Audi's new platform has given us the Q7 SUV and the more compact A4 range. But the Q5 has found the Goldilocks setting: not too big, but still practical.
Naturally, when people pay the premium to buy an Audi, they expect it to be good at everything. There's no slow engine or CVT gearbox in the Q5... at least not anymore.
Up next, we are going to watch an acceleration test with the 2.0 TDI model. What's funny is that according to the nav screen between the dials, the car is in Mexico. We're more used to seeing TDI engines being put through their paces on the autobahn in Germany, but Audi moved production to be closer to the U.S..
One of these 190 horsepower TDI models will set you back upwards of €46,400. The 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine shared with the A4 produces 400 Nm of torque between 1,750 rpm and 3,000 rpm. Supposedly, that's enough for 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 218 km/h (135 mph).
A Volkswagen Tiguan of identical propulsion has the same 0 to 100 km/h time and a top speed just 6 km/h lower. Obviously, you can't buy the new Tiguan in America yet. But even if you could, there wouldn't be any TDI engine under the hood.
Despite being about a year newer, the Audi Q5 is 120 kilos heavier than the Tiguan 2.0 TDI DSG. Despite this, Audi claims that it consumes about a liter less fuel per 100 kilometers.
Older Q5 models also had a powerful 2.0 TDI engine. However, they didn't come with the 7-speed S tronic gearbox like this one, which is a brand new twin-clutch unit. Instead, they offered up a CVT, believed to be the least reliable auto in the segment.
Of course, there are more powerful versions of the Q5, like the TFSI one that's being offered in America. That one makes 252 PS, but a 3.0 TDI with 286 PS should take the flagship role in Europe any day now.
Of course, no Audi ever comes with cheap features, and this one is no exception. Among the must-haves, we'd mention the B&O sound system costing €1,140, the €500 Virtual Cockpit, adaptive air suspension for €1,950 or navigation costing €1,750.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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