Driven by design

The 2nd-gen Audi Q5 TFSI Quattro is here to live up to its reputation of a well-rounded 'soft-roader'

After a rather successful decade with the first Q5 selling more than 1.6 million units, Audi is here with its 2nd-generation vehicle. It's got bolder styling and more tech than the common mind can comprehend. But before you exchange currency for one, here's what you need to know about the compact crossover.
DESIGN & AESTHETICS
The 1st-generation Q5 was launched in 2008 and it gradually gained popularity for many reasons - its city-friendly size being one. Hence, Audi boffins didn't want to mess too much with that formula. The new vehicle is 4,663mm long, 1,659mm tall and 1,893mm wide - only a tad larger in every direction.
From a pure aesthetic perspective, the predecessor was a celebration of simplicity - a very Audi-esque theme! The silhouette, though basic, and the lines and details, though simplistic, came together quite well. The new vehicle maintains that simplicity with slightly edgier attitude, thank to subtle body sculpting. The slimmer headlight casing merges with the hexagonal grille; it also helps give the SUV a wider stance. As an option comes bright Audi Matrix LED headlights and dynamic turn signals. I'd say you'd want both. The side profiles of both generations seem identical and the rear isn't too different either; the most obvious changes are the intricacies of the LED-lit luminaries and new faux exhausts, which we aren't big fans of (on any model).
The Q5 represents classy elegance, and avoids both unnecessary attention-seeking flamboyance and visual austerity. As an enthusiast, you may not think much of it, but as a first-car owner, a professional or a family man, you would love to see this in your garage.
Audi interiors have become a benchmark of sorts over the past decade. You'd be ignorant to disregard the quality of materials chosen and the manner in which panels and parts are put together. Luckily, the Q5 is the beneficiary of such craftsmanship. Pinch, scratch and even punch a few of the surfaces and you'd wouldn't get a squeak or rattle out of 'em. While the fixtures quality remains, the cabin has gotten that much-needed aesthetic upgrade, bringing it in line with other Audis.
It still uses a black base for the cabin, but you can match it with beige, grey and brown upholstery for a premium two-tone look. Adding to the complexity of cabin design are satin finish highlights garnished here and there; and a more prominent trim is seen across the dash and doors, which can be had in aluminium, wood or even a piano finish. Then, there's the optional ambient lighting with 30 different accents to light up dark corners of the cabin.
The 3-spoke steering - you can have a flat-bottom variety if you go for the S-line package - has got metallic trims, nice contrast stitching and is good to look at and great to hold. It's worthy of a supercar. With the new Q5, the traditional gives way for the futuristic, as seen in the adoption of the optional Audi Virtual Cockpit. Here, you have a high-resolution 12.3-inch colour customisable display that serves a lot of info. You can even get the navigation showing over the whole stretch. It replaces the traditional gauges and that's the big change. Over to its right is a slim 8.3-inch iPad-like standing infotainment screen controlled by an iDrive-like rotary knob. and a track pad which is capable of recognising handwriting and can be easily controlled while having your wrists resting over the flat head shift lever. Unfortunately, the screen isn't touch capable, unlike in recently introduced BMWs - so, that's a bit of a bummer. As for stowage, there are a few slots to keep your phone and knick-knacks; and a sliding tray over the cup-holders too.
Up above, lending the Q5 an airy occupant space is a large panoramic sunroof and down below are soft-touch leather seats with a choice of colours mentioned previously. Those wanting a little extra can opt for the Nappa leather with quilted embroidery. The available space and multiple power controls make the front cabin comfortable as ever, but even in the rear you'll have a similar experience, with plenty of headroom and legroom to spare. though the central tunnel is constricting to feet placement. The rear seats can be slid to and fro and they recline as well, but a leaner angle would have been better. Some niggles we noted: the rear windows don't roll all the way down and rear cup-holders are small.
POWERTRAIN & PERFORMANCE
The one powertrain available is the turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine with TFSI technology that includes direct injection. In this state of tune, it makes 252bhp and 380Nm of twist at the crankshaft. In our testing, it never felt sluggish. And when you do squeeze the throttle, watch out for the needle as it will sweep past legal speeds quicker than you can say 'Look out for that camera'. Audi claims the Q5 can hit 100 km/h from a standstill in 6.3 seconds - quicker than its predecessor by over half a second. And for a tall SUV with 4-cylinder propulsion the claimed 237 km/h top speed is rather commendable. It's a very dependable motor which even buzzes slightly at higher revs to show you it's a hard worker.
On the move, you'd notice that the cabin is utterly quiet. The insulation keeps out road and wind notice to great extents. Even with those low-profile tyres on those 19, 20 or 21-inch wheels, the suspension swallows those bumps and undulations like second nature. In fact, it rides like a luxury full-size vehicle and that definitely is one of its key selling points. You can opt for the air suspension that adapts the damping forces of each individual wheel to the driving condition upping the comfort quotient further.
What's even more surprising is that, being a soft-sprung SUV, you'd expect it to wallow from side to side when it goes around corners, but it doesn't. There is a good deal of composure built into the chassis and you can drive it with authority, thanks to the gripping quattro all-wheel drive unit. The new system can disengage the rear-axle drive completely to save fuel and can reconnect in moments. Brakes are equally effective, working with ease and without much fade.
During the test drive, we noticed the 4-cylinder is quite the frugal motor, but the 7L/100km claim seems far-fetched; in real world driving, you'd be closer to 11L/100km, which is noteworthy still. Some credit has to go to the engine's start-stop system.
FEATURES & FUNCTIONALITY
The Q5's safety credentials get plenty of stars, thanks to its multitude of features. The optional camera-based recognition of traffic signs system keeps an eye on road signs. The Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop&Go function can make the vehicle brake and accelerate all by itself in traffic. Then there's Active Lane Assist, Park Assist and many others. All this technology is incredible; but you need to know how to use them!
To open the clamshell rear hatch, besides the regular ways, you can also kick under the bumper. And by lowering the air suspension, the Q5 allows you to move luggage easier. Cargo volume at 610 litre is sized to hold multiple suitcases; and if you fold down the 40:20:40 split rear seats, you have 1,550 litre at your disposal.
In terms of infotainment, there is an optional rear seat entertainment system with dual screens and wireless headphones. A pricey but good option is the Bang & Olufsen sound system with no less than 19 loudspeakers for that concert hall atmosphere. The infotainment feature supports USB ports, Bluetooth connectivity, and has wireless phone charging capabilities that allows two phones to be connected simultaneously.
VERDICT
The 2nd-generation model comes with crisper styling details, new-age technology and purposeful power to add on to its all-rounded abilities. Keep it away from serious off-roading duties and you have an SUV that is great to take around the city and cross-country even.
FUN FACT
In 2017, the Q5 won the 'Golden Steering Wheel' in the category 'Big SUV'.
SPECIFICATIONS
Body type: 5-seater; 5-door, premium compact crossover SUV
Engine: Front-engine; turbocharged 2.0-litre inline 4-cylinder; all-wheel drive
Transmission: 7-speed S tronic (automated manual)
Peak output: 252bhp@5,000-6,000rpm; 380Nm@1,600-4,500rpm
0 to 100km/h: 6.3 seconds (claimed)
Top speed: 237 km/h (electronically limited; claimed)
Price: Starting at Dh181,900
AT A GLANCE
Pros: Size and practicality; fit and finish; balance of power; handling and comfort
Cons: No touchscreen; small rear cup-holders; tough competition
Author's rating: 8/10
wknd@khaleejtimes.com

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