2024 Audi Q5: Well-Packaged But Still Relevant?

The 2024 Audi Q5 is a well-packaged SUV with comfort, luxury, features, tech, and build quality. To remain well in the game, Audi has added lane-keeping assistance and a heated steering wheel as standard. Also, the sporty Black Optic Package is now offered on lower trim levels.

For the higher 45 trims, there’s a Black Optic Plus Package. The 2024 Audi Q5 price starts at $45,300, and with three powertrain options (including plug-in hybrid), there’s an Audi Q5 trim for everyone. The Audi Q5 competes with the likes of the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC Class, and Volvo XC60. However, the presence of the Quattro AWD as standard is a USP. 

Today I’ll be reviewing the 2024 Audi Q5 Premium Plus with Black Optic Plus Package, priced at $55,400 ($53,000+$2,400). Actually, the 2024 Audi Q5 price starts at $46,495 for the base Premium 40 trim, while the 2024 Audi Q5 hybrid (Prestige 55, plug-in hybrid) is priced at $59,295. The 2024 Audi Q5 Sportback takes a more stylish approach and it's price starts at $53,395. 

Handsome But Muted Styling

Equipped with the Black Optic Plus Package, my test example came with a full black front grille. Also, there’s a black accent on the lower part of the front bumper. Coming over to the headlights, of course there’s standard full LED headlights, and you'll get them on most models. But if you choose the Prestige trim, then you get access to the upgraded Matrix LED headlights with dynamic turn signals as well as animations.

The exterior design is quite good but not striking from any angle 

Recognizable And Classic Rear Profile 

Coming to the rear design, there’s the signature Q5 look, and I honestly think it never ages. It just has that classy overall aesthetic and appeal. The tail lamp comprises dynamic LED blinkers and LED brake lamps. However, there’s an incandescent reverse light in the lower body color bumper. Audi should have provided an LED for the reverse light as well for a more unified look.

Due to the Black Optic Plus Package, we have blacked out Audi rings and the Q5 branding. The entire lower diffuser is going to have a nice sporty black finish, and we also have dual trapezoidal exhaust outlets that add to the sporty appeal.

Multiple Wheel Sizes And Designs Are Refreshing

As far as your wheels are concerned, you do have options ranging from 18-inch, 19-inch, and 20-inch options. With the Black Optic Package, you get 20-inch contrast alloy wheels with five spokes coupled with sporty red brake calipers. The exterior mirrors get standard blind spot monitoring, heating, power folding, and auto dimming with the Premium Plus and above trim levels.

To-The-Point and Upscale Interior

Getting inside is pretty easy with keyless entry, and for 2024, every Q5 will support remote start via an Audi application as well. We do have real leather, and that's going to be included across the entire Q5 lineup. If you have a TFSI 45 model, then you are going to get a standard sport seat for 2024. The sport seats have a more aggressive look, along with heavier bolsters coupled with more dynamic stitching.

The 2024 Audi Q5 interior design is minimal but functional 

You also have eight ways of power adjustment, four-way lumbar support, and a manual thigh extension. Overall, the front seats are very nice and comfortable. You get four different colors to choose from, and the memory seats are included on the Premium Plus and the Prestige trim levels.

Attention To Detail For Everything

On the door trim, you get a leatherette pad with a stitching detail, and it is padded in the center section and padded along the top as well. Across the upper dash, there’s soft touch plastic, and through the center section, you're going to notice some aluminum trim that's included with the Black Optic Plus Package.

Starting the car via the push-button start, you are greeted by a 12.3-inch fully digital gauge cluster, which is called the Audi virtual cockpit. You do have a really nice and familiar look to this cluster. You can reconfigure it to a lot of different designs, and if you want a head-up display, then you will need to choose the Prestige trim level. 

Audi offers a nice perforated leather-wrapped steering wheel. We have got the specific S branding on this Black Optic Plus Package. So, there’s heating functionality and power adjustment on the Premium Plus and Prestige trim levels. The center console storage is pretty limited, and there are cupholders just above it. 

One thing to note is that there is no wireless phone charging pad in this model. Audi offers a typical electronic shifter on the center console, and there’s a paddle shifter on the steering wheel. As expected, there’s a 360-degree camera system as well for both Premium Plus and Prestige trims.

Odd Position For The Volume Control Knob

Just adjacent to the shifter, there’s a physical volume control knob. I personally feel that it should have been somewhere around the central display. Talking about volume control, the Premium Plus and Prestige trims come with the 755-watt, 19-speaker Bang and Olsen sound system.

Now, of course, a lot of models in this segment have started to move towards a lot of touch capacitive and touchscreen climate controls, but this Q5 has a refreshingly nice and physical setup with three-zone automatic climate as standard.

Well-Equipped MMI Infotainment System

Every Q5 comes with a 10.1-inch central infotainment display with Audi’s MMI system. So, you've got all the latest features on board with it, and you will have a built-in navigation system starting at the Premium Plus trim level. Also, wireless Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay will be standard on all trim levels.

Audi offers a nice panoramic sunroof on Premium Plus and Prestige trims as standard equipment. So there’s a large piece of glass, and it goes all the way back above the rear seats. You also have a power sunshade. Talking about rear seats, the amount of headroom and legroom places it very much on par with the vast majority of the competition, like the Mercedes GLC and the BMW X3.

The Prestige trim gets heated rear seats as well. The central seat area doubles up as an armrest with cup holders for the rear seat passengers.

Less Cargo Space Than Competition

We do have a standard hands-free power tailgate across all trim levels, and as far as this space is concerned, we're sitting at about 25 cubic feet behind the second row of seats, and as we expand that out, the rear seats fold to about 54 cubic feet as a maximum.

Three Powertrain Options

As mentioned earlier, Audi offers three powertrain options. The 40 TFSI models get a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 201 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. The 45 TFSI models get the same engine in a different state of tune and output 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The third one is a plug-in hybrid powertrain, and it makes 362 hp. My test example had a 261-hp powerhouse and it did a 0-60 run in a matter of 5.5 seconds.

 Commendable Towing Capacity

Despite being a compact luxury SUV, the 45 TFSI trim can tow a maximum of 4,400 pounds when properly equipped. Even the MPG ratings are decent, with 23 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined. Actually, the advanced auto start stop and mild hybrid system helps boost fuel economy. 

Driving The Compact Q5

The 2.0-liter turbocharged mild-hybrid powertrain is plenty quick for an average driver. The seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission is a good dual clutch, and they've obviously done a great job with it. I think it's very nice and smooth in different driving conditions. The 2024 Audi Q5’s ride quality is well sorted, and you won’t find many road imperfections getting inside the cabin.

Driving experience lacks outright excitement

Even the NVH levels are pretty refined. Audi offers an optional adaptive suspension for a sportier driving experience.

The steering is accurate, but it does not induce excitement while driving. Essentially, the feedback is missing that you might find on the Porsche Macan or BMW X3.

Is It Still Relevant? 

If you are a true Audi fan, then this one might be your next car. Its build quality, interior, and fuel economy are commendable. However, it misses the exuberant exterior styling that you might expect from a luxury brand. So, there’s nothing much wrong with this car, but the overall stance of this SUV is well muted. So, mechanically, it’s sorted, but aesthetically, it can do much better. I hope Audi is listening!