Audi Q5 refresh is uninspired

genesmasher · Dec 18, 2020

jpnwdc said:
I've had two Q5s - a 2016 and now a 2019. They are great vehicles but the seats in my current 2019 are not good. I sat in a 2021 to see if they improved the seats but they are still hard as a rock. I don't know why so many manufacturers are making such hard seats. BMW X3 leather is the same way.

100% on point. Primary reason why I hated our Q5, back when we owned one 7 years ago and was happy to sell it. I don't think it's the leather quality though, it's the lack of proper contouring and padding.

*********** said:
I've owned 4 Volvos and then moved to Audi. The last 5 years have been spent in a 2016 TT and a 2018 R8 V10. There is a tremendous amount to like about Audi, but their current refresh of the A4/A5/Q5 is really a let down. ...

TT and R8 are wonderful vehicles, but the rest of the Audi lineup is boring and uncomfortable, IMHO, and Q5 design specifically has been stale for a while now. I was toying with the idea of a TT for years. Just can't seem to get over practicality limitations. R8 is my son's dream car, but way out of our budget

Walkabout · Dec 18, 2020

Honestly, I like the styling of all those vehicles. I won't lie that I think the XC60 is the looker in the crew, but I could live with any of these vehicles from a looks perspective.

I also like Audi a lot. Every year, I go to the LA Auto show and every year I walk away most impressed by the Volvo same Audi wagons and SUVs.

I'm just disappointed that Audi hasn't taken any steps forward in it's refresh.

Audi had also failed to address it's most serious failing - the tortue chamber seats.

Walkabout · Dec 18, 2020

genesmasher said:
100% on point. Primary reason why I hated our Q5, back when we owned one 7 years ago and was happy to sell it. I don't think it's the leather quality though, it's the lack of proper contouring and padding.

Bang on. I couldn't agree more. They've ruined an otherwise competitive vehicle by cheaping out on crap seating.

Joeyboy · Dec 19, 2020

Guys, the Audi Q5 refresh was a mid-cycle refresh. It wasn’t a complete re-design. Most mid-cycle refresh’s are not drastic. They generally involve changing the look of a grill or tail lights. That’s all. BMW does the same (they call theirs a LCI). BMW is releasing its mid-cycle refresh for th its X3 this upcoming summer. Based on the spy camouflage photos, it involves a simple grill and taillight redesign. That’s all.

Either, some of you are unaware how the industry works, or your expectations are way too high. Wait another 3-4 years if you want to see a complete redesign.

31355 · Dec 19, 2020

genesmasher said:
I was toying with the idea of a TT for years. Just can't seem to get over practicality limitations. R8 is my son's dream car, but way out of our budget

The TT is a spectacular car, and I can't recommend it highly enough. Being a hatch with folding rear seats you can't imagine how much you can cram in that car. Both the TT and the R8 were my only cars at the time (daily driver), so don't dismiss the TT due to it's size. If you want to chat more send me a private message.

More on topic, the Audi interiors have a tone to like, and the tech is awesome, but it's being wrapped in a very plain wrapper. It's clear cost cutting has led to the slowing of new product for their brand, why Volvo is just full steam ahead on "all-new".

31355 · Dec 19, 2020

Walkabout said:
Bang on. I couldn't agree more. They've ruined an otherwise competitive vehicle by cheaping out on crap seating.

Have you sat in the sport seats, the ones with the diamond quilting? Those are still firm, but they are pretty comfortable. I've had two cars with the Audi sport seats and those are pretty sweet. It's still no match for my new R-Design seats however.

genesmasher · Dec 19, 2020

*********** said:
Have you sat in the sport seats, the ones with the diamond quilting? Those are still firm, but they are pretty comfortable. I've had two cars with the Audi sport seats and those are pretty sweet. It's still no match for my new R-Design seats however.

That's a good point. Unfortunately, sport seats seem to be exceedingly rare on dealer-stocked Audi's (probably excluding TT and R8). This is according to a friend of mine who recently bought an Etron and visited multiple dealers in SoCal. So, the customer needs to be aware of the option and deliberately request it. P.S. He hates his standard Etron seats by the way, but the deal was too good to pass up...

BigBang · Dec 19, 2020

genesmasher said:
That's a good point. Unfortunately, sport seats seem to be exceedingly rare on dealer-stocked Audi's (probably excluding TT and R8). This is according to a friend of mine who recently bought an Etron and visited multiple dealers in SoCal. So, the customer needs to be aware of the option and deliberately request it. P.S. He hates his standard Etron seats by the way, but the deal was too good to pass up...

