Audi Q5 Hybrid

2012 Audi Q5 Hybrid

2012 Audi Q5 Hybrid interior

Audi's first hybrid crossover, the Q5 Hybrid, is a bonafide eco car that competes against the Lexus RX Hybrid and because this hybrid crossover has progressed, it has made to look better, feel better, and perform better than its Japanese rival. Why? The Audi Q5 Hybrid combines performance and economy because of the turbocharged 2.0L engine, the 8-speed tiptronic transmission, and the capability to go from 0-100kph in 7.1 seconds with the top speed of 225kph, unlike the Lexus RX Hybrid, which has a very redundant CVT, 3.5L V6 non-turbo engine, and the will to go from 0-100kph in 7.8 seconds with the top speed of 200kph. Benefited from its turbo engine equipped on the hybrid layout, the Audi Q5 Hybrid really is a progressed hybrid that takes on hybrid conventions that others found out to be dull, boring, and rubbish.

One of the subject, however, is the ecology. If the Lexus RX Hybrid has a combined fuel economy of 15.9km/L (6.3L/100km), the Audi Q5 Hybrid has a combined fuel economy of 14.5km/L (6.9L/100km), meaning that this Ingolstadt-based hybrid has a 1.4km/L gap behind the Fukuoka-made hybrid crossover. Also, the Audi Q5 Hybrid has a CO2 emissions of 159g/km, which is somewhat has a decent gap over the Lexus RX Hybrid's CO2 emissions of 145g/km. Even when both of them are Euro 5 compliant, these two have something good at these categories.

Okay, enough comparing with the Audi Q5 Hybrid against the Lexus RX Hybrid. This sounds a little bit complicating for the car enthusiasts who are looking for luxury hybrid crossovers. Let's see how to distinguish the differences between the Q5 Hybrid and the original Q5 in terms of exterior and interior. You might be easy enough to distinguish the Q5 Hybrid thanks to the "hybrid" badges on the side view and rear view, single-frame grille painted in high-gloss black, 19-inch wheels, and chrome exhaust pipes. On the interior, there is a different instrumental panel that says "charge", "efficiency", and "power" at the left side of the tachometer. With such differences, you are sure enough to know that this is the Q5 Hybrid.

Now for the color variation. The Audi Q5 Hybrid is available in 14 exterior colors such as Amethystgrau Metallic, Arktissilber Metallic, Cuvéesilber Metallic, Eissilber Metallic, Gletscherweiß Metallic, Mondscheinblau Metallic, Monsungrau Metallic, Monzasilber Metallic, Quarzgrau Metallic, Teakbraun Metallic, Daytonagrau Perleffekt, Granatrot Perleffekt, Lavagrau Perleffekt, and Phantomschwarz Perleffekt.

My comment:

It's so nice to see a turbocharged hybrid crossover like the Audi Q5 Hybrid because its philosophy is to combine ecology and performance on this hybrid crossover that performs well than the Lexus RX Hybrid but performance is what the Q5 Hybrid's good at because the Lexus RX Hybrid does quite well at the ecology side.

Photo: AUDI A.G.