The Virtual Cockpit System is one of the first features you’ll notice when you enter the Q5’s cockpit. This is similar to what we’ve seen on the Audi A4 Avant, A5, smaller Audi A3, and much larger Audi Q7, and it’s equally remarkable here. The virtual cockpit system, which replaces the traditional analogue instruments with a massive 12.3-inch display, is one of the best infotainment systems now available, in part because it’s so simple to customize.
On the 1,440 x 540 pixel screen, you can do everything from choose tunes from a paired phone to add a new destination to the satnav to improve your route visibility. With a few steering wheel clicks, though, it will also prominently display speed and revs.
The virtual cockpit technology is not a standard feature on the Q5, and depending on whatever model you add it to, it costs roughly $1600. Nevertheless, it is well worth the money. In a nutshell, it’s one of the greatest systems available and a significant differentiator between the Q5 and its rivals.
The vehicle I was driving also had a heads-up display (HUD), which is only available with the Technology pack, which costs either 1,100 or 1,600 and is included in the 1,150 Vision pack. I still found this function to be very helpful even though it isn’t quite as amazing as the virtual cockpit system. I didn’t have to take my eyes off the road because the HUD projected route instructions and speed information onto my field of vision after being adjusted via buttons on the steering wheel.
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Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support
Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported by the Audi Q5, as you might anticipate. Although I was unable to test Android Auto, CarPlay performed as expected. It only required a few simple steps to activate the system after USB-connecting my iPhone 7 to the computer.
There is one point of contention here: the Audi Q5 lacks a touchscreen, exactly like its siblings, so you must use a dial and actual menu buttons to navigate a system that was built primarily for touch. However, once you figure out how to use it, you’ll quickly forget that there isn’t a touchscreen.
Although Apple CarPlay and Android Auto appear wonderful on the Q5’s navigation screen, there is no way to transfer them to the virtual cockpit system display, which is a little more frustrating.
There is one more restriction to make clear regarding Apple CarPlay. The functionality works flawlessly on my modern iPhone 7, but it won’t function on iPhone 4s or earlier models.
Satellite navigation
Along with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the Audi Q5 also includes its own own software, which is generally very good. Although the automobile in Baja California lacked the most recent information or signal necessary to provide us with precise instructions, the maps and terrain were well-presented and simple to read.
It became apparent after poking the satnav for a while that it was essentially the same as what was offered in the A5 and A3. The satnav technology in those vehicles can rapidly and precisely generate concise routes and displays each step in excellent time.
General connectivity
It was easy to pair my phone with the car via Bluetooth, but Audi also offers other connectivity options. The Q5 features two USB ports so you can charge your gadgets or connect to Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, but if you’re willing to spend money, you can add a multitude of additional options.
The Audi Phone Box, which Audi offers as a one-stop shop in the Q5, pretty much handles everything you could possibly want in terms of connectivity. When you put your phone in there, the hands-free system on the Q5 will immediately connect to it, and it will also improve its signal using the antenna built into the vehicle. The Audi Phone Box can also wirelessly charge your phone if it is compatible, albeit this function is not yet accessible on Apple iPhones.
There are two USB charging ports, one auxiliary port, and one wired charging port on the Q5 for those who want to use physical media or wired charging. Additionally, there is room for two SDXC cards, and I was pleased to discover a CD player in the Q5.
Audi Connect
You can also subscribe to Audi Connect if you want to be as connected as possible. Audi Connect leverages the data connection of your phone to update you on everything from the weather to gasoline costs, much like MMI services from BMW and Mercedes. Additionally, you’ll be happy to know that it can connect to your Twitter account if you’re a frequent user of social media.
Again, I wasn’t able to test this out myself with the Q5 due to signal troubles, but I have used it in the UK before. Audi Connects is offered as a free, three-month trial on the Sport and higher-end Q5 models so you may evaluate its value before subscribing. It’s interesting to note that Audi offers a built-in SIM card with this mode, which covers all data costs.
