Audi Q5 S-line 2.0 TFSI quattro Review: Refinement Over Reinvention

In Singapore, the premium mid-sized SUV segment is less about excitement and more about judgement. Buyers here are discerning, pragmatic, and acutely aware that every purchase is amplified by COE. So you don’t buy a car like this on impulse; you buy it because it fits your life.

Which is why the all-new Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI quattro mild hybrid makes so much sense.

At first glance, it may seem familiar. Audi hasn’t chased dramatic styling or radical reinvention, and that’s entirely the point. This Q5 represents careful evolution - one obviously guided by experience, data, and a clear understanding of what this segment actually values.

Powering It

Under the bonnet sits a 2.0-litre turbocharged TFSI four-cylinder engine, now paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. Outputs stand at 204 hp and 340 Nm of torque - numbers that place it squarely among its German peers. The BMW X3 xDrive 20 delivers 188 hp and 310 Nm, the Mercedes-Benz GLC 200 4MATIC offers 201 hp and 320 Nm, while the Volvo XC60 B5 Plus pushes harder at 247 hp and 360 Nm.

But, raw numbers only tell part of the story.

Power is channelled through Audi’s 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and sent to all four wheels via quattro all-wheel drive. In everyday driving, the drivetrain is impressively seamless. So seamless, in fact, that I repeatedly caught myself wondering if this was a CVT rather than a dual-clutch gearbox. Upshifts are almost imperceptible, downshifts are intuitive, and the entire system operates with a fluidity that marks a clear step up from the previous Q5.

Driving It

Audi has evidently invested significant effort in refining the engine–gearbox relationship, and it pays dividends. This is the first Audi SUV built on the new Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture, and the improvement in overall refinement is unmistakable. The car feels calmer, quieter and more mature, traits that become increasingly valuable the longer you spend behind the wheel.

On Singapore’s expressways, the Q5 is an accomplished long-distance cruiser. The engine settles into a relaxed rhythm, wind and road noise are well suppressed, and the cabin remains a peaceful place to be even at highway speeds. In urban conditions, it’s equally adept - compliant over uneven surfaces, unflustered in traffic, and never feeling unwieldy despite measuring 4,682 mm in length.

For reference, that puts it almost exactly in line with its competitors: the BMW X3 measures 4,755 mm, the Mercedes-Benz GLC stretches to 4,716 mm, and the Volvo XC60 sits at 4,708 mm.

There is, however, one persistent annoyance that Audi still hasn’t quite resolved: The automatic engine start/stop system remains overzealous. Step out of the car with the key in your pocket, and the engine shuts down almost immediately, taking the radio and, crucially in our tropical climate, the air-conditioning along with it; of course, passengers left inside will not be amused. The workaround is to leave the key in the car if you’re stepping out briefly, which feels like a compromise no premium buyer should have to make…

To fully appreciate the Q5’s significance, it’s worth revisiting its origins. When Audi introduced the first-generation Q5 in 2009, it was a genuinely inspired move: Take a punchy turbocharged engine and gearbox derived from a hot hatch - read: Golf GTI - pair it with quattro all-wheel drive, wrap it in a spacious and practical SUV body, and price it attractively (yes, under $180k, COE included at that time). The market responded enthusiastically.

Even today, you can still find first-generation Q5s plying our roads - a testament to how right Audi got the formula.

Still Relevant

The good news is that Audi hasn’t lost sight of that original brief. The new Q5 doesn’t attempt to rewrite the script; instead, it refines it. Build quality feels tighter, materials feel richer, and cabin insulation is noticeably improved. The equipment list is modern and comprehensive, with a full suite of driver assistance systems that bring it right up to date, without overwhelming the driver.

From behind the wheel, the Q5 continues to impress. The driving position is faultless, offering excellent visibility and a wide range of adjustment. The seats are comfortable and supportive - particularly important if, like me, you’re clocking close to 200 kilometres a day. This is a car that reduces fatigue, rather than contributing to it.

When driven with a little intent, the Q5 reveals a confident and capable chassis. The steering is nicely weighted, accurate, and reassuring, providing a clear sense of what the front wheels are doing. Push harder, and yes, you’ll encounter body roll - this is still an SUV, after all - but the car remains composed and predictable. It never feels out of its depth, and that sense of control inspires confidence rather than encouraging recklessness.

Rear-seat passengers are well catered for. The rear bench is comfortably padded, headroom is generous even for taller occupants, and legroom is more than adequate for adult passengers. The transmission tunnel, an unavoidable by-product of an internal combustion drivetrain with all-wheel drive, does intrude slightly, making the centre seat less ideal for longer journeys, unless it’s a young child.

Boot space measures a practical 520 litres, right in line with its rivals and more than sufficient for family duties, grocery runs, or the occasional weekend escape across the Causeway.

In A Nutshell

So where does that leave the all-new Audi Q5?

Quite simply, it remains one of the most complete and well-judged offerings in its segment. It doesn’t chase trends or shout for attention. Instead, it delivers refinement, comfort, and usability in a package that feels purpose-built for Singaporean life.

In a field crowded with capable rivals, the Q5 continues to stand out - not by being the loudest or the sportiest, but by being quietly, confidently right. And sometimes, that’s exactly what makes a car the smartest choice of all.

Photos by Azfar Hashim (@azfar.talks)

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