2021 Audi Q5

The Audi Q5 maintains its powerful but composed drive and ride with its trademark dullness, so it doesn’t make it into the list of heavyweight performers. It does provide commendable levels of luxury and comfort, not to mention in-car technology that is simply a delight to watch, leaving the high-performance bits to the SQ5. It goes up against plenty of rivals, the closest of which are the Volvo XC60, BMW X3, Lexus NX, and the Cadillac XT4.

Instead of sticking to the traditional trim-based segregation of its models, Audi has decided to offer a little more customization in light of the new Sportback body style, as well as the new hybrid powertrain options. Two engine options, two body styles, and three trims - Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige, make for a total of 12 configurations. Differentiated by the numbers 45 and 55, the mild hybrid and PHEV powertrains are both available in the Audi Q5.

Which trim should you buy?

Between the various options, features, body styles, and powertrains on offer, the Audi Q5 is a confusing purchase that can get expensive if the costs are left unchecked. The German manufacturer is charging a massive premium on its PHEV powertrain, and the tech isn’t exactly groundbreaking, to say the least. Therefore we recommend you stick to the mild-hybrid offered in the 45 while going for the Prestige trim as it has all the features you’d expect in a proper luxury crossover.

According to Audi, the 2021 Q5 is an SUV that offers a powerful driving experience among other things. Churning out 261 horsepower from its turbocharged four-pot, the German manufacturer got the ‘powerful’ part somewhat right, but the crossover fails to deliver much of a driving experience. The 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro drivetrain do most of the work for you, and it's only on sudden, last-ditch maneuvers that you would find some excitement and awe for the Q5's capabilities. Despite not being as exciting to drive as rivals, the Q5 offers a predictable setup, wherein you just know how the car will respond to your throttle and steering inputs for an easygoing drive.

Courtesy of the lightning-quick Quattro AWD system, the 2021 Audi Q5 puts power down with some urgency. It can go from a standstill to 60 miles an hour in just 5.5 seconds in its mild hybrid guise, so we wonder how quick the PHEV powertrain would be considering its combined output of 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of twisting force. Both powertrain options allow for quick acceleration and usable straight-line performance, but don’t offer much in the way of thrills so to speak.

Judging by the quality on offer in the segment, all of us know just how close the competition between these crossovers would be. The newly upgraded powertrain in the 2021 Audi Q5 outperforms the rest on paper, while its intelligent AWD system helps it achieve much better 0 to 60 runs than its rivals as well. It is also the quickest to finish a standing quarter mile.

Despite the FWD architecture, the Cadillac XT5 manages to post decent 0 to 60 timings, which would have been the slowest in the segment if not for the sedate NX 300h and its quiet powertrain. As far as top-speeds go, the crossover is a body type capable of achieving liftoff with enough air flowing under it, therefore there are speed limiters in place that act in as early as 112 mph in the Volvo and Lexus, while the Audi and BMW are limited at 135 miles per hour. 

How well does the 2021 Audi Q5 handle?

It's easy to start with the lack of sportiness in the Audi Q5 and its handling characteristics, but what Audi does offer is a relaxed, predictable vehicle that just isn’t on its toes. It does everything you want it to do under normal driving conditions but calls for correction through a fast corner while trying to prioritize comfort over the performance that you’re literally asking for, which it fails to do when pushed too hard. It does have the ability to be incredibly agile in some situations, but this triggers a suspension or chassis response that won’t have you eager for the same maneuver again. 

Excitement, exhilaration, and adrenaline aside, there is a comfortable command the Q5 has over itself when it’s not being pushed or chucked around, and the chassis controls its positioning very well. Quattro is very useful at maintaining wet-weather traction, and the suspension is strung softly enough for alleviating ride quality in all seats. All things considered, the Q5 does a great job at allowing you to assert so much control over it through its refined electronics, but that does come at the expense of natural feedback from your wheels and tires to your inner driving senses.

