Meet the refreshed Audi Q5! One could easily mistake this mid-life update with the previous one. That’s because the changes aren’t radical enough. But is that a bad thing? Sometimes, a tweaked package makes more sense over one that potentially changes a car’s charm. The Audi Q5 facelift falls in the former category, and it has adopted the new design language in certain areas. Apart from that, the Q5 will be available in two new colour options – district green (shown in images) and ultra blue. And, yes, there are a couple of technology upgrades as well.

Outdoors, the refreshed Q5 gets a new front bumper which accommodates a wider octagonal grille. Flanking the SingleFrame unit are new headlamp enclosures, which feature revised LED DRLs. The side profile looks pretty similar as before, apart from the new wheels and higher ground clearance. At the rear, there’s a trim element between the reprofiled, and OLED-powered, taillamps enclosures. The Q5 facelift measures 1.9cm longer courtesy of the chunkier bumpers. The width and height, however, remain unchanged.

Inside the cabin, the Q5 facelift remains mostly unchanged. The dashboard, however, did take a visit to the drawing board as it now accommodates a freestanding MMI touchscreen display with acoustic feedback. Powering it is Audi’s third-gen Modular Infotainment Platform (MIB 3) which, as per the carmaker, has ten-times the computing power over its predecessor. Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus, which offers a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, is available in the range-topping versions. Apart from that, the rotary/push control on the centre-tunnel has made way for a storage area.

At the time of launch in Europe, the Audi Q5 facelift will come in the 40 TDI form. The 2.0-litre turbocharged mill produces 201bhp/400Nm, while a 7-speed DSG handles transmission duties and feeds the oomph to a Quattro all-wheel-drive system. In the mix is a mild-hybrid system which aids fuel economy. It helps the Q5 to coast with the engine off and allows for a start-stop mode at speeds below 22kmph. Other performance figures include a top speed of 222kmph and a 0-100kmph sprint time of 7.6 seconds.

Those who can’t wait to put their names down can book the “edition one” version right away. It comes with a sporty outlook inside and out, and a bunch of optional extras fitted. Depending on the market, Audi will offer the Q5 is varied trim levels. And yes, there will be a list of optional extras as well. The San José Chiapa plant in Mexico will manufacture the SUV, and Europe will get it in fall of 2020.