Audi Q5 review – performance and 0-60
Most Q5s are fairly light by class standards, helping along its performance figures
Thanks to a competitive set of engines and a weight reduction over the previous generation, the Q5 is surprisingly brisk, even in lowly diesel forms. Even the dowdy 2.0TDI will hit 62mph in 7.6sec, while the 2.0TFSI petrol drops that figure to an impressive 6.1sec.
Both engines are extremely hushed and well insulated, and offer flat and broad torque curves, helping keep the Q5 feeling frisky at most speeds. The dual-clutch transmissions are also well calibrated, and aside from some delay to initial throttle inputs as the clutches engage, are a good example of the breed.
Plug-in hybrid models are also brisk with their electric augmentation – the 50TSFIe will do the sprint in the same 6.1sec, the extra weight obviously cancelling out the extra power, but the 55TFSIe will reach 62mph in just 5.3sec, only 0.2sec behind the SQ5. We’ve yet to drive the new plug-in models, so will have to reserve judgement on final calibration until we have, but the extra 250kg the plug-ins have to lug around is unlikely to go unnoticed.
