2018 Audi Q5 is everything good about the Q7, just smaller

[MUSIC] Well another day, another cross over here at Road Show. But this time I'm getting behind the wheel of a cross over that's actually fun to drive. The Audi Q5. Now it's all brand spankin new for 2018. And if past performance is any indication. It should satisfy my need for speed and sell like hotcake [MUSIC] [SOUND] The two row Q5 looks a lot like its bigger brother the Q7, and that's not a bad thing. It's pretty angular, especially in the headlights and the tail lights, but With some swooping style lines along the profile and the optional 20 inch wheels, it cuts a stunning figure, indeed. Surprisingly the Audi is a little lacking when it comes to standard drivers aids. Now we've got a whole deep dive video into the tech, but I will say that you gotta jump all the way up to the top of the line Just to get the privilege of paying for the option of adaptive cruise control, but I do got the Audi virtual cockpit, so I'm good. Under the hood is a two liter turbocharged four cylinder engine, which is good for 252 horsepower and 273 pound feet of the twist. That's made it to an all new seven speed dual clutch transmission, and every Q5 comes with Audi's excellent quatro all wheel drive system. But this year, it's just a little bit different. Instead of being all wheel drive all the time, now it's going to default to front wheel drive, and it's only going to send power to the rear when you need it. Now that transmission is pretty seamless and it does help with efficiency The Q5 gets a EPA fuel rating of 25 miles per gallon combined. And that's pretty much what I've been getting with my time with it. [NOISE] [MUSIC] Newly standard this year is Audi's Drive Select which will give you five options for drive modes. Comfort, Auto, off-road, Dynamic or Individual and each is gonna set it's own parameters for steering, transmission and throttle response. Now comfort is great for commuting, it's really really comfortable but the Q5 comes alive when you switch it into dynamic especially when you bump down that gear shift into Sport mode or even better Just move it over to manual mode, that's really all you need. The pedal shifters that click off the gear in a dual clutch transmission so fast, the car really wants to turn and there are loads of grip even with these all season tires. The little four banger motor makes the Q 5 at a speed that lies it's 4,000 pound tonnage and Frankly this would be the total package if it weren't for just one little thing and that's the steering. Even in dynamic mode, the weight just isn't heavy enough, and feedback, well forget about it. It's like trying to drive with a cold, dead fish in your hand. You just can't feel what's happening on the road. Now if you're not an enthusiast, is that gonna matter to much? [SOUND] Probably not, But if you wanna know exactly where your tires are on the pavement it's just not gonna happen. [MUSIC] The Q5 has been a best seller for Audi and it's easy to see why. It's pretty fun to drive even though I have a problem with the steering. And if you're not an enthusiast well, comfort mode is for you. You can tob around town to your heart's content. Audi's MMI infotainment system is easy to use. It's really intuitive. Plus, you've got that optional Audi virtual cockpit. So, I'm pretty happy. [MUSIC] Happy. The 2018 Audi Q5 is in a pre-crowded segment that includes the BMW X3, which is just a bit more spacious and more aggressive than Jaguar F base. Now the base Q5 starts at $41,500, but I've had the mid-grade premium plus with a few options like navigation and a Bang & Olufsen stereo system, which brings the price up to $52,000. $700. [MUSIC]