New hybrid Q5 arrives

Since the first Audi Q5 was first introduced to the world back in 2008, there has been no small amount of pressure on each subsequent iteration of the model to keep getting better. So successful has the Q5 been across the years, that there is, quite rightly, an expectation that each subsequent model should build on the last.

This second generation Audi Q5 e-hybrid – available as both an SUV ($96,818*) and Sportback ($100,318*) – is a perfect case in point, arriving on the Australian motoring scene three years after the very successful launch of the original hybrid-drive Audi Q5 and at a time when the motoring world is in a state of flux. Given the Q5’s reputation as a luxury vehicle for the everyday, the hybrid model perhaps comes in for more scrutiny than most, but after spending time in the brand’s new mid-sized luxury SUV with the dual driving character, the brief has well and truly been met and exceeded.

The look is not a radical departure – which is a good thing – but the changes and refinements are many and have been well considered and focused to produce a better all-round Q5. The S line exterior and black exterior package with its front and rear bumper trims, black wing mirror caps, black exhaust tips and Audi rings in anthracite grey give just the right amount of sporty ‘attitude’.

Then there is the rear privacy glass, panoramic sunroof and the SUV version also gets black roof rails. Big 20-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels continue the sporty theme with red brake callipers clearly visible for added effect.

Matrix LED headlights with configurable light signatures are standard equipment as are the LED rear lights which include dynamic rear indicators and rear projection light – and speaking of the rear, the tailgate is of course electronically activated with a foot gesture for those times when your hands are full of luggage, shopping or cases of wine.

The heart of the Q5 e-hybrid is again a combination of 2.0-litre TFSI combustion engine mated to an electric motor running off, in this case, a new larger 25.9 kWh battery – up from 17.9 kWh on the previous model. With the 185kW of the TFSI engine and 105kW from the electric motor, the Q5 e-hybrid delivers a system output of 270kW. That gives this new model a greater all-electric range of up to 82km (on the WLTP cycle) – more than enough for the bulk of around-town driving – coupled with its ability to charge at up to 11kW as opposed to the old 7.2kW, which means a full charge in just two and half hours.

Of course the emission-free motoring is just one component of the Q5 e-hybrid and for when driving on all-electric is not required, it delivers serious performance that sees it hit 100lm/h in just 5.1 seconds from a standing start. That’s impressive in any context, but just by way of comparison, it’s stablemate, the Q5 TFSI quattro takes over a second more to achieve the same speed from rest (1.1 seconds if you want to be precise) which shows the significant impact of adding battery electric and combustion drives together. Fuel consumption too is another key indicator, returning 3.3L/100km thanks to its hybrid drivetrain, although depending on your personal situation, lifestyle and driving style, plugging in for two and a half hours each evening and the resultant 82km of electric drive available to you each day could see your need to employ the combustion engine reduced to those necessary overtaking manoeuvres or for longer trips out of town.

Of course adaptability is the name of the game with the Q5 e-hybrid and as you become more familiar with the vehicle, its many facets reveal themselves.

Of course you can play the very addictive game of trying to stick to pure electric power as much as possible through judicious throttle use, or you can surrender yourself to the excellent predictive operating systems, employing the route guidance for example and allowing the vehicle to optimise the electric usage for the planned trip. Here the Q5 e-hybrid evaluates the terrain, road types and traffic along the desired route and employs the most efficient drive throughout the trip. This process, like all processes where the Q5 e-hybrid is concerned, is seamless and requires no more effort on your part than activating the system in the first place.

Of course as always, should some unforeseen situation arise or you simply decide to take the more scenic, winding mountain route, the vehicle will respond instantly in kind. You can also use the combustion engine to charge the electric motor as you drive or use regenerative braking to top up the battery – depending on the situation, this too becomes addictive as you use the paddles in traffic to see how much additional charge you can generate in daily driving.

The beauty though as always is that you don’t have to do any of this if all you want to do is get in and drive, whether that means a trip to the office or to the shops, or something further afield.

As with Q5s of the past, this latest hybrid iteration of the model is beautifully finished and carefully considered in terms of its design and equipment. The cabin design features the digital stage architecture for a clean uncluttered feel that is both functional and luxurious.

The S line treatment has been applied here too with S line leather appointed upholstery and electric front sport seats that are heated and feature four-way electric lumbar support. Inlays are in brushed aluminium and the colour ambient lighting allows you to tailor the mood to suit the occasion.

Technology abounds but is integrated into the interior design so as not to overwhelm. From the 14.5-inch OLED MMI display and 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus to the the multi-function wheel featuring the welcome return of scroll wheel,s the layout is considered and the operation of all key features, intuitive as always.

Standard equipment is impressive, with Audi smartphone interface with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and the inductive phone charger also featuring cooling to stop your device overheating. There is an Audi sound system with eight speakers including the subwoofer as standard (but audiophiles can opt for the superb B&O system through the Premium package).

The Q5 e-hybrid also features the connective marvel that is Audi connect plus with navigation and infotainment services as well as security and assistance should they ever be needed. Indeed when it comes to assistance systems, the Q5 e-hybrid boasts the full complement of Audi’s advanced systems, quietly watching for potential issues, be they a cyclist coming up from behind as you go to leave the vehicle, to side assist blind spot warning, rear cross traffic assist and rear turn assist to name just a couple. Of course there is also adaptive cruise assist and a 360 degree camera that includes kerb view for negotiating those tighter parking spots.

For those looking for even greater levels of equipment, there are several packages available from the Winter package ($1350), which adds heated steering wheel rim and heated outer rear seats, to the Tech pro package ($5400), which includes an electric steering column with memory, digital OLED tail lights  and park assist pro which includes 3D view 360 degree cameras, kerb warning and trained parking with reverse assistant. Finally there is also the aforementioned Premium package ($5900) that adds a head-up display, B&O 3D premium sound system, dynamic interaction light, acoustic glazing up front and a 10.9-inch MMI display for the front passenger.

All of this adds up to a vehicle that has the modern Australian lifestyle – in all its facets – pretty comprehensively covered. It has the luxury side of things sorted in terms of appointment and ride, yet remains practical in terms of its size to carry five adult humans and their gear, but not be cumbersome in a city environment. Obviously where this Q5 model is concerned, it has the added benefit of displaying all of the attributes of all-electric motoring, but with the added power and range of an efficient yet powerful combustion engine as required.

This makes the new Q5 e-hybrid a technological marvel, but the most impressive thing is that after all the technology has done its work, you don't spend much time thinking about the technology itself. You simply notice that the Q5 is quiet when you want it to be, quick when you need it to be, economical when circumstances allow and effortlessly capable when the road stretches towards the horizon.The beauty of the Q5 e-hybrid is that it does not represent a compromise in any way, and doesn’t require that you change your lifestyle at all. Rather it presents the best of both motoring worlds in a beautifully proportioned and appointed package that fits in with your lifestyle and the necessity born of different driving situations as they present themselves. This adaptability coupled with the size, appointment and functionality that first endeared the Q5 model to the world nearly 20 years ago, but with a technological twist, makes it perfect for the broad range of Australia’s motoring conditions and the modern lifestyle.

(*Manufacturer List Pricing [MLP] – excludes dealer delivery and government statutory charges)