Say, haven’t we seen this face somewhere before?
Special to The Okanagan Weekend
Even to the trained eye, it can be tough to tell the difference between an Audi Q5 and a Q7, and a Q5 and a Q3.
Not that similarity is a bad thing. The outgoing Q5 and the revised 2018 model are clean cut in the looks department, with minimal body overhang ahead of or behind the front and rear wheels. They are devoid of gimmicky noses, overwrought sheetmetal and superfluous trim.
Old and new look related, which is the reason why determining the exact age of most Audis is difficult, although the 2018 Q5 uses the company’s latest hexagonal grille that’s spreading rapidly throughout the lineup.
Now assembled in Mexico — the first such Audi to be built there — the latest Q-ship also deviates only slightly in length and width, while the distance between the front and rear wheels is unchanged. There is, however, a bit less cargo space behind the reclining back seat than before, due to added rear legroom. When the second row is folded flat, however, there’s now slightly more room.
What is different is the stiffer and lighter platform that also underpins other Audi and Volkswagen models. Combined with lighter suspension components, the new architecture helps reduce the Q5’s weight by close to 90 kilograms.
Also new is the Q5’s powerplant. The turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder puts out 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The previous turbo 2.0 made 220 horses and 258 pound-feet. A new quick-shifting seven-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters replaces the eight-speed automatic.
The hot-performing SQ5 comes with a 354horsepower supercharged 3.0-litre V-6 matched to an eight-speed auto. The engine makes 369 pound-feet of torque.
Audi claims the Q5 will reach 100 km-h from rest in 6.3 seconds, while the SQ5 does it in 5.3.
Four-cylinder fuel economy is rated at 10.4 l/100 km in the city, 8.6 on the highway, and 9.6 combined (previously 12.0/8.5/10.4).
The drivetrain comes with an updated Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Instead of working full-time on a 40:60 front:rear basis, the “Quattro with Ultra Technology” system acts like any front-wheel-driver under normal conditions and engages the rear wheels only when tire slip is detected. It weighs less than the previous system and is more fuelefficient.
Q5 pricing starts at $47,000 for base Komfort trim that comes with tri-zone climate control, leather seat covers, rain-sensing wipers and a 180-watt 10-speaker audio system.
Also standard is Audi’s drive select system that lets you pick from five different engine, suspension and steering modes, including Comfort, Dynamic (sport) and Efficiency (eco) settings.
The Progressiv trim adds a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, fancier interior trim, hands-free power liftgate and a number of active safety technologies. Lincoln MKX AWD Base price: $49,800. Well-equipped luxury model has potent turbo and non-turbo V-6 engines.
Selecting the top-trim Technik gets you navigation, 19-speaker Bang and Olufsen-brand sound package, and parking assist with a surround-view camera. The Technik is also equipped with Audi’s virtual cockpit, consisting of a 31-centimetre screen that replaces the traditional instrument cluster. The system allows the driver to combine speedometer and tachometer displays, in varying sizes, with a navigation screen and a variety of infotainment selections. The virtual cockpit can be handy, but it could also be more distracting than having these controls centered in or above the dashboard as they are for the lower trims.
Any way you order it, the Audi Q5’s elegant styling and high-end content are tempting, even if the advancements in technology seem incremental. For an entry-luxury utility that was already at the head of the class, that will do just fine.