Audi Q5 review | The Car Expert

Make and model: Audi Q5 Launch Edition 2.0 TDI
Description: Diesel SUV
Price range: £63,060 (plus options)

Audi says: “A striking, sloping roofline, sporty appearance and SUV proportions – the new Q5 Sportback is here, and it’s designed for life.”
We say: Good-looking with decent performance, but expensive for what it is.

Introduction

The Q5 name has been around for years now, with the first model launched way back in 2008. This here is the third-generation model, which arrived in the UK last year. As before, Audi is targeting cars like the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3 with its latest variant. And while the Launch Edition, as tested here, has recently been dropped for Audi’s lineup, there are three trim levels to choose from and just two engines — nice and simple.

What is it?

The Audi Q5 is a mid-sized SUV that sits snug between the smaller Q3 and larger Q7. It also shares its underpinnings with the A5 and A6 saloons, and each powertrain offered with the Q5 comes loaded with Audi’s mild hybrid system, tech that allows a very small amount of very low-speed electric driving, while helping to boost performance and fuel economy from the petrol or diesel engine.

As well this conventional SUV version, there’s also the Audi Q5 Sportback, which offers a sleeker profile at the expense of some load space. We’re not covering the Sportback here, but it drives the same so most of what you’ll read about the SUV version will apply equally to the Sportback.

Who is this car aimed at?

Like previous Audi Q5s, the latest generation targets smaller families who like premium brands. It’s got a large 520-litre boot, although this falls short of its Mercedes and BMW rivals, and is wide enough for prams and large boxes.

It comes with an electric tailgate as standard, which also features a road projection light, showing you where to wiggle your foot to open the boot when your hands are full.  

You can also fold the rear 40:20:40 rear seats completely flat, meaning you can still carry two rear passengers and fit a longer load between them.

Who won’t like it?

Dig deeper into the Q5’s interior, and you’ll soon find some questionable materials, but more on that later. This said, anyone who enjoys a bit of bang for their buck will quickly realise that products from Skoda can be just as good for a lot less.

First impressions

It’s a good-looking SUV, but it’ll still blend in with regular traffic, and many won’t see its £60K price tag from outside.

Even behind the wheel, we struggled to see why it costs so much, but we live in such times where chocolate bars almost require a mortgage to buy. Therefore, a car with a premium badge will be out of reach for many.

Still, the Q5 is a decent performer, especially when equipped with the 2.0-litre diesel. It’s also economical when driven sensibly, and there’s enough room inside for five. Likewise, it’s quiet enough at motorway speeds.

What do you get for your money?

There are six overall Audi Q5 variants to choose from. The entry-level model (just called Q5) is the cheapest, while the fast SQ5 is the most expensive. There’s also a hybrid option, although it’s worth noting you’ll have a smaller boot if you opt for this.

Focusing on the SUV, there are three trim levels: Sport, S line, and Edition 1, while the Q5 Launch Edition was only sold for a small period before being pulled.

Standard tech on the entry-level Sport includes 19-inch alloy wheels, high beam assist, front sport seats, adaptive cruise control, Audi Virtual cockpit plus, an Audi sound system, wireless phone charging, heated front seats, and lots of safety systems like a reversing camera and lane departure warning. The Sport kicks off at £52,260.

Spend an additional £2,600, and you can have the S line. This adds extra exterior trimmings such as 20-inch alloy wheels and wider front air vents. It also gets sport suspension, fancier aluminium interior inlays, a three-spoke steering wheel with multi-function buttons and a storage and luggage compartment pack.

The range-topping Edition 1, costing £59,060, includes all the S line’s trim but adds 21-inch alloys, matrix LED headlights, red brake calipers, a top view camera, and power-adjustable front seats.

Pricing for each of the above is with the entry-level petrol engine. If you want the diesel, you’ll need to spend an extra £1,650 – although, with diesel’s market share vanishing by the day, most people won’t.

