2022 Audi Q5

Audi Q5 2021-2022 Review

The German automaker best known for its rally and race dominating all-wheel drive systems has long had progress through technology as its tagline – perhaps not something they still have nowadays, but one of the main appeals was that their products were strong from a technological perspective. This is something that could be said of Audi even today, with many of their models looking far more futuristic from both the outside and in.

But technology alone isn’t enough to carry a brand, especially when consumer trends and expectations shift like the tides with the moon. Sedans had been the bread and butter for German automakers for the longest of times, but when luxury SUVs became popular it was perhaps a little ironic that Audi was a little slow to the punch.

Their reliance on their sedan and wagon products had left them out of an incredibly important and highly competitive segment that has grown and evolved to this day. In their reaction to this, they developed the Audi Q7 – based off the Volkswagen Touareg platform – and eventually the Audi Q5 that was on an entirely new platform of its own.

While the Audi Q7 felt like a product borne more out of necessity and reaction, Audi didn’t take the same approach with the Q5. In fact, the Audi Q5 was such a fresh and interesting product that it sold in incredibly high numbers – being one of those special models that product planners and engineers can hold in high regard for renewing interest in a brand.

Now in its second generation, the Audi Q5 has maintained the vast majority of the core elements that made it popular, while transitioning to a newer and more modern platform, as well as adding more modern features and functions to remain competitive. In fact, the most recent facelift for the product was launched globally and locally just this year.

What’s interesting is that this generation of the Audi Q5 also spawned a sportback version – which is a little peculiar, as sportback models across Audi’s product range have been. Sportbacks are largely the same as their non-sportback brethren, but with a more coupe-like roofline that tapers a little more aggressively. In that sense, the Audi Q5 Sportback could be seen as a rival to products like the BMW X4 and Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe – and yet it isn’t so distinct for you to be able to consider it an entirely different product instead of a variant.

Audi Q5 2021-2022 Specifications

Both the Audi Q5 and its Sportback sibling are available here with but a singular powertrain. It’s a heavily advanced and modernized variant of the turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine that has become a staple across both Audi and Volkswagen’s product line-up, present here in a mild-hybrid setup that utilizes a belt-driven starter-generator.

The total power output of the system is a healthy 249 hp and 370 Nm of torque from as low as 1,600 rpm. Where the hybrid system comes into play is with start-stop situations and to provide much better coasting as the engine can shut off without the vehicle scrubbing too much speed. The transmission in both cases is a seven-speed dual-clutch type automatic transmission, splitting power across all four wheels through the quattro all-wheel drive system.

If both models were to fit in a large box, these boxes would be nearly identical in size. That is to say that the Audi Q5 come with a length of 4,663 mm, a width of 1,893 mm, and a height of 1,659 mm, with a wheelbase of 2,819 mm, while the Q5 Sportback sees 1,660 mm of height and 4,689 mm of overall length. The only real difference between the two is that the Q5 Sportback has 510 litres of boot space versus the 550 litres of the regular Q5.

Audi Q5 2021-2022 Exterior

From an exterior perspective, the most obvious difference between the Audi Q5 and the Q5 Sportback is the roofline. Beyond this, both models get the S Line trim package meaning sportier trim pieces from front to rear. Both models get LED headlamps and rear combination lamps – the Audi Q5 gets 19-inch alloy wheels in a five double-spoke star style, while the Q5 Sportback gets larger 20-inch segment spoke style wheels in graphite grey.

Audi Q5 2021-2022 Interior

Would it be any surprise that both the Audi Q5 and Q5 Sportback share similar looking interiors? There’s the typical free-floating infotainment screen layout, and the ever alluring Audi Virtual Cockpit occupying the space where your traditional instrument cluster would sit. Brown leatherette is the material of choice for both interior seats, as are the front sport seats, and aluminium rhombus inlay trim pieces for the dashboard and doors.

Audi Q5 2021-2022 Safety Features

It’s a bit of an oddity in this day and age, but the Audi Q5 and Q5 Sportback are a little light on the advanced safety systems. ABS with EBD and electronic stability and traction control are standard, but only the Q5 Sportback gets items like Audi pre-sense rear, rear cross-traffic assist, and a lane change warning – but neither variant gets autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, or lane keep assist. It’s peculiar from a brand that is known for their technological edge.

Audi Q5 2021-2022 Strengths & Weakness

Buying into an Audi Q5 means you’re picking a product that arguably redefined the segment and forced other manufacturers to rethink how they approach consumers. There are advantages in coming late to the party, in that you can learn from the mistakes and drawbacks of your rivals, and Audi did well to address these pain points.

That being said, one can’t avoid the glaring lack of advanced safety items, and the interior space leaves a little to be desired among the current crop of mid-sized luxury SUVs. The powertrain is robust enough and the infotainment system and virtual cockpit pieces are great to the touch and feel and in operation, but it’s only a matter of time before it becomes outdated as infotainment is one of the most rapidly advancing and developing areas in automotive engineering.

Audi Q5 2021-2022 Price

Entry to the Audi Q5 product range starts at RM 376,966.36 for the Audi Q5 in its regular SUV form, with a bump up to RM 404,878.62 for the Audi Q5 Sportback. Once again, both models come with the same powertrain and the latter has a few more features included as standard. The price is also inclusive of a five-year, unlimited mileage warranty backed by the manufacturer.

Audi Q5 2021-2022 Features

The brunt of features for both models is somewhat similar, with powered front seats, four-way lumbar support, three-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, and an identical Audi connect infotainment package with smartphone interface and MMI navigation plus with MMI touch. The Audi virtual cockpit is also standard on both models, giving you a fantastic digital instrument cluster.

Rather interestingly, the optional features list for either variant is roughly the same – though pricing varies a little. Both models can be kitted with Matrix LED headlamps, OLED rear combination lamps, a panoramic glass sunroof, and a heads up display. The regular Audi Q5 can also have the ambient lighting, black appearance package, and the Bang & Olufsen premium sound system fitted, which comes as standard in the Q5 Sportback, as well as an adaptive air suspension system that isn’t available even as an option for the Q5 Sportback.

Audi Q5 Fuel Consumption

The manufacturer quoted fuel consumption figures for the Audi Q5 and its Sportback sibling are identical: 8.0 litres per 100 kilometres of fuel, or 12.5 kilometres per litre. As always, turbocharged vehicles have the ability to drink significantly more fuel than the quoted figures if you aren’t careful with the gas pedal, so your mileage may seriously vary.