2013 Audi Q5 Hybrid: Gas saving all-wheel drive crossover
Audi has been doing well for some time with its sharp exterior designs, classy and impeccable interiors and invigorating performance. The Q5 Hybrid is Audi's first mass produced hybrid vehicle.
So what does the 2013 Audi Q5 Hybrid have to offer?
It is an all-wheel drive mid-size five-passenger four-door (plus the hatch) crossover. The Q5's wheelbase measures 110.5 inches and its ground clearance is 7.9 inches. This Audi can tow up to 4,400 lbs.
The engine is a direct-injected 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder and the electric motor is a 1.3 kWh unit. Combined, the gas/electric powerplants provide 241 hp and a healthy 354 ft. lb. of torque. The transmission is an eight-speed automatic with shifting on the steering wheel. This Audi does 0-60 mph in 7 seconds flat and its top speed is 139 mph.
On the exterior the Q5 has a solid and elegant look. The crossover's windshield is highly raked. The hood is broad and is boldly raised in the center. The grille extends from the hood down to below the bumper. The headlights are horizontal units set back from the grille and they wrap into the front fenders. Two large black inserts with driving lights are located down low and at each corner.
From the side this Q5 has a roof that tapers down gracefully at the back. There is a cut line just above the rear door handle. It is significant from the rear taillight into two thirds of the rear door. The cut line than all but disappears through most of the front door. It then becomes significant again to the front headlight. The center part of the front and rear doors contain rectangle shaped recessed areas. The front headlights and rear taillights are visible in the fenders.
At the rear this Audi Hybrid has a futuristic look. The taillights are horizontal units with a triangular shape. The hatch extends down low (pr oviding low cargo lift height) and it is beveled at the edges. Horizontal reflectors are imbedded in the bumper. A black lower insert houses dual exhausts (the pipes are round but flat on the bottom). Overall, the look is clean, crisp and sophisticated.
On the interior the attention to detail and thus the fit and finish are excellent. The seats are comfortable and provide good support for spirited driving. The passenger seat folds flat thus allowing long items to be transported. The gauge cluster includes two large gauges (power indicator on the left and speedometer on the right). At the far edges are the battery power and fuel level. Digital information is provided in between the two large gauges. The center console is a good looking piece that contains multiple controls. There is an 8-inch MMI navigation screen that is controlled by a knob on the console. At the rear there is good legroom and adequate headroom. The rear seat is a 30/30/40 split-folding unit. This Audi
has 29.1 cubic feet of space with the rear seat up and 57.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.
The brakes are vented discs measuring 12.6 inches at the front and 11.8 inches at the rear. The Q5's 60-0 mph stopping distance is in 115 feet. The tires measure 235 55 19 inch.
The suspension at the front includes five-links, coil springs, gas shock absorbers and an anti-roll bar. At the rear the setup includes trapezoidal links, coil springs, gas shock absorbers and an anti-roll bar.
Standard features on the Q5 Hybrid include 8-way power driver and passenger seats, multi-level heated driver's seat, fold flat passenger seat, three-zone climate control, beverage cooler, tilt and telescoping steering wheel with controls on the steering wheel, power windows, door locks and mirrors (heated), remote window operation, cruise control, power glass sunroof, front and rear reading lights, 12 volt power outlets (front, rear and cargo area), rear ventilation ducts with fan control, interior air filtration, external temperature display, universal remote transmitter (for garage door, security system, etc.), rear parking sensors, Bang & Olufsen 14-speaker AM/FM in-dash single CD/DVD with CD MP3 playback stereo, retained accessory power, Sirius satellite radio, auxiliary audio input and iPod/iPhone integration, memory card slot, radio data system, USB connection, hard drive based display w//voice activation, pre-wired for phone, Bluetooth wireless data link for hands free phone, real time traffic and more.
Standard safety features include ABS brakes, front and rear head air bags, dual front side-mounted air bags, passenger air bag occupant sensing deactivation, child seat anchors, rear door child safety locks, high pressure headlight washers, remote anti-theft alarm system, daytime running lights, front fog/driving lights, auto delay off headlights, dusk sensing headlights, stability and traction control, engine immobilizer, electronic brake force distribution, brake drying, post-collision safety system, self leveling headlights, tire pressure monitoring and more.
The fuel rating for the Audi Q5 is expected to be 26 city and 35 mpg highway.
The 2013 Q5 Hybrid's MSRP is estimated to be $44,000.
On the road the Q5 Hybrid provides good acceleration combined with great torque throughout the rpm range. This Audi's handling is buttoned down and the driver feedback is satisfying. With its eight-speed overdrive transmission, highway cruising is a comfortable low rpm experience. The Q5 Hybrid is refined and it is thus an easy crossover to live with day in and day out. Last, but not least, its all-wheel drive Quattro system results in sure-footed driving in all weather conditions.
If you want a refined and good looking luxury all-wheel drive crossover that goes easy on the gas, the Audi Q5 Hybrid is worth your consideration. The Q5 Hybrid will be in Audi showrooms this summer.
Kyle Busch is the author of "Drive the Best for the Price: How to Buy a Used
Automobile, Sport-Utility Vehicle, or Minivan and Save Money." His auto site: drivethebestbook.com includes an exclusive article just for you, additional car articles, information about Kyle Busch and his 510,000 mile car, and you can even submit your automotive questions and get expert answers. Follow Kyle on Facebookand Twitter.
