There are several ideas that run through my head while I steer the brand-new 2018 Audi Q5. I’m more than 20 miles from any populated area. I don’t have a source of water and no spare tire. The soft sand doesn’t appear to be incredibly deep, but I do not want to be the first journalist to crash this thing. A low-range transfer case is not present on this inconspicuous motorway cruiser, a pseudo-SUV outfitted with 20-inch on-road tires. The only safety measures I can take are to lock the optional air suspension in Allroad mode and turn off ESP while keeping a finger near the hill descent control button. Lift adds a crucial 1.77 inches of ground clearance while Allroad activates traction control and torque vectoring.
Third gear was engaged to maintain momentum and keep the Audi’s nose up as it descended the slope into the molasses in second gear. The Q5 sways and rolls but performs admirably. A ford now appears. The trail and the slowly flowing river merge when I zoom in. I find a tiny green island where I can park. The good news is that. Looking downstream reveals the bad news first, when a split rock formation makes the riverbed smaller until it vanishes into the late-afternoon haze. The thermometer reads 118 degrees, as vultures soar overhead. Welcome to Baja California, a place that is somewhat off the beaten path.
It’s time to make a decision, but neither one is promising: return to my starting point, three hours distant by wilderness paths, or go on into undiscovered terrain, with the shore near San Pedrito only seven hours away on foot. I decide to put the Q5’s all-wheel drive to the test as the Eagles’ “Hotel California” plays through the speakers for the 37th time (Audi, er, prioritized the track in the test cars’ infotainment system because the real thing is allegedly just down the road in Todos Santos). The Q5 treads water successfully to the next safe photo opportunity.
More than 1.5 million Audi Q5s were sold during the first generation, making it one of the company’s main cash cows. Rupert Stadler, the company’s chairman, responded when asked why the new model resembles the old one so much: “Never replace a winning team. As a result of up to 30 innovative assistance technologies, the 2018 Q5 is also significantly lighter, more efficient, safer, and simpler to operate.
The new Q5, which was designed by Wolfgang Egger rather than his more avant-garde successor Marc Lichte, is a lovely and well-balanced car like the A4 and A5 introduced before it. But given how quickly things are changing in our industry, I’m unsure how well this crossover will perform over the course of its seven-year lifespan. The body, which is heavily made of aluminum, has lost up to 200 pounds, and its drag coefficient has decreased to a strong 0.30 while its dimensions and packing have remained almost intact. In the meantime, the number of on-board bytes has at least tripled, all models other than the V-6 now have fuel-efficient, on-demand Quattro all-wheel drive, and the majority of the engines have been modified to deliver better performance while using less gasoline. The primary innovation, according to Audi, is a completely adjustable air suspension system that enhances both off-road capability and ride and handling.
The 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline I-4 with 248 horsepower and the 3.0-liter turbodiesel V-6 with 282 horsepower are the two engines available for the test cars. The gasoline engine, which is actually a fine option for the new Q5, is likely to gain popularity now that “diesel” has earned a bad reputation. The 2.0 variant can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 6.3 seconds, reach a top speed of 148 mph, and average 41.4 mpg despite the four-273 cylinder’s lb-ft of torque not being as powerful as the six-457 cylinder’s lb-ft. The four-cylinder engine’s particular desire to crank, its smooth operating qualities, and its quick throttle response are all not depicted in those measurements. The I-4 is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, while the V-6 has an eight-speed automatic transmission. As soon as you let up on the gas, both transmissions go into neutral to save fuel.
The Carretera Transpeninsular, popularly known as Highway 1, is the only way to traverse the gator-back mountains that make up lower Baja. You can start looking for a gravel route descending down to the Valle de La Laguna only after El Triunfo. This is a beige-brown hotplate that is covered in shrubs, perennials, and 120 different types of cacti for the most of the year. However, as the rainy season draws to a close, even the usually desolate plains begin to glow with lush green glory. Avoiding polished sharp-edged stones, earthquake-like cracks, and washed-out ruts is necessary when navigating the second- and third-rate routes. Wheels, tires, and the underbody are all constantly at risk from all of these. Crawling pace is the best way to move safely under these circumstances, especially for a dedicated city slicker like this.
