Audi Australia has confirmed that a plug-in hybrid variant of the Q5 mid-size SUV will be landing locally in the second half of 2023. Available to order now, the 2023 Audi Q5 55 TFSI e Plug-In Hybrid combines a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine with a 14.4kWh battery pack for up to 55km of all-electric driving (WLTP) and combined fuel consumption of just 2.0L/100km. The Q5 55 TFSIe Plug-In Hybrid rivals other mid-size premium plug-in hybrid SUVs like the Volvo XC60 Recharge, BMW X3 xDrive30e and Mercedes-Benz GLC300e.

“The introduction of the Q5 PHEV makes perfect sense for the varied lifestyles of Australian customers,” says Jeff Mannering, Director of Audi Australia. “With its all-electric capability for urban driving and its powerful TFSI engine for longer trips, it delivers the best of both worlds without compromise.”

“The size and appointment of the Q5 has made it a resounding success since its first introduction and offering this powerful plug-in hybrid variant will significantly broaden the appeal of the already impressive Q5 lineup in Australia.”

Under the bonnet of the 2023 Audi Q5 55 TFSI e Plug-In Hybrid is a 195kW/370Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that’s mated to a 105kW/350Nm electric motor for combined outputs of 270kW of power and 500Nm of torque. The Q5 55 TFSI e uses a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to send power to all four wheels.

The electric motor draws its power from 14.4kWh battery for 55km of electric driving range, which can be recharged in as little as around 2.5 hours using a 7.2kW charger or around seven hours using a wall socket. Audi provides both a wall charging cable and a Type 2 charging cable with the car. There are four PHEV-specific modes for the Q5 55TFSI e: hybrid, EV, hold, and charge.

Standard features on the 2023 Audi Q5 55 TFSI e Plug-In Hybrid include 20-inch alloy wheels, automatic all-LED lighting with automatic wipers, keyless entry and start with a hands-free electric tailgate, heated/auto-folding/auto-dimming mirrors, a panoramic sunroof, rear privacy glass, leather upholstery, heated and electrically adjustable front seats with driver’s memory, tri-zone climate control, a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite navigation with live traffic, digital radio, a 10-speaker sound system, a wireless phone charger, four USB ports and roof rails for the wagon.

The $7,300-more expensive Q5 55 TFSI e Plug-In Hybrid Sportback then adds Matrix LED headlights with scrolling indicators, Nappa leather upholstery, front sports seats with S Line badging and brushed aluminium inlays.

Safety kit includes eight airbags, auto emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, low-speed front and rear auto braking, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assistance with lane trace assist, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, auto high beam, driver attention monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, auto parking and a 360-degree parking camera.

One option package is available for the 2023 Audi Q5 55TFSI e Plug-In Hybrid: the $4,900 Technik Package that adds Matrix LED headlights with adaptive high beam, front and rear scrolling indicators, a heads-up display and 755-watt 19-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system. Because the Q5 55 TFSI e Plug-In Hybrid Sportback has Matrix headlights as standard, the same package for it costs slightly less at $4,700 and instead features OLED tailights.

2023 Audi Q5 pricing (plus on-road costs):

  • 35 TDI – $67,900
  • 40 TDI quattro – $75,500
  • 45 TFSI quattro – $75,800
  • 40 TDI quattro Sport – $81,500
  • 45 TFSI quattro Sport – $82,800
  • Sportback 40 TDI quattro S Line – $83,400
  • Sportback 45 TFSI quattro S Line – $92,000
  • 55 TFSI e Plug-In Hybrid quattro S Line – $102,900 (new)
  • Sportback 55 TFSI e Plug-In Hybrid quattro S Line – $110,200 (new)
  • SQ5 – $112,200
  • SQ5 Sportback – $118,000

The 2023 Audi Q5 Plug-In Hybrid is on sale in Australia now with the first deliveries landing in the second half of this year. Stay tuned to DiscoverAuto for the latest automotive news and reviews.

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