2014 Audi Q5 TDI
The entire automotive industry is working feverishly on alternative fuel vehicles with electric and hydrogen powertrains. But, engineers are also working just as hard to improve the efficiency of traditional internal combustion engines. So, with ever higher mpg mandates ahead, clean diesels are becoming a lot more common, especially in utilities, like this Audi Q5 TDI. So, let’s see if this diesel ute is one Americans can love.
What is it about turbo diesels like this 2014 Audi Q5 TDI that we love so much? It’s certainly not the smell or more expensive cost of the diesel fuel. Perhaps it’s their simplicity as a higher mileage option, or that ability to fulfill our long range ambitions?
Or maybe it’s just that huge hit of torque you get when you stomp on the pedal. It’s a highly addictive response, and once you’ve sampled it, driving a gasoline powered equivalent is just not the same.
The Q5, Audi’s smallest crossover here for now, got a styling refresh just last year. But Audi saved the best updates for this year, a high performance SQ5 and our high miler TDI.
The 3.0-liter turbocharged clean diesel V6 is the same 240-horsepower engine that we loved so much in the larger A8 sedan. But there’s even more to love in the Q5 as torque is up 22 lb-ft. to 428. Helping the high mileage cause is an 8-speed automatic transmission, and the combination is good for a towing capacity of 4,400-pounds.
All Q5s come equipped with the same quattro all-wheel-drive formula found in Audi sedans and SUV’s for years, rear bias and all; and is as much about handling performance as it is about all-weather capability. Though we put the latter to test through a few weeks of what has been a very cold and snowy winter here in the Mid-Atlantic. We had no issues finding traction even in deep snow; a testament to both the quattro’s abilities and the TDI’s low RPM nature.
All of that white stuff did keep us from taking the TDI to our test track, but Audi claims a 0-60 time of 6.5-seconds and our informal clocking concurs.
As for the recently updated design, the Q5 is truly a modern Audi, from the large Singleframe grille to the LED DRL’s that started the whole phenomenon. 19-inch wheels come standard on the TDI with 235/55 all-season tires.
Both commute time ride, and weekend getaway handling are quite good. But if you’re looking to get the most out of it in the performance department, make sure you have the crossbars removed from the roof rails; as when they are in place, the ESC adjusts parameters for a higher center of gravity. That’s pretty trick!
Steering is electro-mechanical and felt very natural. Government Fuel Economy Ratings come in at 24-City, 31-Highway, and 27-Combined. We managed a quite good 29.4 miles per gallon. The Energy Impact Score is average for all vehicles at 14.1-barrels of oil used and 6.4 tons of CO2 emitted annually.
You’ve heard our rave reviews before about recent Audi interiors, and the Q5 does nothing to dampen our fondness for the high quality materials, simplicity of design, and ease of use of its many high tech features; including the updated MMI Navigation Plus system.
Front seats are very supportive and comfortable, and there’s good room for 3 in the back seat. All passenger’s get plenty of light thanks to the standard panoramic sunroof. Cargo space is 29.1 cubic-ft. with rear seat backs in place, but expands to 57.3 cubic-ft. with them folded.
It’s not all good news, however; as a TDI Q5 will cost you $47,395. That’s almost 10-grand over a base Q5 which starts at $38,195. Our tester, with options, was over 50-grand.
Is the TDI worth all of that extra coin? Well truth be told, our SUV money would probably go elsewhere as there are a lot of mid and even full-size choices for that kind of money. Although, if you’re even contemplating stepping up to a turbo diesel, but are hesitant due to price; our advice is don’t even test drive one. Because, once you get a taste of all the torque that the 2014 Audi Q5 TDI has to offer, you might get addicted too.
Specifications
- Engine: 3.0-liter
- Horsepower: 240
- Torque: 428 lb-ft.
