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
2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid
Kia Adds Hybrid Assistance To Keep The Party Going
For 2022, Kia gave their minivan a major reboot. So much so, they changed the name to Carnival and even stopped calling it a minivan. Well, they can’t fool us though. After all, we love minivans for their all-around practicality. Well for 2025, Kia has updated its multi-purpose people mover, including adding hybrid power. So, let’s see if that makes time in the new Carnival even more festive.
With many brands no longer even competing in the minivan segment, it’s noteworthy that not only is Kia still in the game, they’ve given their multi-purpose 2025 Carnival a major update after only 3 years on the market. That update includes a first-time optional hybrid powertrain.
The Carnival Hybrid config is an extension of the Sorento SUV’s setup, pairing a 1.6-liter turbo-four engine with a larger 54-kW electric motor. Combined output of 242 horsepower, 15 more than Sorento. Total torque is a stout 271 lb-ft, getting to the front wheels through a true six-speed automatic transmission. Throw in a full 19-gallon fuel tank and you’ve got close to 600 miles of range, allowing you to keep the party going farther than before.
The V6 Carnival remains available, although it’s now listed at 287 horsepower, down from 290. But the Government Fuel Economy Ratings take a huge leap here in the Hybrid; from 18 City, 26 Highway, 21 Combined to 34 City, 31 Highway, and 33 Combined.
The Hybrid comes with a few additional tricks up its sleeve, the most noticeable being the dial-like shifter in the console. But there is also a pretty clever regen braking setup that Kia calls E-VMC. The Electrification-Vehicle Motion Control has three levels of regen, but also has an E-Handling component which adjusts regen going into corners and amounts of electric assist when coming out of them; E-Ride, which includes unique shock tuning for the Hybrid but also can engage the electric motors to mitigate harsh impacts; and E-Evasive Handling Assist, which kicks in during emergency maneuvers. All techy cool!
Another step in Kia’s efforts of making everyone forget this MPV is actually a minivan.
All Carnivals regardless of powertrain get updated styling for ’25 which includes a new face that trades the concave grille for a flatter, larger one. The headlights are no longer incorporated into the grille, and the daytime running lights are much snazzier. In back, the taillights take on a completely different look, with much larger vertical elements on the sides. The liftgate gets a chunkier SUV-like vibe and the rear bumper is more pronounced than before. Altogether, another step in Kia’s efforts of making everyone forget this MPV is actually a minivan.
There’s upgraded tech for the inside, namely Kia’s new frameless panoramic display that incorporates both the 12.3-inch driver display and 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment. It not only looks better, but processing speeds are much faster. The driver’s display gets a completely new theme with modern bar and number style speed displays instead of virtual gauges. A Full Display Mirror is also now available, which can switch from traditional mirror to camera.
The Hybrid has a bit less horsepower but 10 additional lb-ft of torque, so off to Mason Dixon Dragway for some numbers. It certainly didn’t feel underpowered, spinning up the tires off the line and even chirping on the shift into second. We hit 60 in a respectable 8.0 seconds, which is still .80 slower than the V6. Our best quarter-mile time was 16.2 seconds at 88 mph.
There was a different vibe to the handling experience, as E-Handling virtually eliminated understeer. But there was still some body roll and stability systems were eager to engage quickly. The brakes retain a natural feel, and stopping distances averaged a good 110 feet from 60.
The Carnival Hybrid is available in four of the Carnival’s five trims, all but the base LX. So, a base LXS Hybrid goes for $42,235, a $2,000 premium over the V6.
The 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid offers more than just much better fuel economy. Kia has found a way to integrate battery assistance into just about every mechanical aspect of the vehicle, delivering a driving experience that is unique from its V6 counterpart, and adding more good vibes to an already exceptional family vehicle.
Specifications
As Tested
- Engine: 1.6-liter turbo-4
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 242
- Torque: 271 lb-ft
- 0-60 mph: 8.0 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 16.2 seconds at 88 mph
- Braking, 60-0 (avg.): 110 feet
- EPA: 34 City | 31 Highway | 33 Combined