2021 Audi Q5 PHEV Review

For Years Audi Has Been Refining and Improving the Q5 as They Should

Audi has been refining and improving the Q5 as they should, with the 2021 Q5 plug-in hybrid being a prime example of their dedication to quality. The Q5 represents nearly 30 percent of their total sales volume in the U.S., making it a critical model for Audi's success. With each passing year, Audi continues to enhance and refine the Q5, ensuring that it remains a top contender in the market.

The New Model Year Audi Has Updated the Headlights Bumpers and Grille

For the new model year, Audi has updated the headlights, bumpers, and grille, giving the Q5 a fresh and clean look. The exterior design is now cleaner and more streamlined, making the Q5 stand out on the road. Additionally, the blue paint job looks particularly good on the inside of the vehicle, adding an extra layer of style to the overall aesthetic.

The Q5 Cabin Gets Audi's Latest MIB-3 Infotainment System

One of the standout features of the 2021 Q5 plug-in hybrid is its cabin, which boasts Audi's latest MIB-3 infotainment system. This advanced technology includes a 10.1-inch center screen as standard, providing drivers with an immersive and intuitive driving experience. Furthermore, the cabin also comes equipped with 8-way power adjustable front seats, allowing drivers to customize their seating position for optimal comfort.

Wireless Apple CarPlay is Available as an Option

For those who want to connect their smartphone to the Q5's infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay is available as an option. However, it's worth noting that Android Auto still requires a cable connection. Those who opt for the higher trims will also enjoy the wonderful virtual cockpit gauge cluster, which provides a unique and engaging driving experience.

The Real Meat of the Q5 Plug-in Hybrid: The Powertrain

At its core, the 2021 Q5 plug-in hybrid is powered by a well-sorted machine that delivers decent electric-only mileage. The gas engine is a two-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that works in tandem with a single electric motor to produce a combined output of 362 horsepower. This powertrain is then channeled through a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox and ultimately powers the Audi Quattro all-wheel drive system.

Despite the added weight of the battery and electric motor, which clocks in at around 550 pounds, the Q5 plug-in hybrid is surprisingly quick and agile. Its handling is praised for being flat and responsive, making it an enjoyable vehicle to drive both on the road and on twisty mountain roads. The Q5 plug-in hybrid is also perfect for daily commuting, as its smooth and efficient power delivery ensures a comfortable ride.

Putting the Q5 Plug-in Hybrid into Auto EV Mode

The Q5 plug-in hybrid features an innovative auto EV mode that allows drivers to seamlessly switch between electric-only operation and traditional gasoline power. When in auto EV mode, the engine shuts off, and the vehicle runs solely on its electric motor. However, when a stop sign is approached or the driver needs to accelerate, the gas engine kicks back in, providing smooth and efficient power delivery.

The Q5 Plug-in Hybrid's Electric Range

Due to its battery capacity and driving efficiency, the 2021 Q5 plug-in hybrid has an impressive electric range of around five miles. However, with a charging station available overnight, this range can easily be extended to 19 miles of pure electric operation in the morning. The charging time from empty is approximately two and a half hours, making it a convenient option for drivers who want to charge their vehicle at home.

Pricing the Q5 Plug-in Hybrid

The base MSRP of the 2021 Q5 plug-in hybrid starts at $52,995. However, with options and upgrades added, the price can easily climb into the low sixties. Fortunately, Audi's generous tax credits make it possible to have an efficient yet entertaining driving experience compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles for less money.

