Golden Steering Wheel for Q5

One of the most coveted motoring awards in Europe, the Golden Steering Wheel, has been awarded to the Audi Q5 as the best Large SUV for 2017.

Last year both the Audi Q2 and A5 Coupe received the award for their respective categories, while this year it was the run of the new Q5 to take top honours.

Presented by German magazine Auto Bild and 20 of its European sister publications and German newspaper Bild am Sonntag, the awards for 2017 saw 42 models compete in five categories for the top honours.

After a stiff vetting process and Europe-wide reader voting, that initial number was reduced to 20 finalists, which were then judged by a panel of experts from a range of automotive fields – race drivers, engineers, designers, connectivity specialists, frequent drivers, critics and, not least, the editors-in-chief of all European sister publications of Auto Bild.

Up against seven other top performers in the Large SUV category, the Audi Q5 impressed the judges across the board and was their clear winner for its combination of performance, luxury appointment and technology.

Accepting the Golden Steering Wheel on behalf of Audi, Peter Mertens, AUDI AG Board Member for Technical Development said of the award: 

“The expertise and broad cross-section of opinions represented by the jury panel, as well as its renown throughout Europe, are what make the prize so coveted within our industry. The 2017 ‘Golden Steering Wheel’ for the new Audi Q5 shows we have produced a worthy successor to the successful first generation of this SUV model line. We are proud of this prize,” he said.

Launched at the start of the year, the second generation Audi Q5 has already proved a great success around the world and in Australia where the first Q5 completely dominated its segment. The new model arrived with a host of new technology including the revolutionary quattro with ultra technology and a suite of new infotainment and connectivity solutions. It’s larger, more muscular styling pays homage to the original model, but give the Q5 a distinctive look and presence that has again struck a chord with Australian customers.