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 Mercedes-Benz E450 4MATIC
E Class Is At The Head Of The Class
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has set the standard for midsize luxury sedans for more than 75 years now. But things are changing rapidly in the auto industry, and even Mercedes-Benzes can’t sit around and rest on their laurels. So, a new E-Class has to be something truly special. Well, let’s find out if this one is.
Few cars have as much history as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Yet it continues to play an essential role in moving the brand ever forward in terms of technology and new design elements. 2024 launches the sixth generation of this midsize luxury sedan.
It looks much like a scaled-down version of the flagship S-class, with stately proportions, fine details, and elegant lighting. But that also means it gets the same retractable door handles, which, to be honest, have outlived their novelty. We get it, aero efficiency, wow factor, but sometimes it’s a hassle waiting for them to deploy, not to mention wintertime when there’s a fresh coating of ice covering them.
No such reservations inside, where an open airy feel, supple leather, and natural grain wood trim are just the starting points of a very luxurious journey. Along the way, you’re immersed in active ambient lighting that will have you feeling like you just got transported to some alternate universe every time you get behind the wheel. Even with very high expectations going in, we were not disappointed in any way.
Rear seat room is plentiful, while fronts are more Euro firm than plush; the gauges look fantastic, and Benz’s augmented reality navigation in the gauge cluster is still one of the best setups in the business. Not to mention the available Superscreen, which not only gives the passenger their own screen but blends it all together into one amazing-looking dash-wide display.
It’s all run by a new third generation of the Mercedes-Benz User Experience, with virtually everything now software driven instead of hardware-based, meaning just about anything can be updated at any time. It includes way more features and gadgets than we had time to fully explore, and, yes, that includes an in-dash selfie cam.
Even with very high expectations going in, we were not disappointed in any way.
An E 350 is the base model, equipped with a 255-horsepower 2.0-liter I4 turbo sending power to the rear wheels. This E 450 comes standard with 4MATIC all-wheel drive, along with a 3.0-liter inline-six turbo tuned to 375 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are aided by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system and work with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Thanks to comprehensive drive modes, the E-Class’s ride can be as smooth or as sporty as any midsize luxury car out there, and it continued to impress when it came time to get some numbers at Mason Dixon Dragway.
Here, the ‘E’ put some serious power down in a hurry, as we were off to 60 in just 4.2 seconds. Great all-wheel-drive grip too, with almost immediate thrust throwing us back in the seat a little as the car pounced off the line with just a slight chirp of the tires, and it kept pulling strongly all the way down the track. Automatic shifts were very aggressive at first, but they seemed to smooth out in higher gears towards the end of the track, with our best quarter-mile run coming in at 12.8 seconds and 109 mph.
The 450 did great in our handling course too; turn-ins were quick and direct with all-wheel-drive delivering plenty of grip, feeling highly composed and classy throughout the whole exercise.
If stability systems or torque vectoring were happening, it was so far in the background that it was hardly noticeable. What we could really notice is the four-wheel steering. It leaps into action with urgency at times, pivoting you much quicker than you may be expecting. It’s part of an optional Airmatic package which also includes active dampers. Those dampers aided in delivering very calm and stable stops from 60 in our panic braking test, averaging just 99 feet with minimal nosedive.
Government Fuel Economy Ratings with the six-cylinder are 22 City, 31 Highway, and 25 Combined. We averaged a good 28.2 mpg of Premium. Rating an average Energy Impact Score, using 11.9-barrels of oil yearly, with 5.9-tons of CO2 emissions.
E-Class pricing starts with the 350 at $63,450, the 450 4MATIC begins at $69,250.
So, the new E-Class, and specifically our 2024 Mercedes-Benz E 450 4MATIC, does not exactly present a bargain scenario, but it is a perfect example of “you get what you pay for” situation. With 75 years of setting the standard in the midsize luxury sedan field behind them, Mercedes-Benz is not looking back, they’re pushing the brand forward with new levels of luxury and tech. All to make the premium Mercedes-Benz experience more desirable than ever.
Specifications
As Tested
- Engine: 3.0-liter I-6 turbo
- Transmission: 9-speed automatic
- Horsepower: 375
- Torque: 369 lb-ft.
- EPA: 22 City | 31 Highway | 25 Combined
- 0-60 mph: 4.2 seconds
- 1/4 Mile: 12.8 seconds and 109 mph
- Braking, 60-0: 99 feet (avg)
- MW Fuel Economy: 28.2 mpg (Premium)