So what does the 2013 Audi Q5 Hybrid have to offer?
It is an all-wheel drive mid-size five-passenger four-door (plus the hatch) crossover. The Q5's wheelbase measures 110.5 inches and its ground clearance is 7.9 inches. This Audi can tow up to 4,400 lbs.
The engine is a direct-injected 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder and the electric motor is a 1.3 kWh unit. Combined, the gas/electric powerplants provide 241 hp and a healthy 354 ft. lb. of torque. The transmission is an eight-speed automatic with shifting on the steering wheel. This Audi does 0-60 mph in 7 seconds flat and its top speed is 139 mph.
On the exterior the Q5 has a solid and elegant look. The crossover's windshield is highly raked. The hood is broad and is boldly raised in the center. The grille extends from the hood down to below the bumper. The headlights are horizontal units set back from the grille and they wrap into the front fenders. Two large black inserts with driving lights are located down low and at each corner.
From the side this Q5 has a roof that tapers down gracefully at the back. There is a cut line just above the rear door handle. It is significant from the rear taillight into two thirds of the rear door. The cut line than all but disappears through most of the front door. It then becomes significant again to the front headlight. The center part of the front and rear doors contain rectangle shaped recessed areas. The front headlights and rear taillights are visible in the fenders.
At the rear this Audi Hybrid has a futuristic look. The taillights are horizontal units with a triangular shape. The hatch extends down low (pr oviding low cargo lift height) and it is beveled at the edges. Horizontal reflectors are imbedded in the bumper. A black lower insert houses dual exhausts (the pipes are round but flat on the bottom). Overall, the look is clean, crisp and sophisticated.
On the interior the attention to detail and thus the fit and finish are excellent. The seats are comfortable and provide good support for spirited driving. The passenger seat folds flat thus allowing long items to be transported. The gauge cluster includes two large gauges (power indicator on the left and speedometer on the right). At the far edges are the battery power and fuel level. Digital information is provided in between the two large gauges. The center console is a good looking piece that contains multiple controls. There is an 8-inch MMI navigation screen that is controlled by a knob on the console. At the rear there is good legroom and adequate headroom. The rear seat is a 30/30/40 split-folding unit. This Audi
has 29.1 cubic feet of space with the rear seat up and 57.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.
The brakes are vented discs measuring 12.6 inches at the front and 11.8 inches at the rear. The Q5's 60-0 mph stopping distance is in 115 feet. The tires measure 235 55 19 inch.
The suspension at the front includes five-links, coil springs, gas shock absorbers and an anti-roll bar. At the rear the setup includes trapezoidal links, coil springs, gas shock absorbers and an anti-roll bar.
Standard features on the Q5 Hybrid include 8-way power driver and passenger seats, multi-level heated driver's seat, fold flat passenger seat, three-zone climate control, beverage cooler, tilt and telescoping steering wheel with controls on the steering wheel, power windows, door locks and mirrors (heated), remote window operation, cruise control, power glass sunroof, front and rear reading lights, 12 volt power outlets (front, rear and cargo area), rear ventilation ducts with fan control, interior air filtration, external temperature display, universal remote transmitter (for garage door, security system, etc.), rear parking sensors, Bang & Olufsen 14-speaker AM/FM in-dash single CD/DVD with CD MP3 playback stereo, retained accessory power, Sirius satellite radio, auxiliary audio input and iPod/iPhone integration, memory card slot, radio data system, USB connection, hard drive based display w//voice activation, pre-wired for phone, Bluetooth wireless data link for hands free phone, real time traffic and more.
Standard safety features include ABS brakes, front and rear head air bags, dual front side-mounted air bags, passenger air bag occupant sensing deactivation, child seat anchors, rear door child safety locks, high pressure headlight washers, remote anti-theft alarm system, daytime running lights, front fog/driving lights, auto delay off headlights, dusk sensing headlights, stability and traction control, engine immobilizer, electronic brake force distribution, brake drying, post-collision safety system, self leveling headlights, tire pressure monitoring and more.
The fuel rating for the Audi Q5 is expected to be 26 city and 35 mpg highway.
The 2013 Q5 Hybrid's MSRP is estimated to be $44,000.
On the road the Q5 Hybrid provides good acceleration combined with great torque throughout the rpm range. This Audi's handling is buttoned down and the driver feedback is satisfying. With its eight-speed overdrive transmission, highway cruising is a comfortable low rpm experience. The Q5 Hybrid is refined and it is thus an easy crossover to live with day in and day out. Last, but not least, its all-wheel drive Quattro system results in sure-footed driving in all weather conditions.
If you want a refined and good looking luxury all-wheel drive crossover that goes easy on the gas, the Audi Q5 Hybrid is worth your consideration. The Q5 Hybrid will be in Audi showrooms this summer.
Kyle Busch is the author of "Drive the Best for the Price: How to Buy a Used
Automobile, Sport-Utility Vehicle, or Minivan and Save Money." His auto site: drivethebestbook.com includes an exclusive article just for you, additional car articles, information about Kyle Busch and his 510,000 mile car, and you can even submit your automotive questions and get expert answers. Follow Kyle on Facebookand Twitter.
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