Four years into its second era, it is midcycle refresh time for Audi’s compact Q5 SUV. That means tweaked entrance and rear fascia designs with new head- and taillights, up to date tech and, most apparently, a bigger give attention to the most recent member of the household: the 2021 Audi Q5 55 TFSI E Quattro — which I’ll simply be calling the Q5 plug-in hybrid for brevity. The Q5 PHEV slots between the bottom Q5 45 TFSI and the high-performance SQ5, providing a versatile stability of energy, financial system and refinement.Like the bottom Q5, the PHEV is powered by a 248-horsepower, 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. It rides on the identical multilink unbiased suspension as the usual mannequin, although its parts are retuned barely to compensate for the additional weight of the hybrid system. Aside from the presence of two filler doorways — one for gasoline on the passenger facet and one for the electrical charging port on the driving force’s — the PHEV is nearly indistinguishable from its extra standard counterparts.
The Q5 PHEV makes use of the bigger 13.8-inch brakes from the SQ5 to compensate for the additional weight whereas stopping.
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The plug-in hybrid’s gasoline engine is mated with a 141-hp electrical motor that reinforces whole output to 362 hp, simply edging out the SQ5’s 349-hp V6 and making the PHEV probably the most highly effective Q5 variant within the lineup. However, its 4,619-pound curb weight — about 331 kilos greater than the SQ5 — implies that it is much less nimble than the S mannequin, and subsequently slower to 60 mph. The PHEV does the deed in 5.0 seconds, versus 4.7 ticks within the SQ5. The PHEV’s 2,000-pound towing capability can be decrease than the 4,400 kilos the opposite Q5 fashions can pull.A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission sends the PHEV’s 369 pound-feet of torque via the Q5’s Quattro With Ultra all-wheel-drive system — Audi-speak for front-biased AWD with on-demand rear axle engagement. This setup balances traction while you want it however returns improved gas financial system when you do not. And for snowy or dirt-road circumstances, the Quattro system has selectable off-road programming that engages the rear axle extra liberally.
2021 Audi Q5 has a compelling plug-in powertrain possibility
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Connecting the Q5 PHEV to a Level 2 (240-volt) charger juices its 14.1-kilowatt-hour battery pack in about 2.5 hours. Plugging into a daily ol’ 110-volt outlet stretches out to an in a single day cost. With a full battery, the Q5 boasts 19 miles of electrical vary.
Unlike many plug-in crossovers on this class, the Q5 PHEV’s battery does not reduce into the cargo space — all 25.85 cubic ft behind the rear seats are intact. The gasoline tank needed to shrink, nevertheless, with the intention to make room for the hybrid parts, so it now holds 14.3 gallons versus 18.5 within the different Q5s.The Q5 PHEV makes up for its smaller tank with a big enchancment in gas financial system relative to its siblings. Taking under consideration the electrical vary on the entrance finish, Audi estimates 43 miles per gallon equal within the metropolis, 64 MPGe on the freeway and 50 MPGe mixed. That’s greater than double the 25 mixed mpg for the bottom mannequin and 20 mixed mpg for the SQ5.Hitting the highway in EV mode with a full battery, I’m capable of hit precisely 20 miles of electrical vary because of a lightweight foot and easy driving type, even with a few steep hills on my route. In its EV mode, the PHEV is extraordinarily quiet, with only a slight hum from the powertrain that turns into a contact extra outstanding throughout regenerative deceleration. There’s loads of energy in EV mode for working errands, and the electrical acceleration is powerful and easy off the road. Two thumbs up.Like any good hybrid, the combustion engine does not keep on as soon as it wakes up; it shuts down throughout coasting and idling to preserve gas, which is nice. Rolling onto the throttle, the electrical motor handles the primary few ft of acceleration whereas the gasoline engine fires up, after which the 2 motors seamlessly work collectively whereas the Q5 is buzzing alongside. As lengthy as your inputs are comparatively easy, you will not even discover.The included charging cable contains adapters for 110- and 240-volt dwelling connections. Using the latter is very really helpful.
