MARKETPLACE
At a glance, the 2018 Q5 doesn’t look spectacularly different from the old one. Yes, this is in fact a full redesign, and there are lots of clever updates under the skin that make this the sharpest and smartest iteration yet, far removed from the model that debuted in 2008.
If there’s one thing Audi’s latest generation of vehicles — like the stout A4 and the excellent Q7 – have been lauded for, it’s their incorporation of advanced tech in a usable and elegant format. The virtual cockpit driver information display is not the first of its kind, but it’s absolutely the best, and thankfully it makes an appearance as an option in the Q5 as well.
Chances are if you liked the interior of the A4, you’ll like the Q5 too, seeing as their designs are largely similar and share many components. The full-width vent from the A4 and Q7 is unfortunately missing, but there’s lots to love about the rest of the cabin, even with the tacked-on screen that unfortunately doesn’t retract like in other Audi models.
The Q5 gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone projection technology as standard, but the option for the Virtual Cockpit, a fullcolor head-up display, Multi Media Interface (MMI) touchpad, connected car services and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Audi didn’t shirk on safety tech either, with standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection that works at speeds of up to 52 mph. There’s also available blind spot monitoring with lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist that can crawl along for you in traffic, rear cross traffic alert, and vehicle exit assist that will warn you of oncoming cyclists or cars that may be in danger of getting to know your driver’s side door up close and personally.
What’s most impressive about the Q5’s tech, though, is how seamlessly it all works together, with a smart and simple interface that makes
controlling various functions easy. At this point, the Audi brand has become synonymous with all-wheel drive luxury vehicles. The Q5 gets a new version of the famous Quattro system called Quattro Ultra, and while it may sound like just an update of the existing system, there’s a lot more to it than that.
Quattro Ultra uses an electronically controlled clutch and a decoupling rear axle differential to switch between front- and all-wheel drive based on what the car’s sensors and computer determine is best suited to the road conditions and your personal driving style at the time. It will even predict what’s needed for the road ahead.
Like to drive like you’re on a racetrack more often than not? Quattro will route power rearwards and keep all four wheels engaged. Find yourself doing a lot of highway cruising? The system keeps the Q5 in front-wheel drive to save fuel. Just set the adjustable dynamics to “auto” mode and let the car determine what’s best for the given road conditions. The new Q5 is almost dimensionally identical to the old one, but with a longer wheelbase to increase rear legroom. The new modular architecture allows for more cabin space and cargo room, while also saving weight over the old model. Additionally, the powertrain gets a smart overhaul as well, replacing the old V-6 with a new-generation 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, which makes 252 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque, making it more powerful, likely more efficient and faster to 60 mph than the previous model.