Q QUOTIENT

Audi has brought the Q5 back to its India line-up after 18 months! Is it worth the wait?

- Rivan RS

No one can accuse Audi India of being slow with its products, at least in 2021. The return of the Q5, in facelift form, marks the German brand’s ninth launch this year. And it’s quite an important launch considering that Audi’s Q brand, a designation used for its SUVs and crossovers, used to account for 45 percent of the company’s sales. The reintroduction of the Q5 in BS6 form means buyers now have the choice of a mid-range Audi SUV as, until now, there was just the small Q2 (available in very limited numbers), the svelte Q8, and the ballistic RS Q8 to choose from.

It seems like Audi has played it rather safe with the Q5 facelift’s design. Yes, there is a degree of freshness to the Q5’s look, but the changes are subtle. These include the sharper LED headlights, new LED tail-lights, the larger, vertically-slatted octagonal grille, and refreshed aggressive bumpers. Other changes include the upsizing of the wheels (from 18-inches to 19-inches), a metal strip connecting the tail-lights, and some silver trim below the doors. Overall, the updated Q5 remains a sharp and good-looking SUV, though those looking for a more dramatic design may feel a little disappointed.