Used Audi Q5 2017-present review

It’s hard to believe there was ever a time when Audi didn't have an SUV in the range. Now, along with this Audi Q5, you can find one in all sorts of sizes, from the small Audi Q2 to the gargantuan Audi Q7 and Audi Q8.

However, it's the Q5 that has proved to be one of the brand's best-selling models, meaning there are now plenty of really good used ones to choose from. The first-generation 2008-2017 Audi Q5 was immensely popular, but it was this second-generation 2017-onwards model that moved the game on.

Engines & Performance: For a relatively small engine, the 2.0-litre petrol (renamed 45 TFSI in 2019) is pretty pokey thanks to a healthy 249bhp. The 187bhp 2.0 TDI (later 40 TDI) diesel, meanwhile, is flexible enough to deliver strong real-world pace. Both engines come with a standard seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, which changes smoothly through the gears once up to speed but can be a little jerky when parking.

The 3.0 TDI is a tremendous engine and, with 282bhp, is effortless in normal, everyday driving. That’s down to the enormous shove it generates from low revs, coupled with the responsive eight-speed automatic gearbox.

There is also the high-performance SQ5, which initially came with a 349bhp 3.0-litre petrol before being replaced with a 342bhp 3.0-litre diesel in 2019.

That year also saw a minor facelift for the Q5 and the introduction of a plug-in hybrid that had a 14.1kWh battery and a combined power output of 362bhp from an electric motor and a 2.0-litre petrol engine.

Post-2019 and that minor facelift, the engine line-up includes that plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option with a decent electric-only range, helping to keep emissions competitive with other premium rivals. If plugging in your car isn't for you, there’s also a 201bhp diesel engine and a 261bhp petrol, both with mild hybrid assistance.

Ride & Handling: On its standard suspension option, the Q5 rides well, but with the optional-from-new air suspension, it’s superb – one of the best in the class.

For the very best comfort on the post-facelift cars, you'll want range-topping Vorsprung because it gets you that adjustable air suspension for a super-smooth, class-leading ride at all speeds. The problem is, Vorsprung trim is astronomically expensive, even used, and you can’t specify its air suspension on any other version.

The next comfiest trim is entry-level Sport. It comes with what Audi calls Dynamic suspension and relatively small (for the size of the car) 18in alloys. These deliver a perfectly agreeable ride that's firmer but more controlled than on the Volvo XC60.

Added to that, though, its handling is safe and secure, although it stops short of offering the driver truly great involvement. All Q5s have four-wheel drive, giving great traction in slippery conditions and good grip through corners. There's a lot less body roll than in the XC60 or DS 7.

Interior & Practicality: Inside, the driving position is multi-adjustable, there’s plenty of space for passengers both front and back, the boot is big and the interior is beautifully made with a good choice of rich materials. The Q5 is a prime example of Audi’s knack for showing other manufacturers how to make cars look and feel fantastic inside. The materials are top-notch and tactile, with dense, soft-surfaced materials in all prominent locations and any harder plastics kept well out of sight. The Q5’s interior is arguably the best in the class.

The interior also features Audi’s excellent dial-controlled infotainment system, again one of the best in the class.

Later post-facelift Q5s get a 10.1in touchscreen infotainment system with built-in sat-nav. Its graphics are sharp and it responds quickly to prods and swipes. Unfortunately, whereas previous Q5s gave you a well-designed rotary controller interface between the front seats to operate the system (much like the one in the BMW X3), the latest model is touchscreen-only. As a result, the infotainment can be quite distracting to use when you're driving.

The two outer rear seats in the Q5 offer decent head room and a reasonable amount of knee room for those with long legs, although not quite as much as in the Volvo XC60. There’s enough width for three adults to sit side by side in decent comfort, too, but the middle passenger won’t be quite as comfortable as they would be in the back of those rivals.

Q5s without PHEV engines have a 500-litre boot – roughly matching what you'll find in the X3 or Mercedes GLC. With no intrusions from the wheel arches, it’s a useful square shape that’s easily big enough to swallow a fold-up buggy or up to nine carry-on suitcases. That’s one more than an XC60 will take. PHEV models aren’t quite as generous, with 465 litres available.

Trims & Equipment: SE is the entry-level trim and comes with an electric tailgate, three-zone climate control, leather seats, xenon headlights, front and rear parking sensors and heated front seats. Infotainment-wise, you get Bluetooth and a DAB radio, plus smartphone mirroring that lets you use your phone’s sat-nav through the 7.0in screen – handy, because sat-nav isn’t standard. Move up to Sport trim for some exterior styling upgrades but, more importantly, sat-nav and more supportive sports seats that include four-way electric lumbar adjustment.

S line adds larger, 19in alloy wheels, more aggressive bumper styling and privacy glass. You also get powerful LED headlights and part-leather, part-Alcantara seat trim. A Black Edition came a short while after, but this is mostly an exterior styling pack with (you guessed it) black detailing.

