip - but the SQ5’s quattro system is in permanent all-wheel-drive (and it loves wet weather!) so it securely navigated the bends. There was never any loss of grip and the standard damper control meant that a multitude of shallow potholes didn’t make much of an impression on our SQ5.

Wheel-selective torque control also helps during dynamic cornering, and will brake the inside wheels during turn-in, for enhanced agility. Another option is a sport differential to curb understeer, but our test model wasn’t fitted with it and I can’t say that I missed it. What I did miss in this price range, is a standard rearview camera.

Full throttle

When we finally hit the smooth tarmac of the R44, I was in my element, and happy that I could at last experience the full force of the SQ5’s V6 260 kW / 500 Nm turbo-petrol engine (100 km/h is reached from standstill in 5.4 seconds). We then fooled around with the Bang & Olufsen system, which left us in awe with its 3D sound; the best quality I have heard, to date. We were also impressed by how efficient the SQ5 was - we averaged 12.7 litres per 100 km. I can wholeheartedly recommend using the flappy paddles to work your way through all 8 gears.

Which one is for me?

I drove the 185kW/370Nm 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic as well, but I’m quite keen on the diesel. When spirited driving in a full-bodied family car gives you fuel economy of only 7.2 litres per 100 km and some lovely low-down torque, the choice is obvious. It has 140kW and 400 Nm.

Audi Q5 Pricing (C’mon, you know you want one)

Audi says prices have gone up by only 5 percent, so if you can stick to what you get as standard, you’ll get away with paying the following. But bear in mind that there will be some boxes that warrant  ticking.

A 5-year/100 000 km Audi Freeway Plan is standard, and inclusive of all taxes.

 

      2.0 TDI quattro S tronic:                              R 698 000

      2.0 TDI quattro S tronic Sport:                 R 748 000

 

      2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic                             R 747 500

      2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic Sport:               R 797 500

 

SQ5 3.0 TFSI quattro Tiptronic                     R 1 044 000

Click on this for the entire list of standard features and prices of options