2020 Audi Q5 Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.
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The luxury SUV market is ripe with competition. Even though these vehicles are priced above non-luxury SUVs, the price gaps sometimes are not that massive. And that competitive pricing is exactly what will drive buyers to look at the 2020 Audi Q5.
After receiving a pretty significant revamp in 2018, the 2020 line-up should resemble the models from 2018 and 2019. Audi seems to take on the motto of "If it isn't broken, don't fix it." There is little to dislike about the Q5. The only bummer for some drivers will be that they only get one engine option. However, it is a solidly-built, powerful engine.
A smooth ride (thanks to the chassis that was added in 2018), standard all-wheel drive, and a cozy cabin are just a few of the things that Q5 buyers will have to look forward to. But what exactly comes on each of its three trim levels? Is one trim better than the others?
To answer those questions, we are going to take a look at the 2020 Audi Q5's three trim levels (the Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige) and compare their different specs. One trim level will appeal to more buyers, and we will reveal which one that is at the end of this review.
Compare the 2020 Audi Q5 Premium vs Premium Plus Trims. What is the difference?
Let's kick this review off by introducing the 2020 Audi Q5's base trim, the Premium. Powered by a 2.0-L 4-cylinder engine, this vehicle has a nice amount of power for a vehicle in this class. This engine is accompanied by a 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission and Audi's quattro all-wheel drive. The powertrain nets it 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. This helps the Premium get from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, a swift enough speed for an SUV of this ilk. The towing capacity is 4,400 pounds when properly equipped, which means that you can load up a good amount of weight onto a trailer and haul it along with you.
And, as far as fuel economy goes, this SUV pulls in decent numbers. It gets 24 mpg combined with 22 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. For a luxury SUV, this isn't too bad.
Of course, what will draw people to newer vehicles like the Q5 is the amount of infotainment features that come standard. The 2020 Audi Q5 has quite a few of them. Audi gives drivers the Audi advanced key, which comes with the handy sensor-control trunk lid release. Audi connect emergency and service call comes standard, so if you are ever in an emergency situation, you can quickly use this feature to get help. Audi drive select, Audi pre sense basic, smartphone app integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, a rear view camera, Audi pre sense city, and cruise control featuring coast, accelerate, and resume features all come on the Premium. You can also opt for Audi's Connectivity Package.
Of course, there are plenty of attractive luxury features in the Premium trim level's cabin. The seats are upholstered in chic leather, and the front seats both have a heating function. The driver gets the added benefit of four-way power lumbar support, and both front seats are power-adjustable. This makes it a lot easier for the driver to find a comfortable driving position, and the front seat passenger gets a lot of space to maneuver themselves into a cozy position too. The 40/20/40-split folding rear seats have an arm rest in between them which adds a level of comfort when one needs to rest their elbow on something.
The cabin also features gorgeous dark brown walnut wood inlays which offset the leather trim. There are plenty of soft-touch surfaces, which is something you should expect to find in a luxury vehicle like the Q5. The vehicle's tri-zone automatic climate control works well at keeping all areas of the vehicle cooled or heated as needed. There are also plastic door sill trims, an interior automatically dimming rear view mirror with an embedded digital compass, carpeted floor mats, two front sun visors with illuminated vanity mirrors, and four beverage holders in total. You can also opt for the LED Interior Lighting Package or the Storage Package, which maximizes your vehicle's inner utility.
All of the safety features you could possibly want come on the Premium trim level. These standard features include front passenger and driver side air bags, a tire pressure monitoring system, an easy-to-use LATCH system, and seat belt reminders. Also, Pre Sense City helps by applying emergency braking at speeds of up to 52 miles per hour and can detect possible collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians.
The 2020 Audi Q5 is pretty darn attractive on the inside, but it is equally cool on the outside. The Premium gives you standard 18-inch 5-twin-spoke dynamic design wheels that come with 235/60 all-season tires. There are also aluminum roof rails, aluminum trim surrounding the exterior windows, an electric rear spoiler, a car jack, LED lights with dynamic turn indicators, privacy glass for the rear, xenon plus headlights, LED daytime running lights, and the ability to add a towing bracket (which can be bought as an after-market add-on).
Sure, the Premium trim level has a lot of useful features, but what does the Premium Plus have that gives it the 'Plus' in its name? Is it really worth the $6,000-ish price jump? Let's find out.