After the facelift at the end of 2019, Sport became the new entry-level trim but got extra goodies such as LED headlights, a reversing camera and Audi's Virtual Cockpit as standard. S line got a more advanced LED Matrix headlights that can dim for oncoming traffic. The Black Edition became Edition 1 and gained 20in alloys and Nappa leather seats with full electric adjustment in the front, while the new top model became Vorsprung with 21in wheels and air suspension. Vorsprung also got the full complement of safety tech such as blindspot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and lane-keeping assistance.

Interested in buying a used Audi Q5? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

You can buy a used Audi Q5 for around £16,000 and that'll get you a 2017 model, likely with the entry-level 2.0-litre diesel engine under the bonnet – the equivalent petrol will only cost you around £1000 more. Expect the trim to be Sport.

For a 2019 Q5, have upwards of £20,000, rising to roughly £25,000 for a 2021 example. Nearly new 2024 models demand around £40,000 at least.

Fancy a PHEV Q5? For that, you'll need around £22,500. An SQ5? £24,500.

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MPG: The most economical Q5 on paper (besides the PHEV) is the 2.0 TDI (40 TDI) version, with a combined fuel consumption figure of 55.4mpg, while the 2.0 TFSI (45 TFSI) petrol version records 40.9mpg. If you can find one, a 3.0 TDI gets 48.7mpg.

Under the older NEDC test, the petrol SQ5 got 34mpg, while the diesel SQ5 that came after WLTP was introduced gets 34.4mpg. In the real world, the difference between these two would be greater.

The plug-in hybrid is the most impressive at 128.4mpg, although you’ll need to regularly plug it in to achieve anything like that in reality.

CO2 emissions: There won’t be many Q5s registered before 1 April 2017, but for those that were, you’ll need to know what CO2 they produced. The 2.0 TDI is best at 133g/km, followed by the 3.0 TDI at 152g/km. Next is the 2.0 TFSI with 157g/km, with the worst being the petrol SQ5 at 189g/km.

Road tax (VED): Road tax for all models registered before 1 April 2017 will vary depending on the emissions the engine produces (see above for more information), while examples registered after this date (until April 2022) will render owners liable to pay a flat-rate fee. This is currently £190 per year for petrol and diesel cars, while hybrid owners pay £180 per year.

This is on top of an additional fee because every version of the Q5 cost more than £40,000 when new. Fortunately, this yearly additional fee (currently £410 a year) only lasts between the second and sixth years of the vehicle's age – then it goes back to the flat-rate fee.

Servicing and insurance costs: Audi servicing tends to be cheaper at franchised dealers than that of key rival Mercedes. For example, for Q5s under three years old, two services for examples with 2.0-litre engines cost £468, or £594 for any engine bigger than that. For a Mercedes GLC, those same two services cost £864. Insurance groups range from 27 for the 2.0 TDIs to 42 for the rip-snorting, sporty SQ5 model.

Reliability

As part of our 2023 Reliability Survey, What Car? readers found the Audi Q5 (2017-present) generally reliable, though some areas raised concern. Owners of both petrol and diesel models reported issues with the infotainment system, including frequent freezing and connectivity problems. Electrical faults, such as malfunctioning lights and faulty sensors, were common, and some experienced costly turbocharger and transmission issues.

Audi dealership experiences were mixed. Some praised the professional service and quick resolution of issues, often under warranty. Others faced long wait times for appointments and parts, and expressed dissatisfaction with high repair costs once the warranty expired.

Discover more about used Audi Q5 reliability and common problems on our dedicated reliability page.

Engine: While not super-quick in terms of outright pace, the 2.0 TDI has the best blend of performance and economy of all the engines available in the Q5, plus it's also pretty smooth compared with equivalent 2.0-litre diesel engines in most rivals. The 3.0 TDI would also be a good choice, if you could find one...

For those who really need a petrol, the 2.0 TFSI is your only option because the petrol SQ5 is really expensive to run, and you'll need to have easy access to a plug socket with the plug-in hybrid in order for that car to make financial sense.

Specification: The entry-level SE is very well equipped, but we think the Sport model is a better bet, because it has sat-nav and far more supportive sports seats in the front. There are also far more Sport examples available used than SE.

Most S line you'll come across will have firmer sports suspension fitted that's a bit too much for our roads, while Black Edition and Edition 1 models are really more of a styling package. The Vorsprung model is nice, but not worth the additional expense over a Sport.

Our favourite Audi Q5: 2.0 TDI 190 Sport

The BMW X3 is a classy design with excellent build quality. It’s also good to drive, with a range of smooth and efficient engines. It’s quiet and comfortable, and roomy inside. The later versions are among the best cars in this class, and well worth looking at if you’re considering a Q5.

The Land Rover Discovery Sport has the advantage over the Q5 and X3 of being a seven-seater, although those two rearmost seats are cramped. However, it handles well, the interior is smart and it gets more standard safety tech such as lane-keeping assistance, which was an option on the Q5 when new. Countered against that is a poor showing in our most recent reliability survey.

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Interested in buying a used Audi Q5? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.