Yahoo Finance Preview: 2018 Audi Q5 SUV
The redesigned 2018 Audi Q5 made its North American debut at the LA Auto Show, with evolutionary styling, increased performance promise, and a growing assembly of advanced safety features.
The fresh exterior moves the Q5 in line with the A4 sedan, mirroring powertrains and interior content. At the same time, the redesign brings slight gains in interior packaging, with the company claiming more passenger and cargo space.
Taking center stage is an available Virtual Cockpit, as seen in the A4, Q7, and TT we recently tested. This feature lets you expand the cluster between the instrument panel’s large gauges, into a larger color display that can monitor audio, phone, navigation, and travel information. The redesign brings the latest multimedia interface (known as MMI) to the Q5, complete with handwriting recognition.
We’ve observed that now the screen is more in the driver’s line of sight and the dash vents are more optimally positioned. As in the A4 and Q7, the newfangled electronic gear selector is less intuitive.
The standard audio system includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Audiophiles will be drawn to the 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo. The connectivity theme runs throughout, with a robust app offering, Apple Siri Eyes Free integration, read-aloud news and Twitter feed, and 4G LTE service. For telematics, the Q5 offers automatic crash notification, emergency help call, and stolen vehicle locator.
While the previous Q5 could be had with a turbo four-cylinder or a supercharged V6, the new model is focused on an updated 2.0-liter turbo four producing 252 horsepower coupled to a seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. We found this combo to be punchy, refined and fuel efficient in the A4 we tested.
Audi claims this combination can run 0-60 in a scant 5.9 seconds—a fair bit quicker than the 7.9 seconds we recorded with our last test model. Every Q5 will have all-wheel drive. It’s safe to assume that the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 will return for the uplevel SQ5 down the road.
A wide range of advanced safety and convenience features will be offered, including forward-collision warning with automatic braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear-collision warning, rear cross-traffic assist, adaptive cruise control, and active lane assist. Among the more clever features is an exit assist that warns of passing vehicles or cyclists when leaving the parked SUV; turn assist to warn of oncoming traffic when making a left-hand turn at an intersection; and sign recognition that can be on the lookout for speed-limit and no passing signs, along with school and construction zones.
We are quite fond of the outgoing Q5, noting its quiet, high-quality cabin and sports sedan-like driving dynamics. This upcoming 2018 Q5 looks promising, based on our initial impressions at the auto show.
We will know more after it goes on sale in April 2017, and we buy one to test.
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