Braking Performance

Crossovers aren’t the most aerodynamic vehicles around but are still proficient at gaining speed and changing directions than the SUVs of yesteryear. This increase in athleticism has led to the need for vehicles like the Q5 to have ample braking power, considering their 0-60 timing of 5.5 seconds. 13.3” diameter disc brake rotors on the front wheels and 13” rotors at the back enable the 2021 Audi Q5 to come to a halt from 60 miles per hour in just 112 feet. The brakes do an excellent job at slowing the 4,000 pound SUV down to a halt over such a short distance. It would have been the best braking performance in the segment if not for the Cadillac XT5

Housing larger front rotors and smaller rear rotors as compared to the Q5, the Cadillac XT5 decelerates from 60 to 0 in just 111 feet. Despite using larger brake rotors than any of its competition on both front and rear wheels, the 2021 BMW X3 fails to achieve the kind of braking efficiency of its rivals. While the competition is close between four of these SUVs, the Lexus NX 300h immediately differentiates itself from its more capable competitors, using smaller brake rotors and being the heaviest of the lot, the NX 300h halts from 60 mph over a distance of 128 feet.

Another aspect of driving that is equally affected by aerodynamics is fuel economy, and crossovers find it hard to come by sometimes. The refinement of the powertrain in the 2021 Audi Q5 ensures seamless switching between battery power and combustion engine, in either mild-hybrid or PHEV forms, therefore maintaining a good city mpg figure of 23. The crossover manages to offer 27 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg combined, which is better than what Cadillac offers.

The difference made by refinement of powertrains is most evident in this table, as the European crossovers achieve decent mpg figures, not going lower than 22 mpg in the city, whereas the Cadillac XT5 manages a meager 18 mpg in the city. It does, however, make up for its lack of efficiency with a larger fuel tank that allows it to travel for distances similar to its competition. The most economical option here is the Lexus NX 300h, which manages more than 30 miles per gallon in both city and highway conditions combined. The Audi Q5 posts the best maximum range overall, although the XT5 has a better range out on the highway, and the segment-leading city mpg figure of the Lexus helps it top the city range.

The interior of the Q5 has always received a mixed bag of responses. The technology on offer is just a pleasure to watch and use, as seen in the Audi Digital Cockpit that allows for a customizable driver display. The shape of the gear shifter is one among many futuristic, stylish elements strewn across the cabin of the 2021 Q5. However, the floating touch screen and dashboard styling look slightly blunt as opposed to the sharp styling you would find elsewhere in the interior of the 2021 Audi Q5.

Plush leather seats and soft-touch surfaces are behind the cabin and its luxury feel, and there aren’t many hard surfaces you’ll find directly within your vision. Ergonomics are spot on, and every function is within the reach of the driver seat. It isn’t hard to find a comfortable seating or driving position with the 8-way adjustable front seats. Heated seats are available for those at war with the cold climate they live in, and ventilated seats can be had at an extra cost on the lower trims, while it is standard in the Prestige trim.

When it comes to interior room, the Q5 does have its advantages over the rest of the segment. Offering segment-leading front headroom, the front seats are a nice place to be for taller folks, and there is enough legroom to suffice as well. The space available in the crossover is not evenly spaced between the two seating rows, as the rear row has significantly less legroom than the front seats. The seats behind are in no way cramped, as the 39.3” of headroom is better than most of the competition, and the 37.8” of rear legroom is competitive as well. The interior room in the Q5 could have been managed better, as it offers low cargo room for its size. Standout interior features in the 2021 Audi Q5:

• Heated front seats
• 8-way power-adjustable front seats
• Leather seats and upholstery
• Dual-zone climate control
• Optional Heads-up display

How is the infotainment in the 2021 Audi Q5?

Audi and their devotion to advancement in technology bode well for their customers. Right from the lowest ‘Premium’ trim onwards, the Q5 provides a 10.1” multimedia touchscreen floating at the top of the dashboard. The software has been updated for 2021 and offers quicker operational times while preserving its hands-free methods of use. While the infotainment screen is standard across all trims, the Premium Plus and Prestige trims get the Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster.

The instrument cluster is configurable based on the information that the driver wants displayed. It spans 12.3” diagonally, and has room for simultaneous operation of navigation along with whatever else you want it to show, obviously including the required dials for driving. As for hardware, the Audi Q5 comes with a 10-speaker system as standard, which can be upgraded to a premium B&O audio system. Highlights of the infotainment system include:

• Audi Virtual Cockpit
• 10.1” touchscreen display
• Optional 19-speaker Bang and Olufsen 3D sound system
• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto
• WiFi hotspot capabilities

Although the Audi vehicles just look like larger versions of one another, they follow an age-old design language that was futuristic when first unveiled. The design has also matured well over time, as the incorporation of LEDs and sharper elements have only gone with the typical Audi style. For 2021, the front fascia has been redesigned to get with the times, featuring an octagonal grille and new headlamps. The front and rear bumpers have been remodeled to look like diffusers, although they do not affect actual performance whatsoever. The 2021 Audi Q5 also gets new LED taillights.

