In a world of stiff competition, Audi is making strides in the crossover luxury class with the 2013 Q5. This SUV combines the elegance of a luxury sedan with the space and power of a SUV. The combination is enough to make an Audi lover pay attention. As long as you can handle the price, the Q5, available in a selection of trim levels and powertrains, is worth a look.
New For 2013
For the 2013 model year Audi made some changes to the Q5 line. Be sure to your eyes out for:
- Two new engine choices.
- Minor exterior styling changes.
- Newly designed grille.
- LED taillights.
- LED headlights with a new parallelogram shape.
- The MMI system from Audi is upgraded for 3G connectivity.
Exterior
The 2013 Audi Q5 is a crossover SUV in the luxury class. This model is available in three different trim levels, including the Premium, Premium Plus, and the Prestige. This SUV comes in 2.0T or 3.0T referring to the particular model’s powertrain. In the lower trim levels, the Q5 rides around on 18-inch alloy wheels the upgraded versions have 19-inch alloy wheels. The overall body design looks more like an Audi sedan than a SUV, but it has plenty of curves and modern lines to give it the upscale look Audi is known for. The front end and grille are wide set with the Audi emblem in the center of the rectangular shaped grille. Distinctive styling on the hood also gives this SUV an attractive appearance sure to get attention wherever it goes.
Interior & Cargo
Inside the cabin of the 2013 Audi Q5 the interior is well designed and constructed with high quality materials. Seating in the front seat is comfortable and passengers of any height should be able to find a comfortable place. For drivers the tilt telescoping steering wheel certainly makes things easier. The front seats do lack some of the lateral support found in some of its competition. The rear of the cabin isn’t necessarily as spacious as some would like, but it does provide sliding and adjustable seating. Taller people are likely to wish for more space, but the Q5 provides adequate head and leg room for most passengers.
On the subject of space, the available cargo space for the 2013 Q5 is 29.1 cubic feet with the rear seats in their normal position. With the seats folded, the available space jumps up to 57.3 cubic feet. While this sounds like plenty of room, it should be noted the cargo hold is rather narrow and poses a problem when hauling oddly shaped items.
Turning to the décor, Audi chose to outfit the Q5 with nice, luxurious touches such as the leather wrapped steering wheel to give this model the refined touch the company was looking for. The dash, panels, and doors are well fitted and attractive to look at as well as to touch.
Safety
Traditionally known as family cars, even luxury crossover SUVs have to meet the buyers’ expectations for safety. The 2013 Audi Q5 provides plenty of standard safety features to meet the most discerning eye in this category. It is equipped with four-wheel anti-lock brakes and stability control. The assortment of airbags in this model is impressive with six airbags standard. They are placed in the front, front side, and full length side curtain positions. Rear airbags are available as an option as well.
For further peace of mind, it’s helpful to know the Q5 was given an overall rating of ""Good,"" the highest score offered, from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety in all categories.
Driving Experience
Technically the 2013 Audi Q5 is available in three powertrain options. The first is the 2.0T available in the Premium and Premium Plus trim levels. This powertrain boasts a turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It offers up 211 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy for the 2.0T is 20/28 mpg city/highway.
Next up is the 3.0T powertrain. The power is definitely amped up with this option. These models are equipped with a 3.0-liter, supercharged, V-6 engine coupled with the same eight-speed automatic transmission. This one delivers 272 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Of course the fuel economy suffers a little due to the increase and power. The 3.0T versions are estimated to get about 20 percent less on the road than the 2.0T models.
Finally, the Q5 is offered as a hybrid as well for the first time. It has an electric motor, conveniently placed to not take away from the cargo area. In addition to the electric motor, this model is equipped with a 2.0T four-cylinder engine and the same gearbox as the other versions. This one takes things to a new level for a hybrid with 250 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque.
Key Competitors For The 2013 Audi Q5
- Acura RDX
- BMW X3
- Lexus RX
- Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class