The 2020 Audi Q5's Premium Plus trim level does have a lot of the standard features that come on the Premium. However, as its name suggests, this trim level has quite a few more features than the base trim. The Premium Plus gets more in the way of infotainment and safety features. Audi advanced key comes standard, and it is a system that lets you open your vehicle up without even having to reach into your pocket. This remote comes in handy when you have got your hands full.
Audi connect gets the addition of online services with the Premium Plus. Audi drive select, Audi phone box, Audi pre sense rear, Audi side assist, and the Audi virtual cockpit also get added into the mix. The Home Link garage door opener also comes standard, and this feature lets you control your home's electricity and security system from the comfort and convenience of your vehicle. There is also a luggage compartment lid that electronically opens and closes.
Other standard safety and infotainment features include MMI radio, the parking system plus (which gives the vehicle both front and rear sensors), and access to SiriusXM Satellite Radio. There is a 10-speaker sound system and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display that has some crystal-clear graphics. WiFi hot spot connectivity and a wireless charger also come equipped on the vehicle. A navigation system gets added to the fray as well and is a nice option to have if you do not want to use the navigation app on your smartphone.
As far as the interior goes, the front seats each gain memory settings with their power-adjustable functionality. There are also aluminum door sill inlays, a panoramic sunroof, and several package options that allow for greater customization. You can choose to upgrade the vehicle's leather with the Leather Package. The Storage and LED Interior Lighting Packages are also available on the Premium Plus.
The Premium Plus sits atop bigger wheels; it gets 19-inch 5-arm-wing wheels that give it an even more luxurious look on the outside. Dynamic headlight range adjustment, full LED headlights, and side mirrors with heating, auto dimming, and power-adjustability and power-folding come equipped as well.
Compare the 2020 Audi Q5 Premium Plus vs Prestige Trims. What is the difference?
The 2020 Audi Q5's base and mid-level trims are both well-equipped vehicles. They offer a lot of standard features that let you know you are riding around in luxury. But the line-topping Prestige trim gives you even more. Seriously, the list of standard features becomes almost a task to read when you look at the vehicle online. So, let's break down exactly what gets added.
The Prestige trim level gains a number of great infotainment and safety features. The MMI navigation plus comes standard, as does the MMI all-in-touch with the capability to recognize your handwriting. Audi connect CARE assistance and security services come equipped, and you can get a six-month trial subscription to Audi connect PRIME with Audi connect PLUS online services. The stereo gets upgraded to a massive 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system with 755 watts and a 16-channel amplifier.
Voice control also comes standard, and you get an 8.3-inch MMI infotainment and navigation display. HD Radio, INRIX SD Traffic, two 64 GB SD card slots, the parking plus system, Audi drive select, rain and light sensing windshield wipers, and a head-up display with assistance systems information and navigation all come equipped on the Prestige. Fancy, right?
Well, it gets even fancier when you just check out the cabin's design. The premium leather is comfortable to sit on and gorgeous to look at. The steering wheel has a good amount of controls mounted onto it, and there is a stainless steel trunk sill. The dark brown walnut wood inlays gain a high gloss treatment, and the power windows have a one-touch up/down feature with power retention that works until the front door gets opened. The front side windows gain dual pain acoustic glass to help keep nise out of the cabin. You can also opt for ambient interior LED lighting, which makes the cabin look even more gorgeous. The door armrests and center console gain leatherette surfacing. The gear selector is also clad in leather. The door sill inlays also get treated to a stainless steel upgrade.
The exterior is given some major upgrades too. The wheels get pushed up to 20-inch 5-segment-spoke wheels, and there is a stunning singleframe grille on the front fascia. The windshield washer nozzles gain a heating function, which is helpful for those who have to drive around in snowstorms and in the cold rain. Everything you get on the outside just serves to enhance what you get inside of the cabin.
Which Trim to Choose?
The 2020 Audi Q5 makes it hard to choose a trim level since all three are well-designed and well-equipped. The Premium is a good option for those who are on a tight budget, and those who can spend much more freely will likely want to go with the Prestige.
However, most drivers will get the best deal from the mid-level Premium Plus. This vehicle equips a tremendous amount of standard features and still leaves you with some optional packages. It does well at meeting safety and infotainment needs and incorporates enough luxury features to make you feel like you are getting a lot of bang for your buck.
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