The Third Generation Q5: More Digital, More Premium, More Confusing
The new Q5 doesn’t scream for attention. It whispers confidence. From the outside, Audi has stuck to its conservative yet precise design language. Crisp lines run from a clean front fascia with matrix LED headlamps to a well-chiseled rear end. The car looks almost restrained, but it’s exactly that restraint that makes it feel like an Audi. The coupe-like Sportback version that I drove first looked sleeker, but I eventually gravitated back to the standard SUV variant for one key reason: rear headroom. More on that later.
Inside, Audi’s tech-forward approach has gone all-in. There’s a tri-screen layout that feels like a cockpit at first, 11.9 inches of digital instruments, a massive 14.5-inch infotainment screen at the center, and an optional passenger-side display. With close to 800 menu functions, navigating the system felt a bit like trying to decode a modern aircraft. You don’t use the Q5; you learn it.
And you’ll want to learn it, because underneath all the gloss and touchscreens, the Q5 is a real driver’s car. Especially with a diesel heart.
Petrol First: 2.0 TFSI Is Good, But Not Great
I began my journey from the edge of the Rehden Geest Moor nature reserve in a 2.0 TFSI-powered Q5 Sportback. Rated at 150 kW (204 hp) and 340 Nm, the numbers looked healthy. Acceleration was brisk, the 0–100 km/h claim of 6.9 seconds believable. But from behind the wheel, the petrol mill never quite felt at ease. There was a strain to it, especially when the seven-speed S tronic gearbox held on to gears longer than it should, or when it awkwardly dropped a cog too late during overtaking.
Don’t get me wrong, the engine pulls well once it’s in the sweet spot. But you often have to dig for that spot. At nearly two tons, the Q5 demands torque early, and the petrol just doesn’t serve it up with enough immediacy. I found myself resorting to the steering-mounted paddles more than I liked, manual correction for a dual-clutch box that never quite felt in sync with the rhythm of the road.
Fuel economy? Hovered around 8.3 L/100 km on my mixed loop of hills, towns, and short Autobahn sprints. Respectable, but not exceptional.
Diesel Next: 2.0 TDI Feels Built for This SUV
Switching to the 2.0 TDI Q5 felt like swapping nervous energy for calm muscle. Same displacement. Same nominal 204 hp. But 400 Nm of torque? That’s the magic number. You feel it immediately.
As I crested the Damme Hills along a stretch of twisting rural B-roads, the diesel pulled with low-end confidence the petrol just couldn’t match. It was quieter, too, surprisingly so. At 120 km/h in seventh gear, you barely heard it. This isn’t the clattering diesel of yesterday. It’s smooth, refined, and barely sips at the tank.
Over two days of testing, including hill climbs, off-camber corners, and plenty of stop-start village driving, I averaged 5.6 L/100 km. That’s close to hybrid territory. And speaking of hybrid, this engine too uses Audi’s MHEV+ system, a belt starter generator and a drivetrain motor to allow engine-off coasting and silent rolling into parking spaces. It worked seamlessly. You’d hardly know it’s there.
The diesel Q5 also gets quattro all-wheel drive as standard, which came in handy when I deliberately pulled off onto some slick forest access paths. With the Offroad+ mode engaged, the Q5 managed its traction with clinical precision. Even with road tires, it never once hesitated.
Suspension and Handling: Calm Under Pressure
The test vehicle came equipped with optional adaptive air suspension, which allows for a 30 mm ground clearance boost in Offroad mode. I made good use of that while navigating a gravel trail to a hillside cabin in Steinfeld, where frost still clung to the edges of the road.
The ride is plush, this is where the Q5 truly excels. Whether it’s expansion joints on the Autobahn or cobbled village streets, the car isolates disturbances with grace. Steering is Audi-typical: precise, if not overly communicative. But the balance is excellent, and the Q5 never felt top-heavy even when pushed.
This isn’t a performance SUV, despite the optional S line trims and sporty body kits. It’s a grand tourer in disguise. Comfortable, planted, confident.
Inside the Cabin: Premium with a Few Plastic Letdowns
At a glance, the Q5’s cabin feels like a luxury lounge. The screens, the ambient lighting, the sculpted seats, it all works. But spend time in it, and a few corners reveal themselves. The lower half of the center console is hard plastic. The glovebox is flimsy. The door handles feel like afterthoughts.
Still, the fundamentals are solid. The sliding rear seat is a genius touch, letting you prioritize legroom or luggage as needed. And speaking of luggage: the regular Q5 SUV offers 520 liters with seats up and 1,473 liters with them down. The Sportback drops that a bit, but the payoff is style.
Connectivity is top-tier. Google integration in the infotainment system is snappy. The 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen system? Glorious. Wireless phone charging with active cooling, rear USB-C ports with up to 100 watts of power, it’s a gadget lover’s paradise.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Audi Q5 2.0 TDI quattro (MHEV+) |
| Engine | 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder turbo diesel |
| Power | 204 hp (150 kW) |
| Torque | 400 Nm |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch (S tronic) |
| Drive Type | Quattro AWD |
| 0–100 km/h | 7.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 224 km/h |
| Fuel Economy | 5.4–6.0 L/100 km (real-world: 5.6) |
| CO₂ Emissions | 143–158 g/km |
| Boot Space | 520 L (seats up), 1,473 L (down) |
| Price (base) | From €52,300 |
| Suspension | Optional air suspension |
| Hybrid System | 48V MHEV+ with starter-generator |
| Weight | ~1,950 kg |
Final Thoughts: The Diesel Delivers Where It Matters
If I had to sum up the new Q5 in one word, it would be “mature.” Audi isn’t chasing gimmicks here. They’ve refined a formula that already works and added tech just enough to stay modern without overreaching. The 2.0 TDI diesel model isn’t just the most economical, it’s the most balanced, most confident, and most relaxed version to drive.
In the hills of Damme, where every curve tests your suspension and every climb reveals your torque, the diesel proved it belongs. It makes the most of the Q5’s platform, gives you range, saves you money at the pump, and does it all without drama.
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