When you think of luxury, a few names come to mind. Foremost, names like Audi, BMW and Mercedes might occur to you. Since SUVs are the kings of practicality and comfort, these companies’ luxury SUV entries have been competing for that top spot. With that in mind, how does the Audi Q5 stack up to the competition?
Today we’re going to look at design, comfort, performance and price to determine whether the Audi Q5 is right for you. We’ll take a look at this luxury SUV and see how it stacks up to the competition. Let’s ride!
Design
The first thing you’ll notice about any vehicle, of course, is the design. Audi never disappoints in this category, and the Q5 is no exception. The creases across the body are sleek and, dare we say, sexy. The “tornado line” that wraps along the entire top third of the car’s body give it that distinct Audi feel, despite being an SUV.
The large, wide front grille looks sporty and aggressive, and the car’s wide stance gives it a very impressive profile. The headlamps are stylish and square, offering a sleek and posh appearance to an otherwise sporty-looking vehicle. Likewise, the brake lights are rectangular, angled at an interesting degree and largely as stylish as the rest of the vehicle.
Comfort
The next thing you’ll notice about any vehicle, but especially a luxury vehicle, is comfort. Thankfully, Audi has you covered in that department. The cabin of the Q5 is spacious, offering ample legroom for driver and passengers alike. You’ve got tons of cargo space in the back hatch, and you can even get the sliding back seats option to give you even more back space.
The back seats also have their own vents and fold-out center cupholders, which is great for drivers with kids. The infotainment system is huge and easy to navigate, which makes the added Android Auto and Apple CarPlay work very well. The center console also sports a wireless Qi phone charger, a nice touch on such a high-tech car. The seats are wide and made of soft leather, offering both great support and a good driving position.
Performance
If the design didn’t give it away, the engine’s performance will: this is an Audi, through and through. Just because it’s got huge door openings, tons of cargo room and a tall profile, this vehicle can still tear it up on the road. The base trim’s engine offers 248 horses, though that can be scaled all the way up to 349 horsepower with the right trim and options. If you’re looking for an SUV that doesn’t compromise a fun drive, then you’ll want to go with one of the sport trims.
Another option you might consider for a smoother ride would be the optional air suspension. This is as practical as it is comfortable, in fact. The air suspension gives you a smooth, quiet ride, for one thing. However, it also gives you the option to lower the car’s profile so you can load more easily into and out of the vehicle!
Price
Unsurprisingly, as a luxury vehicle, the Audi Q5 carries a bit of a hefty price tag. The base-level trim starts out at $42,950, though you’d be hard-pressed to get us to settle for the base trim. A few options you should consider springing for include the optional air suspension, the tech package for the improved sound system, and one of the sport trims to increase the engine performance.
Once you’ve added a few options, though, the price starts to really add up. On the high end, the Audi Q5 can run as much as $53,000, making it one of the pricier SUVs on the market. That said, you really get what you pay for with this exceptional vehicle.