Audio
The Bang & Olufsen sound system was an additional option for the Audi I was driving. The Bang & Olufsen system, which is a component of the 1,500 comfort and sound pack, has 19 speakers with a combined power rating of 755 watts, and overall, I’d say it’s worth the money. The system sounded professional throughout, providing a balanced sound even at extremely high volumes, whether it was playing the newest album by Justice or something more unpolished and unfinished.
Even so, I wouldn’t argue that its performance was on par with that of a Burmester system in a Mercedes S Class or a B&W setup in a Volvo XC90. Although the music was presented precisely and scientifically, it lacked the Mercedes system’s breathtaking scope, detail, or depth.
Despite this, this system offered a significant improvement over the traditional system, and it excelled in moody songs like Matt Lange’s “Lying to Myself.”
Is Apple CarPlay available on the 2017 Audi?
Apple CarPlay is either standard equipment on almost all of the new Audi cars in our showroom in the Los Angeles area or is an optional feature. The whole list is provided below, standard unless otherwise noted: 2017 – 2020 Audi A3. 2017 – 2021 Audi A4.
I have an Audi Q5, how can I acquire Apple CarPlay?
Press Bluetooth > Phone > Connect Mobile Device on your Audi’s touchscreen. Now the system will start looking for devices. Choose the device you want, then make sure the PINs on each of them match. Choose Pair > Allow > Use CarPlay on your iPhone.
Has the 2017 Audi S5 CarPlay?
The Audi S5 is the executive coupe for people who want to mix young sportiness and sophisticated sophistication, and it expertly achieves both goals.
You’ll observe that many of the towns in a nation with a long history, like Portugal, are constructed on strong, historical foundations with modernism piled on top. The character of the underpinnings is unaffected by what is on the surface.
This is the situation with the most recent version of Audi’s executive coupe, the S5: You get tried-and-true sophistication and sportiness, packaged in a contemporary package.
The sportier version of the automaker’s most recent A5 coupe, the 2017 Audi S5, is available. Under the hood, a 3.0-liter TFSI V6 with 354 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque is located. An eight-speed Tiptronic transmission distributes all of the power to all four wheels.
Dress for success
The S5 features a subtle, quiet-cool appearance that conveys enough elegance for any circumstance. Starting with the 3D wave line running across the car’s profile, the design of the car contains a number of subtle notes you might not initially detect, much like a robust wine. Audi literally gave the power line that runs from head to tail a twist. It has now developed into a severe wrinkle that runs from the vehicle’s head to its tail and is visible even in the gas cap.
The S5’s hood receives a similar makeover, with a dome carved with clear, undetectable air ducts that give the coupe a fast appearance even when it is still. The car has flared wheel arches that give it a broader, more earth-hugging appearance that highlights its sporting credentials.
Plenty up my sleeve
The S5’s interior is crammed with goodies without being overly cluttered. The dashboard is covered in a single, uninterrupted panel of brushed aluminum (or carbon fiber, if you choose), while the center console is covered in a second panel. The latter is very amazing, although it seems like it would eventually be vulnerable to scratches and dings.
There isn’t much more to complain about, so if it seems like a minor complaint, that’s because it is. Even the back seats can accommodate two adults who are fully grown with satisfaction, and both the driver and passenger chairs are as cozy and supportive as you could hope for. When it comes to housing vehicle controls and entertainment features, the center console’s design is unobtrusive.
With the Plus option, the in-dash computer comes with an Audi connect SIM card that is permanently installed and provides users with access to a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. From the start, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported, and an Audi app lets you use various car features on your phone, smartwatch, or even Apple TV.
The S5 now has the Audi Virtual Cockpit, a 12.3-inch TFT digital display cluster that shares many MMI features and puts them directly in front of the driver, in addition to the 8.3-inch navigation and infotainment screen.
Business time
The majority of the trip through Porto, Portugal is either uphill or downhill, through winding cobblestone roads that are oppressive to spines, regardless of your current suspension, making driving through any section of the city scary. However, as I drove outside of town, the S5’s sport suspension did all it could to lessen the ear-splitting vibrations. The S5 could essentially unbutton its collar on the roads going away from blue-tiled structures and riverboats there.
