2017 Audi Q5: What's Changed

CARS.COM

• Most significant changes: The turbocharged diesel and gas-electric hybrid models have been dropped, leaving gas-only four-cylinder and V-6 models.
• Price change: Base prices are unchanged for the Q5 Premium and SQ5, but the Q5 Premium Plus is $400 more and the destination charge for all trims is $25 higher at $950.
• On sale: Now
• Which should you buy, 2016 or 2017? 2016, when there were more choices.

Related: More Audi News

The five-passenger Q5 crossover SUV soldiers on with a smaller lineup that consists of a base model with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, an upscale version with a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 and the performance SQ5, which has a more potent supercharged V-6 that delivers 354 horsepower instead of 272. All come with standard all-wheel drive.

Audi has bowed out of the diesel market in the U.S. while it repairs the damage from its emissions-cheating scandal, so the 3.0 TDI model is gone. The gas-electric hybrid also skips model-year 2017, but Audi says it should return when the Q5 is redesigned (which should be soon). Other changes for 2017 are minor: 3.0T Prestige models get a new multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles, and 2.0T Premium Plus models get new 19-inch wheels and all-season tires as standard.

The Q5 competes against luxury compact SUVs such as the Acura RDX, BMW X3 and Volvo XC60, and it is holding its own in sales despite the negative publicity of the emissions scandal. The Q5 also remains Audi’s best-selling U.S. model despite being built from the same design that debuted for 2009 — ancient history in the auto industry.

Though the Q5 provides good handling and traction, satisfying acceleration and a generous helping of convenience and luxury features, it’s overdue for a redesign. A loyal Q5 customer who was an early adopter, for example, could be on the final lap of their third three-year lease — of the same basic vehicle.