MUMBAI :

While the German car manufacturer, Audi, has some of the finest cars on offer, Audi fans will agree that the Q5, which sits between the Q3 and the Q7 has in the past, received somewhat of a tepid response from enthusiasts. Now, after a brief hiatus, the Q5 is back to take on BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC. Will things be any different this time around? We tell you…

Take a look at the Q5 and you’ll see that not much has changed from the outside. The Q5 continues to flaunt a clean exterior with minimal crease lines, and the ones that are present define the shape of the SUV exquisitely.

The massive grille with its six vertical slats in chrome draws attention immediately and this is flanked by fog lamps that get a satin aluminum finish and which in fact, sit at the centre of what look like overtly large cavities.

The headlamps look slightly different from the outgoing model but they also get the chrome treatment and blend well with the overall fascia of the Q5.

Below the grille, the Q5, gets a silver-coloured skid plate which along with the strong crease lines on the bonnet give the Q5’s frontal look, a very strong definition.

The side profile of the Q5 is classy and the satin aluminum strip that surrounds the windows adds a dash of style. The 19’ alloys carry forward the minimalistic design while looking sturdy.

At the rear, the Q5 gets attractive LED tail lamps, while the Audi logo sits in between them.

Clean badging, both on the left as well as onto the right, just below the tail lamps, announce the model and let onlookers know that you’re driving their TFSI range of engines and that this Q5 is a Quattro.

While the chrome strip in satin aluminum finish that sits below the tail lamps looks really elegant, the silver-coloured skid plate below the reflectors completes the SUV’s rear look. Oh, and the Q5 also gets aluminum roof rails atop the SUV, this along with the 19-inch twin spoke alloys, look really classy especially on the darker shades of the Q5s.

On the inside, what you’ll really fall in love with is the Q5’S uncluttered interior. While the somewhat largish dash, angled towards the driver, is black, the seats, the door pads and the grab handles are a beautiful beige. The choice of beige, indeed makes the cabin appear spacious and roomier.

Add to that the panoramic sunroof that brings the outside inside, in more ways than one. There is also piano black that has been used very effectively on the dash, giving the interiors of the Q5 a very tasteful look.

A 10.1 touchscreen sits above the aircon vents and offers an easy-to-use UI (User Interface), including a Smartphone interface which is well-laid out and intuitive.

The virtual cockpit has a sharp and clear display which makes the dials and all other driving info really pop, making it easy for the driver to glean information while on the road.

We really liked the way in which the front seats are quite apart from each other thanks to the centre console that also doubles up as a space for stowing away your EDC (Every Day Carry) such as wallet/clutch, headphones and reading glasses besides other bits and bobs such as mints and coins, for instance. The Q5, also gets a wireless charger so that your phone never runs out of juice, ever. The front seats are power adjustable and the driver’s seat comes with driver memory, always a great thing when other members of the family also use the SUV.

The piece de resistance is the B&O, 3D sound system with 19 speakers, this is something that you’ll not have enough of, especially if you’re an audiophile. 

Besides, there is ambient lighting in 30 colours and a three-zone air conditioner to ensure that despite the massive panoramic sunroof, all the occupants inside are always comfortable.

Powered by a 2.0-Liter TFSI engine, the Q5, is mated to a 7-Speed, S-Tronic gearbox that churns out 249 hp of power @ 5000-6000 rpm and 370 Nm of torque @ 1600-4300 rpm.

With a top speed of 237 kmph, you know that you own a way more powerful beast than you’ll really ever need, especially if you are more inclined towards using the Q5 for your daily commute. However, even if you need to do some pedal to metal driving, you can be sure that the Q5 won’t let you down. The ride quality of the Q5 is good especially on bad roads, you don’t feel much of the shocks that come through, and in terms of handling, there isn’t much to complain about. Once the Q5 is above the 1800-2000rpm mark, that’s’ when it comes into its own. The mid-range is where it truly shines and frankly that's enough for driving around in city limits.

The gearshift is beautiful and you also get the choice of using paddle shifts. For an SUV its size, it feels agile and ready to surge ahead with the slightest tap of the throttle. What’s more, with five different modes on offer, such as Comfort, Dynamic, Off Road, Individual and Auto mode, you can settle down into a mode that best fits the situation or terrain that you find yourself in. Also, lest you forget, it’s a Quattro, which automatically puts it in a different league as the system distributes the power between all the four wheels.

We drove the Q5 around the city for a bit and also managed to drive it on the highways. This is the sort of SUV that is really comfortable, both for the occupants in the front as well as at the rear and let’s just say that its easy to get used to this kind of luxury really quickly, especially given all the space within. The seating position of the driver (power adjustable) offers great overall visibility. The steering is very Audi-esque, you either love it or not. Few take the middle road when it comes to the feedback from that steering. We, as always, have a soft corner for it. Maneuvering the Q5 within the city was a breeze, especially considering its size, but it must be said that it felt effortless and at no point in time did we feel like it was a cumbersome task. 

The Q5 is a contemporary SUV with all the bells and whistles that modern day drivers and occupants seek. It has road presence, plenty of space on the inside, drives and handles well, comes with plenty of tech, and most importantly doesn’t feel all that big on our Indian roads. Also, the Q5 claims a fuel efficiency of 17.01 kmpl (ARAI Certified) which is evidently a very good figure for that 2.0-liter turbo engine especially considering the way our fuel prices are skyrocketing. Besides, the Q5 also comes with a host of safety features which also includes eight airbags! The Audi Q5 is undoubtedly a smart choice, if you’re looking for something that isn’t too big or too small. Plus, its German lineage will also ensure that even if you decide to sell it after a few years, it’ll still continue to hold its value well. What more could you ask for, right?