Audi Q5 hybrid interior, dashboard & comfort
Trademark Audi interior quality, comfort and technology are standout features that could be the deciding factor for many buyers
The Audi Q5 is an extremely comfortable car, with a broad range of powered seat adjustment, great visibility, a lovely-looking dashboard and excellent ride quality and refinement. Quality feels top-notch in every aspect; it’s only the expensive optional extras that let the car down now the plug-in Q5 features a touchscreen and comes as standard with Audi's Virtual Cockpit.
Audi Q5 hybrid dashboard
The Q5’s dashboard looks as classy as you’d expect, with solid-feeling materials and a straightforward layout featuring a high-set screen and simple air-conditioning switches. Even the entry-level Q5 Sport gets Audi's Virtual Cockpit digital driver's display – it features fully digital dials with variable-view format that many buyers will want. As long as you get the digital dials, the Q5’s dashboard is hard to fault for either functionality or appearance.
Equipment, options and accessories
The Q5 hybrid comes with a decent spread of standard equipment. Oddly, the 50 and 55 had different trim levels, but automatic LED headlights, climate control, part-Alcantara upholstery and 18-inch alloys are included on the entry-level 50 TFSI e Sport. As well as 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen and Audi's Virtual Cockpit digital driver's display.
The Q5 50 TFSI is also available in S Line, Vorsprung and Edition 1 trim. S Line models feature 19-inch alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights, sport front seats and sportier styling. the Edition 1 trim builds on that with 20-inch alloy wheels, the extended LED interior lighting pack and Napa leather upholstery inside.
The Q5 50 TFSI is also available in S Line, Vorsprung and Edition 1 trim. S Line models feature 19-inch alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights, sport front seats and sportier styling. Edition 1 trim builds on that with 20-inch alloy wheels, the extended LED interior lighting pack and Nappa leather upholstery inside.
Vorsprung models get the full gamut of luxury and technology, including a Bang & Olufsen sound system, power-adjustable massage seats, heated front and rear seats, a head-up display, a panoramic glass roof, adaptive cruise control, semi-autonomous parking system (as part of the park assist pack) and 21-inch alloy wheels. When available, the 55 TFSI e only came in two trims: Competition and Vorsprung Competition. Competition gets the massage seats, keyless entry and start, and 20-inch wheels, while the Competition Vorsprung model gets everything thrown in as standard.
However, once you start adding a few individual or option packs, before you know it, you may have a gorgeous car but you'll also have a bill for £60,000 that you might not have budgeted for given the list price and what seems at first glance like an extensive standard kit list.
Infotainment, apps & sat nav
The plug-in Q5 now comes with a high-set 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen that replaces the previous unit you had to operate with a rotary controller on the centre console. Generally, it’s the logical layout, sharp graphics and advanced navigation (which includes a charging point search function), and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that make the Q5’s infotainment system one of the most comprehensive and logical.