2019 Audi Q5

And even after a decade, the 2019 Audi Q5 stands as a bold, sumptuous luxury crossover that pampers its occupants in every possible manner. Luxurious interior, confident and sedate attire, latest technological gadgetry, you name it, and the 2019 Q5 has got it all. But in the same segment, some immensely rich competition like the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC 300, and Volvo XC60 are here to steal your attention too. So, let’s dedicate this article to reviewing the 2019 Audi Q5 against these popular nameplates, introspect the aspects, and conclude if it’s worth the price and honor in the segment.

The 2019 Audi Q5 is available in three different trims: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. The Premium trim comes with a starting price tag of $42,950 and goes all the way up to $53,850 for the Prestige trim. The base Premium trim is itself heavily loaded with features and presents a well-appointed cabin. But you get only one engine option under the hood. For more power, you can always go for the SQ5 variant. It comes equipped with a 3.0L twin-turbo V6, a new 8-speed automatic transmission, and a sport-tuned suspension system.

All three trims equip some applause-worthy features, and the Prestige adds the cherry on top with numerous optional packages like Black Optic, Cold Weather, and the Warm weather package. In short, a buyer with heavy pockets would walk out with a plethora of features. Yet even the base trim buyers won’t miss out on Audi’s luxury, indelible styling, and gadgets inside the cabin.

Which Trim should you buy?

With the most bells and whistles, the 2019 Audi Q5 in its top-spec Prestige iteration is a bargain. It packs the finest interior attire, top-notch gadgets and additional creature comforts like noise-insulated side windows, a head-up display, ambient cabin lighting, a bird's-eye view parking camera, a Bang & Olufsen surround-sound system and a wide suite of driving assist aids.

The power-duty of the 2019 Audi Q5 is rested on the shoulders of a punchy 2.0L Turbocharged inline-4 engine that cranks out 248-hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. Along with interesting power figures comes a quick-responsive yet smooth 7-speed DCT transmission and a standard Quattro AWD to manage some challenging weather conditions. The Quattro all-wheel-drive setup and a seamless gearbox contribute towards the Q5’s quick sprint from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds. 

For the size and presence, these figures are enough to excite the driver, yet never compromise on the refined power delivery from the engine. In fact, this 2.0L turbo pot can outperform some rivals with even peppier V6 engines. All thanks to the standard Quattro AWD tech in the Q5. If you want more power, a new SQ5 variant debuted this year and it comes with a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The Q5 blends refined and smooth nature with athletic accelerations in a perfect manner. The rivals are neck-and-neck competitive, however, the Q5 is still the quickest and more engaging than others. 2019 Q5 offers the most torque on paper along with the Merc but the GLC’s engine is not tuned for max power. While others offer AWD as an option, Audi is the only brand of the lot to offer Quattro AWD tech as standard.

How well does the 2019 Audi Q5 handle?

The 2019 Audi Q5 has smooth and refined power delivery, but thanks to a quick-shift 7-speed transmission and grunt at lower RPMs, the Q5 can be swift and agile too. The engine is seamless and the quick throttle response will be applauded, but since it’s a turbo-block, the ones switching from naturally aspirated engines might notice some lag.

The suspension is well damped, and the ride quality is soft and cushioned, even without the optional adaptive suspension setup. The steering is accurate and the feedback is apt for the Q5’s nature, despite the electric assistance. But the same feels artificial in the Dynamic mode. The Q5 handles the twisted roads like an expert. The visibility is impressive, yet there’s a plethora of assistance by driving aids.

2019 Audi Q5 Braking Performance

The 2019 Audi Q5 might not be as missile as the Porsche Macan S, yet the figures are significantly close. And to tame the Q5, Audi sports massive 13-inch brake rotors and powerful disc brakes on all corners. The setup helps the Q5 to come to a dead stop in 112-ft of braking at 60-mph, despite the hefty 4000lbs curb weight. The company also equips the vehicle with clever driver aids as standard right from the base trim, like PreSense City that includes Automatic emergency braking for vehicles and pedestrians at speeds up to 52 mph.

