Yes, but the majority of luxury crossovers weren’t built with that in mind. The Audi Q5 is not designed for real off-roading, however it can handle gravel roads and the occasional rough condition. Contrary to what the name might imply, even Sportback trims seem to prefer the highway over rougher terrain.
If you’re searching for a high-end alternative with style, comfort, and technology, the 2022 Q5 model is a great crossover with a starting price of $43,300. The Q5 is the ideal everyday car that can handle more than just pavement when necessary, but it won’t wow you on the road.
What factors determine the Q5’s off-roading capacity? Let’s go into the specifics.
In This Article...
Ground clearance
It’s crucial to understand ground clearance while looking for a reliable off-road vehicle. For off-roading, a minimum ground clearance of 8.8 to 10.8 inches is recommended.
The 8.2 inch ground clearance of the 2022 Q5 makes it unsuitable as an adventure vehicle. However, compared to, instance, an Audi A4, it can manage harder terrain.
Automobiles with greater ground clearance are less likely to sustain damage when navigating rougher roads or uneven terrain. It is evident that the Q5 is more suited for paved roads when you compare its ground clearance to that of high-end off-road SUVs (such the Land Rover Discovery, at 11.1 inches).
Torque
Another buzzword associated with cars is torque, but what is it? What does off-roading have to do with it?
When it comes to navigating the wild outdoors, a vehicle’s torque, which is a measure of its turning power, is more significant than speed.
automobiles with low-end torque
Off-roading conditions are better suited to engines with higher torque at lower rpm. When you’re turning, low-end torque keeps you moving along without moving too quickly.
For off-road conditions, the Q5’s torque provides it a respectable level of turning power.
Tires
Unfortunately, the standard 18-inch wheels and P235/60HR18 tires on the 2022 Q5 aren’t the best choice for off-roading. These all-season tires are more suitable for regular driving conditions. Although all-season tires are preferred for concrete roads, they can also withstand some gravel or dirt roads, rain, and light winter weather.
All-terrain, or A/T, tires are necessary for anything more strenuous. These tires are designed primarily for navigating unusual terrain and have a more aggressive tread pattern.
Highway travel can be done with A/T tires as well, but they will wear out more faster and probably cost more to replace. They will, however, improve the traction of your car when off-roading.
Angles
Angles are a significant consideration when determining a car’s off-roading capability. The approach angle and departure angle are the most crucial angles:
The Audi Q5’s approach and departure angles are 25 degrees and 27 degrees, respectively. Although these angles may manage a few slopes and dips, don’t expect to drive your Q5 up any rough mountaintop.
The Audi Q5 is it a 4×4?
The Audi Q5 might be for you if you prefer an SUV that will get you where you need to go with the least amount of hassle and that looks presentable. You won’t think twice about it because it feels so well built and has a ton of high-tech equipment.
However, it’s rather understated, and compared to comparable vehicles like the Mercedes GLC and Jaguar E-Pace, the Audi is considerably more understated and unassuming. In essence, if you’re Batman, the Audi Q5 is Alfred the Butleralways on hand to provide anything he needs and offer some soothing words of wisdom. Additionally, Audi also has the Q5 Sportback if you desire elegant appearances.
The inside of the Audi Q5 is not particularly energizing once you go inside. Although everything is logically organized and easy to use, it might use more color or some textured materials, like those found in Mercedes, to liven things up a bit.
But compared to the display on the Mercedes GLC, the basic 10-inch touchscreen is significantly simpler to use. Additionally, the Audi Q5 comes standard with a big digital screen in place of traditional gauges, which looks terrific.
Thankfully, none of these gadgets take up any interior room in the Audi Q5. There are several convenient cubby holes for you to keep family items, and the front and back seats have plenty of room for tall folks to stretch out comfortably. There is more room than in the BMW X3 for three people to travel side by side, and there is more than enough space in the trunk for a baby stroller, several large suitcases, or a set of golf clubs.
The Audi Q5 is one of the best SUV all-arounders on the market; it will carry out your requests, albeit in a somewhat characterless manner.
You’ll be happy to know that every Audi Q5 comes with four-wheel drive as standard if you intend to travel outside of the neighborhood golf course. It won’t be a Land Rover Discovery Sport, but it can handle the odd muddy field. However, the Audi Q5 is considerably more suited to highway cruising, particularly if you elect to spend additional money on the optional air suspension.
