Audi Q5 gains plug-in hybrid power with 62 miles of electric range

On sale September | Prices from £56,740

For those caught between combustion and pure electric power for their next car, plug-in hybrid power can be the perfect Goldilocks solution, because it can offer the best of both worlds. And if a PHEV is likely to be top of your shortlist, then there’s now two more to consider, thanks to the introduction of the new Audi Q5 e-hybrid quattro models.

Both the Q5 SUV and Q5 Sportback will benefit from the new PHEV power, dubbed e-Hybrid, with the same setup as in the Audi A5 and A6 models. That setup combines a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, powered by a 20.7kWh (usable capacity) battery.

Both cars will be available exclusively in four-wheel-drive quattro guise. Pumping out 295bhp, the Q5 has an official 0-62mph time of 6.2sec, which is about as punchy as a plug-in hybrid BMW X3. If you want more power, though, you might be better off with a Lexus NX 450h.

We’ve sampled this setup in the A5 saloon and A5 Avant, and found it to be a smooth operator, intelligently flicking from electric to engine, and were impressed with its ability to stay in its EV mode for long periods, helping to maximise fuel economy.

Thanks to a slightly larger battery compared with its predecessor, the Q5 should officially be able to travel up to 62 miles on pure electric power. For reference, the X3 PHEV can only reach an official 55 miles, while the NX will only manage 40 miles. That being said, the PHEV version of the Mercedes GLC offers up to 78 miles.

The Q5 has a maximum AC charging rate of 11kW, which means you should be able to charge up to 100% in about two and a half hours from empty, although it will take about 3.5 hours from a 7kW home charger. Battery power can also be recuperated via regenerative braking, operated by paddles on the steering wheel. That system has been upgraded, so it should offer even higher efficiency.

If you opt for an e-hybrid model, you’ll receive 19in alloy wheels, upgraded LED front and rear lights and sportier suspension as standard. They also come equipped with Audi’s MMI infotainment system, with a 14.5in curved touchscreen. When we tested it in the regular Q5 models, it was pleasantly responsive but there are too many small icons that are fiddly to operate.

Some compromises have been made in order to fit the battery pack, so you don’t get as much boot space in the PHEV models as in standard models. For the SUV, you get 438 litres, and that decreases slightly to 433 litres on the Sportback. Indeed, plug-in hybrid versions of the X3 are roomier.

The Audi Q5 e-hybrid quattro models will arrive in showrooms in September. Prices start at £56,740 for the SUV and £59,240 for the Sportback. The SUV costs more than what you’d pay for an NX, but it’s slightly cheaper than an X3 PHEV. 

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