Compared to the competition, the Audi Q5 has a recognizable silhouette that has its fair share of road presence. The Q5 is arguably more imposing than its German rival - the BMW X3, although the Volvo XC60 sits higher and taller than the Q5, not to mention longer and wider as well. The XC60’s sleek styling does make it look smaller than the burlier but smart-looking Audi Q5. The BMW and Volvo crossovers have the longest wheelbase in the segment, offering more interior room than rivals, and the Lexus NX 300h offers a more car-like experience with its lower ground clearance and shorter wheelbase. Major exterior features include:

• Panoramic sunroof
• Roof rails (optional)
• LED Matrix Headlamps
• New octagonal grille
• New LED taillights
• 18”, 19”, and 20” alloys to choose from

According to the Audi and NHTSA websites, the 2021 Q5 gets a 5-star rating for overall safety. The score would have been a result of a perfect 5-stars in every safety test, if not for the inherent limitations of the crossover body style. With the increased ground clearance, the rollover risk of the car rises dramatically compared to a sedan, and the Q5 receives 4-stars for a rollover risk of 16.40%. Apart from the structural integrity provided by intelligent design, Audi offers its Pre Sense Suite of driver assistance technology. Apart from the standard tech, higher trims offer automatic parking features or a parking assist. Notable safety features include:

• Lane Keep Assist 
• Lane Departure Warning
• Front Collision Mitigation with Pedestrian Detection
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Park Assist
• Audi Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Jam Assist
• Top-view camera

2021 Audi Q5 vs BMW X3

The Audi Q5 and BMW X3 are of similar dimensions and often find themselves on the same page when it comes to picking a luxury crossover. The truth is, these crossovers could not provide a more different experience when compared to each other. The Audi is every bit as composed as the BMW is sporty. Both these vehicles would stick themselves between the white lines on a set of twisty roads, but Audi cannot compete with the rear-bias drivetrain in the X3 without offering it in their Quattro system themselves. Overall, the Q5 is more suited towards chauffeur-driven buyers, just as the BMW X3 is meant for driving enthusiasts. 

2021 Audi Q5 vs 2021 Cadillac XT5

Cadillac, having recently forayed into the crossover space, has made its mark with some good-looking machines that offer just what the brand is known for, sophisticated luxury combined with brash performance. Unlike the high-performance Cadillacs, the XT5 makes do with a turbocharged four-cylinder, and it prods along with the competition just fine, despite its FWD architecture. While the Audi may have an advantage with the Quattro AWD system, the German SUV will find it tough to vie for sales against the crossover of American origin.

2021 Audi Q5 vs 2021 Lexus NX 300h

The Lexus NX 300h is quite easily the least suited crossover on the list. All the rivals in the segment offer a worthy driving experience, but the Lexus provides a lackluster drive, hampered by the heavyweight of the vehicle. Unlike the German counterparts which feel like they are glued to the ground, the Lexus NX 300h just feels heavy on its own tires. It is a very comfortable car though, and the Japanese luxury car manufacturer outdoes Audi with regard to interior quality.

2021 Audi Q5 vs 2021 Volvo XC60

These two are very equally matched as crossover options for those who prefer the rear seat. Both of them have an inclination towards comfort over performance and utilize the technology at hand to make their vehicle look like a more valuable proposition. The Volvo XC60 employs in-car technology that provides plenty of control over settings such as steering sensitivity, among others. On the other hand, the Audi Q5 uses technology all around the car but doesn’t leave much to the freedom of the passengers inside. We aren’t saying the Volvo tech is better or that much more customizable even, but the Volvo XC60 is a lot flashier on the inside, relative to the Q5 at least. 

Anybody working in the tech space would be amazed at how advanced the in-car technology in the Audi Q5 is. For 2021, the technology looks like it belongs inside the car, or it was made for it rather. Apart from technology, the Q5 offers plenty of luxe in its use of materials, not to mention the fit and finish characteristic of a globally successful manufacturer. The 2021 Audi Q5 isn’t known as the most reliable crossover in its segment, but with an extended warranty, it shouldn’t let you down.