Even without this, the Q5 is quite quiet and comfortable whether you choose the 204 or 286 horsepower diesel or the 265 horsepower gasoline engine. Due to its elevated seating position and relatively large windows, it is also fairly simple to drive around town.
There are also two plug-in hybrid models available, which can go about 26 miles on electricity before switching back to gasoline. These models are great if you want to use a Q5 as a corporate car or prefer the notion of pure electric driving.
The Q5 is not nearly as entertaining to drive on a winding country road as the BMW X3 or the Jaguar F-Pace, but it is more comfortable to travel for extended periods of time, especially when the optional Tour Pack is installed, which enables the car to accelerate, brake, and steer for you on highways and in congested areas.
Unfortunately, this feature and several of the Audi Q5’s other showpieces are extra-cost, but don’t let that deter you. The Audi Q5 is a great family SUV if you don’ mind spending a little more for a few extras.
Why not purchase an Audi Q5?
The 2019 Audi Q5 has a lot to offer drivers this year, following a successful facelift for the previous model year. Numerous optional cutting-edge features are available, so you can simply tailor the Q5 to meet your specific requirements. The Q5’s lack of cargo room is readily overlooked due to its quiet and comfortable ride. The Q5’s price is the only significant drawback; expect to pay more than you would for, say, a brand-new Acura RDX.
Since there was a complete overhaul in 2018, there isn’t anything new this year. Although a few elements have been changed, the 2019 Audi Q5’s differences from the outgoing 2018 model are minimal. Changes will probably be minor until a mid-cycle update, which is rumored to be coming within the next model year or two.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2019 Audi Q5The Pros
1. A Comfortable Ride
The 2019 Audi Q5’s exceptionally smooth ride quality is one of the main factors that sets it apart. Only slight surface imperfections in the road can be felt; nothing even slightly jarring will ever enter the cabin. Although the adaptive suspension can be added for an additional improvement in ride quality, the base suspension already provides good support. You would typically need to upgrade to a higher trim level on many of the Q5’s rivals in order to enjoy the adaptive suspensions’ superior ride quality.
2. A Quiet Space
The Q5’s smooth ride is not simply made better by the cabin’s quiet atmosphere. When pushed hard to accelerate, the engine will make some noise, but normally it will be quiet. Even when you accelerate the car on the highway, wind and road noise seldom ever enter the cabin. No need to bother about turning up the audio system’s level just to hear what is playing.
3. A Long List of Advanced Functions
Look no farther than the 2019 Audi Q5 if you want a car that is loaded with the most cutting-edge security and entertainment amenities. The list of both standard and optional equipment for this car is quite long. Rain-sensing wipers, Bluetooth, a rearview camera, automatic emergency braking for speeds up to 52 mph, and smartphone app integration via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are all included in the base model alone. A digital gauge cluster, WiFi hot spot access, and navigation are all included in the Navigation and Telematics package, which is an add-on option.
4. All-wheel drive as standard
All-wheel drive is standard across the Audi Q5 lineup, which will be appreciated by people who live in regions where bad weather practically demands that cars have it. The Quattro, which was updated for the 2017 model year, distributes the majority of the power to the front wheels until the back wheels must engage. The distribution switch happens in a fraction of a second.
5. Brakes That Encourage Driver Trust
The 2019 Audi Q5’s braking system gives off the appearance of being quite secure in all of its capabilities. Under normal conditions, the pedal maintains a reasonable amount of stiffness. You can push the car as far as you wish without the brakes showing any symptoms of fading. Additionally, the Audi Q5 has a panic stop distance of just 114 feet from 60 mph, which is incredibly close for cars in this class.
6. Top-notch interior components
The majority of Audi enthusiasts will attest to the brand’s usage of seriously amazing high-quality materials inside its cars. The leather upholstery that decorates the cabin looks and feels premium, from the entry-level Premium trim to the top-of-the-line Prestige. There are no gaps in the panels, and nothing moves or rattles while driving. It is obvious from looking at the many components inside the Q5 that a great degree of craftsmanship was put into making this vehicle stand out.
