The 2021 Audi Q5 has been unveiled, gets cosmetic, technology and powertrain updates

The Audi Q5 has received a facelift, the basic silhouette of the vehicle may look the same, but this vehicle has evolved, big time. Whether it’s the exteriors, interiors, powertrain, range of features, all of it have been changed and improved for the better. Starting with the exterior, let us have a look at all what’s new with the facelifted Q5.

Updated looks

It is clear, this is the year when automakers bring forth their facelifted models, by paying specific attention to the grille of the car. The glaring update on the front fascia is in the form of the octagonal ‘Singleframe’ grille which has been made thinner, although it loses out on the silver bezel which connected to the headlamps in the previous Q5. Another grille option, a more bling version with chrome elements will also be offered. As for the front bumpers, they have been tweaked, the side air intakes have been made larger and are now in an all-black colour. Now we get to the fun part, the headlamps of the vehicle.

The updates on the exterior lights are simply delightful (pun intended). Audi has always introduced revolutionary changes for their new top end models, and they have done the same here as well. The headlamps are all LED as standard, as for the top trims, buyers will get the Matrix LED lighting system. The DRLs have been refreshed too.

Moving on to the rear, changes are subtle, however, the lighting system improvements here are mind-blowing. The 2021 Audi Q5 has become the world’s first vehicle to sport OLED (organic LED) technology. The taillights use OLED lighting, as cool as this update is, it will be available solely in the top end SQ5 trim. Apparently, while purchasing the vehicle, the buyer will be presented with 4 different lighting designs from which he/she must choose one. The question is, can the design be changed post-purchase? The tail light indicators make use of dynamic turn indicators which look extremely cool.

Moving on to the inside

Changes on the inside aren’t very observable at first, but after spending a bit of time, you would realise that Audi has focussed on upgrading the technology within the car. For starters, the 8.3 inch infotainment system has been increased to a 10.1 inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay is supported as standard. The system which is used within the infotainment system is Audi’s MIB 3 (not Men In Black, instead it stands for Modular Infotainment Platform).

Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, which makes for a great Star Wars Starfighter experience is also available in the 12.3 inch instrument cluster, but only on the Premium Plus and Prestige trims. Amongst other connected features, the cabin sports Amazon’s Alexa assistant, ‘functions on demand’ which can initiate features such as Navigation Plus, a navigation feature which provides high-resolution images from Google Earth or via Audi’s MyAudi smartphone app. Furthermore, a Bang & Olufsen sound system has been equipped, which provides audio thanks to the 19 speakers, producing a total of 705 watts.

The mechanicals of the 2021 Q5

The facelifted Q5 has been fitted with a new 2.0 litre turbocharged, 4 cylinder, standard mild-hybrid powertrain which produces 261 ps and 370 nm of torque. Another electric option has been made available, a plug-in hybrid makes use of the same 2.0 litre engine, but as it is a PHEV, it is equipped with an electric motor. This engine makes 362 ps and 500 nm of torque, while being coupled with a 7 speed DCT. For the ones who want to push their adrenaline, I present the top of the line Quattro all-wheel-drive SQ5, which uses a 3.0 turbocharged V6 engine.

With this engine, 349 ps and 500 nm of torque is churned up, which is mated to a 7 speed DCT.

Now for my Indian readers, if you felt excited about the prospects of having such engines in the new Q5 when it lands in India, sorry to disappoint. Like I said before, India will be receiving only a single petrol engine option with the 2021 Q5. A 2.0 litre TFSI petrol engine which creates 245 ps and 370 nm of torque, and this engine will be in sync with a mild-hybrid system. A 7 speed S-Tronic transmission will be fitted, and it will also be equipped with Audi’s famed Quattro All-Wheel-Drive system.

Launch details

The 2021 Q5 will enter the international markets by the end of this year, so we could expect the facelifted Q5 to land on Indian shores in 2021. Once it does arrive in India, it will be going up against the BMW X3, Volvo XC60, Mercedes Benz GLC and Land Rover Discovery Sport.