Without the essential adaptable air suspension, the Q5 would not have been able to travel off-road. There are five distinct trim heights available. In comparison to what the normal suspension provides, Normal is 0.86 inches lower, Dynamic lowers the ground clearance by another 0.6 inches, and Cargo lowers the loading lip by 2.16 inches. Allroad (active up to 50 mph) raises the body by almost an inch, and Lift (active up to 20 mph) places an even larger gap between the floorpan and the pavement at 1.77 inches. The system also functions as a dynamic anti-roll bar, self-leveling device, anti-squat feature, and anti-dive feature. Air damping enhances the low-speed ride quality even when used in conjunction with the S-Line sports pack and a set of low-profile tires. Additionally, it ensures a flatter cornering stance at high speeds while softening the response to sharp edges. The brand-new aluminum five-link rear axle further strengthens the directional stability and increases the roadholding limit at the same time.
An updated head-up display, dual-mode virtual cockpit instruments, and MMI “all-in-touch,” which is Audispeak meaning better voice control, touchpad operation, and free-text search, are just a few of the technical advancements inside the cockpit. The Q5 is an amalgam of Q7 and A4/A5 parts designed for easy access. A WLAN hot spot, internet media streaming, and Apple Car Play/Android Auto are some of the connectivity highlights.
No sport differential serving as an on-demand torque distributor, no button to permanently engage four-wheel drive, and no extra-tall first gear for those slow-motion rock climbs are there. The automobile navigates the dips on its own as I carefully step over the jagged stones and keep a safe distance from any potential drama. I keep the transmission in first from start to finish, which results in erratic traction and excessive rpm for accurate throttle modulation. It feels like a significant step towards doom to exceed 15 mph. One push of the control button stops the vehicle’s speed in the 3- to 20-mph range on steep downhill stretches. This is an adrenaline-pumping journey, and the new Audi Q5 performs admirably.
I concentrate on the new electrically assisted power steering as we return to Los Cabos. These gadgets were once a vague and manufactured no go. But now that even Porsche has shifted to the chip-controlled approach, the positive vibe factor has significantly increased. Audi will install the more advanced dynamic steering, which adjusts rate and effort in accordance to speed and steering angle, if you so want. The helm will automatically alter your line at the adhesion limit to improve active safety and vehicle dynamics. But similar to the sport differential, I wouldn’t choose this option before further testing the trick steering.
How about more energy and less pollution? A 340-horsepower gasoline engine will be available in the U.S. while a 350-horsepower V-6 diesel engine will be available in Europe for the brawny SQ5. We should eventually see a top-of-the-line Q5 RS with a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6 and 450 horsepower.
The plug-in hybrid, which has the well-known 252-hp 2.0-liter four complemented by a potent electric power pack, is still unverified. There is probably not enough room for a smaller crossover battery-electric vehicle because the 2018 e-tron, formerly known as the Q6, is loosely based on the Q5. According to rumors circulating in Ingolstadt, the same combination of parts will result in the ESS, short for Electric Super Saloon, which resembles a Q6 coupe in appearance. Apparently solely for China, a long-wheelbase Q5 is also in the works. Prices? Almost unaltered, unless you give in to the temptations of the enlarged option list.
In This Article...
Is there a spare tire included with the Audi Q5?
A spare tire is not at all a standard feature of the 2019 Audi Q5. The Q5 contains a tire inflator kit and a slime kit in the back that can fix tiny tire punctures until you can get to a shop to get a new one installed.
Has the 2021 Q5 got a spare tire?
Your wheels and alignment may be subjected to additional stress if you drive on a flat or underinflated tire. Don’t make any other trips in your Q5 PHEV until you can get the flat tire repaired or replaced, even if it may occasionally be necessary to drive a short distance on a flat tire to get to a safe location.
Quick remedies have their pros and cons. Don’t rely on them to keep you on the road for too long; they’ll just assist you get your Audi Q5 PHEV to Firestone Complete Auto Care. A Bridgestone or Firestone tire warranty may potentially be nullified by using a temporary sealant.
Don’t depend too much on your spare tire. You might get a small spare tire with your 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV. A spare tire is distinct from a regular tire and is only intended to be driven a specific distance at lower speeds.
Are extra tires provided with Audis?
To prevent drivers from being stranded in the event of a flat tire, the Audi A4 comes equipped with a full-size spare tire. It is safer to drive on a full-size spare than a donut spare or fix-a-flat kit at higher speeds and over longer distances.
