2017 Audi Q5 Pros vs Cons

The 2017 Audi Q5 is one of the most popular and best-selling luxury crossover vehicles in America. Along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Audi dominates the luxury car market. With the Q5, it’s easy to see why. The crossover combines an incredible engine and all-terrain performance with lots of room and a huge number of standard and optional features that deliver an exceptional driving experience.

What's New For 2017

The are a few minor changes from the 2016 to 2017 Audi Q5. The main changes are simply omissions; the Q5 no longer has an option for diesel engines, and the gas/electric hybrid engine was skipped for this year. It will return once the Q5 has been redesigned in the near future.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2017 Audi Q5 – The Pros

1. Great Handling

Driving and handling is one place where the Audi Q5 shines. It handles quite a bit more smoothly than one might expect from an SUV, which helps to deliver a more memorable driving experience. The adaptive dampers go a long way towards ensuring a smooth ride and great control.

2. Great Fuel Economy

Where luxury cars are concerned, fuel economy is usually a secondary concern to power and performance. While the 2017 Audi Q5 doesn’t have quite the fuel economy of the 2015, it still gets up to 27 highway MPG, which is nothing to be ashamed about.

3. 3.0T V6 Engine

The 3.0T doesn’t come standard for the base 2017 Audi Q5, and the upgrade from the 2.0 to the 3.0 is about $5000. However, there is no small upgrade. The 272-horsepower engine offer 295 pounds of torque and goes from 0 to 60 in less than six seconds. It’s worth it.

4. Rugged Design

The advantages of buying a luxury crossover aren’t limited to more leg room and cubic feet. The 2017 Audi Q5 sports sports heavy-duty 18” tires that can be upgraded to 19”, and offers all-wheel drive performance, helping drivers to get where they want to go, safely and in style.

5. Plenty of Room

No one denies that cars like the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro are a lot of fun to drive. However, they’re really not designed with the family man in mind. Crossover SUVs like the 2017 Audi Q5 are designed with enough room to travel with the whole family, and has enough space to carry the luggage needed for the next family vacation.

6. A Comfortable Ride

One of the major appeals of driving a luxury vehicle over standard economy cars are the extra little comforts that come with them. Premium leather seats make for a far more appealing ride, both visually and to sit on. A customized interior finish allows drivers to put just a bit of a personal touch on their vehicle reflecting their own individual tastes.

7. Advanced Safety Features

Advances in technology are making cars safer to drive than ever before. The 2017 Audi Q5 comes with anti-lock braking systems, anti-theft alarms and an Electronic Stability Mode than provides extra off-road traction. The Premium Plus and Prestige builds include additional features, such as keyless start, voice-controlled navigation and Audi side assist, protecting against potential accidents.

8. Awesome Multimedia Options

The 2017 Audi Q5 does not slouch in its digital technology either. The default build comes with a ten-speaker stereo system, a three-month subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio, a CD player, 32GB-supported SD slot, an iPod-supported music interface and Bluetooth technology that allows set up for hands-free mobile calling.

9. An Attractive Design

Comfortable accommodations and a powerful engine don’t mean nearly as much if a car looks like a PT Cruiser. While the Audi Q5 has the amenities of a Sports Utility Vehicle, it doesn’t look like one. It’s sleek, aerodynamic design help it to stand out in a crowd, making the vehicle more appealing to drive.

10. Reliability

German engineering is known for its quality, craftsmanship and durability. The peace of mind that comes from owning a reliable, trustworthy vehicle cannot be measured in dollars. Audi’s reputation alone makes the 2017 Audi Q5 a must-have vehicle.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2017 Audi Q5 – The Cons

No car is ever perfect. As impressive a vehicle as the Q5 is, it is not without a few faults.

1. 4-Star Crash Test Rating

While the Q5 is a top safety pick in terms of safe driving technology, it does not hold up in a crash as well as some other luxury crossovers. For some people, this may be a cause for concern.

2. Steering

While the 2017 Audi Q5 handles well, the steering can occasionally feel sluggish or inconsistent, and it doesn’t always feel great while handling sharp turns.

3. Smaller Dashboard

The Q5 doesn’t have as large of a multimedia dashboard screen as some other cars do. This can make it harder to control or change multimedia settings while driving, which can be inconvenient.

4. No USB

The Audi Q5 still lacks any kind of USB port, which has been lacking in the Q5 for several years. While this is a minor inconvenience, USB ports are found in other cars in this class.

How it Stacks Up to the Competition:

The 2017 Q5 stacks up very competitively against similar cars in its class. Its appearance is sleeker and more appealing than the BMW X3. While it is slightly more expensive than the Mercedes-Benz GLC, the Q5 engine provides superior power.

Conclusion

There is a lot to like about the 2017 Audi Q5, and not much going against it. The most safety-conscientious drivers may want to choose a car with a higher crash test rating. Otherwise, the Audi Q5 is not likely to disappoint.