2021 Audi Q5

From Edmunds:   What's new Revised exterior styling Larger touchscreen with a new infotainment system More powerful four-cylinder engine Part of the second Q5 generation introduced for 2018 Overview From outward appearances, it'd be easy to think that the Audi Q5 had been redesigned for 2021. Instead, it has undergone a substantial refresh, with sharper styling than before. Underneath the sheet metal, the four-cylinder engine gets a power increase and a new infotainment system debuts. Unfortunately, that new infotainment system loses the dial controller from previous models and goes with a slightly more distracting touchscreen instead.   Audi is continuing to offer a plug-in hybrid version of the Q5. It's more powerful than the base Q5 and can go an EPA-estimated 19 miles on all-electric power on a full battery. It could be worth checking out if you can frequently recharge to help save on gas. Otherwise, the Q5 is a competent small luxury SUV that doesn't really stand out against the likes of the Acura RDX, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Volvo XC60. Read our Expert Rating below to get our full in-depth take. Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. Theyre based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience. The revamped Q5 is unremarkable in nearly every aspect. The only standout quality is a roomy cabin. Otherwise, it comes up short in regards to comfort, performance and ease of use. The small luxury SUV class is full of overachievers, but the Q5 is merely competent. Rated for you by America's best test team. Performance 7.0/10 How does the Q5 drive? Our Q5, which had the base 45 TFSI powertrain, accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds at our test track. That's a respectably quick time for a small luxury SUV with a base engine. Out in real-world driving, however, the engine sometimes feels overworked and there's a noticeable delay when you press the gas pedal. Braking is the opposite it feels good on the street and makes it easy to bring the Q5 to a smooth stop. But in our track performance braking testing, our Q5 needed 129 feet to stop from 60 mph, which is longer than average. The antilock braking system is pretty noisy too. Other downsides include overly vague and imprecise steering (you don't get a good feel for the road) and an engine stop-start system that's overly jarring when it fires the engine back up. The Q5 does have good grip and poise when you push it hard around turns, but it's the singular bright spot for otherwise middling performance. Comfort 7.5/10 How comfortable is the Q5? Our test Q5 came in the Prestige trim with the superbly comfortable front sport seats that have heating and ventilation. These front seats are the single most premium item inside the Q5. The cabin feels well built and insulated from the outside world. However, there are issues with ride comfort. The suspension sends vibration from the road to your seat, making it unavoidable that you will feel cracks and bumps in the pavement. It's not especially firm or sporty it's just constantly busy. The lack of a refined ride quality is unusual in luxury SUVs of this caliber, and we expect more from the Q5. Interior 8.5/10 Hows the interior? The Q5's cabin is spacious whether you're sitting in the front or the back seat, and it's easy to enter and exit through the well-shaped door openings. We also like the commanding driving position that provides excellent outward visibility. The standard 10.1-inch touchscreen looks great, but it's mounted to the top of the dashboard like a tacked-on tablet. That looks a little awkward, and it's even stranger to use. There is no dial or touchpad controller, so you need to poke and swipe in order to operate the infotainment system. This feels like it could be