Audi Q5 (2018)

The 2018 Audi Q5 45 TFSI petrol is a premium SUV that combines a powerful 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system, delivering a confident and comfortable driving experience. The cabin is spacious, well-appointed, and features a panoramic sunroof, advanced infotainment, and excellent noise insulation. The ride quality is plush, handling Indian roads with ease, and the car offers strong safety credentials with multiple airbags and a 5-star NCAP rating. Practicality is a highlight, with ample boot space and a power-folding tailgate. The Q5’s design is modern and stylish, with sharp lines and premium finishes, making it a standout in its segment. It’s a well-rounded SUV that excels in comfort, safety, and everyday usability, making it a solid choice for Indian buyers seeking a luxury SUV.

The 2018 Audi Q5 45 TFSI petrol is a premium SUV that combines a powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system, delivering strong performance and confident handling. The cabin is spacious, with a panoramic sunroof, high-quality materials, and a user-friendly infotainment system. The suspension is tuned for comfort, making it well-suited for Indian roads, while the Quattro system ensures excellent grip. The Q5 features a 5-star NCAP safety rating, multiple airbags, and advanced safety tech. It’s a practical, stylish, and comfortable SUV that appeals to families and professionals seeking a blend of luxury, performance, and safety in a single package.

The 2018 Audi Q5 45 TFSI petrol stands out as a compelling choice in the premium SUV segment in India, blending refined driving dynamics with a luxurious cabin and strong safety credentials. It feels agile on highways and composed in city traffic, with a smooth 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine and a well-tuned dual-clutch gearbox that delivers brisk acceleration and seamless shifts. The Quattro all-wheel drive system ensures confident grip, while the adjustable suspension copes well with Indian road conditions. The cabin is spacious, airy, and well-equipped, making it ideal for families and professionals alike. The ride comfort is excellent, with minimal noise intrusion and a serene environment, though the steering lacks some feedback for driving enthusiasts. The Q5’s practicality, safety, and badge appeal make it a well-rounded package, especially for those prioritising comfort and style over outright sportiness.

The 2018 Audi Q5 45 TFSI petrol stands out as a premium SUV that blends style, comfort, and performance in a way that few rivals can match. Its 2.0-litre turbocharged engine delivers strong, linear power, making it peppy and responsive in city traffic and on highways. The Quattro all-wheel-drive system ensures excellent grip, while the suspension is tuned for comfort, soaking up most bumps and potholes with ease. The cabin is spacious, airy, and well-appointed, with a panoramic sunroof and high-quality materials. The infotainment system is intuitive, and the virtual cockpit is a highlight. The Q5 feels stable at high speeds and handles corners with confidence, though the steering lacks some feedback. It’s a practical choice for families and professionals alike, offering a refined, quiet ride and a host of safety features. While it’s not the most sporty SUV, it strikes a fine balance between comfort and capability, making it a compelling option in its segment.

I took the 2018 Audi Q5 35 TDI for a spin on Indian highways around Jaipur and was impressed by its refined 2.0-litre diesel engine delivering 190hp and 400Nm, paired with a smooth seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox that shifts precisely in sport mode, hitting 0-100kmph in 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 218kmph, all while claiming 17kmpl ARAI efficiency—real-world figures hovered around 14-15kmpl in city traffic and up to 20kmpl on open roads. The MLB Evo platform shaves off about 90kg compared to the predecessor, making it lighter and more agile for quick lane changes and cornering, with the Quattro all-wheel-drive system providing excellent grip even on undulating Rajasthan roads. Ride quality shines in comfort mode, soaking up potholes and bumps without much intrusion into the serene cabin, where NVH levels are exceptionally low, muffling engine, wind, and tyre noise during triple-digit cruises. The petrol 45 TFSI variant, with 252hp, feels punchy post-2200rpm turbo boost but jerky at low speeds in traffic due to dual-clutch lag, though both share a spacious interior with premium finishes, three-zone climate control, and Virtual Cockpit in top trims. Priced from around Rs 75 lakh on-road in Delhi, it's a composed luxury SUV that excels in refinement and long-distance comfort for Indian conditions.

When I first got behind the wheel of the 2018 Audi Q5 in India, I was immediately impressed by how refined the driving experience felt at any speed. The 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine producing 190 hp and 400 Nm of torque felt incredibly smooth and linear, pulling from as low as 1100 rpm with minimal turbo lag. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission worked seamlessly in tandem with the engine, responding quickly to throttle inputs and keeping the Q5 in the power band at all times. What truly stood out was the ride quality—the suspension tuning favored comfort exceptionally well, gliding over broken roads without fuss in comfort mode while delivering a flatter, more composed feel on highways when switched to dynamic mode. The ARAI-certified fuel efficiency of 17 kmpl impressed me, especially considering the car's capabilities. The Quattro all-wheel-drive system provided excellent traction in various conditions, and the braking performance was reassuring with strong stopping power. Overall, the 2018 Q5 felt like a thoroughly capable and refined package that prioritized occupant comfort without compromising on performance or efficiency.

