Audi Q5 Euro NCAP crash test

5 stars. Overall excellent performance in crash protection and well equipped with comprehensive and robust crash avoidance technology

The passenger compartment of the Q5 remained stable in the frontal impact.  Dummy readings indicated good protection of the knees and femurs of both the driver and passenger.  Audi demonstrated that a similar level of protection would be provided to occupants of different sizes and to those sat in different positions.  All critical body regions of the passenger dummy were well protected.  In the full-width rigid barrier test, protection of all body regions was good, with the exception of the chest of both dummies and the neck of the rear passenger dummy, protection of which was adequate.  Tests on the front seats and head restraints demonstrated good protection against whiplash injury in the event of a rear-end collision.  A geometric assessment of the rear seats also indicated good whiplash protection.  The Q5 has, as standard equipment in Europe, Audi PreSense City, an autonomous emergency braking system.  In tests at low speeds, typical of city driving, where many whiplash injuries are caused, the system performed well, avoiding collision with the target at all but the highest test speed.

In the frontal offset test, protection of the 6 year dummy was good for all critical body regions.  Protection of the neck of the 10 year dummy was marginal but that of other body areas was good.  In the side barrier test, protection of all critical body areas was good for both dummies, and maximum points were scored.  The front passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in that seating position.  Clear information is provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag and the system was rewarded.  All of the restraint types for which the Q5 is designed could be properly installed and accommodated in the vehicle.

The Q5 has an 'active' bonnet.  Sensors detect when a pedestrian has been struck and actuators lift the bonnet to provide greater clearance between its top surface and hard structures in the engine bay.  Audi showed that the system worked robustly for several pedestrian statures and over a wide range of speeds and, accordingly, the vehicle was tested with the bonnet in the raised position.  Test results of the protection offered to the head of a struck pedestrian were almost all good or adequate.  The protection provided by the bumper to pedestrians' legs was predominantly marginal or adequate.  Protection of the pelvis was mixed, with areas of good and poor performance.  Audi PreSense City is capable of pedestrian detection.  In tests of this functionality, the system performed well, impact with the target being avoided in the great majority of cases.

The Q5 has a seatbelt reminder system for the front and rear seats.  Audi PreSense City is also standard and tests of its performance at highway speeds demonstrated good performance, impact being avoided or mitigated over the entire range of test speeds.  A driver-set speed limiter is fitted as standard equipment.  A lane support system is available as an option but was not included in this assessment.