There are also a host of options, such as extended warranties, foldable towbars, adaptive air suspension, a panoramic roof, and various paints. Go wild, and you’ll soon be north of £70,000.

We like: Good choice of powertrain and trim levels. Decent standard tech.
We don’t like: Can become ludicrously expensive, especially if selecting options.

What’s the Audi Q5 like inside?

The Q5 follows the brand’s latest design themes, especially inside. If you’ve been in a Q6 e-tron, A6 or A5 recently, you’ll feel right at home. All of these share the same large 14-inch touchscreen, which stretches across the car’s dashboard.

The touchscreen is clear and responsive, which is more than can be said for some other brands. The screen is fairly easy to use, but it’s loaded with functions, meaning you’ll spend a bit of time going through it.

As for the climate settings, there are no physical controls, but Audi has placed them on a permanent taskbar at the bottom of the touchscreen. It does have a voice command, but it often struggles with the simplest tasks, like changing the radio station and adjusting the cabin temperature.

The Q5 is comfortable on longer journeys, with even entry-level cars getting a four-way adjustable driver’s seat.

It’s posh, but as you look beyond the fancy screens and shiny plastic, you’ll notice some questionable materials. Of course, the largest surfaces feel squishy and nice, but things like air vents and the lower section of the dashboard don’t feel good enough for a £50,000-plus car.

Truthfully, the Q5 has taken a step back in this department, as the previous model felt much more solid.

We like: Responsive touchscreen and comfortable seats.
We don’t like: Some parts are let down by cheaper-feeling plastics and too many screens.

What’s the Audi Q5 like to drive?

We’ve only driven the 204hp 2.0-litre diesel, but the petrol version has the same power output and is fractionally quicker to 62 mph, but only by a fraction of a second and something that you absolutely won’t notice in the real world. The diesel’s mid-range is impressive, and there’s plenty of get-up-and-go whenever a swift overtake is required.

Both powertrains come with all-wheel drive, something of a saving grace during Scotland’s wet autumn weather. There’s plenty of grip on wetter roads and minimal body lean, giving a feeling of stability through twisty bends.

It’s quiet enough on the motorway, too, and there’s plenty of low-down shove. Similarly, it’s efficient, meaning you’ll regularly see upwards of 40 mpg. This, paired with adaptive cruise control, comfortable seats, and lane-keeping aids, really takes the sting out of long motorway hauls.  

We like: Punchy powertrain, comfortable motorway cruiser, good grip and efficiency.
We don’t like: Not quite as fun to drive as a BMW X3

How safe is the Audi Q5

The Audi Q5 scored five stars in Euro NCAP’s safety testing, where it excelled at keeping adult and child passengers safe.

As with most new Audi products, the Q5 comes with a three-year/60,000-mile warranty. This is about the bare minimum offered by a car manufacturer in the UK, and many newer rivals offer longer warranties. You can extend the Audi warranty to four or five years, but you’ll have to pay extra.

All cars come equipped with autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, camera-based traffic sign recognition, a reversing camera, lane departure warning, and a driver’s attention monitor.

Verdict

The Audi Q5 is handsome, safe, packed with tech, and will return a good blend of efficiency and performance. Still, a Skoda Kodiaq equipped with the plug-in hybrid powertrain also manages all of this and for significantly less.

Likewise, we’re not entirely sure that the interior quality mirrors the £50,000-plus price tag; however, it’s miles ahead of the latest Range Rover Velar in this field. Therefore, you would really need to want an Audi to consider the Q5 over some of its rivals.

Similar cars

Alfa Romeo Stelvio | BMW X3 | BMW X4 | DS 7 | Genesis GV70 | Lexus NX | Mercedes-Benz GLC | Porsche Macan | Range Rover Velar | Volkswagen Tiguan | Volvo XC60

Key specifications

Buy an Audi Q5

If you’re looking to buy a new or used Audi Q5, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car.