The rivalry shows equally massive SUVs with commendable braking power, yet the Q5’s shortest distance grabs the easiest attention. At 4156 pounds, the BMW X3 manages to come to a halt in just 2-extra-ft to the Audi Q5. The Volvo also shares the same results with BMW and takes the second position but the Mercedes-Benz takes 7ft more than the Audi and 4ft more than the other rivals to stop.

The 2019 Audi Q5 drives in style, drenches the occupants in luxury, yet proves to be an economical crossover. Daily commutes in this vehicle won’t burn holes in your pockets. The punchy 2.0L block under the hood returns 22/27/24 mpg in city/highway/combined driving cycles respectively. Besides, an 18.5-gallon fuel tank makes sure to store enough fuel for the Q5 to last for over 400 combined miles in a full tank. Opting for the SQ5 variant will drop these numbers down as this is more tuned for performance.

Since all-wheel-drive setup is standard, there’s no economical 2WD variant of the Q5; lest these figures are believed to be impressive for the size and nature of the Audi crossover. The BMW X3 reserves the podium top spot with slightly better figures than the others. At the last spot, the Volvo XC60 still offers impressive economy, and buyers looking to munch out more miles can even go for hybrid XC60 models.

The 2019 Audi Q5, and even previous model years, have been renowned for its beautifully crafted interior with a clean and simple design. The comfortable ergonomics and spacious rear seats are like icing on the tasteful cake that the Q5 is. The elegant and subtle interior is handsomely appointed and the top-trims get wood inlays, leather surfaces, and brushed aluminum accent garnishing. Starting from the front seats, they are imposingly bolstered and comfortable. Both the driver and the front passenger would find themselves sunk in relaxed seating positions, and not to forget, power adjustability and heating function come as standard for the front seat, right from the Premium base trim. 

The rear seats are no compromise in any terms. The spacious headroom and legroom, and supportive shape make them ideal for longer hauls. The 2019 Q5 pampers the rear passengers with the reclining feature, while heated rear seats can be added with an optional Cold Weather package. The Q5 doesn’t prefer anything below premium leather upholstery. The cargo capacity behind the rear seats measures 25.1 cu-ft with the seats upright. However, the 60/40 split-folding rear seats fold down to make more cargo room, 53.1 cu-ft to be exact, and ditch passengers for precious cargo.

The interior of the Audi Q5 is appreciably spacious and well built. The leather seating surfaces compliment the skin, while the minimal and subtle design looks very upscale and rich. But buyers who need a break from the German design language can go for the Volvo’s Scandinavian interiors with first-class cabin layout. Standout interior features in the 2019 Audi Q5 are:

• 3 Zone Automatic Climate Control
• Leather upholstery
• Panoramic Sunroof
• Tilt and Telescopic adjust steering with Paddle Shifters
• High Gloss Dark Brown Walnut Wood Inlays
• Ambient LED lighting
• 8 Way heated and power front seats with 4-way power lumbar adjust and memory for driver
• Sliding, Split Folding 40/20/40 rear seatbacks with adjustable recline
• Leather-wrapped gear selector, center console, and door armrest

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The 2019 Audi Q5 hosts a strong technological suite ranging from present-day amenities to lavish features to flaunt about. The infotainment setup centers on a 7-inch or 8.3-inch touchscreen display depending on the trim level. The display is sharp and incredibly responsive. For 2019 MY, Audi has revised the infotainment system, and it is easier and more intuitive. 

The buttons have been cleverly remapped to perform more than one function, hence reducing the number of buttons. Audi’s advanced Virtual cockpit setup that includes a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster display now comes standard on the Premium Plus trim itself. You also get Android Auto and Apple Carplay as standard right from the base trim. For your music needs, the Prestige trim comes with a 755W 16-speaker Bang and Olufsen 3D Sound System. Standout infotainment features in the 2019 Audi Q5 include:

