Top 5 safety features on an Audi Q5

Even Audi will admit that the Q5 is a middle child. Their best-selling SUV offering is given this title because they belie that it fits perfectly in the middle of two segments, offering you the best of both worlds and leaving you wanting for very little. It blends the excitement and performance of a sedan with the practicality and versatility that an SUV can offer.

Related: We compared Audi Q5 engines, and the efficiency crown goes to…

On the safety front, Audi has not skimped or made any concessions and the Q5 received a full 5-star Euro NCAP rating with scores of 93% for adult occupants, 86% for child occupants, and 73% for pedestrian safety with a 58% rating for its driver assistance systems. The Audi Q5 comes with 6 airbags as standard and this can be bumped to a total of 8 airbags should you wish.

The core safety of the Q5 is one thing, but we've select 5 other safety features that are worth noting. This should make all the difference in your life.

 

1. Lighting

All models in the Audi Q5 range are fitted with LED headlights. For the 2021 update, the Q5 gets a new design with sculpted LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). Not only do the LED headlights allow you to see better at night, the DRLs, which operate in the day, allow for you to be seen easier. Buyers have the option of specifying the Matrix LED headlights which feature adaptive headlight control allowing you to drive on your brights without dazzling oncoming traffic.

The new OLED taillights are also brighter and easier to see, especially in inclement weather. They also feature a proximity sensor that lights up all the elements if a vehicle gets to within 2-meters of the rear of the Q5, alerting them to your presence. This feature is available on Q5s with one of the two towing assistance systems.

 

2. quattro AWD

What would an Audi be without the legendary quattro all-wheel-drive system? Pioneered in the brutal area of the World Rally Championship, the quattro AWD system provides additional grip on loose surfaces or when traction is lost on a set of wheels. This can be the difference between losing control and remaining on the road.

The Audi Q5 quattro system is predominantly front-wheel-drive, offering fuel savings as you commute at respectable speeds. The quattro system will only start to send power to the rear wheels when the driving becomes more spirited or if there's a loss of grip on the front wheels.

 

3. Active Lane Assist

While fairly common on executive offerings these days, the Audi Q5 includes an Active Lane Assist system that will alert you when it detects that you are straying from your lane and possibly toward oncoming traffic. Not only will you receive a visual and audible warning, but should you continue on the path and nearing crossing the line, will help gently steer you back between the lines. This feature makes longer drives more relaxing and helps eliminate accidents that are caused by a loss of concentration or fatigue.

 

4. Cross-Traffic Assist

As the vehicles on the roads get larger and taller, navigating the old parking lots becomes a little tougher. While it's one thing to get into a parking bay, getting out of it can be a tricky affair as your vision is often obscured by large SUVs and double cabs. The Cross-Traffic Alert system will monitor the pathway on either side of your rear bumper and detect if there is a vehicle approaching. This makes it safer and easier to get out of those pesky parking spots, meaning that you can park closer without having to worry.

 

5. Audi Pre-Sense

Pre-Sense is the name given to the obstacle detection and collision avoidance system on the Audi Q5. This system will scan the road ahead of you and, through the use of radar and cameras, react if a pedestrian, cyclist or other vehicle enters your path and it senses that you haven't reacted quick enough. It is able to automatically apply the brakes, helping you avoid a nasty collision.