Used Audi Q5 2008 - 2017 review

As evidence of just how important SUVs have become to premium car makers’ balance sheets, consider this: Audi’s best-selling car worldwide is not the A3 hatchback or even the A4 saloon, but the Q5.

This is the first-generation version of the mid-sized SUV and it arrived in dealerships in 2008, since when more than 1.6 million have been sold. It went bumper-to-bumper with the BMW X3, Volvo XC60 and Land Rover Freelander, and it makes do with five seats rather than the seven of Audi's larger Q7 sibling. It might come in many of its versions with Audi's fabled four-wheel drive 'quattro' system, but it doesn't really do serious off-roading, although it'll tackle the odd unmade-up country lane with aplomb.

An engine range spanning petrol, diesel and four to six cylinders adds to the Q5’s draw and ensures prices have remained robust, along with the enduring appeal of Audi’s interior fit and finish. The 141 and 168bhp versions of the 2.0-litre diesel unit are the most popular, although there's a punchy 3.0-litre V6 diesel too. Petrol fans are catered for with a 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder unit, and the SQ5, a real humdinger of a car that adds sporty appeal to the SUV practicality. A six-speed manual gearbox is available on the two 2.0 diesels, with a seven-speed S tronic automatic gearbox offered as an option. This auto 'box is a standard fit on the rest of the range.

There were three trim levels to choose from - SE, S line and S line Plus. Opt for the entry-level SE models and expect to find it is reasonably well-equipped with a 6.5in MMI infotainment screen, a 10-speaker sound system, a DAB radio, electric windows, three-zone climate control and cruise control all as standard. Outside the Q5 is shod in 18in alloys, a rear spoiler, and rear parking sensors. Upgrade to the S line trims and expect to find a sportier looking Q5, with bigger alloys, an aggressive body kit and xenon headlights all included in the package, while the range-topping S line Plus includes Audi's sat-nav system complete with a 40GB hard drive and parking sensors at the front.

As you can imagine the SQ5 comes with its own bi-turbo 3.0-litre V6 engine, and comes in two trims - SQ5 and SQ5 Plus. The main differences include a far more aggressive body kit, quad-exhaust system, bigger alloys and a Nappa leather interior.

Inevitably the Q5 is slower than a similarly-powered A4 thanks to its extra weight and height, but in real-world driving it feels brisk enough. On the road, there was the option of adjustable damper control and variable-ratio steering as part of Audi’s Drive Select package. Despite the elevated driving position and 1.8-tonne mass, the Q5 turns with remarkably little body roll and changes direction without protestation. Its steering is initially finger-light, but it weights up suddenly. Accelerate onto a roundabout and the change in assistance can catch you unawares.

Town driving reveals another dynamic flaw: the ride is far too firm. The problem isn’t just larger potholes or speed bumps, which the suspension deals with without any problems, but also small to medium-sized intrusions. Even on a motorway the Q5 refuses to settle. The movements are not uncomfortable, and some of these issues were addressed with the mid-life update in 2012. Softer springs result in much less bouncy ride.

The Q5's seats are accommodating, particularly if you find a car with the optional sliding rear bench; this allows you to trade up to 10cm of boot space for more rear leg room. Head room in the rear is also in good supply for two tall adults, although a middle-seat passenger will need to straddle a large transmission tunnel in the floor, which eats into their leg room.

The Q5's boot is bigger than the Volvo XC60's but slightly smaller than the BMW X3’s, and as you’d expect of a car of this type, it has a flat loading lip and some useful underfloor storage. You can also fold the rear seats down if you need to carry larger items.

Up front, there are plenty of cubbyholes for odds and ends, and for the ultimate in luxury you might even find a Q5 that was specified with heated cupholders.

A mid-life facelift in 2012 resulted in increased power outputs as well as stop-start becoming standard fit, thus reducing running costs.

The Audi Q5 wears miles well, so it’s not uncommon to see examples offered for sale with 200,000 miles or more on the clock, for which you’ll pay as little as £6000. Realistically, however, you’ll want a car that costs closer to £8000 and has covered fewer than 100,000 miles.

The 2.0-litre TDI diesel was originally available with 141bhp or 168bhp, plus there was a 237bhp 3.0-litre V6. The 2012 facelift resulted in power outputs from the 2.0 increasing to 148bhp and 175bhp, while the 3.0’s output increased to 242bhp. Prices for post-facelift diesel models start at about £11,000.

As with the diesel, the 2.0-litre petrol was available with different power outputs: 176bhp to 208bhp for a pre-facelift car, and as much as 223bhp for a post-2012 model, which was also offered with a normal Tiptronic automatic gearbox rather the dual-clutch S tronic unit. At the same time, the 266bhp 3.2-litre V6 was replaced with a supercharged 3.0-litre V6 with 268bhp and better fuel consumption.

Those after even more power from their Q5 should be more than satisfied with the 310bhp from the V6 twin-turbocharged diesel SQ5, for which prices start at around £18,000.

For a sizeable SUV with good performance and four-wheel drive, running costs are not as exorbitant as you might expect. With the 2.0-litre TDI engine, the Q5 managed 42.1mpg in official EU fuel tests, which improved to 45.6mpg after the introduction of stop-start technology across the range in 2012. In normal driving, this equates to 35-40mpg, while the 3.0-litre V6 will deliver 30-37mpg. The 2.0-litre petrol Q5 is thirstier still: don’t expect much more than 30mpg in normal driving, placing it just ahead of the V6 petrol engines.

Annual road tax ranges from £150 for the post-2012 facelift 2.0 TDI to up to £305 or a V6 petrol, which is competitive for this type of car, particularly considering there’s no front-wheel-drive version.

Servicing is required every 12 months or 10,000 miles, and Audi’s fixed price servicing represents good value, with prices starting from £164 for a minor service on a 2.0-litre Q5. Of course, there are plenty of specialists outside of the main dealer network who will service an elderly Q5 for you, often at cheaper rates.

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The majority of Q5s sold were 2.0-litre diesels, due to their balance of purchase price, running costs and performance. However, for some, the requirement for expensive cambelt replacements might start to shift the balance on the used market to one of the more powerful V6 diesels, or a post-facelift 2.0-litre petrol, particularly as the latter will also come with the robust Tiptronic automatic gearbox.

The Q5 range starts with SE trim, which includes alloy wheels, leather upholstery, climate control and a 6.5in MMI infotainment screen with a rotary dial controller. Rear parking sensors are also standard across the range.

Upgrading to S line or the later S line Plus spec adds sportier styling, Xenon headlights and larger wheels, resulting in a firmer ride, so we’d advise sticking with SE trim.

Our favourite Audi Q5: 2.0 TDI quattro SE manual

The BMW X3 is an obvious rival to the Q5, and we advise opting for the later shape model built from 2010 onwards, which is a significantly better car than the original. With lots of space and a great ride and handling balance, it is arguably the pick of the premium SUVs.

The Volvo XC60 is another strong contender, with its emphasis on comfort over sporty handling, and a reliably good safety rating.

If you need an upmarket SUV that can also cope with off-road conditions, don’t rule out the Land Rover Freelander or the later Land Rover Discovery Sport.

And if you’re considering a nearly new Q5, the recently launched Mercedes-Benz GLC is also a compelling rival thanks to its excellent build quality and comfort-focused suspension set-up.

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