2021 Audi Q5 delivers sharp design, enhanced performance

(June 30, 2020) HERNDON, Va. — Combining sporty driving performance and SUV versatility, the 2021 Audi Q5 model line continues to set a new standard in the luxury SUV segment. The updated Q5 models, including the plug-in hybrid Q5 as well as the SQ5, combine sharper design with excellent every day usability and offer a larger array of infotainment and driver assistance features to cement their position as the brand’s bestselling SUV lineup.

The 2021 Q5 model line has been updated to feature the brand’s new SUV design language. The octagonal Singleframe grille is now thinner and wider than its predecessor and the side air intakes are taller with sporty trapezoidal inserts. From the profile, the Q5 has a lighter look thanks to the redesigned side sill. At the rear of the vehicle is a new trim element connecting the taillights and a new horizontal diffuser insert.

The Q5 45 TFSI model comes standard with the Advanced line exterior, which includes vertical chrome strips in the grille and silver accents in the front and rear bumpers. The Q5 PHEV model comes standard with the S line exterior which includes a sportier honeycomb structure in the Singleframe grille and a more aggressive front and rear diffuser design. The SQ5 offers an available black optic package, which adds matte black roof rails, high-gloss black exterior mirror housings and black exterior accents along with 20” 5-V-spoke-star design wheels in bi-color finish with summer tires (all-season 20” tires optional).

Additional exterior highlights include:

    •    Q5 models receive standard 18” 5-arm-star design wheels, or available 19” 5-double-arm design wheels in bi-color finish, or 20” 5-arm-design wheels.

    •    PHEV models receive standard 19” 5-double-spoke-star design or available 20” 5-double-spoke star design wheels in bi-color finish.

    •    The Q5 PHEV also offers an available Sport plus package which includes adaptive air suspension, 20” 10-spoke-star design wheels in platinum finish with summer tires, front sport seats, S line leather/Dinamica seats, black headliner, and brushed aluminum inlays.

    •    SQ5 models receive standard 20” 10-spoke-star-design wheels in platinum finish with summer tires (all-season 20” tires optional).
   
    •    New for 2021 SQ5 models, customers can choose 21” 5-arm-polygon design wheels with summer tires, or as an upgrade to the Black optic package, 21” 5-V-spoke-offset design wheels in bi-color finish with summer tires.
   
    •    Exclusive for the SQ5 is an available Audi accessories sport exhaust with quad hot pipes and increased exhaust note (available as a port installed accessory or can be purchased through an Audi dealer).



New for the 2021 model year, the Q5’s 2.0-liter TFSI engine receives a 13 horsepower increase and a 12v mild-hybrid electric vehicle system to deliver 261 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, and now sprints from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds, a reduction of 0.2 seconds.

The PHEV model is also equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder TFSI engine coupled with an electric motor that sits between the engine and transmission, producing a total combined system output of 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, and sprints from 0-60 in 5.0 seconds. The Q5 and Q5 PHEV’s four-cylinder engine is mated to a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and quattro all-wheel drive.

The SQ5 carries over the 3.0-liter TFSI V6 engine which produces 349 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, now allows the SUV to sprint from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds, 0.4 seconds quicker than the 2020 model. The eight-speed Tiptronic transmission is well suited for the low-end torque of the turbocharged V6 and its eight gears provide quick, smooth shifts. The SQ5 also comes standard equipped with adaptive dampers and offers an available air suspension which allows for adjustment of the ride height in addition to the firmness of the dampers, controllable via the standard Audi drive select. Available dynamic steering offers a variable steering ratio that adjusts based on vehicle speed and the Audi drive select setting.

The interior of the new Q5 models includes greater attention to detail through functional refinements and additional driver focused technologies. Horizontal lines dominate the interior leading to the large 10.1 inch MMI touchscreen (1,540 x 720 pixels) which serves as the focal point of the dashboard. This MMI is backed by the all-new MIB 3 infotainment system which delivers drivers a better overall user experience through faster processing speeds and higher graphical resolution.

Additional interior refinements include new walnut wood inlays and leather seating surfaces, now with contrast stitching, as well as standard high-gloss black interior trim elements. On SQ5 models, electronic steering column adjustment is now standard.