This only applies to the US market - the reason why it is only in the US market is unknown.
Audi offers sports seats in almost all its models, of course, depending on the equipment package, they are paid extra
For example, the e-tron is offered in the EU with four types of seats: Normal seats, Comfort seats, Sports seats and Sports seats plus

mustmustimusti · Dec 20, 2020

RootDKJ said:
The main infotainment screen looks like someone hot-glued an old Amazon Kindle tablet above the air vents on the dashboard. In 2021 I really expect automakers to have better infotainment integration into dashboard.

Totally agree, it looks like a DIY effort where some tried to upgrade their infotainment using $20 Android devices from Aliexpress. IMHO the whole car looks outdated for 2021 model compared to any of the current XCs or for example the new Mercedes GLB. Certainly don't like the latter, but it does look modern and not so outdated like the Audi.

RootDKJ · Dec 20, 2020

Ultrarunner511 said:
Seems like Mazda and Toyota have done the same thing, among other manufacturers. It looks tacky, busy, and cheap. Volvo's flush and simplistic design is still beautiful.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

mustmustimusti said:
Totally agree, it looks like a DIY effort where some tried to upgrade their infotainment using $20 Android devices from Aliexpress. IMHO the whole car looks outdated for 2021 model compared to any of the current XCs or for example the new Mercedes GLB. Certainly don't like the latter, but it does look modern and not so outdated like the Audi.

The new Toyota RAV4 is a real screen integration disappointment. It looks like a digital etch-a-sketch toy is bolted to the dash. I guess I prefer to see the infotainment blended into the cabin design and some cars it seems like an after thought. Subaru, Dodge Ram are some examples in other classes that I think got it right. I like what MB is moving towards too.

Walkabout · Dec 20, 2020

*********** said:
Have you sat in the sport seats, the ones with the diamond quilting? Those are still firm, but they are pretty comfortable. I've had two cars with the Audi sport seats and those are pretty sweet. It's still no match for my new R-Design seats however.

I hated those seats. The bottom bolsters rubbed against my thighs.

I don't like the r design seats for the same reason - which is why I leased an Inscription.

Seating though is a very personal thing. What works for one person won't work for another.

BigBang · Dec 20, 2020

mustmustimusti said:
Totally agree, it looks like a DIY effort where some tried to upgrade their infotainment using $20 Android devices from Aliexpress. IMHO the whole car looks outdated for 2021 model compared to any of the current XCs or for example the new Mercedes GLB. Certainly don't like the latter, but it does look modern and not so outdated like the Audi.

The FYI current Q5 model was introduced in 2016, and the current model MY2021 is just a facelift: (light change, front and rear bumpers, and improved MMI - old MMI was five times faster than the Sensus system and the new ............. no comment. Interestingly, this infotainment for 20$ has Google maps, it has a full-screen display for Android Auto or CarPlay and ......
It's interesting that Volvo makes nice and quality cars but sells millions less than German competitors - that's weird isn't it
The brand new Q5 arrives in 2023.
Mercedes GLB was introduced in 2019 and it is the second category, you can compare it with Q3, X2, XC40

31355 · Dec 21, 2020

Walkabout said:
I hated those seats. The bottom bolsters rubbed against my thighs.

I don't like the r design seats for the same reason - which is why I leased an Inscription.

Seating though is a very personal thing. What works for one person won't work for another.

Yes it is. Not all Audi seats are created equal for sure. Ergonomically the Audi sport seats are really good, but of course the bolstering is more, as with the R-Design. Some people like that feeling, others don't. Of course sport seats will hug your thighs and sides, it's the differentiation between the standard seats.

By the way, your pine gray/maroon car must look fantastic. That's a very rare combination, but i'm sure it looks fantastic! I have the bursting blue/slate interior on my R-Design, and then got carried away and replaced the aluminum trim with driftwood. The driftwood color ties together the slate and all the contrast stitching, and the blue is just fantastic. I never understand why people are drawn to such boring black/white/gray cars and all-black interiors. How mundane. Nice to see you found value in something far more unique.

Walkabout · Dec 21, 2020

Bursting blue is by far and away the nicest volvo color. If I liked the r design seats more, I would have gone in that direction. Just gorgeous.

Audi Q5 refresh is uninspired

2021 Audi Q5 First Drive | Mid-cycle retrofit

genesmasher

Walkabout

Walkabout

Joeyboy

31355

31355

genesmasher

BigBang

mustmustimusti

RootDKJ

Walkabout

BigBang

31355

Walkabout

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