- 0-60 mph: 6.5 seconds
- EPA: 24 mpg city/ 31 mpg highway
- Energy Impact: 14.1 barrels of oil/yr
- CO2 Emissions: 6.4 tons/yr
2024 Hyundai Sonata
Updated Sonata Continues To Deliver
Comfort and room to roam used to be core elements for attracting buyers to midsize family sedans. But thanks to SUVs, that’s not enough these days. Now, luxury, tech integration, performance, fuel economy, and even all-wheel drive have become must have sedan ingredients. And one more, value. So, let’s see if the latest Hyundai Sonata gives us all a lesson in chemistry.
The seventh-generation Hyundai Sonata midsize sedan has been on the road since 2020, and as usually happens when vehicles approach the end of their lifecycle, this 2024 Sonata gets a makeover to keep the looks fresh and electronics current until an all-new one arrives.
Standard tech includes a crystal-clear 12.3-inch digital gauge display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for infotainment. Both are now combined into one wide curved housing similar to what we’ve seen from BMW and other luxury brands. This required a complete dash overhaul; a big interior change you can’t miss. Top Limited trim ups the game with navigation, leather seating, 12-speaker Bose premium sound, head-up display, and sunroof. It’s quite roomy inside, though maybe not quite as spacious or as comfy as some rivals with newer designs. On the other hand, rear seat legroom is very generous with long distance comfort.
There are three powertrain choices. The base front-wheel-drive SEL works with a 191-horsepower, naturally aspirated 2.5-liter I4. And for 2024, you can now add all-wheel drive to it for $1,500. The sporty N Line puts a turbocharger onto that 2.5 which boosts output to 290 horsepower, but it remains front-wheel-drive only, as does this Hybrid. The Hybrid is 2.0-liter I4 based with a 39-kW electric motor that combine for an output of 192 horsepower.
The real draw with the Hybrid is fuel economy of course, and the Government Ratings are 44 City, 51 Highway, and 47 Combined. We manage just 42.7 mpg of Regular in our driving loop, but that’s still slightly better than in our recent tests of both the Toyota Camry Hybrid and Honda Accord Hybrid. And it earns a much better than average Energy Impact Score, using 6.3 barrels of oil yearly, with 3.1 tons of CO2 emissions.
Minimal body roll and light steering had us whipping in and out of the cones with a surprising amount of speed.
The price for that great fuel economy was paid at our test track with a slow roll to 60 of 8.0-seconds. There was no sense of urgency off the line, and while the engine sounded like it was really working hard, numbers on the speedometer were slow to climb. That meter was reading only 89 mph after 16.0 seconds as we crossed the quarter-mile. On a much more positive note, the Sonata Hybrid’s true six-speed automatic transmission provides a much more enjoyable experience than competitor’s CVTs.
And the experience in our handling course was positive too; minimal body roll and light steering had us whipping in and out of the cones with a surprising amount of speed. We didn’t experience much in the way of oversteer or understeer, and stability systems stayed out of the way. In our panic braking runs, the pedal was soft, and we could really hear the ABS working overtime, but stops were straight and fade free, averaging a fine 114 feet from 60 mph.
The Sonata has always attempted to set itself apart when it comes to exterior design. That meant an awkwardly shaped “Digital Pulse Cascading” grille when this gen debuted; we much prefer the more traditional and sportier take of this update. The rear fascia also gets revised, looking both sportier and more upscale at the same time, with wide H-themed lighting to accentuate the Sonata’s width.
Pricing starts with the SEL at $28,650; adding the hybrid powertrain boosts it to $31,950, Limited comes exclusively with the hybrid engine and tops the lineup at $38,350.
Hyundai’s long-time formula for success, delivering more for less and tacking on a longer warranty than rivals, has done a great job of getting them where they are today. The 2024 Hyundai Sonata’s high value, impressive powertrain options, which now include all-wheel drive, and better than average driving dynamics, will ensure they stay a major player in the midsize sedan segment for years to come.
Specifications
As Tested
- Engine: 2.0-liter I4
- Transmission: 6-speed manual
- Horsepower: 192
- Torque: 151 lb-ft.
- EPA: 44 City | 51 Highway | 47 Combined
- 0-60 mph: 8.0 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 16.0 seconds at 89 mph
- Braking, 60-0 (avg): 114 feet
- MW Fuel Economy: 42.7 mpg (Regular)