Audi Q5 PHEV – The power of efficiency
THE first-generation of the Audi Q5 SUV was launched in 2008 and went on to achieve outstanding success across the globe. In fact, Audi's upmarket mid-size SUV is the German brand's biggest-selling car worldwide. The recently revised, second-generation Q5 sets the benchmark in its class for outstanding quality and impressive refinement.
The Audi Q5 is available with a turbo-diesel engine (TDI) with an automatic transmission (S-tronic) as standard, and it comes with 2WD or 4WD (quattro) drivetrain options. The Q5 TFSI-e is a petrol/electric plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant that comes with a choice of 299PS or 367PS power outputs, which are badged 50 TFSI-e and 55 TFSI-e respectively, with quattro all-wheel drive as standard. The 14.4kWh lithium battery in the Q5 TFSI-e is compatible with 7.2kW AC charging via its Type 2 charge port, allowing for a full charge in around 2.5 hours or in 8 hours using a domestic three-pin plug. An all-electric range of up to 62km is achievable, with electric mode available at speeds up to 135km/h.
It is the PHEV version of the Audi Q5 that this review relates to.
The Q5 has an impressive feeling of outstanding build quality inside, and the spacious cabin has ample leg and headroom for up to five adult occupants. Boot capacity varies depending on the position of the sliding rear seats, but even at their rearmost position, there is 465-litres of cargo space on offer.
Additionally, the split-folding rear seats can be dropped to reveal a 1,400-litre load area when required. Thankfully, the Q5 retains a conventional climate control set-up with physical rotary dials and buttons to access various settings, and the digital displays within the dials are a nice touch.
My Q5 50 TFSI-e (PHEV) S Line review car looked terrific in its District Green metallic paint finish with black fabric and leather combination upholstery. The 1984cc petrol engine works in conjunction with Audi's advanced hybrid system to produce 295bhp (299PS) and 370Nm of torque, with power delivered to all four wheels via Audi's 7-speed S-tronic automatic transmission. Audi's world-renowned quattro™ technology automatically distributes power between all four wheels to where it is needed the most, while its advanced quattro ultra™ tech decouples whichever axle isn't required so that fuel efficiency can be maximised. In addition to the host of standard equipment in the entry-level SE specification, the S Line version benefits from 18-inch 5 x twin-spoke dynamic design wheels, privacy glass, sequence cloth & leather combination upholstery, sports seats for driver and front seat passenger with S Line embossed logo, black glass-effect accent surfaces, black headlining material and illuminated S-logo door sills, along with a headlight cleaning system.
In all-electric mode, the powertrain remains impressively refined, with zero emissions being produced, and when the petrol engine does cut in, it does so in a seamless manner, while regenerative braking recovers electrical energy to enhance battery range.
With Audi Drive Select, the driver can choose from Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Individual and
Off-Road modes to suit their driving style or road conditions.
With its excellent balance of performance and refinement, the Q5 50 TFSI-e can reach 100km/h from a standstill in as little as 6.1-seconds, and it is capable of consuming as little as 1.5-litres of petrol for every 100km driven on a WLTP combined driving cycle when maximising the use of its advanced battery tech.
The Q5 has a long-standing reputation for being one of the best-handling SUVs on the road, delivering controlled, agile dynamics combined with rock-solid roadholding, and the Q5 TFSI-e continues that tradition.
The steering is impressively alert at all times, and the driver can alter its weighting via the Drive Mode selector when required.
The latest edition of Audi's luxury medium SUV is supremely capable and it pushes class boundaries even more than ever before.
With the Audi Q5 TFSI-e (PHEV) SE and S Line priced at €64,540 and €66,960 respectively, the amazing Q5 is a very tempting proposition indeed.