Audi debuted the Q5 in 2008 to take on the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, and the Volvo XC60. When the world is tilting towards electrified powertrains, the new third-generation Q5 continues to soldier on with conventional petrol and diesel engines (albeit with a mild hybrid setup). That obviously brings the question - Is the new Audi Q5 better than its rivals? We find out.
If you’re shopping for an upmarket SUV with clean, understated styling, sure-footed handling, conventional powertrains and a plush ride, the Audi Q5 is on top of the list. It only falls short because of the cabin that doesn’t feel as premium as it should.
Adithya is the Content Editor at AA Cars and a Motoring Journalist, with over 1,000 published articles across numerous publications.
Read bioPrices start from £52,360 for the base Sport trim with the 2.0 TFSI engine, rising to £63,560 for the range-topping Vorsprung. Meanwhile, the 2.0 TDI diesel carries a small premium, with prices starting from £54,010 for the Sport going all the way to from £65,210 for the Vorsprung.
In terms of used Audi Q5 models, prices start as low as £5000 for old high mileage examples from 2010 to around 50-60,000 for the latest third-generation models with as little as 1000 miles.
Audi has kept things simple with just two powertrain options for the new Q5:
TFSI 204 Quattro: 2.0-litre turbo petrol + 7-speed S tronic (201hp/340Nm)
TDI 204 Quattro: 2.0-litre turbo diesel + 7-speed S tronic (201hp/400Nm)
If you want more performance from your Q5, there’s the SQ5 and if you’re looking for a plug-in hybrid Q5, Audi offers the Q5 e-hybrid that can do up to 65 miles on electric power.
We drove the Q5 2.0 TFSI, which features a 2.0-litre petrol engine paired with a 48-volt MHEV plus system. This provides instant and brief electric assistance at light throttle inputs before the engine kicks in smoothly.
The TFSI unit is refined and smooth with a good spread of power and torque as you go higher up. Official figures - 201hp/340Nm are more than adequate to get the Q5 up to speed for everyday driving. However, if you rush things, the engine can get a bit vocal as it requires more revs to make more power. This is not necessarily a bad thing as the engine note is actually sporty enough and the unit does like being taken to higher rpms.
With 62mph comping up in 7.2 seconds, performance is more adequate than fast. The different drive modes also come into play here. In dynamic and balanced, the throttle response is immediate, while all other modes feel subdued and so pulling away from roundabouts can feel tricky. If you want a bit more performance, we highly suggest considering the 2.0 TDI diesel that offers 400NM of peak torque. This means stronger pulling power from low rpms, and better towing capabilities.
The 7-speed automatic tries its best to keep the engine on boil, and the shifts are smooth enough to go unnoticeable. And the steering mounted paddles respond well and come handy when you want to take control.
There are different drive modes on offer: Balanced, Dynamic, Comfort, Efficiency, Individual and Offroad. Our test car was equipped with the air suspension (£1725 option), which we highly recommend as it makes the Q5 ride and handle like a premium SUV. Depending on the mode, the air suspension can also raise and lower the Q5.
Even in the most driver focused Dynamic mode, the ride quality is fantastic with the Q5 exhibiting body controls akin to a smaller SUV. Tip it into a corner and the Q5 turns in rapidly followed by a well-judged body lean. All this while, the Quattro AWD system makes sure you have enough traction out of corners. Thanks to this, the Q5 remains engaging and sure-footed for a spirited drive. Meanwhile, the steering is a step below as it’s not bristling with much feel, but it’s direct and quick enough to not be an issue.
If you are in a mood to just waft along, switch it to Comfort and the ride becomes softer. There is some added body lean, but the Q5 transforms to being comfortable and supple enough, ironing out large bumps and even sharp potholes to keep its occupants happy.
In terms of stopping prowess, the brake pedal is firm, but not grabby while offering the right amount of bite. Overall, the Audi Q5’s driving experience is likeable, with adequate performance and engagement. Inherently, despite the drive mode, the ride and handling balance, and the adjustability of the air suspension are the highlights of the new Q5.