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Stomping the gasoline pedal in Hybrid mode offers you the total surge of electrical torque throughout acceleration, adopted by a momentary dip in energy whereas the gasoline engine catches up. Repeating this experiment in Sport mode, the gasoline engine stays on more often than not and there is no transition throughout electrical motor handoff — the SUV merely launches with out the bizarre chug.So, simply go away it in Sport on a regular basis, proper? Well, no. This transition hiccup is barely noticeable throughout mat-the-pedal, full-throttle acceleration. The different 99% of the time, the hybrid SUV is completely easy and assured in its acceleration. So drive like a traditional particular person — or activate Sport mode earlier than your stoplight drag race — and you may probably keep away from this downside. Plus, Sport mode considerably cancels the Q5 PHEV’s largest benefit over its siblings: gas financial system.On paper, the 50-MPGe Audi appears to be like much less environment friendly than the 60-MPGe BMW X3 xDrive30e and the 68-MPGe Mercedes GLC350e. In actuality, the 2020 model-year Q5 PHEV with the very same powertrain boasted an EPA-estimated 65 MPGe — fairly near that of the GLC — and Audi tells me that it merely adjusted the way it estimates gas financial system for the refreshed 2021. Audi says the brand new numbers needs to be extra reasonable, which is nice, since I’ve at all times discovered PHEV SUV numbers to be just a little optimistic anyway.As is commonly the case with PHEVs, your mileage will fluctuate relying on how typically you cost and the way far you drive. On shorter journeys with a full battery, for instance, I can see over 100 MPGe. On longer journeys that deplete the battery, nevertheless, I solely common round 30.1 MPGe. All instructed, I ended up with a mean of about 41.3 MPGe after just a few days of testing, which included a lot of time in Sport mode on hilly roads. You might find yourself anyplace in that vary, however I think about that almost all Q5 PHEV patrons who cost day by day and commute round 15-30 miles per day will find yourself kind of in keeping with Audi’s 50-MPGe estimate.Many small enhancements to the Q5’s already glorious cabin tech make the whole expertise far more satisfying.
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Cabin and security tech revisions The MMI Touch dashboard infotainment will get a brand new, 10.1-inch middle display screen and now options particular menus for monitoring and adjusting the PHEV’s recharge schedule. Overall, the up to date cabin tech is quicker and extra responsive than earlier than, with a brand new era of silicon powering Audi’s neatly designed interface. Drivers can use Audi’s onboard navigation software program or join their telephone through a USB for Android Auto or wirelessly for Apple CarPlay.The Q5 can be out there with Audi’s 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit Plus full-digital instrument cluster, which places onboard navigation, audio supply info and superior journey pc monitoring close to the driving force’s line of sight and at their fingertips. A full-color head-up show can be out there.On the protection facet, Audi Pre Sense City collision mitigation is customary tools for all Q5 fashions, as are rear cross visitors detection with auto-braking, lane departure warning, auto excessive beams and parking distance sensors. My instance included optionally available adaptive cruise management with visitors jam help, lane-keeping steering help with hands-on wheel detection and top-view digital camera system that helps with protected and exact parking.The Q5 PHEV will face stiff competitors over the subsequent 12 months, but it surely feels as much as the problem.
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Pricing and competitorsThe 362-hp Q5 PHEV is extra highly effective than the 288-hp BMW X3 PHEV and the 315-hp Mercedes GLC PHEV, but it surely does come at a slight effectivity value. Other plug-in options hitting the highway subsequent 12 months embrace Lincoln’s Corsair Grand Touring and an entire bunch of premium absolutely electrical crossovers for drivers prepared to completely embrace EV driving, like Audi’s personal E-Tron. The 2021 Audi Q5 45 TFSI begins at $44,395 (together with a $1,095 vacation spot cost) for the bottom Premium mannequin. The Q5 55 plug-in hybrid climbs to $52,995 on the similar trim stage, an $8,600 value hike. Audi estimates that the PHEV qualifies for as much as $6,712 in federal tax incentives, which ought to soften the blow considerably. Plus, relying in your charging and driving habits, there’s great potential for financial savings on the pump that might make the PHEV even cheaper over time than the bottom mannequin.My top-trim Navarra Blue metallic Prestige tester packs all of the upgraded cabin tech, driver-assistance goodies, a Bang & Olufsen premium audio system and extra, and rings up at $63,190 earlier than incentives. That’s about $3,000 greater than a comparably outfitted X3 PHEV, however on par with the price of the plug-in GLC350e.The core Q5 has at all times been a stable selection within the compact luxurious house, and the 2021 model-year upgrades make it extra compelling. Electrification and hybridization solely make the Q5 PHEV really feel extra luxurious, quieting down the powertrain and including a simple smoothness to the expertise.