Audi Q5 2021 Review

In the luxury mid-size SUV market in Malaysia, the German Big Three have always been dominant, and the Audi Q5, as one of the representative models, has long attracted consumers who focus on quality and practicality with its balanced product strength. The 2021 Audi Q5 Public version continues the brand's luxury DNA, while also optimizing its configuration and driving texture. This time, we conducted a comprehensive test to see if it can still maintain its advantage in the fiercely competitive segment.

In terms of appearance, the 2021 Q5 Public retains Audi's family design language, with an overall style that is stable and grand without losing a sense of refinement. The front features the iconic hexagonal grille, paired with horizontal chrome trims inside to enhance visual width. The sharp-shaped LED headlight assemblies on both sides are integrated with daytime running lights, with high recognition when illuminated. The body side profile is smooth, with a waistline extending from the front fender to the rear outlining a sense of layering. The 19-inch multi-spoke aluminum alloy wheels add a sporty touch to the side profile. At the rear, the LED taillight group incorporates through-type design elements, echoing the front headlights. The chrome trim on the lower part of the rear bumper enhances the luxury feel. The overall exterior meets the aesthetics of family users while maintaining the brand's design identity.

Stepping inside, the luxury and technology sense of the interior immediately hit you. The dashboard adopts a symmetrical layout, with extensive use of soft-touch materials paired with metallic trims. Soft materials are used in most touch points, giving it an excellent tactile quality. The 10.1-inch central touchscreen is the core of the interior, equipped with the Audi MMI intelligent system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The operation is smooth and responsive. The instrument cluster features a 12.3-inch full LCD display that can switch between multiple modes, including navigation and vehicle status information, which is highly practical. Seats are wrapped in genuine leather material, with the front seats supporting electric adjustment and lumbar support, providing good comfort. The backrest angle of the rear seats is adjustable, which relieves fatigue during long trips. In terms of storage space, the central armrest box in the front row has a moderate capacity, the door storage compartments can accommodate phones and water bottles, and the trunk has a regular capacity of 550 liters, expandable to 1550 liters with the rear seats folded, meeting the storage needs for daily family travel or short trips.

In terms of space performance, the body dimensions of the 2021 Q5 Public are 4682mm×1893mm×1653mm, with a wheelbase of 2820mm, belonging to the mainstream level of its class. The front-row seating space is spacious, and after adjusting the seat, a passenger of 175cm height still has a fist's worth of headroom. Rear legroom amounts to two fists, and headroom is one fist, ensuring that even with three passengers in the rear seat, it does not feel cramped. The rear row is equipped with independent air conditioning vents and USB charging ports, improving the comfort of rear passengers.

In terms of performance, the 2021 Q5 Public is equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine, with a maximum power of 185kW and a maximum torque of 370N·m, paired with a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission. In actual driving, the power response is swift, with a lightly tuned throttle during acceleration making it easy to handle in urban traffic. Mid to high-range acceleration is strong, and flooring the throttle for overtaking brings a noticeable push-back sensation. While cruising at high speed, the power reserve is plentiful. The gearbox shifts smoothly, with clear logic for upshifts and downshifts, and there is almost no feeling of jerkiness. The driving modes offer Comfort, Auto, and Dynamic options. In Comfort mode, the power output is steady, suitable for daily commuting; in Dynamic mode, the throttle response becomes more sensitive, shift timing is delayed, and the sense of sportiness is enhanced.

In terms of handling and chassis performance, the steering is precise with minimal play, light at low speeds, and gradually becomes heavier at high speeds, providing good stability while driving. The chassis adopts a front and rear five-link independent suspension, tuned for comfort. When passing speed bumps or on bumpy roads, the suspension effectively filters out vibrations, making the bumps unnoticeable for passengers inside. During cornering, body roll is kept within reasonable limits, offering good support and balancing comfort with handling.

In the fuel consumption test, we drove 100 kilometers each in urban traffic and on highways, resulting in a combined fuel consumption of 8.2L/100km, slightly different from the official figure of 7.2L/100km. Considering that the test included frequent hard accelerations and idling, this performance is above average compared to other vehicles in the same segment. Regarding braking performance, the braking distance from 100km/h to 0 is 38.5 meters, with linear braking force and stable results.

For driving comfort, the Q5 public demonstrates good noise control, with wind noise and tire noise kept within reasonable limits at high speeds, ensuring that conversations inside the car are not affected. The engine noise slightly transmits during acceleration but is not intrusive. The seats offer good wrapping and support, minimizing fatigue during long drives. The suspension adequately filters out bumps, providing a premium driving experience in daily use.

Overall, the 2021 Audi Q5 public stands out for its balanced product appeal: luxurious interior quality, abundant tech features, spacious interior, and smooth power delivery—all catering to the needs of family users. Compared to competitors in the same class, it excels in interior technology and brand premium value. While its fuel consumption may not be the best, its overall practicality and comfort are superior.

This vehicle is suitable for family users who value luxurious quality and practical space, especially those needing a car for both daily commuting and family trips. Additionally, its steady exterior design and impressive handling can appeal to younger drivers who care about driving dynamics.

The 2021 Audi Q5 public continues Audi's tradition of luxury, offering balanced performance in space, features, and driving quality, making it an excellent choice for family-oriented luxury mid-size SUVs.