Although plug-in electric hybrids (PHEVs) are considered an intermediate step between non-plug-in hybrids and battery electric cars, they often offer the best balance of performance and fuel efficiency within their model range. Take, for example, the PHEV variant of the Audi Q5, officially the 55 TFSI E Quattro, which occupies the sweet spot in Audi’s lineup. An electric motor aiding the turbocharged four-cylinder engine allows the Q5 PHEV to eclipse even the turbo V6-equipped SQ5 by 13 horsepower. The Q5 PHEV also delivers exceptional fuel economy relative to its siblings. But its biggest advantage is that it can go 20 miles in electric-only mode, and even farther if you keep your foot light on the accelerator. This luxury gas-sipping crossover is also stylish inside and out, and features Audi’s latest infotainment interface, earning it our Editors’ Choice award for the segment.
Quattro Trims and Design
Like all Audi Q5s, the PHEV 55 TFSI E Quattro comes in three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. They all come with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 248-hp four-cylinder engine paired with a 141-hp electric motor that boosts total output to 362-hp. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission sends 369-pound-feet of torque through the Quattro’s all-wheel-drive system.
Connecting the car to a Level 2 240-volt charger tops off its 14.1-kilowatt-hour battery pack from empty to full in about 2.5 hours, while plugging it into a regular 110-volt outlet will require an overnight charge. With a full battery, the Q5 gets an EPA estimated 19 miles of electric range, although we easily achieved about 20 miles on electrons only.
The entry-level Premium trim with a base price of $51,900 comes standard with 19-inch star-design wheels with all-season tires, S line exterior trim, LED headlights, aluminum roof rails with crossbars, a power tailgate, heated and powered exterior mirrors, leather seating, heated front seats, and gray-brown birch interior inlays. Standard infotainment tech includes the new MMI interface with a 10.1-inch touch screen, wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a base sound system with AM/FM HD Radio, Bluetooth for hands-free phone and wireless streaming, and the Audi Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster. It also comes with front-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot detection, and front and rear parking sensors.
We tested the Premium Plus trim that starts at $55,800. It adds 19-inch bi-color wheels, power-folding exterior mirrors with memory settings, driver seat memory, a hand-activated heated steering wheel, leather-like door armrests and center console, Audi’s Virtual Cockpit Plus, a surround-view camera, a panoramic sunroof, keyless entry and ignition, three months of SiriusXM satellite radio, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam assist that allows the driver to completely relinquish control at up to 37mph in stop-and-go traffic.
Options on our test car included a $1,500 Navigation Package that features the MMI Navigation Plus system with Google Earth maps and six months of Audi Prime and Plus that provides Wi-Fi and connected features such as traffic and parking info. It also had a $950 Bang & Olufsen audio system with 3D sound, $800 20-inch wheels with run-flat tires, and $595 Daytona Gray pearl-effect paint. With a $1,095 destination charge, the final sticker came to $60,740.
The flagship Prestige trim starts at $54,000 and adds matrix-design LED headlights with headlight washers, ventilated front sport seats with four-way power lumbar adjustment, a heads-up display with traffic sign recognition, and MMI navigation.
A midcycle refresh of the second-generation Q5 adds a new front and rear fascia as well as head and taillights, although the crossover retains Audi’s subtle but stylish appearance compared with other, more bangled European luxury rivals. The Q5 PHEV’s exterior is also identical to its gas-powered trim mates save for an electric charging port on the driver’s side.
The interior continues the non-fussy but sophisticated elegance of the Q5’s exterior with tasteful touches such as real-wood trim. Unlike other plug-in crossover competitors, the Q5 PHEV’s battery doesn’t impinge on the storage area, and the plug-in version has the same rear cargo volume as its siblings, although the gas tank was shrunk to 14.3 gallons from 18.5 gallons to accomodate the battery.
Brand-New Tech
The latest MMI Touch infotainment system ditches Audi’s conventional center console controller for a 10.1-inch touch screen that has an easy and intuitive menu. The new interface is considerably quicker and more responsive than the previous version thanks to updated silicon and software, and it features detailed menus for monitoring the PHEV’s charge level and setting up the most efficient charging schedule.
The Q5 PHEV has wireless Apple CarPlay via Bluetooth, but Android Auto still requires a USB connection. While the two smartphone platforms have free cloud-connected navigation, the $1,500 MMI Navigation option is one of the few we recommend since it has detailed Google Earth mapping. It can also help find charging stations, while the subscription-based Prime and Plus connectivity adds in-cabin Wi-Fi and brings internet radio, traffic info, and other services to the dashboard.
The 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit Plus instrument cluster on the Premier Plus is a good reason to step up to the middle trim level. The large, crisp digital display spreads the navigation map across the entire instrument cluster, which other luxury brands have copied, and prominently shows information such as audio, charge level, and driver assistance settings.
Impressive Fuel Econonomy and Performance
The Q5 PHEV delivers excellent fuel economy relative to its siblings: 43MPGe in the city, 64MPGe on the highway, and 50MPGe combined. With the battery fully charged, we were able to easily achieve 20 miles of electric-only range without applying a light foot and despite regularly climbing steep hills. In EV mode, the Q5 PHEV is exceptionally quiet and we detected only a slight purr from the powertrain, which is just a bit more noticeable during regenerative deceleration.
Even with the added weight of the hybrid battery and motor, the EV mode provides plenty of pep and the electric-only acceleration is smooth and powerful from a standstill. Once the battery gets too low to roll the car on electrons only and the gasoline engine kicks in, it does so almost without notice and works seamlessly with the electric motor as long as throttle inputs are relatively smooth. The gasoline engine also shuts down during coasting and idling to conserve fuel.
The Q5 PHEV glide smoothly over a variety of road surfaces and is unruffled even on gravel. It takes curves and corners nimbly, although the extra weight of the hybrid battery is noticeable compared with its lighter gas-powered siblings.
A Top Compact Luxury Crossover
The Audi Q5 PHEV’s 50MPGe may be less efficient than the BMW X3 xDrive30e’s 60MPGe and the Mercedes-Benz GLC350e’s 56MPGe, but its 362-hp engine is much more powerful than the 288-hp BMW and the 315-hp Mercedes. It’s a stalwart in the competitive compact luxury crossover space, and the 2021 model year upgrades make it even more compelling. The combination of excellent fuel efficiency, sleek looks, peppy performance, and updated cabin tech easily puts the 2021 Audi Q5 55 TFSI E Quattro ahead of its small field of PHEV rivals, and earns our Editors’ Choice award in the process.
