Quattro Lightfoot

What we like:

Quality build inside and out

Well-sorted out engine and transmission combo

handling

coast function

What we dislike:

Great styling

but can come across as rather bland when compared to what is in the market

We personally like how Audi kept the thigh cushions for the Q5, ensuring that drive comfort is well-taken care of. Road visibility is excellent from the cabin, and the height and rake adjustable steering wheel ensures drivers like me, who are more inclined to slouch a little more, are able to get that optimal position needed.

The 2.0 TFSI engine delivers a healthy 252hp, which powers all four wheels, through a new seven-speed S tronic transmission, to what Audi calls Quattro with ultra technology. The last bit basically means that the car is able to disengage and re-engage drive to the rear wheels, whenever the car can do without the rear wheels being driven, thus improving fuel efficiency, all this without the loss of grip.

Another plus is Audi’s wheel-selective torque control, ensuring that optimum torque is passed on to individual driven wheels, providing drivers with better control over different road conditions. Great especially since the Q5 is made to mildly go off the beaten path.

Like the previous car, you do get three different drive modes, “Offroad”, “Comfort” and “Dynamic”, and an “Individual” one for you to customise how the car behaves. We do like how Audi had incorporated a tilt angle gauge, for that added peace-of-mind.

As standard, the Q5 uses 19” rims, which provides very good comfort for your drive. There is an option for you to up the size to 21”, but based on experience with large rims and thin rubber, we would not recommend that, for the sake of your precious back.

Steering feel is precise and well-weighted, and even being this tall, there is rather minimal body roll, when you push the Q5 into a series of bends, thanks to the adjustable dampers, and the fact that Audi has shredded off a considerable amount of weight for this car, and have claimed up to 90kg for some of the Q5 variants.

But where the Q5 really shines is during your day-to-day drive in “Comfort” mode. To provide even more range, the seven-speed transmission also allows you to coast on the final gear, essentially similar to clutching in on a manual car as you roll down the highway, only to reengage when you plant your foot on the brakes, or when you depress the throttle pedal.

As all car brands up their game, the Q5 in its second generation is a very well-engineered car, but in a market saturated with similar cars from manufacturers keen on winning the hearts of SUV buyers who are spoilt for choice from the likes of the Volvo XC60, Mercedes-Benz GLC200 and even the new, more serious off-road worthy Range Rover Velar, the predictable styling might make it simply just blend in.

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