7. Simple to Use Controls
Some high-end vehicles include controls that are difficult for the average driver to use and are downright perplexing. With the user-friendly 2019 Audi Q5, this is not the case. The controls are arranged logically along the dash, and the well-thought-out interface makes it easy to select the appropriate button on the touchscreen display. Even non-technical drivers shouldn’t have any trouble figuring out where each button is on the touchscreen’s menus.
8. A Roomy Cabin
Despite the Audi Q5’s small size, Audi makes the most of the available interior space. It’s an incredible accomplishment for a car in this class that the entire interior actually seems very spacious. Many of the Q5’s rivals struggle with inadequate rear leg room, but the Q5 offers enough of room for heads, shoulders, hips, and legs both up front and in the back. Even tall adults will have plenty of room in the back seats.
9. The MMI Informational System
The MMI infotainment system from Aud is widely regarded as one of the greatest ones now available on the market. It’s undoubtedly one of the 2019 Audi Q5’s most alluring technological features. The MMI infotainment system’s uncomplicated design makes it simple for customers of diverse backgrounds to locate and utilize various features. You can quickly navigate the menu selections and select what you want with a dial controller.
10. Outstanding Visibility
From the driver’s seat, vision is absolutely excellent because everything seems to have been placed to maximize visibility. The infotainment screen is positioned such that it does not obstruct the driver’s view and the roof pillars are thin. Due to the design of the roof pillars, rear visibility is also quite clear, so the driver rarely has to use the rearview camera that comes standard.
buying advice
Compare prices online before buying a new car to avoid paying too much. Find out the price in advance before entering a dealership. The following free services are suggested by us: Car Clearance Deals, NADAguides, CarsDirect, and Motortrend.
These free sites will provide you the best deals and provide you with numerous price quotations from rival businesses. Before visiting the dealer, you will be aware of the best pricing.
Reasons Not to Buy a 2019 Audi Q5The Cons
1. Constrained Cargo Room
The 2019 Audi Q5’s lack of cargo room, like that of some of its competitors, is one of its main drawbacks. There is only 26.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity available with all seats in position. This amount can be increased to 60.4 cubic feet by folding the back seats. Although this is about normal for the class, this year’s lineup of Audi vehicles also includes those that have additional cargo room.
A single engine alternative 2.
On the Audi Q5, only one engine is available for installation. This engine, a 2.0-L inline-4 cylinder turbocharged engine with 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, is not inherently a terrible one, but it makes modification challenging. Because other luxury cars of this caliber frequently offer at least one additional engine option, the Q5’s top competitors may outsell it in terms of sales.
3. Stability control interference
The 2019 Audi Q5’s stability control is pretty inconvenient due to the amount of disturbance it creates. When driving down twisting roads, the Q5 does handle well, but the stability control intervenes far too abruptly and strongly for the driver to properly test the car’s limitations. For the majority of drivers, this probably won’t be a problem, but for those who enjoy a good, exciting drive along a mountain route, it might start to irritate them.
4. The Organization of Small Item Storage Could Be Better
While some of the Audi Q5’s storage compartments are adequate in size, many of them appear to be situated in inconvenient locations. For instance, the driver may find it challenging to use the infotainment touchscreen display if the cupholders are placed in front of the front armrest.
How It Stacks Up to the Competition:
The new 2019 BMW X3 is a strong rival to the 2019 Audi Q5. Two potent engines with good fuel economy are available in the X3. Large amounts of space can be found throughout the cabin, and an incredible number of entertainment and safety technologies are available as options. However, the X3 lacks any smartphone app integration with Android Auto and has a few excessively sensitive driver assistance features.
The 2019 Jaguar F-Pace is another strong rival for the Audi Q5. The first generation’s new Jaguar F-Pace is only in its third year, but it already has a lot to offer. With regard to load capacity, it significantly surpasses most competitors, and this vehicle feels like a sedan thanks to its handling and brakes. For those wishing to save money on gas, there is a diesel alternative as well as a potent supercharged V6 engine. The inside materials have a somewhat poor appearance, and the ride is rough due to the larger wheels and excessive wind and road noise.
If you really require an engine that is more powerful than the one that is supplied, the 2019 Audi Q5 might not be the right car for you. Audi could significantly boost sales if it provided one or two additional engine options. Nevertheless, there are many positive aspects of the Q5, including the roomy interior and user-friendly MMI infotainment system.