Having spent time behind the wheel of the 2018 Audi Q5 in India, I found the 35 TDI diesel variant, the sole option at launch, delivers a refined 2.0-litre engine producing 190hp and 400Nm, paired seamlessly with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission for smooth shifts and linear pull from low revs, hitting 0-100kmph in 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 218kmph, while boasting an ARAI-certified 17kmpl efficiency ideal for our roads. The Quattro all-wheel-drive shines in off-road detection mode with relaxed throttle and maximum traction for light soft-roading, and highway stability impresses with agile cornering in dynamic mode, though the petrol 45 TFSI feels hesitant in traffic due to turbo lag before surging post-2200rpm. Ride comfort has leaped forward on the lighter MLB Evo platform, soaking bumps better than its fidgety predecessor, with supple low-speed absorption and composed high-speed poise, complemented by reassuring brakes and a quiet cabin that cocoons occupants. Inside, the spacious, elegant layout with virtual cockpit, three-zone climate control, and intuitive MMI makes it a premium daily driver, tough to fault for Indian conditions despite rivals nipping at its heels.

Driving the 2018 Audi Q5 in India, I was struck by how the second-generation model refines everything from its predecessor, built on the lighter MLB Evo platform that shaves off around 90kg for sharper responses. The 2.0-litre TDI diesel, pumping out 190hp and 400Nm, pairs seamlessly with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, delivering 0-100kmph in 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 218kmph, while the ARAI-certified 17kmpl efficiency impresses on long highway runs where I hit up to 20-22kmpl. Refinement is standout—the engine hums linearly from low revs with minimal turbo lag, cocooning you from noise as triple-digit speeds feel effortless. Ride comfort has leaped forward; in Comfort mode, it glides over broken roads and potholes without the old model's fidgetiness, though Dynamic mode firms things up for highways, reducing body roll while the Quattro AWD grips confidently in corners or light off-road. Brakes bite progressively with strong stopping power, steering offers decent weight in Dynamic, and the spacious cabin with its Virtual Cockpit and panoramic sunroof feels premium for Indian conditions, though it's pricier than rivals like the BMW X3.

I remember taking the 2018 Audi Q5 35 TDI for a spin on Indian highways around Jaipur, and it quickly became my go-to for effortless long hauls. The 2.0-litre diesel churns out 190hp and 400Nm, hitting 0-100kmph in 7.9 seconds with a top speed of 218kmph, all while delivering an ARAI-certified 17kmpl that I stretched to 20-22kmpl on open stretches and 14-15kmpl in city traffic. Paired with the smooth seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, it pulls linearly from low revs without turbo lag, feeling refined and punchy even above 2000rpm, though the petrol 45 TFSI variant adds a turbo surge post-2200rpm but gets jerky in traffic due to dual-clutch hesitation. Ride comfort transformed dramatically—supple over broken roads in Comfort mode, gliding through potholes unlike the fidgety old model, while Dynamic firms it up for stable high-speed cruising and agile cornering with Quattro AWD gripping firmly, including an Off-road mode for light trails. Brakes bite hard with strong stopping power, cabin noise is minimal, and it's spacious inside with solid safety like electronic immobilizer, though steering lacks feel. At around Rs 55 lakh ex-showroom back then, it nailed premium SUV duties in India perfectly.

The 2018 Audi Q5 45 TFSI petrol was launched in India with an ex-showroom price ranging between ₹55 lakh and ₹60 lakh, depending on the variant and features. On-road prices, including registration, insurance, and other charges, typically fell between ₹62 lakh and ₹68 lakh, varying by city and state taxes. This pricing positioned the Q5 as a premium offering, competing directly with rivals like the BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC. While the initial cost is high, the Q5’s resale value remains strong, and the inclusion of a comprehensive warranty and service package in some cases helped offset long-term ownership costs. For buyers seeking a luxury SUV with advanced features and a prestigious badge, the Q5’s price is justified, though it does demand a higher upfront investment compared to some rivals.

The 2018 Audi Q5 45 TFSI petrol was launched in India with an ex-showroom price ranging from approximately Rs 55 lakh to Rs 60 lakh, depending on the variant and location. On-road prices, including registration, insurance, and other charges, typically ranged between Rs 62 lakh and Rs 68 lakh. The Technology variant, which includes extended warranty, service, and consumables, could go up to around Rs 64 lakh OTR. Compared to rivals like the Mercedes GLC and BMW X3, the Q5 was positioned at a premium, reflecting its badge value, advanced features, and strong safety credentials. The price also included a 5-star NCAP rating and multiple airbags, which added to its appeal. While the initial cost is high, the Q5 offers a comprehensive package that justifies the premium for buyers seeking a blend of luxury, performance, and safety.

The 2018 Audi Q5 45 TFSI petrol delivers a real-world mileage of around 13–14 kmpl in mixed driving conditions, which is reasonable for a premium SUV of its size and performance. While this is not class-leading, it is competitive within its segment. For buyers concerned about running costs, the Q5’s fuel efficiency is adequate for daily use, but frequent long-distance driving or aggressive driving will reduce mileage. Maintenance and fuel costs are higher than mainstream SUVs, so it’s important to factor in these expenses when making a purchase decision.

The 2018 Audi Q5 45 TFSI petrol delivers a real-world mileage of around 13–14 kmpl in mixed driving conditions, which is reasonable for a premium SUV of its size and power. In city traffic, expect slightly lower figures, while highway driving can push it closer to the upper end. The petrol engine is efficient for its class, but fuel costs and maintenance are higher than mainstream SUVs. For buyers concerned about running costs, the Q5 offers a good balance of performance and efficiency, though it’s not the most economical choice in its segment.