In-depth reviews

Audi Q5 hybrid boot space, seating & practicality

The Q5 plug-in hybrid is a great family car, but a lack of cable storage, and storage in the rear, lets it down

Overall rating

3.5 out of 5

Boot space, seating & practicality rating

3.0 out of 5

Price
£36,400 - £78,550
Fuel Type:
Hybrid Petrol
LengthWidthHeightBoot volume (seats up)
4,663mm2,140mm1,661mm465 litres

The Audi Q5 hybrid is a decent family SUV, with plenty of room for two adults or two chunky child seats in the back seats and a spacious boot. The rear seats can be folded in a 40:20:40 split and either slid forwards to increase boot space or moved back for more leg room. 

However, you do have to pay extra to get cupholders and map pockets for those in the back. Not only that, but Audi's solution to cable storage is a massive case that takes up valuable boot space. Mercifully, a standard power tailgate makes it easy to get into the boot if you have your hands full with shopping bags.

Audi Q5 hybrid interior space, storage & comfort

Four adults in the Q5 will find plenty of head and legroom all round, but a middle occupant in the back row will feel a bit squeezed for elbow room. 

What is cheeky is that you have to pay £225 for the aforementioned 'storage' pack to get net map pockets on the back of the front seats and cupholders in the centre rear armrest. A powered tailgate is mercifully standard, however.

Boot space

The Q5 plug-in hybrid loses 85 litres of space compared to a standard Q5, due to the batteries its powertrain relies on, but that still leaves 465 litres (455 for the Sportback thanks to its sloping rear end) of space. If you avoid taking the cables with you, the boot is more than big enough to deal with bulky buggies or dogs. It's almost identical to the Volvo XC60 Recharge, which offers 468 litres of space, although it does have dedicated space for its charging cable.

If you want to take the cables with you, then pack accordingly. As mentioned, they come in a sizable bag that robs precious space in the boot. It can be clipped to one of the lashing eyes dotted around the load area so that it won’t slide around, but that doesn't forgive the fact that it's so cumbersome.

Towing

The Q5 hybrid can tow a braked trailer or caravan weighing up to 2,000kg, which is less than the 2,400kg limit for the petrol and diesel versions of the car. Find out more about towing with hybrid and electric cars here.

Richard is editor of DrivingElectric, as well as sister site Carbuyer.co.uk, and a regular contributor to Auto Express. An electric and hybrid car advocate, he spent more than five years working on the news and reviews desk at Auto Express and has driven almost every new car currently on sale.

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