In 2009 Audi introduced Q5 to the global market. Year in, year out, the Q5 was elbowing through the market, fighting against other small premium crossovers. Last year, this model was on the top of the sales list in the segment as it outsold other cars. In the US more than 200,000 people bought this vehicle, whereas 25,000 units were sold in Canada. This is a step forward for Audi, but they will have to work a lot to beat competitors such as Mercedes-Benz, Lexus or BMW.
So what sets the Q5 apart from other vehicles? Will the 2018 model have what it takes to continue this successful climb of Audi in the US and Canada? Well, first of all, German car maker offers a lot of space in the cabin for passengers while not jeopardizing trunk size. Secondly, the Q5 is fuel efficient with exciting to drive powertrains. These are only some of the perks, but let’s analyze the 2018 Audi Q5 in greater detail.
Production
The new factory will be opened in San Jose Chiapa in Mexico where the production of the new model will take place. Hundreds of Mexicans have been brought to Germany for training, and these will be the leaders in the new facility in which 4200 people will be employed. The German manufacturer plans to produce 150,000 vehicles per year.
Platform, Size, and Space
The modular MLB platform will underpin the 2018 Audi Q5. The car will differ from the A4, although this model is also based on the aforementioned platform. The Q5 will be 4,660 mm long, 1,890 mm wide and 1,660 mm tall with the wheelbase of 2,820 mm. In order to reduce weight as much as possible, the chassis will be produced out of materials such as aluminum and high-strength steel. When compared to the currently available version we will be getting 200 pounds lighter vehicle.
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As the dimensions will slightly grow, we expect it to offer additional space in the trunk which will jump from 19.4 to 21.5 cubic feet in the space vise everything will remain on the same level. The cargo capacity depends on the position of the rear seats, and this is why it can vary. If you fold your seats flat, you will get 54.7 cubic feet, which is less than the ongoing model. The only problem in the interior is legroom for the middle seat at the back since there is a large driveline tunnel hump which prevents the passengers from sitting comfortably.
2018 Audi Q5 Interior
The chocolate brown leather interior with wood trim and a light gray theme with aluminum details on the dashboard and quilted leather seats are offered. There are some metallic details on the switchgear, dash and steering wheel which make the Q5 look more fashionable. Overall the interior is beautiful but monotonous. However, it is equipped with numerous driver assistance features and other options as well.
The 2018 Audi Q5 comes with great set of options such as Multi-Media Interface (MMI) and Virtual Cockpit. You can control navigation, audio and car systems using this setup in multiple ways. There are some buttons on the steering wheel from which you can access the most important sound system controls. This is great as you will not need to lift your hands from the steering wheel. There is a second screen atop the dashboard with more controls as well as shortcuts to main functions. The touchpad is a nice addition to the MMI and it offers voice command with natural speech recognition, and you can also input information for route guidance.
Audi Q5 Engine
Under the hood, the Audi Q5 will come with a 2.0-liter turbocharged I4 engine that produces 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The engine will be mated to a seven-speed dual clutch “S-Tronic” transmission. In this combination, crossover goes from 0 to 60 mph in just under seven seconds, which is a modest score.
Another option is the new 3.0-liter V6 TDI diesel unit rated at 286 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque. Unlike the previous option, this powerplant will be paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. However, this engine will not be available in the US due to the diesel emission issue. There are also speculations about the hybrid version, but we will wait and see.
Driving Modes and Driving Experience
Three driving modes are offered on the 2018 Audi Q5 – Dynamic, Comfort, and Auto. The Dynamic mode firms up the adaptive dampers and steering whereas the transmission responses and throttle are sharpened. The car is really stable in corners with strong braking, and the driver has a good control of the vehicle. This mode is tremendous if you plan to drive your SUV off-road. If you opt for the Comfort mode, parking the car in a crowded lot is a piece of cake. Moreover, the steering is light, and you can go through any crowded area without any effort. Auto mode is something in between. You can drive smoothly, but if necessary you can always turn aggressively without any trouble.
2018 Audi Q5 Release Date
The 2018 Audi Q5 will hit the market in spring of 2017, and it has a lot to offer to the customers. The interior is of high quality and comfortable, and you also have a lot of cargo capacity if you need to transfer any loads. In addition, Virtual Cockpit is available, a feature great for models in Audi’s lineup. The disadvantages are the space for the passengers in the middle and lack of engine options. Despite that, we believe that the Q5 will continue the successful trend and that sales will increase even more showing better figures than the ongoing model.
