The drive from Johannesburg to Manyeleti Game Reserve is one of those classic South African road trips—urban buzz giving way to open farmland, gravel twists, and finally, the wild embrace of the bush. We took the Audi Q5 40TDI (140kW) Sportback Black Edition for the journey, and somewhere between the city gridlock and the dusty tracks near the Kruger boundary, we began to appreciate what this SUV was really built for.
Starting off in Joburg’s morning traffic, the Q5 impressed us with its calm. The cabin feels like a cocoon—quiet, solid, and premium without shouting about it. Audi’s usual attention to refinement is evident here. Soft-touch materials, tight panel gaps, and that familiar digital instrument cluster—the Virtual Cockpit—make everything feel seamless and intuitive. The updated infotainment is slick, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto both working flawlessly. The seats, wrapped in leather and just firm enough, gave us the comfort we needed as we crawled through Sandton’s chaos and onto the N12.
Once we hit the open road, the 2.0-litre turbo diesel came into its own. The 140kW engine might not sound dramatic on paper, but in practice, it delivers power confidently. Overtaking slow-moving trucks near Delmas felt effortless, and the seven-speed S tronic gearbox shifts with a kind of quiet intelligence that quickly fades into the background—exactly as it should on a long haul. What stood out most during this stretch was how composed the Q5 remained, even as the wind picked up across the highveld. The ride is smooth, absorbing undulations without fuss, and the quattro all-wheel-drive system adds a layer of surefootedness that makes the drive feel safe and grounded.
By the time we reached Middelburg, the landscape had softened into rolling farmland. We veered off the tar briefly to see what the area had to offer and test how the Q5 handled the gravel. This is where some SUVs start to feel nervous, but the Q5 wasn’t flustered. With drive select set to ‘off-road’, the throttle response softened and the suspension worked to keep things smooth. We noticed how the dampers responded quickly over rough patches, keeping the car planted while still offering enough give for comfort. It’s not a hardcore off-roader, but it doesn’t pretend to be. For most South African road trips that involve the odd gravel shortcut or detour through a game farm, it’s more than capable.
What we really enjoyed about this car was its ability to adapt. As we climbed through the mountains around Lydenburg and headed towards the Abel Erasmus Pass, the scenery demanded attention—and so did the road. The Q5 handled the tight corners with unexpected agility for something its size. The steering is light but precise, and it responds well to inputs without being twitchy. It gave us confidence, especially when the road narrowed and the cliffs crept closer. Driving a vehicle that balances comfort with composure makes all the difference on this sort of winding route.
Our final leg towards Manyeleti took us through a mix of rough gravel roads and bush tracks. The dust kicked up quickly, and we were glad for the Q5’s decent ground clearance. The underbody never scraped, even when we crossed shallow ditches or rolled over uneven surfaces. We took things slowly through this section, not just to preserve the tyres but to soak in the changing environment. The Q5 stayed stable throughout, with very little cabin shake or creaks from the interior. It felt tight and well-built, as if the engineers in Ingolstadt had actually considered roads beyond the autobahn.
In the bush, the Q5 blends in better than expected. It’s not brash or showy—it simply fits. Pulling up to our lodge at dusk, dusty but content, we noticed a few nods of appreciation from the staff. Perhaps it’s the clean, understated lines of the exterior—the broad grille, the sharply drawn headlights, and the sculpted flanks that look confident without being aggressive. It’s the kind of car that looks equally at home in a hotel car park or on the edge of a dry riverbed at sunset.
As a travel companion, the Q5 does more than just get you there. It adds to the journey. We had ample space for our luggage, camera gear, and the small cooler box we always carry on road trips. The boot swallowed it all with room to spare. Rear passengers had generous legroom, and the climate control worked well even as the midday temperatures pushed over 30 degrees in Manyeleti. Fuel consumption impressed us too—averaging around 6.5L/100km over mixed driving, which is respectable for a vehicle of this size and capability.
After a weekend of game drives, early mornings, and nights under mosquito nets, the return trip was equally smooth. The Q5 handled the long stretch back to Johannesburg with the same balance of comfort and control, making the journey feel far shorter than it was. It’s not just a car—it’s a travel enabler. Whether you’re a city dweller looking to escape or a foodie weaving your way through farm stalls and country kitchens, it lets you go where you need to, and enjoy the ride while you’re at it.