What is it? The Q5 55 TFSI e quattro S-line Sportback (yes, that’s really the name) is the first plug-in hybrid variant of the mid-sized Q5, which happens to be Audi’s most popular model in Australia.
What does it cost? It’s $110,200 plus on-road costs for the so-called Sportback, an SUV with a coupe-like roofline. A more conventional square-back SUV is also available for $7300 less, though with slightly lower specification levels.
Rest-to-100 km/h time is a feisty 5.3 seconds.
What makes it go? This newest Q5 has a 2-litre turbo petrol engine (maximum: 195 kW and 370 Nm) linked to an electric motor (105 kW and 350 Nm) and a battery pack with a usable capacity of 14.4 kWh. Audi quotes a combined maximum output of 270 kW and 500 Nm, making it the most powerful Q5 ever. The all-electric range is just over 50 kilometres between charges. The rest-to-100 km/h time is a feisty 5.3 seconds, aided by all-wheel drive and a very slick seven-speed dual clutch transmission.
The interior is beautiful, as you might expect, and quipped with leading-edge technology.
Why would you want it? Because you have off-street parking with a wall charger, and a 50 km daily commute, which you want to complete as cleanly as possible. However, you also tend to do long trips on the weekend, often while towing (which tends to run down EV range far more quickly). Aside from that ideal case scenario, you could be tempted by the smoothness and silence while in full EV mode, the beautiful interior, the abundance of leading-edge tech (for safety, comfort, convenience and efficiency), the super sharp 360-degree cameras, and the big and clear interior screens with their easy-to-use interface. On the road the Q5 PHEV generally hides its 2 tonne-plus weight to give predictable handling and punchy performance. The latter is thanks to the quick response of the torquey electric motor, whether from rest or in the mid-range. Pleasingly, there’s no obvious hesitancy when switching between the petrol and electric power sources (far from a given with a hybrid). Clever software balances the two drivetrains as efficiently as possible over a route you’ve set in the satnav.
The Q5 is certainly one of the best plug-in hybrids on the market.
Why wouldn’t you? Because a PHEV is heavier, dearer and more complex than a normal internal combustion car (with resulting higher service costs), yet lacks many of the advantages of a pure EV. The battery pack in the Q5 PHEV gives a small reduction in luggage space, and when the battery range is depleted on a long run, you are carrying around an extra couple of hundred kg, which is going to waste fuel.
And in conclusion If you are interested in a PHEV, the Q5 is one of the better ones. Alternatively, you can wait until mid-year and sample the much-delayed Q4 EV. It’s the first Audi SUV built on a dedicated electric platform and, although smaller than the Q5 outside, has at least as much interior room.
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