What’s this new car all about then?
The launch of a new Q5 marks an important moment for Audi in New Zealand, where the model has long been the brand's most significant model by volume in most years.
The new Q5 is essentially an SUV variant of the recently launched A5/S5 models, and as such is the first Audi SUV to be built on the brand's all-new PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) platform. Audi says this new platform brings several key advantages, including increased interior space due to slightly larger dimensions - the car has grown by 35mm in length to over 4.7 metres and is 1.9 metres wide, while having a slightly lower roofline, giving it a more muscular, sporty stance.
The Q5's interior has been completely redeveloped, making it almost unrecognisable from the previous generation, thanks to its "human centric" ergonomic layout centred around the driver. Big vivid screens dominate the dash - even for the passenger - and Audi says they are designed to "mimic the arc of a human hand for intuitive interaction"
Audi has also made a concerted effort to eliminate plastics, incorporating high-quality inlays and softer materials throughout, notably a soft wrap around the dash, that the company says creates a more luxurious and "homely" feel.
The new Q5 is, rather expectedly, packed with tech, with the inclusion of latest-generation Matrix LED headlights as standard across the entire range, while SQ5 models also get second-generation OLED tail lights that feature 266 individual variable lighting panels for complex visual effects and personalisation.
The tail lights also integrate proximity detection that illuminates specific segments if a car or pedestrian comes within 2 metres, while a new rear projection system projects an extra high stop light onto the rear window that is only visible from outside the car for added braking visibility.
On the inside a dedicated display for passengers allows them to watch YouTube or play games (without distracting the driver thanks to a privacy tint), while a phone charging tray now includes active cooling, and a next-generation heads-up display standard in the SQ5 (and optional in the S Line cars) offers 85 percent more visual space with a 60Hz refresh rate, controllable via steering wheel buttons.
How much is it?
The Q5 line up at launch starts with the S Line quattro at $111,990 that is powered by a 150kW/340Nm mild-hybrid 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder engine driving all four wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission.
On the open road the Q5 feels stable and confident, much like its sedan and wagon siblings, with almost no body roll and precise, accurate steering.
Next up is the plug-in hybrid version of the S Line quattro at $119,990 that pairs the 2.0-litre engine and seven-speed auto with a 25.9kWh battery and electric motor to produce 220kW and 450Nm, as well as offering an all-electric range of up to 100km.
The $149,990 SQ5 brings a 270kW/550Nm 3.0-litre turbo petrol V6 mild-hybrid engine, while the $153,990 Sportback adds a sporty coupe-style roofline to the SQ5 package.
What’s it like to drive?
Audi says it has "significantly enhanced" the driving experience of the new Q5, in line with its platform-mate A5 sedan.
The mild hybrid system is powerful enough for full electric driving in low-speed situations like parking, and provides a significant boost off the line, all but eliminating any hint of turbo lag.
The Q5 was genuinely impressive on the rutted and muddy farm tracks, while the SQ5's standard air suspension allowed an addition 45mm of ground clearance, pumping it up to a handy 220mm.
On the open road the Q5 feels stable and confident, much like its sedan and wagon siblings, with almost no body roll and precise, accurate steering. Ride quality is excellent, despite being at the sporty end of the SUV spectrum.
While the SQ5 is suitably belligerent and muscular, the 150kW entry variant proved to be the pleasant surprise of the day, with more than enough power from a smooth and refined engine, and all the same positive ride and handling attributes as its more expensive siblings.
Audi also got a bit bold with the whole "SUV" side of things and let us venture onto a farm for a sot of light off-roading. The Q5 was genuinely impressive on the rutted and muddy farm tracks, while the SQ5's standard air suspension allowed an addition 45mm of ground clearance, pumping it up to a handy 220mm in Offroad Plus mode. Plus it also did hilarious skids on the damp grass...
What’s the pick of the range?
While the SQ5 is fast and fun, it is genuinely hard to go past the entry level S Line quattro in terms of sheer value for money here.
The 150kW entry variant proved to be the pleasant surprise of the day, with more than enough power from a smooth and refined engine.
At $111,990 the S Line is genuinely packed with the latest technology and certainly not left wanting for standard features. The interior build quality is excellent and the 150kW engine is responsive and flexible, as well as impressively frugal.
The S Line PHEV does add the extra flexibility of that 100km all-electric range, but at an $8000 premium, while the SQ5's ask a considerable chunk of change to get the growly engine and associated beefy performance.
In reality, Q5 and SQ5 buyers are probably quite different, and not many would realistically be choosing between the two, particularly given the price difference, so from initial impressions, I would personally go for the entry S Line if you are after a Q5 and the SQ5 wagon if you wanted something gruntier and more expensive, simply because I don't hold with the idea of "coupe SUVs".
What other cars should I consider?
The obvious competitors are the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. While BMW doesn't yet offer a coupe-style X4 (it will be coming though), the new X3 offers a few more engine options than the Audi, but is largely priced similarly, starting from $97,900 for the X3 20 xDrive and rising to $150,900 for the X3 M50 xDrive.
The Mercedes also starts at slightly less than the Audi with the $101,100 GLC 200 4Matic and rises to the $153,800 AMG GLC 43 4Matic, but goes even further with a full-blown 500kW AMG GLC 63 S at $199,900. Mercedes does currently offer coupe versions of the GLC, starting at $127,200 for the GLC 300 4Matic and topping out at $206,900 for the GLC 63 S Coupe.
