Q5

Make
Audi
Segment
SUV

Thanks to sightings of camouflaged prototypes last year, we've known for a long time that Audi has been preparing to give the Q5 a refresh. The Audi Q5 is one of the German automaker's most popular models, so it's important to keep the SUV looking sharp. The current-generation Audi Q5 has also been on sale since 2016, so the time has come for a midcycle refresh to give Audi's best-selling crossover a more modern look. For the 2021 model year, the Audi Q5 has been updated with sharper styling, more power, and improved infotainment and driver-assist technology.

To reflect Audi's current SUV design language, the 2021 Audi Q5's exterior features a slimmer and wider octagonal Singleframe grille, taller side air intakes with trapezoidal inserts, and redesigned side sills. These changes help give the 2021 Audi Q5 a sportier appearance. At the back, a new trim element connects the taillights and a new horizontal diffuser insert has also been added.

All Q5 models now come with LED headlights as standard with daytime running lights and LED taillights. Matrix-design LED headlights are also available and come as standard on Prestige trims and SQ5 models come with taillights featuring advanced OLED lighting technology.

As standard, the Q5 45 TFSI is equipped with the Advanced line exterior as standard, which includes vertical chrome strips in the grille and silver accents in the front and rear bumpers. The Q5 PHEV also comes standard with the S line exterior adding a sportier honeycomb structure in the grille and a more aggressive front and rear diffuser. An available black optic package is also available for the SQ5, which adds matte black roof rails, high-gloss black exterior mirror housings and black exterior accents, along with 20-inch five-V-spoke-star design wheels wrapped in summer tires. New 21-inch wheels have also been added to the 2021 Audi SQ5 options list.

Inside, the refreshed Q5's cabin is updated with a larger 10.1-inch touchscreen with Audi's new MIB 3 infotainment system, which boasts faster processing times and a higher resolution, and an available 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. New walnut wood inlays and leather seating surfaces are available with contrast stitching for the 2021 Q5, as well as standard high-gloss black interior trim elements. An electronic steering column adjustment now comes as standard for the 2021 Q5.

For 2021, the Audi Q5's 2.0-liter TFSI engine's power output is increased by 13 horsepower. Combined with a 12v mild-hybrid electric vehicle system, this setup delivers 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque enabling the 2021 Audi Q5 to accelerate from 0-62 mph in 5.7 seconds, a reduction of 0.2 seconds.

Note: Audi only provided four images of the 2021 Q5. The images below depict the 2020 Audi Q5.

The Audi Q5 Hybrid is also equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder TFSI engine paired with an electric motor that produces a combined 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, allowing the electrified Q5 to sprint from 0-62 mph in five seconds. Audi's four-cylinder engine is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and quattro all-wheel-drive system.

A 3.0-liter TFSI V6 engine with 349 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque powers the 2021 Audi SQ5. While the output hasn't increased, Audi claims the 2021 SQ5 will sprint from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds - that's 0.4 seconds faster than the 2020 model. In the SQ5, power is sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

New standard driver assists for the 2021 Audi Q5 include a side assist with blind-spot monitoring via LED indicators on the exterior mirror housings at speeds above 9 mph, lane departure warning, pre-sense rear that uses radar sensors in the rear bumper to detect an impending rear-end collision, parking system plus, and rear cross-traffic assist. The available adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist and top-view camera is now standard for Premium Plus trim levels.

Pricing for the 2021 Q5 45 TFSI quattro starts at $43,300, while the Q5 55 TFSI e quattro starts at $51,900. The 2021 Audi SQ5, on the other hand, will set you back at least $52,900. Pricing excludes the destination charge. Sales for the 2021 Audi Q5 will begin in the US Q4, 2020.