Conclusion

The 2021 Q5 plug-in hybrid represents a significant step forward in Audi's dedication to innovation and quality. With its impressive electric range, advanced infotainment system, and engaging powertrain, the Q5 plug-in hybrid is an excellent option for drivers who want a fun-to-drive vehicle that also benefits from sustainable energy sources. Whether commuting daily or tackling twisty mountain roads, the 2021 Q5 plug-in hybrid is sure to provide an enjoyable driving experience.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enfor years now audi has been refining and improving the q5 as they should as the q5 represents nearly 30 percent of their total sales volume in the u.s and the 2021 q5 plug-in hybrid might just be the best one yet actually not might it is for the new model year audi has updated the headlights bumpers and grille it cleans up the outside rather nicely oh and this blue paint looks pretty sweet on the inside the q5 cabin gets audi's latest mib-3 infotainment system this means a 10.1 inch center screen is standard as are 8-way power adjustable front seats you can also get wireless apple carplay as an option but android auto still needs a cable and if you spec out the nicer trims you get the wonderful virtual cockpit gauge cluster the real meat of the q5 plug-in hybrid is the powertrain this is a well-sorted machine and it delivers decent electric only mileage the gas engine is a two liter turbocharged four-cylinder it works with a single electric motor to deliver a combined output of 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque in turn that meters out the energy through a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox on out to the all-wheel drive system and it's nearly as quick as the sq5 despite having to haul around 550 extra pounds of battery and electric motor so you've got the extra weight but you've got the extra juice and it adds up to a vehicle that is surprisingly engaging to drive it's a plug and hybrid crossover and i enjoy it it corners surprisingly flat breaks well for the heft all of it adds up to a great vehicle to live with on a daily basis this would be fun and comfortable on long trips it's perfect for your daily commute right now i have it in dynamic mode it is an audi so there are different driving modes but we do have a little eevee juice left so i'm going to put it into auto ev mode is selected and the engine just shut off we are running electric only right now now i didn't have a lot of time to charge it so we only have five miles of range left but if this was sitting overnight sitting on a level two charger which i have in my garage it wouldn't take that long to charge and i would wake up with 19 miles of eevee range in the morning running on ev i've got the gauge up on the left side and it shows me exactly how much throttle i can use before the gas engine is going to need to kick on it's really easy to modulate the throttle to keep this vehicle in the electric only driving mode and that's important to get the most out of it and really use it efficiently but with that said we come to a stop sign i'm going back into dynamic the gas engine just kicked back on in that moment and we're good to go and it runs smoothly and efficiently in the gas mode with the seven speed dual clutch gearbox and the audi quattro all-wheel drive system in fact you can punch it and have a little fun like i said i think this is a smarter buy over the sq5 if you price it right the q5 plug-in hybrid is the best one in the lineup to get if you want to charge it on a level two charger it takes about two and a half hours to do so from empty to full so how about price the base msrp is 52 995 it's easy to push that into the low 60s though with options but it's also easy to bring that price back down thanks to state and federal tax credits so it's possible to have an efficient yet also entertaining experience compared to the sq5 but for less money if you buy it right youfor years now audi has been refining and improving the q5 as they should as the q5 represents nearly 30 percent of their total sales volume in the u.s and the 2021 q5 plug-in hybrid might just be the best one yet actually not might it is for the new model year audi has updated the headlights bumpers and grille it cleans up the outside rather nicely oh and this blue paint looks pretty sweet on the inside the q5 cabin gets audi's latest mib-3 infotainment system this means a 10.1 inch center screen is standard as are 8-way power adjustable front seats you can also get wireless apple carplay as an option but android auto still needs a cable and if you spec out the nicer trims you get the wonderful virtual cockpit gauge cluster the real meat of the q5 plug-in hybrid is the powertrain this is a well-sorted machine and it delivers decent electric only mileage the gas engine is a two liter turbocharged four-cylinder it works with a single electric motor to deliver a combined output of 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque in turn that meters out the energy through a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox on out to the all-wheel drive system and it's nearly as quick as the sq5 despite having to haul around 550 extra pounds of battery and electric motor so you've got the extra weight but you've got the extra juice and it adds up to a vehicle that is surprisingly engaging to drive it's a plug and hybrid crossover and i enjoy it it corners surprisingly flat breaks well for the heft all of it adds up to a great vehicle to live with on a daily basis this would be fun and comfortable on long trips it's perfect for your daily commute right now i have it in dynamic mode it is an audi so there are different driving modes but we do have a little eevee juice left so i'm going to put it into auto ev mode is selected and the engine just shut off we are running electric only right now now i didn't have a lot of time to charge it so we only have five miles of range left but if this was sitting overnight sitting on a level two charger which i have in my garage it wouldn't take that long to charge and i would wake up with 19 miles of eevee range in the morning running on ev i've got the gauge up on the left side and it shows me exactly how much throttle i can use before the gas engine is going to need to kick on it's really easy to modulate the throttle to keep this vehicle in the electric only driving mode and that's important to get the most out of it and really use it efficiently but with that said we come to a stop sign i'm going back into dynamic the gas engine just kicked back on in that moment and we're good to go and it runs smoothly and efficiently in the gas mode with the seven speed dual clutch gearbox and the audi quattro all-wheel drive system in fact you can punch it and have a little fun like i said i think this is a smarter buy over the sq5 if you price it right the q5 plug-in hybrid is the best one in the lineup to get if you want to charge it on a level two charger it takes about two and a half hours to do so from empty to full so how about price the base msrp is 52 995 it's easy to push that into the low 60s though with options but it's also easy to bring that price back down thanks to state and federal tax credits so it's possible to have an efficient yet also entertaining experience compared to the sq5 but for less money if you buy it right you\n"