Audi's understated Q5 continued its subtle conquest of the premium mid-sized SUV sector in this second generation 'Type 80A' form. This MK2 model is lighter and more likeable than its predecessor, with a more sensible quattro system, loads of advanced technology and a beautifully practical interior crafted in Audi's own inimitable style. In short, if you can afford it, you'd like one.

For some time, Audi has effectively owned the premium part of the mid-sized SUV segment with their Q5 model. At launch in 2016 though, this second generation version faced a much tougher task in maintaining that sales superiority, though was well prepared for the challenge.

Just as its predecessor was. That model, originally introduced back in 2008, established a benchmark for cars of this kind and eventually found over 1.6 million global customers, with sales continuing to grow throughout its eight year production run, especially in markets like China, who now buy more Q5s than the whole of Europe and the US combined. To keep pace with this kind of demand, Audi had to do more than just re-design this model second time around: it also had to create an entirely new production plant to build it - in San Jose Chiapa, Mexico.

The lower production costs of this facility were an important factor in enabling Audi to keep this car competitive in a market sector now demanding Luxury segment technology at Executive segment prices. In facing a growing sector of premium competitors, Audi sent this Q5 to the fitness studio and it returned leaner, tauter and more athletic, having shed over 90kgs in comparison with its predecessor, despite the fact that this MK2 model is slightly bigger. Even more significantly, this car got a completely new on-demand 'quattro with ultra technology' 4WD system that was quite a bit more efficient than the old permanently- activated set-up. And this design was based around the much more sophisticated 'MLB Evo' platform that by 2016, had already done wonders for Audi's larger Q7 SUV.

Add to that a classier cabin, stronger safety standards and hi-tech media connectivity and it was clear from the moment this model was launched that there was plenty of plenty of potential here. This MK2 Q5 sold in its original form until mid-2020 when it was facelifted; it's the original 2016-2020 models we look at here.

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