Take a look at the picture above. Do you think sophisticated and stylish, or dull and boring? In my opinion, both answers are correct. This 2023 Audi Q5 45 TFSI quattro sport is a luxury SUV offering in the very crowded mid-size SUV market.
The exterior of the Q5 is pleasant enough to look and the optional Mythos black metallic paint ($1,900) with the optional Black exterior styling package ($1,300) and optional 20″ Audi Sport alloy wheels in 5-V-spoke design, gloss anthracite black ($1,300) delivers a stylish blacked out look. From a practical standpoint the Q5 offers handsfree keyless entry on all four doors and keyless start, so no need to fumble around in your handbag to find the key.
The quattro (all-wheel drive) Q5 has ultra technology, which makes the drive system even smarter and more efficient than ever before without any loss of driving dynamics or composure according to Audi. The 7-speed S tronic automatic transmission is paired with 2.0 litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine with 183kW of power and 370Nm of torque. This delivers a claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of 6.3 seconds and a combined fuel consumption of 8.0L/100km and for my week with the Q5 I used 9.6L/100km of petrol.
The drive modes available include Efficiency, Comfortable, Auto, Dynamic, Individual, and Off-road with downhill decent control also fitted. Under the Individual mode you can adjust the Drive System and Steering between comfortable and more dynamic settings. I spent most of my time in Auto mode because the ride in the Q5 is comfortable enough, even if a little dull.
There’s a new-generation Q5 set to be revealed later this year with Australian deliveries expected sometime in 2025. Some of the Q5’s interior features are from older iterations making the interior a bit of a mashup of old and new. The 10.1-inch touchscreen is mounted high of the dash, but offers seamless connection to my wireless Android Auto, with wireless Apple CarPlay also available. The voice control works well for making calls and setting a destination on the sat nav and well for changing the radio station if you get the input right, much like most Audis that I have driven recently.
The wireless charging pad is positioned on a ledge that can be slid back under the arm rest and the design is a bit clumsy as the ledge is over the two cup holders when it’s not pushed pack. The other storage places on the centre console are a bit pointless and the cubby at the front of the centre console is not large enough for a phone even though there is one USB-A port and one 12V socket here. There is also one USB-C port located under the arm rest and I liked that the cup holders had grippy sides and a removable rubber base for easy cleaning of spills and there are good sized drink bottle storage cubbies in the front doors.
Behind the leather 3-spoke steering wheel is a full digital dash that can be configured to your personal preference. I’ve never been a fan though of the plastic wheel-mounted paddle shifters that are fitted to all Audis, except for the higher specced RS models. I liked inlays in the Aluminium rhombus material though and that there was only gloss black around the gear selector in this Q5.
Leather appointed seat upholstery is used throughout the Q5, making spills easier to clean up and the heated sport front seats were very supportive and comfortable. Both front seats have power adjustment for recline, forward/back, seat height front and rear and 4-way lumbar support with the driver’s seat also getting two memory positions.
I found that the rear seats were nice and cushy to sit in with ample head and leg room for me, but I did note that I would have liked some more under thigh support and taller individuals may find the rear seats a little tight on room. For younger passengers there are two ISOfix/three rear tether child seat restraint points and a huge panoramic glass sunroof with a blind.
The centre seat folds down as an arm rest with small drink bottle storage in the front of it, with good sized drink bottle storage cubbies in the rear doors. There’s a digital temperature control for rear passengers that can also be adjusted from the front of the vehicle, with two rear central air vents with individual direction control and one on/off roller switch. Below air vents are two USB-A ports and one 12V socket.
The Q5 is listed to have a gesture-controlled boot, but this didn’t work for me. The powered boot can also be open/closed using the button under boot lid and in cabin and opened only from the key fob. The boot is a good size and easily fitted my weekly shop that I was able to secure in place using the four substantial tie downs points and a cargo net. If more space is required the rear seats have a 40:60 split fold mechanism with a release in the boot and on the seat shoulders and you can separately lower the centre seat for long items. There are also two hooks and two lights in the boot space, but no 12V socket. A temporary use spare tyre located under boot floor.
This Audi Q5 has a 5-star ANCAP (2017) safety rating with an Adult Occupant Protection score of 93% (35.7 out of 38) and a Child Occupant Protection score of 86% (42.3 out of 49). Dual frontal airbags are standard as are side chest-protecting and side head-protecting airbags (curtains) for front and second row outboard positions.
These safety assist features are fitted as standard on the Q5; Audi pre-sense city with Autonomous Emergency Braking and pedestrian detection, Audi pre-sense front, Audi active lane assist, Collision avoidance assist, and Adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, which is easily operated using the stalk behind the steering wheel. The 360-degree overhead camera view combined with standard rear-view camera and front and rear parking sensors make parking the Q5 a synch. For convenience you also get auto LED headlights and tail lights including high beam assist and auto wipers.
The service interval for the Q5 45 TFSI is 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first, and a five-year service plan (maximum of 75,000km) can be purchased upfront for $3,520. Customers also have the opportunity to purchase Audi Advantage, an Audi-exclusive program that allows owners to purchase two-year packages to extend their servicing, warranty and roadside assistance. New vehicle customers are able to purchase two-year programs back-to-back at the time of purchase, or at a later date up to 8 years old, to extend the current manufacturer warranty beyond the current 5-year timeframe. This allows new vehicle owners the security of a full factory warranty for up to 9 years, which is transferable to future owners of their vehicle.
The Audi Q5 45 TFSI quattro sport is priced from $81,269 excluding on-road costs and as tested this flashcard worthy Q5 was priced at $86,829 excluding on-roads. However, for a limited time only, customers will receive reductions equal to the amount of GST on the manufacturer’s recommended list price across a wide range of new and demonstrators, including Q5 Audi models. You can shop for an Audi Q5 online or visit your preferred Audi dealer for more information.
| Pros | Cons |
| It’s stylish, but somewhat boring exterior design | It’s comfortable, but dull driving experience |
| The excellent wireless Android Auto | Some interior design features are clumsy |
| Lack of gloss black finishes in the cabin | Gesture open boot didn’t work for me |
Photographs by Driven Women Magazine.