In India, Audi is most recognized for its Q range and not surprisingly, nearly half of its India sales have been from its SUVs. However, for some time, Audi was absent from the popular midsize luxury SUV space but now it has been slowly and steadily ramping up the launches with the new Q5 finally re-entering the Indian SUV market. The Q5 has been one of the biggest sellers for Audi and same hopes are there from the new one too. That said, it will not be easy with the market having strong competition. However, there is nothing better than a long drive around the scenic Sahyadri mountain range to get to know the newest Audi.


Does it look good?

From a distance you cannot mistake it for anything else than an Audi especially with that massive grille up-front which lends most of the identity to this SUV. Compared to the previous Q5, the lines are a bit sharper along with a flattened grille which do make it look wider. Even the lower half of the bumper has been changed. Of course you cannot miss the new LED lamps and the 19-inch alloy wheels while the rear-lamps are slimmer too with a touch more chrome. In other words it is an Audi all right but a bit sportier which we quite like.





What about the interiors?

Getting in is an easy affair along with a cabin which is again typically Audi with a nice combination between quality and a tech focused feel. The cabin is a bit business-like in its design approach with less of a theatrical flourish but it's the quality/execution which is fairly impressive. You do get knurled switchgear and a nicely laid-out cabin with places carved out for everything- including the key. The quality is also good with high quality plastics, albeit the cabin uses a lot of hard plastics. Like all new Audi cars the digital instrument cluster is configurable and amongst the easiest to read/configure in its class. The new 10.1inch touchscreen is the biggest change over the earlier Q5 with nice haptic feedback.




Is it spacious?

The front seats indeed are spacious but the rear seats we feel score very well with an airier cabin. Those owners who would be chauffeur driven at the back, will like the seat for its comfort while legroom/headroom is decent too. That said, the Q5 is a strict four seater with a large central tunnel limiting space for the middle passengers. We found the boot space to be satisfactory along with big enough door pockets.




Is it well equipped?

Audi has done well to load up the Q5 with plenty of kit starting with 3-zone air conditioning, a digital cockpit, the earlier mentioned touch screen, wireless charging, a massive panoramic sunroof, power adjust front seats with driver memory, colour ambient lighting with 30 options, leather, park assist, a 19 speaker B&O audio system plus the usual expected features like 8 airbags and a rear camera.



How does it drive?

There is no diesel Q5 as instead Audi is offering a 2.0l petrol TFSI motor with 249hp and 370Nm. A 7-speed S Tronic dual-clutch auto also is standard along with Quattro being there too. You get to choose between 5 drive modes as well while the top-speed is 237 km/h. The narrow roads leading to lake Pawana lake are not the place to test the Q5's top speed but it was a good place to gauge how useful it is in everyday conditions. The size for one is perfect being not too small or big while the light steering makes driving the Q5 very easy. Keeping it in comfort mode lends a nice smooth engine response along with an equally able gearbox.


It is one of the smoother driving experiences in its class with a focus on ease of driving. That said, with some empty roads, the dynamic mode presented a different side to the Q5. The engine power on offer shows and it is quite fast- probably faster than rivals for sure in the petrol department. It also feels light while the Quattro system provides grip to exploit the power too. The steering is a bit too light but else, the new Q5 is a lot more agile, fun to drive vs its earlier model. Another aspect is the astounding ride quality plus the suspension. The ride does feel the most sorted in its class along with the suspension having the ability to swallow really bad roads or no roads! We also did some mild off-roading too and the Q5 surprised us there with its ample ground clearance. While the official figure is 17.01 kmpl, you will get double digit figures in standard driving which is quite good for an SUV of this size.

Verdict?

There will be two trims on offer-  Premium Plus and Technology while pricing is expected to be competitive. That said, the Q5 is easily one of the best Audi offerings taking all that the brand is known for in a practical SUV package. It has the strengths of the earlier Q5 but adds in more performance, aggressive looks and features. It might be one of the most complete SUVs in its class.

What we like - Looks, features, performance, ride quality

what we do not - No diesel on offer, rear seat only for two passengers

 

 


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