The S5’s suspension is capable of handling both since it continuously assesses the situation and makes adjustments in line with the selected drive mode. If you choose softness, the dampers will smooth out any bumps in the road; if you choose sport, the S5 will lock in and use its five-link front and rear suspension to power through the turns.
With 350 horsepower available, there is more than enough power to enjoy oneself, and the S5 does so with diligence. It more closely resembles a strong shove that immobilizes you than a gut-punch. The smart sports car is allowed to display some of its movements from the S5’s great driving position, wrapping through corners with control and just enough roll to soften the ride through bends.
Conclusion
The result is a living, mature vehicle with enough fun to keep drivers interested and enough intelligence to be taken seriously when necessary. It stands at an unusual intersection: The world of crazy, boy racer, Hot-Wheel dreams on the left is entertaining, but it leaves little room for reality. The realm of subdued, executive sedans that exude authority, luxury, and comfort is to the right.
The Audi S5 chooses its own route through the center. It’s not the only vehicle in its class that can do thisthe BMW 4-Series comes to mindbut it does so with excellent balance as it straddles the line between the two worlds. Calmly cool. Avoid being silly.
Audi suggests that the 2017 S5’s price will be slightly more than the $53,100 suggested retail price (MSRP) now in effect. This fall, it will continue to map numerous European routes, and soon after, it is anticipated to cross the Atlantic.
Does the 2017 Audi Q5 have a touch screen?
Unlike many other car infotainment systems, this one does not include a touchscreen. Instead, it uses a trackpad, a series of buttons, and a main control knob.
Is Apple CarPlay available on the 2017 Audi a5?
Over the past two years, Audi has quietly updated its lineup, with all new models including cutting-edge technology like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the virtual cockpit. While vehicles like the Audi Q5, A3, and A4 are practical and enjoyable to drive, they are not intended to be quick or beautiful. Despite this, a classy interior isn’t everything. And the Audi A5 fills that role, sort of.
With the same luxurious interior we’ve come to expect from Audi in 2017, the new A5 appears to be a vehicle that can devour backroads and clock up the kilometers. Is it the complete set? To learn more, read our review of the new Audi A5.
Audi A5 Sportback review: Design
The Mercedes C Class, E Class, and even the BMW 5 Series are overshadowed by the new Audi A5 as the best-looking saloon available today. It stands out from the front with a sizable chrome grille and incisive lighting that set it apart from the competition.
How can I tell if the Audi I own has CarPlay?
Most vehicles made in 2014 or after feature Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. You can check the user manual or conduct a Google search using the year, make, and model of your car to find out if it has Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. If your car doesn’t have a wireless dock, you can alternatively use the primary USB connector to connect your phone and view the menu. If your vehicle is equipped with it, an app will appear on the screen and request your permission from your phone. Although these apps are incredibly user-friendly, if you need help, Google (and YouTube!) are always available.
When you connect in your phone, some automobile systems (like Hyundai’s) instantly open Apple CarPlay or Android Auto; however, other systems require you to activate them through the infotainment system (BMW, for example). The technologies are there in your car if CarPlay or Android Auto are listed on the Monroney window sticker, although you might need to look for them.
The Pioneer AVH-3300NEX ($529.97 on Amazon) is a nice system to look into if you’re upgrading your current car but only have one installation slot.
Can Audi MMI be upgraded to Apple CarPlay?
It is an onboard variation of Apple’s iOS software created specifically to improve connectivity between your iPhone and the in-car entertainment system.
Does Audi have Apple CarPlay?
Yes, it is the answer. You can control the primary applications on your iPhone or iPad via the control knob, your multifunction steering wheel, or voice command thanks to Audi MMI technology. As your new driving partner, Siri helps you complete tasks while keeping your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.
By doing the following, you can link Apple CarPlay to the Audi MMI system:
- After making sure that Bluetooth is turned on for your iPhone, select “Phone” from the MMI’s main menu.
- Select “Connect mobile device” from the menu.
- Once it displayed on the screen, select your device and permit pairing with your Audi.