New Audi Q5 – Pricing and details

The Audi Q5 has been updated with a sportier look, a technology-filled cabin, and a starting price of R852,000.

This mid-size SUV now has a flatter grille, larger trapezoidal air intakes, new LED daytime running lights, a new side sill that improves ground clearance, and a redesigned rear diffuser.

The Q5 will be sold in standard, Advanced, and S Line specifications – with both the higher-end trims being differentiated by unique grilles and badging.

What’s new

Apart from the exterior updates, the new Audi Q5 remains quite similar to the outgoing model.

The cabin design is almost unchanged – except for the removal of the rotary control knob on the centre console – and the body’s width and height are identical to the model it is replacing, resulting in 520 litres of cargo capacity in five-seater mode.

Standard equipment in this updated Q5 then comprises climate control, a multifunction steering wheel, a powered tailgate, hill descent assistant, seven drive modes, and a 10.1-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.

The range-topping model also gets a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as standard, while this is an optional extra in the rest of the range.

Audi connect further provides “car-to-x” services such as finding parking spots or online searches, and six driver profiles are capable of storing each user’s preferred vehicle settings.

This is in addition to a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating for the Q5 range.

Performance

In South Africa, the Audi Q5 will be available with a 2.0-litre, diesel engine; or a 2.0-litre, mild-hybrid, petrol drivetrain.

Both models are equipped with a seven-speed automatic transmission, and both come with a front-wheel-biased, adaptive four-wheel-drive system.

The diesel engine generates 140kW and 400Nm, and sends the Q5 40 TDI to 100km/h in 7.9 seconds.

The petrol engine produces 183kW and 370Nm, and sends the Q5 45 TFSI to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds.

Additionally, this derivative is fitted with a 12-volt starter-generator to enhance efficiency and allow the Q5 to “coast” with the engine off at speeds below 22km/h.

“Overall, this results in a fuel-efficiency improvement of approximately 0.3 litres per 100 kilometres,” said Audi.

SQ5

Alongside the standard Q5 line-up is a performance-oriented SQ5 that features a more dynamic look and an uprated engine.

Aluminium finishes on the air intakes, rear bumper, and honeycomb grille set this model apart from its tame siblings; and a 3.0-litre, V6 petrol engine emphasises its status as the range-topper.

The motor produces 260kW and 500Nm, which is good for a 0-100km/h sprint of 5.4 seconds and an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h.

Standard features for this model include a self-locking centre differential, red brakes, sport suspension, S Line bumpers, a digital instrument cluster, a flatbottom steering wheel, Nappa leather seats, and an upgraded infotainment system with integrated navigation.