Car Review: The Audi Q5 is revamped and peppy

If you’re looking for a nice SUV, one German luxury brand’s bestselling model has gotten an overhaul.

It’s the revamped Audi Q5. Many say this two-row SUV is “compact,” though Audi calls it “midsize.”

Once again, you’ll notice the big LED screen in front of the passenger, allowing that person to see and control many vehicle functions, notably the music.

In here, we’re bathed in purple ambient light. Audi, in fact, promises “uniquely customizable front and rear digital light signatures.”

This Tambora Gray SUV is a great size for parking. But the back seat is on the smaller side, even though it and the rest of the interior look handsome in pearl beige.

This ride is plenty peppy but requires premium fuel. All-wheel drive is standard.

This was an outstanding road trip companion for me and my 4-year-old, as we went on a car parts run to Pennsylvania. The Q5’s trunk also did a fine job of hauling an old crankshaft back home (the power hatch was much appreciated as I groaned under its weight while loading and unloading).

Also neat: the backup camera, which shows the number of inches left before you hit an object. I did not find a spare tire under the trunk floor, but it does have run-flat tires.

This one includes an $8,400 prestige package, which includes niceties such as an adaptive suspension and soft-close doors, as well as that passenger screen.

The total price here is $63,290, after shipping.

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John Aaron

John Aaron is a news anchor and reporter for WTOP. After starting his professional broadcast career as an anchor and reporter for WGET and WGTY in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, he went on to spend several years in the world of sports media, working for Comcast SportsNet, MLB Network Radio, and WTOP.

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