The new Q5 follows the trend of modern Audi cabins featuring a more digital design with a bright curved OLED screen. This is comprised of a 11.9-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit system and a 14.5-inch touch display. It doesn’t stop there as for higher trims, Audi also offers a 10.9-inch passenger display.
From a design perspective, it is certainly more future-friendly and in line with that the competition offers. Having said that, the cabin falls short of feeling truly premium, something that is expected of a luxury SUV. There are some nice touches like the new squared-off steering wheel, some soft touch padding on the door pads, and the textured design in the cabin with a variety of materials throughout.
But some lower dashboard and door materials let down the cabin with low rent hard plastics and overall, although everything feels built to last, the cabin doesn’t feel special enough like the previous generation Q5. Adding to this are the steering buttons and other controls, all finished smudge prone gloss black plastic. The steering buttons are flat (but non-capacitive), but they still managed to get accidentally triggered while manoeuvring the car.
With 520 litres of boot space, the Q5 is not armed to win any accolades. But it’s still competitive in contrast, and only behind the X3 and GLC. What helps here is a deep storage pocket underneath the boot floor for smaller items. The boot itself is flat, while the air suspension helps lower the car via a button in the boot to make loading easier.
At the front, the seats are very comfortable with good overall support and an extendable under-thigh support. Spending awfully long hours on these seats proved to be easy while the same can also be said for the rear seats. Yes, the legroom is at a premium compared to rivals, but the seats are wide and supportive enough with adequate under thigh support and head room. Depending on the trim, the Q5 also features sliding rear seats adding more flexibility. The rear seats also recline to an extent so rear passengers can find a more comfortable seating position.
There are many usable storage compartments inside the cabin. Some of these include the large wireless charging tray, large sized cup holders, centre and rear arm rest, and decently sized door pockets.
The 11.9-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit system and 14.5-inch touchscreen are as you expect from Audi. Clean graphics, crisp colours and a snappy unit. Most functions are integrated into the screens now, but Audi still provides a dedicated rotary media control, which we like. The aircon controls are not physical, but it is fairly easy to access through the touchscreen and overall, the user interface is straightforward but not impressive
What’s impressive however, is how Audi has integrated the ambient lighting into showing essential functions (such as the indicators, proximity to other cars, etc). Overall, the lighting inside and outside the car has been thoughtfully engineered, and work like a charm and more than just a gimmick. Our car was also equipped with the £2,495 Technology pack which adds all of the lighting features and the brilliant 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. Panoramic glass roof is another nice addition, but it is another £1,600.
There are mainly four trims on offer with the new Q5: Sport, S line, Black Edition and the range-topping Vorsprung.
Colours on offer are Arkona White (free); £750 options include Mythos Black, Navarra Blue, Glacier White, Grenadine Red, Ultra Blue (our test car), District Green, Volcano Grey and Sakhir Gold. There is also a £750 pearl effect Daytona Grey on offer.
The third-generation Audi Q5 has been crash tested by Euro NCAP resulting in a full five-star safety rating. The Audi also scored 85% for adult occupant safety, 86% for child occupant safety and 77% for safety assists.
We also found out that all driver assists work as stated. The graphics for the driver assists are neatly done with clear markings and great road mapping, that it also makes the driver feel a bit reassuring letting the car do some of it. The adaptive cruise works effectively and can restart on its own when the traffic ahead starts moving. The collision warning systems can be a bit too sensitive, but nothing felt overly obtrusive to cause any issues (apart from the lane assist, which can be turned off by a long press of a button).
Audi claims 35.7-40.7.1 mpg for the 2.0 TFSI petrol and 41.7-47.6 mpg for the 2.0 TDI diesel. During our time with the car, we were constantly seeing around 37 mpg during mixed use, and we even saw figures around the 40-mpg mark (Efficiency mode, and empty motorway). So, if outright fuel consumption is a non-negotiable, the diesel might be the better pick, or the Q5 PHEV is worth a serious look.
As for emissions, the diesel is rated between 161 - 171 g/km while the petrol is rated between 163 and 174 g/km.
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