2023 Audi Q5 plug-in hybrid new car review
This luxury German marque is bucking the trend and is launching a new type of SUV that other rivals have kicked to the kerb.
It’s fast, super efficient and corners beautifully.
Throw in classic good looks and generous standard equipment and the appeal of Audi’s new plug-in hybrid Q5 looks obvious.
But has Audi read the room? Or, more importantly, the Australian car buying market?
Plug-in hybrids (or PHEVs) use a combustion engine – a 195kW/370Nm 2.0-litre turbo petrol in this case – plus an electric motor to deliver, in theory, the best of both worlds.
The plug-in can run on electricity alone for a claimed 55km, while a petrol tank means no range anxiety on long journeys. Official fuel consumption is just 2.0L/100km.
But Australians haven’t embraced the idea. In the first half of 2023, we’ve bought more than 10 EVs for every PHEV.
Mercedes-Benz and Kia have gone cold on plug-in hybrids, but Audi’s doubled down. This new all-wheel-drive Q5 55 TFSIe will soon be joined by a larger Q8 plug-in, showing Audi has faith in the tech’s future.
The average Australian daily commute is a little more than 30km, so the Q5 PHEV’s all-electric range from its 14.4kWh battery covers town life.
A household socket gives full charge in five to eight hours, while a 7.2kW wall box (included, but you must pay installation) knocks it over in two and a half hours.
It all sounds rosy, as does the extra muscle the 105kW/350Nm electric motor brings. Working with the petrol four-cylinder there’s a chunky 270kW and 500Nm in play, propelling the Q5 from standstill to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds. That’s only 0.2 seconds slower than Audi’s SQ5 performance car.
Audi’s Matthew Dale says the Q5 PHEV is where “performance meets efficiency,” and it’s been priced accordingly. The more practical wagon version is $102,900, the sleeker Sportback $110,200.
That’s a big leap over the $67,900 front-drive Q5 diesel.
But the Q5 PHEV has a very different personality to the diesel. It’s crushingly fast and rapid to respond thanks to the combined electric and turbo petrol hammer blow.
The petrol fires to life in a refined, barely noticeable way, although it did emit a quiet whistle at times. Otherwise it proved quiet and typically Audi smooth.
If you’re easy on the throttle, the set-up defaults to electric-only, allowing you to near-silently plod through town. Acceleration isn’t as sharp as a full EV, but the Q5 PHEV maintains its responsiveness even without the petrol engine kicking in.
Using just battery power, our mix of urban and country roads saw consumption a bit over Audi’s claim. Our true range was 43km rather than 55km, but longer in the city may have improved things.
Rather cleverly, a “control” mode considers your planned navigation route, traffic and types of road, then custom plans the best use of energy. It basically saves battery power for town use, and aims to arrive at your destination (or charging station) with a near drained battery.
Our petrol use was 6.2L/100km over a 250km journey, the battery long exhausted. For reference, I returned 4.7L/100km driving Audi’s Q5 diesel the next day.
Propulsion aside, the Q5 PHEV’s a lovely all-rounder. It feels its weight (2075kg) in tighter turns, but otherwise corners beautifully with easy, responsive-enough steering.
The ride quality’s generally good but not the last word in plushness over bumps, thanks to skinny tyres on 20-inch alloys. Adaptive air suspension’s a $4400 option but it didn’t revolutionise things.
Equipment levels are generous. The Q5’s interior isn’t as cutting edge as recently updated prestige rivals but it’s intuitively laid out and easy to use. The digital driver’s display behind the steering wheel is clear and cleverly customisable.
Standard features include leather-appointed heated power seats, a panoramic sunroof, hands-free electric tailgate, 10-1-inch infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and wireless charging.
Sliding back seats boost versatility, and rear occupants get decent head space with average legroom. The PHEV’s battery drops the Q5’s boot from 520 to 465 litres, plus you’ve got a charge cable to haul around.
VERDICT 3.5/5
A brilliantly executed PHEV with strong performance and refinement. The price jump over petrol and diesel Q5s is challenging, but with lots of urban driving it just about makes sense.
AUDI Q5 55 TFSIe VITALS
PRICE: About $110,000 drive-away ($117,000 drive-away Sportback)
ENGINE: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol with electric motor, 270kW and 500Nm (combined)
WARRANTY/SERVICE Five-year, unlimited km/$3520 for 5 years
SAFETY Eight airbags, front and rear auto emergency braking, lane-keep and blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, park assist and turn assist
THIRST 2.0L/100km. 55km electric range
CARGO 465 litres
SPARE Tyre repair kit
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