Audi's 2018 Q5 is lighter, more efficient and better to drive on- and off-road

That fact that Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, is home to picturesque beaches isn't a shocker, yet the well-cared-for roadways north of the city are a pleasant surprise. But large portions are straight and not very entertaining from the driver's seat of my European-spec 2018 Audi Q5 tester, which is why I'm happy the leader of our six-car convey is moving at a quick clip to get to the better stuff through the mountains.

Under directions from our hosts, the drive is a lead-follow format that has an Audi employee blazing the trail in a red Q3 with five new Q5s in tow. A glance at my speedometer shows a number that will surely anger any federales we may come across, but since I'm a good guest, I follow orders and keep pace. In doing so, I grow to appreciate the smooth ride, excellent high-speed stability and quiet cabin of this second-generation crossover. We are definitely moving.

Luckily, nobody from the group makes a side trip to the hoosegow before the roads begin to climb, dive and wind through the Sierra de la Laguna mountains, where my appreciation for the Q5 grows further. With Drive Mode Select in its Dynamic setting, this is a surprisingly ferocious family hauler through quick sweepers, digging in with loads of grip and composure. There's little lean in the suspension that features adaptive dampers and air springs, with the former being optional and the latter sadly not available on US-bound cars. The brakes also stay strong, with no signs of fade following abuse in the scorching outside temps.

In addition to a suspension tune that helps keep this SUV feeling lighter on its feet, another reason for the chassis' newfound eagerness is because this Q5 is itself, well, lighter. During the model's ground-up redevelopment, engineers whacked out mass wherever possible through design, and by using more high-tensile-strength steel and aluminum. Depending on trim, this new Q5 can be up to 198 pounds lighter than its predecessor, which is substantial.

Cabo's challenging roads also squash any reservations I may have about this new Quattro all-wheel-drive system, which decouples the rear axle when not needed for improved efficiency, making the Q5 a front-driver most of the time. Initial understeering tendencies are never an issue when pedaling hard, but if you drive on the street like Marcel Fassler canes his Audi R18 during qualifying for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the chassis will push.

Adding to the Q5's enjoyment is a peppy 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder with 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque on 17.4 pounds of boost pressure. While the previous generation rolled with a traditional torque-converted automatic transmission, the new model works with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox offering fantastically quick shifts and a stellar manual shift function. This drivetrain combo never feels underpowered, with lively pull throughout the engine's rev range, yet it should also better the old Q5's fuel economy figures of 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway thanks to its lower weight and revised Quattro system. Unlike some other dual-clutch transmissions, my drive suggests low-speed refinement is a strong suit, not a weak spot.