Safe driving in Singapore with the Audi Q5 Sportback

Thanks to continued innovation in car manufacturing, car safety features have improved tremendously over the years. We take a look at what makes the Audi Q5 Sportback one of the brand’s safest crossovers.

There were fewer road traffic accidents in Singapore in 2020 compared to previous years. According to a report released by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in February 2021, there was a 30% drop in fatal accidents from 117 in 2019 to 82 in 2020, putting the fatality rate per household down to 1.49 in 2020 compared to the 2.07 in 2019.

Perhaps the drop was due to having fewer vehicles on the road in 2020 with more people staying home during that period, but no matter the reason, it’s still important for drivers to remain vigilant and practice road safety. As drivers, it’s also important to keep in mind that road accidents not only involve things like running red lights, drink driving, or speeding. It also includes jaywalking pedestrians, motorcyclists and pillion riders, and other motorists.

To give you peace of mind while on the road, we give you the lowdown on the safety features of the Audi Q5 Sportback.

Award-winning safety features

The Audi Q5 Sportback, the brand’s premium crossover model, is the recipient of the highest Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) — the most rigorous honour for automotive safety in the United States.

The Audi Q5 Sportback earned the highest rating of “Good” in all six IIHS crashworthiness evaluations, “Advanced” and “Superior” ratings for its systems that help mitigate collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians, and “Good” and “Acceptable” ratings for its headlights across all trims and packages.

Aside from these award-wining features, the Audi Q5 Sportback has top-notch regular safety features like airbags, brake assist, and anti-lock braking system — we take a look at some of them.

Drive system safety features

Audi’s quattro technology

The brand’s celebrated all-wheel drive technology is at the forefront of the Audi Q5 Sportback’s safe handling, ensuring that the car has a high level of driving precision. With the quattro technology, drivers can feel more confident on the road in any weather condition. For example, it intuitively sends power to all the wheels to maximise traction when driving in wet weather. In addition, the Audi Q5 Sportback is equipped with stability-enhancing safety features such as a four-wheel automatic braking system, an electronic stability control system, and traction control.

Tailored driving modes with the Audi drive select

With the Audi Q5 Sportback, drivers can choose from a variety of dynamic handling systems such as auto, comfort, dynamic, efficiency, or offroad. Through Drive Select, drivers can personalise aspects such as engine characteristics, throttle response, and steering feel.

The different modes change how the car performs, such as switching from a comfort focus to dynamic drive, to fuel-efficiency mode. In individual mode, drivers can configure the set -up according to their personal preferences. The Audi Q5 Sportback also has an additional all-road setting that prepares the car for driving off the beaten track and this works in tandem with the optional adaptive air suspension.

Tyre pressure monitoring system

In Singapore, road humps can pop up in the most unlikely places. These humps may seem harmless but they can actually contribute to tyre pressure loss. The Audi Q5 Sportback’s active tyre pressure monitoring system alerts drivers of any pressure loss by displaying a warning on the monitor to notify the driver of the affected tyre and its position. This is important as underinflated tyres can affect a vehicle’s performance such has handling, cornering, and can result in higher rolling resistance and increased fuel consumption.

Driver assist systems for enhanced safety

Pre sense rear collision-prevention system

This safety features comes standard in the Audi Q5 Sportback and it is always active in the background. It helps detect potential rear-end collisions through the use of radar sensors in the rear bumper. If a vehicle comes dangerously close, the system would initiate preventive safety measures such as pretensioning the front seat belts and closing windows (and sunroof, if available). The car’s hazard warning lights will also activate to alert other motorists of the situation.

Park assist with parking aid plus

The Audi Q5 Sportback comes with safety features to support safe parking. Drivers only need to accelerate, brake and shift gears while the system automatically steers the car safely into parallel or perpendicular parking spaces through sensors on the sides and in the front and rear bumpers.

The premium crossover also has a cross traffic assist rear which comes in handy in preventing accidents while reversing out of parking spaces. Through sensors, it will warn drivers of any possible collisions and engages the brakes. A visual display will indicate red arrows pointing to the potential hazard and if there are no preventative measures taken, the system will send signal sounds before engaging a brake jolt to warn the driver.

Hold assist

The hold assist is a convenient safety feature that prevents the car from rolling when ascending or descending — especially useful if you are stuck in an inclined position while waiting in line in a multistorey parking lot or caught in a jam. When activated, the Audi Q5 Sportback hold assist system will automatically engage the electromechanical parking brake to ensure that the car remains stationary even if the parking brake is not engaged.

Side assist

This function is also known as the side assist lane-changing assistant which works as a blind spot monitoring system. When the Audi Q5 Sportback detects a vehicle in the blind spot or approaching quickly from the rear, the warning LED on the exterior mirror will light up to alert the driver. The LED will flash in rapid succession if the driver activates the turn signal despite the initial warning.

The Q5 Sportback also has the exit warning feature which uses the same radar sensors as the side assist. This actively monitors the back and rear sides of the vehicle. If the sensors detect any potential collisions, the system will activate the LEDs to warn passengers not to open the doors.

While the Audi Q5 Sportback is big on safety and is one of the safest premium crossovers, this functional stylish crossover also remains true to the brand core and delivers on great design, impressive performance, and agile handling.