• MMI Navigation Plus and All in Touch with Handwriting recognition technology
• 755W 19 Speaker B&O audio system with 3D sound with 16 channel amplifier
• 12.3" LCD Fully Digital Instrument Console
• Android Auto and Apple Carplay compatibility
• HD/SiriusXM/INRIX XD Radio and Traffic system
• SD Card slot with 64GB capacity
• Heads Up Display with Navigation and Assistance System Info
• Bluetooth Connectivity and 2 USB ports
• Audi advanced Key and Voice Control system

Since its inception, the Q5 has grown to be a handsome and bold compact SUV. Even for 2019, this vehicle looks modern and premium, with rugged styling cue bits. The base Premium trim wears 18-inch wheels and boasts attractive additions like roof rails and crossbars and a rear spoiler, along with xenon headlights with LED running lights and LED taillights. 

Opting for the Prestige trim gets you access to the Black Optic package which gives you a Titanium black exterior trim along with a matte finish. It also adds 20-inch alloy wheels over the standard 18-inch ones. Look from any angle, and the 2019 Q5 has incredible potential to win hearts in a single glimpse.

All cars in the competition have almost similar exterior dimensions and almost the same weight too. However, X3 is a little longer than most which translates to increased cargo capacity. On the exterior front, the 2019 Q5 is no less than the competitors. It is perfect, to say the least. Standout exterior features in the 2019 Audi Q5 include:

• 18" Alloy wheels
• Full LED Automatic Headlights with Dynamic Range Adjustment
• LED Taillights with Dynamic Turn Signals
• Powered ORVM with Auto Dimming, Power-folding and Heating Functions
• Power Tailgate
• Aluminum trim around exterior side windows
• Roof rails and crossbar

The German robust and sturdy design and engineering ensures that the 2019 Audi Q5 shields the occupants in most unfortunate events. The IIHS agrees to the same, as they awarded the compact SUV with a ‘Good’ safety rating. The only aspect that the Q5 lacks is the headlights that are tagged with “Marginal/Poor” ratings, varying by trim. NHTSA awarded it 5 out of 5 stars with 4-stars in rollover tests. As standard, you get Audi Pre-sense basic and Pre-sense city which includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. Standout safety features in the 2019 Audi Q5 are:

• Hill Descent Control
• Automatic emergency braking for vehicles and pedestrians
• Lane keep assist
• Automatic high-beam headlights
• Vehicle exit warning
• Parallel and perpendicular park assist
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Traffic sign recognition
• Adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist
• Head-up display
• Bird's-eye view parking camera

2019 Audi Q5 vs 2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i

Both the Audi Q5 and the BMW X3 are neck-and-neck competitors, the hardest election one could ever sign-up for. The strong and handsome looks of both the German SUVs can easily lure eyes, while the luxuriously appointed interiors are prime examples of Germans’ prowess in opulence and quality. But the infotainment and fuel economy puts the BMW slightly ahead of the Audi Q5. If these aren’t something that would bother you, pick any of these, and refined ride quality is definite.

2019 Audi Q5 vs 2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC

The German brawl between the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes Benz GLC 300 is again an entertaining match to watch. Both the SUVs are loaded with features, yet the addition of more would soar the prices significantly in the case of Mercedes Benz. The ride quality of both the segment leaders is smooth and soft, yet a stab to the pedal can rush them, where Audi proves to be the quicker one.

2019 Audi Q5 vs 2019 Volvo XC60 T5 AWD Momentum

To stand out from a bigger crowd of German car lovers, the Volvo XC60 should be an apt pick in the segment. The Scandinavian design makes the interiors look ultra-rich and can confuse buyers about the price tag. The simplistic yet imposing design of the XC60 is commendable, but Q5 is no less in imparting a confident presence. The XC60 offers multiple powertrains to choose from, something Q5 lacks. But then the economy of the XC60 brings the Volvo crossover below the Audi Q5.

The new Audi Q5 has an incredible presence on the road, and the refined ride quality will be remembered in tales. It is closely matched to its rivals, but a better economy, more advanced tech bits, and an effective price tag make it a unanimous pick in the segment. Buyers can add a plethora of features through optional packages, but the 2019 Q5 is already loaded with standard equipment, so shelling out more bucks won’t be necessary.