Audi Q5

New Level Of Q

- Angus Boswell

So the new second generation Audi Q5 has been launched, and you think, “It’s gotta be good”, because the first one launched locally in 2009 sold so well: 1.6 million units worldwide and 11 300 units locally. That figure’s dropped off a bit after a blip in 2013 with the facelift and a sporty diesel model, but meanwhile the opposition has scrambled to grab some of that high-margin SUV pie. Think Porsche Macan, BMW X3, Mercedes GLA, and the JLR contender, the F-Pace.

The first Q5 on the MLB platform echoed the drivetrains and suspension of the A5 and fourth-gen A4 stablemates, so you had punchy engines and pretty sorted rear-biased Quattro permanent 4WD, but rather stiff and wooden handling. No matter, the Q5 hit the sweet spot for size and fashion, enticing further with its then progressive MMI interface and finely-crafted interior.

Eight years later, the new crop of Q5s predictably ride on the MLB Evo platform, incidentally shared with the Q7 as well as with the current A4 and A5. And it is tasked with delivering more on every front, from fuel economy to refinement, safety, handling and technology. Audi has a lot riding on the Q5, so to speak, and in Germanic fashion every box has been ticked; except perhaps one: excitement.

Seen alongside the old one, the new shape certainly emphasises width, with a finely-crafted grille, interesting LED headlight- and tail light detailing, plus that A5-alike power line over the wheel arches. But there’s no getting away from the fact that it’s a bit of a lardy ass. See, it’s grown in every dimension: 24mm longer to 4663mm, 13mm wider to 1893mm, 9mm higher to 1659mm, with 12mm extra in the wheelbase to 2819mm. Not much, but a size gain forcing Audi to claw back 90kg from the previous model by saving on special shell metals, among other measures.