The 2021 Audi Q5 and SQ5 are on the way with some significant cosmetic changes, but perhaps most importantly, there will be a standard soft hybrid powertrain and optional plug-in hybrid variant for the Q5. The new Q5 will go on sale later this year.
The fabulous Q5 family will also get the latest Audi infotainment and safety technology, further modernizing the platform that first came to the US for the 2018 model year. And Audi is proudly proud of its new taillight technology. OLED, available on the SQ5, allows the buyer to choose one of the few firms with unique rear lighting, a unique opportunity to individualize.
Cosmetic surgery
Obviously, the Q5 family suffers from a lot of visual disturbances. Up front, the large grille has been refined a bit, with a slimmer outer frame that no longer leans against the headlights. Standard high and low LED lights and a more intricate daytime running lamp design unite the SUV with the RS6 Avant sports hottie, at least in the Green District Q5 S-Line that Audi showed. The front look of the new Q5 also appears to be in line with the new styling features seen in Q3 2019, as well as the recently updated Q7 2020.
That optional S-Line exterior package also includes an aggressive hexagonal grille texture that we think looks great on the small luxury SUV, along with bold bumper corner air intakes and a black front “skid plate” sparkly. An “advanced line” exterior package is standard, with chrome vertical bars and silver accents on the front and rear bumpers reminiscent of the Allroad family. Advanced-line SUVs will be available with new 18, 19, or 20-inch wheel designs, while the S-Line has standard 19-inch or optional 20-inch wheels.
The rear of the Q5 sees fewer changes relative to the outgoing Q5 2020. Obviously the taillights are new and feature OLED technology which, for now, remains exclusive to the SQ5 in the US These OLEDs feature one of four rear lighting designs that the owner can choose from when ordering their new SUV, although we wonder if the design can be changed after purchase.
Audi’s innovative Matrix LED technology is also available in the Q5 for the first time, coming standard in the high-specification Prestige finish. The Prestige will also get dynamic front turn signals and “head out” headlight / taillight animations, a slightly sticky feature that we can’t avoid.
The Electric Company
The Audi Q5 2021 has a new standard soft hybrid powertrain that combines a low-voltage belt start generator with a mostly turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine. The upgraded engine produces an additional 13 horsepower (10 kilowatts) relative to 2020, for a total of 261 hp (195 kW); torque remains constant at 273 pound-feet (370 newton-meters). The Smooth Hybrid powertrain recovers power from inertia driving and braking to recharge the 12-volt battery, but unlike the 48-volt Smooth Hybrid configuration on the larger Q7, it doesn’t reduce turbo lag or power of advanced suspension systems.
Those who want even more electrification can opt for the plug-in hybrid Audi Q5. An electric motor sits between the 2.0-liter seven-speed turbo dual-clutch transmission, powered by a 14.1 kilowatt-hour battery. Total output power is 362 hp and 369 lb-ft (270 kW and 500 Nm), which is 13 hp (10 kW) more than the powerful 2021 SQ5. Like the current SUV, expect approximately 20 miles of fully-electric range from the plug-in Q5. S-line styling is standard on the PHEV, with an available Sport Plus package that features adaptive dampers, air suspension, and Dynamic Suede interior detailing.
The SQ5 primarily features drag specs, including 349 hp and 369 lb-ft (260 kW and 500 Nm) from its 3.0-liter turbocharged V6. Like the less expressive Q5 models, the SQ5 comes standard with Quattro four-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Adaptive dampers come with the trim level, while a height-adjustable air suspension is optional. The SQ5 also gets the aforementioned OLED taillight standard.
Information technology
For some reason, many luxury car makers have been content to make some active safety features optional, but the Audi Q5 will not be counted among them. Lane Departure Warning, Front and Rear Parking Sensors, and Blind Spot Monitoring are now standard on Premium Base Molding, while Premium Plus and Prestige models get Adaptive Cruise Control, Active Lane Keeping and a system from top view camera. These features join the already standard Audi Pre Sense City suite, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.
Every 2021 Q5 will also come standard with the company’s latest infotainment package called the MIB 3 (shared with most other new Audi products), displayed on a new 10.1-inch touchscreen. MIB 3 has 10 times more processing power than its predecessor, and now offers cloud-based vehicle customization: If you get on another Audi with MIB 3, you can download your vehicle preferences by logging in to the infotainment system. Audi has removed its rotary controller for the multimedia interface, instead of relying on the larger touchscreen for inputs.
The Audi Virtual Cockpit fully digital instrument cluster comes standard on Premium Plus and Prestige models, and the wireless Apple CarPlay is also included on all models. A slightly revised interior contains those new features: Like the 2020 Q5, the 2021 has standard walnut inlays and leather seats, though the new model features contrast stitching and some piano black accents.
Small letter
The 2021 Audi Q5 will start at $ 43,300 in its most basic form, priced identical to its predecessor despite having more standard equipment and technology. The plug-in hybrid will demand $ 51,900, which is actually $ 1,000 cheaper than the PHEV 2020. The 2021 SQ5 will ask $ 52,900 for its new owner, the same as 2020.
Each member of the 2021 Q5 family will hit the U.S. market in the fourth quarter of 2020, meaning we will have to wait at least until October to drive one. With some thoughtful upgrades and surprisingly aggressive pricing, the popular Audi SUV should also be good for the company’s bottom line.