A spare tire is there on Audi SUVs?
Do not utilize the little spare tire that likely resides inside your 2021 Audi Q7 as a substitute for having your tire repaired. It is only designed to be used for a short period of time.
Is there a spare tire on the 2018 Audi Q7?
No, the 2018 Audi Q7 does not come with a spare tire.
For up to 100 miles after a puncture, run-flat tires can still be used. On the 2.0T Premium base trim, they are an optional extra. In order to fix a ruptured tire, Audi includes a kit containing sealant and a tiny air compressor.
Do 2018 Audi A4s come with spare tires?
Your wheels and alignment may be subjected to additional stress if you drive on a flat or underinflated tire. Take no more travels in your A4 Quattro until the flat tire can be fixed or replaced, even if it may occasionally be necessary to drive a short distance on a flat tire to get to a safe location.
Quick remedies have their pros and cons. Don’t rely on them to keep you on the road for too long; they’ll assist you get your Audi A4 Quattro to Firestone Complete Auto Care. A Bridgestone or Firestone tire warranty may potentially be nullified by using a temporary sealant.
Don’t depend too much on your spare tire. A small spare tire might be included with your 2018 Audi A4 Quattro. A spare tire is distinct from a regular tire and is only intended to be driven a specific distance at lower speeds.
Why are there no spare tires on new cars?
Because of regulatory pressure to get more miles per gallon of gasoline, automakers are omitting the spare tire: by removing the 4050 pounds that a tire and jack typically add to a car’s weight, fuel economy is somewhat increased. (Incidentally, because automakers don’t have to pay for those parts, this enhances their profits.)
The issue is that if a tire’s sidewall is cut or if the flat is brought on by more severe damage than a tread rupture, a sealant kit won’t be of much assistance. Think about investing in a spare-tire kit, which comes with a tire, jack, and lug wrench, if you want to be ready for any kind of flat tire. These starter kits cost about $150.
Before you take delivery, Chris Jones, a trained mechanic and tire specialist at CR, advises that you should be aware of how your automobile is outfitted.
Don’t assume the car has a spare tire if you’re going to purchase it. The showrooms are the greatest place to find out, so you may use it as a negotiating chip instead of on the side of the road after a flat.
I’m from New England and have driven anything from a Segway to an aircraft carrier. I’ve actually driven thousands of automobiles, many of them on international racetracks. At the CR Auto Test Center today, such knowledge and enthusiasm are being used to empower customers. And if that means sacrificing some tires in the name of the truth, then be it. Continue with me
Why are spare wheels absent from new cars?
You’re making your way home through an unlit country path on a rainy, windy night. A loud thump is followed by the car pulling firmly to one side. Your tire has been punctured by a pothole you just hit. Any person with a practical mentality would prepare themselves and swap the damaged wheel with the spare. It’s possible that at this point you realize your car doesn’t truly have a spare wheel.
Many individuals won’t know whether their car has a spare wheel or not since they have a puncture every 44,000 miles, or every five years, according to tire manufacturer Continental. More and more automakers have switched from traditional spare wheels to tyre repair kits during the past ten years. They identify two key causes for this: repair kits are lighter and take up less room, which improves fuel economy.
Cost, though, is a third justification. A space-saving spare wheel could cost 100, whereas a tire repair kit costs about $20. Car manufacturers can therefore profit from this practice by including repair kits as standard equipment and assessing an additional fee for a spare wheel.
To find out what they include as standard to deal with flat tires, we performed a survey of 251 new automobile models from 31 companies. We discovered that just 8% of them come with a full-size spare wheel. 30 percent of vehicles come equipped with a space saver, while 55 percent have a tyre repair kit instead of any kind of spare wheel. Run-flat tires are on the other vehicles. Here is our list of models that can and cannot be purchased with a spare wheel.
What Car? says…
We think it’s unfortunate that so many automakers charge extra for a spare wheel, but if you can, we still advise obtaining one. If your automobile develops a puncture, even a space-saving wheel will allow you to reach your destination, and that’s preferable to the chance of having to have your car towed to a shop to acquire a new tire if your tyre repair kit is insufficient.
Discover which automobile types and models include a spare wheel, space-saving spare, or tyre inflation kit, as well as how much it will cost to install a spare if one is an optional extra, by clicking through.