The Audi Q5 is heating up! Since its light refresh last year, this capable, superfast and classy crossover is passing many established players on the sales charts.

This is no fluke: the Q5 is perhaps the ultimate all-season, all-cargo sports car these days.

Imagine the pace and cabin of the RS7 — but in a deceptively stylish crossover shell. The SQ5 might not have that last 10-percent of track-day flair versus its upcoming Macan sibling, but Audi is competing to win.

Even within the Volkswagen Group, where the teams genuinely respect and collaborate across brands and specialties, competitiveness is only natural.

Just like in the P&G personal care segments: where Tide battles seven competing labels like Gain and the others. All from P&G, and consumers do not care.

But when reviewing the overall group numbers, the people who work on Gain — in this example — might be recognized if they can improve their market share, etc.

But this is not Audi with a touch of Porsche Old Spice. Or Dawn soap that includes Olay moisturizing products.

All P&G. But consumers do not care who owns these brands, and might even like the cross-promo.

So what does this have to do with Audi’s best-selling 2014 Q5?

Audi knows Porsche’s Macan is very sporty – so is taking no chances with the Q5.

Among its five total engines, the SQ5 sits right on top.

2014 Audi Q5 Range – Tech Specs

2014 Audi Q5 – LED Animation

2014 Audi Q5 – Details Animation

COLORS and Configuration

Exterior

• Audi Singleframe grille
• Adaptive xenon plus headlights LED daytime running lights
• Automatic headlights
• LED taillights
• Power-adjustable, power-folding, auto-dimming, heated exterior side mirrors with memory
• Front and rear fog lights
• Headlight washing system
• Quad exhaust outlets
• Aluminum trim around exterior windows
• Aluminum roof rails
• Power tailgate open/close
• LED turn indicator lights integrated into the exterior side mirrors
• Heated windshield washer nozzles
• Audi S exterior appearance (Platinum Gray Audi Singleframe  grille, Aluminum-optic exterior side mirror housings, body-colored extended side sills and integrated rear tailgate spoiler)

Interior

• Three-zone automatic climate control
• Three-spoke multifunction flat-bottom sport steering wheel with shift paddles
• Tilt and telescopic manually adjustable steering column
• Power windows with one-touch up/down operation and pinch protection
• Decorative interior inlays
• Panoramic sunroof
• Dual front sun visors with lighted vanity mirrors
• Manual rear-side sunshades
• Rear cargo cover, tilts when tailgate is opened
• Thermo cupholder
• Auto-dimming interior rear view mirror with digital compass
• Aluminum door sill inlays

Seating

• Leather/Alcantara  seating surfaces
• Twelve-way power front sport seats including four-way power lumbar adjustment
• Sliding 40/20/40 split folding rear seat with pass-through and adjustable recline
• Heated front seats
• Driver seat memory

Infotainment | Technology

• Audi MMI  Navigation plus with voice control system
• Audi connect  with six-month trial subscription
• Bang & Olufsen  Sound System with 14 speakers and 505 watts
• Color driver information system
• HD Radio™ Technology
• SiriusXM  Satellite Radio with 90-day trial subscription
• SiriusXM  Traffic with four-year subscription
• Cruise control with coast, resume and accelerate features
• Audi music interface with iPod  integration
• BLUETOOTH  wireless technology preparation for mobile phone
• BLUETOOTH  streaming audio
• Garage door opener (HomeLink )
• Audi advanced key—keyless start, stop and entry
• Parking system plus with rear view camera
• Audi side assist
• Audi drive select
• Rain/light sensor for automatic windshield wipers and headlights
• Adaptive xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights
• Audi MMI  Navigation plus with voice control system
• Bang & Olufsen  Sound System with 14 speakers and 505 watts
• Audi connect  with six-month trial subscription
• Audi side assist

• Engineering | Performance

Engine type Six-cylinder

Displacement (cc)/Bore and stroke (mm) 2,995/84.5 x 89.0

Horsepower (@ rpm) 354 @ 6,000-6,500

Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) 346 @ 4,000-4,500

Engine block Aluminum alloy

Cylinder head Aluminum alloy

Valvetrain 24-valve DOHC

Induction/Fuel injection Supercharged/FSI  

Acceleration (0-60 mph) 5.1 sec.

Top track speed 155 mph 

Pricing is from $52,000 for the SQ5, or about $59,000 for the loaded SQ5 Prestige.