View Photos of the 2021 Audi Q5 55 PHEV
Take a look at the 2021 Audi Q5 plug-in hybrid, and you'll notice very few differences between it and the nonhybrid variant.
In addition to being the plug-in-hybrid version of the Q5, the 2021 model sports a lightly refreshed exterior that brings it up to date with the newly released Q5 Sportback.
Without any exterior badging or any sort of distinct styling, there's virtually no way to identify the 2021 Q5 PHEV as the plug-in hybrid model.
Some may see that as a good thing, as the Q5 PHEV blends in with the rest of traffic without drawing attention to its greener status.
Unfortunately, the PHEV powertrain doesn't add much in the way of fuel efficiency to the Q5, with an EPA estimated 26 mpg combined. That's a mere 1 mpg better than the combined rating for the standard Q5.
The PHEV powertrain does add an EPA-rated 23 miles of electric-only driving per charge. In our real-world testing, the Q5 55 traveled 17 miles on electric power at 75 mph.
The Q5 PHEV, however, is the quickest Q5 model you can buy. In our testing, it sprinted to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, beating the performance-oriented SQ5 by 0.3 second.
Handling is fairly agile and although the steering isn't as communicative as we'd like, the Q5 is fun to pilot down a twisty road.
At our skidpad, the Q5 PHEV matched the nonhybrid version's 0.83-g result despite weighing over 500 pounds more.
The Q5's updated styling is an effort to keep the SUV looking fresh, but in the face of newer rivals such as the Genesis GV70, it's beginning to look a little ordinary.
Inside, the Q5's cabin is spacious, comfortable, and laden with tech gear. Our Premium Plus test car rang in at $60,740 and featured a panoramic sunroof, a Bang & Olufsen stereo, and in-dash navigation, among other niceties.
While the Q5 PHEV's performance is easy to love, we think it misses the mark on its fuel-conservation mission, making it hard to justify its higher price tag.
2021 Audi Q5 55 PHEV
2021 Audi Q5 55 PHEV
2021 Audi Q5 55 PHEV
2021 Audi Q5 55 PHEV
2021 Audi Q5 55 PHEV
2021 Audi Q5 55 PHEV
2021 Audi Q5 55 PHEV
2021 Audi Q5 55 PHEV
2021 Audi Q5 55 PHEV
2021 Audi Q5 55 PHEV
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