HYBRID AUDI Q5, MAZDA CX-60 & THE END OF THE STATION WAGON IN AUSTRALIA

EV Channels Review

The CarExpert podcast discusses the fading relevance of station wagons in Australia, highlighting the discontinuation of models like the Golf Wagon and Arteon. The conversation then shifts to the Audi Q5 55 TFSI e, a plug-in hybrid SUV that arrives late in the Q5's lifecycle. While praised for its impressive performance, delivering 270kW and 500Nm, making it the most powerful Q5 variant ever, its high starting price of around $100,000 is a significant drawback, especially when compared to fully electric alternatives like the Tesla Model Y. The claimed 55km EV range is deemed adequate but not class-leading. The review also contrasts the Q5 with the new Mazda CX-60, a more modern offering with new inline-six engines. While the CX-60 offers a more substantial feel and refined powertrain, its new hybrid system, particularly the mild-hybrid engagement, can feel clunky and unrefined, a point noted by both reviewers. The CX-8 is presented as an older but still popular alternative, offering three rows of seating and a comfortable ride, though it lacks the modern powertrain advancements of the CX-60.