Audi Q5 Audi Q5 2021
Audi Q5 Audi Q5 2021
For those luxury SUV buyers who prioritize style and technology over dynamic driving , the 2021 Audi Q5 is a great choice with a lot to love. It looks good, treats its passengers properly, and won’t look out of place in the parking lot next to its competitors. Buyers can choose from regular and plug-in hybrid powertrains, and the Q5 chassis offers a quiet interior and an upscale ride.– But competitors such as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, BMW X3 and Porsche Macan are sportier and more engaging to drive. The Q5 offers enough technology to rival your local Apple Store, with a large infotainment screen, optional digital gauge cluster, and a host of available driver assistance features. For 2021, the Q5 gains a bit of extra power and updated styling, but Audi hasn’t tackled its uninspiring handling, so it remains a second-tier option for driving enthusiasts.
audi q5
Audi gave the Q5 a slight makeover for 2021 to update its design with the rest of the lineup. An updated grille, front and rear bumpers, new 18- and 20-inch wheel designs, and updated headlights and taillights give a fresh look to the exterior. Under the hood, the standard Q5 turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine receives a 13-hp boost to 261 hp; A 12-volt hybrid system is now standard, but Audi says this does not contribute to the Q5’s boost in horsepower. When talking about hybrid cars,
The plug-in hybrid receives similar exterior styling updates and unique 19- or 20-inch wheels. He’s also seeing a slight increase in horsepower this year to 362 horsepower. A Sport Plus package is available for the Q5 PHEV that adds adaptive air suspension and summer tires, among other items. The 2021 Q5 leather seats now come with contrast stitching. All models receive a new 10.1-inch infotainment screen with an updated version of Audi’s infotainment software and a suite of driver assistance features now standard, including lane departure warning, front and rear parking sensors, and blind spot monitoring. All models also receive a wireless smartphone charging pad and a built-in pass-through payment transmitter.
Audi distinguishes the Q5’s powertrains with the numbers 45 and 55, the former referring to the standard four-turbocharged and the latter referring to the optional plug-in hybrid setup. We’re not sure the PHEV is worth the cost of the upgrade, so we stick with the 45 models. Of those, the mid-range Premium Plus offers the best balance of features and price, and now comes standard with Audi’s virtual digital display.
Engine, transmission and performance Audi Q5
The 2021 Q5 features a standard four-cylinder engine with 261 horsepower, a seven-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The Turbo 4 delivers plenty of punch for steering the Q5 around town or blasting down the highway on an incline, and it’s smooth, quiet, and cool. The plug-in hybrid variant adds an electric motor that increases output to 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, which Audi claims will improve acceleration.
The crossover’s premium suspension system is well-damped and gives a stable feel no matter the road or driving condition. The ride is smooth and disciplined – with or without the optional adaptive suspension – even on dug asphalt. The steering is precise and lightweight but offers no obvious feedback from the front wheels. In dynamic driving mode, the steering feels heavier but still artificial. Spin the Q5 on two twisty lanes and you’ll handle it fine, but the Porsche Macan will show you a much better time.
fuel economy
EPA estimates for the 2021 Q5 will gain 23 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The plug-in hybrid variant has a combined rating of 27 mpg and an electric-only range of 19 miles. However, we can’t rate real-world mpg for any of the Q5 until we run it on the 75-mph highway fuel economy route, which is part of our comprehensive test regimen.
Interior, comfort and cargo Audi Q5
The 2021 Q5 offers enough room for four adults to get comfortable and offers plenty of high-end features, even in the premium base model. The cabin is quiet at speed and easy to get in and out of. Moving through the three trim levels – Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige – attracts more premium features,
Including the impressive Audi digital instrument cluster. When it came to seeing how many of our portable charging boxes fit, the Q5 was nothing short of impressive. It beat the smaller Macan, but only had 18 cases with the rear seats folded. The Q5’s rear seat backs fold easily in a 40/20/40 fashion, however, providing flexibility the Lexus RX doesn’t.
Information, entertainment and communication for the Audi Q5
Low-cost Q5 buyers will enjoy an intuitive infotainment system displayed on top of the 10.1-inch screen. Most of the infotainment features expected are present and count in the base Q5, including a Wi-Fi hotspot, Apple CarPlay capability and Android Auto. Things get even more interesting if you jump into the Premium Plus or Prestige rims, as they come with a reconfigurable digital gauge cluster that the Audi Virtual Cockpit calls. Provides a 12.3-inch wide view of the navigation map as well as selected media, phone controls, trip computer, speed, tachometer or a combination of these.
Safety and driver assistance features
The 2021 Q5 received a five-star crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but the latest version evaluated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) was not named a top safety pick. Audi also comes with standard driver-assist technology, such as automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning. Other aids are available on more expensive models. Key safety features include:
Standard Automatic Emergency Braking with Forward Collision Warning
Standard blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert
Available adaptive cruise control
Warranty and maintenance coverage
Audi’s warranty coverage for the 2021 Q5 is average, and many competitors offer longer coverage periods. Buyers of new Q5 models can take advantage of the complimentary service for the first 10,000-mile scheduled service visit.
The limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
The powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
Free scheduled maintenance is covered for 1 year or 10,000 miles
