Audi Q5

Audi Q5 at a glance

The Q5 sits between the Q3 and the larger Q7 in Audi's SUV range and competes directly with the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Volvo XC60. More Audi models are listed in our Audi catalogue, and the brand's background is covered in our history of Audi.

Generations

The second generation went into production in September 2016. The facelift was revealed online in June 2020 and went on sale that summer. It refreshed the exterior, brought a new-generation MMI infotainment system and added a long list of new options. In Europe the engine range was revised at the same time, with mild-hybrid technology on the four-cylinder engines.

Exterior

Compared with the earlier car, the facelifted Q5 is slightly longer — about 4.8 metres — and looks more muscular. It mixes proven Audi design cues with new elements, and its lights, surfacing and trim are arranged more tidily than before.

The front is tall and wide but not especially long. A large, steeply raked windscreen meets a rounded bonnet with twin creases along its edges. Below them sit new four-sided LED headlights split into several distinct segments; standard LED units can be replaced by optional Audi Matrix LED headlights, which control the beams automatically so the driver never has to switch between high and low beam. The headlights no longer touch the grille. Between them is a tall, wide hexagonal grille with a heavy chrome surround and thin horizontal slats, the Audi rings at the top and the number-plate mount below. The bumper has several aerodynamic steps, side recesses with slots and fog lamps, and sturdy protection along its lower edge.

In profile the Q5 is defined by round wheel arches that can take wheels of up to 21 inches, a neat sill line and large rounded mirrors with integrated indicators. Ground clearance is a useful 200 mm; with the optional air suspension it can be varied between 171 and 231 mm. At the rear, a slim roof spoiler shades a small rounded window above wide horizontal LED tail lights. A new option on the facelift is OLED rear lights: three panels of six segments each can display several light signatures, which change, for example, when the driver selects the Dynamic driving mode. The sculpted tailgate carries plenty of badges, and the bumper has thin light strips at the sides, a slim diffuser with a mesh centre section and revised exhaust trims.

Interior

The cabin matches the Q5's premium status, with high-quality fabric, leather, plastics and metal trim. The infotainment is quicker than before, and a range of driver assistants and comfortable seats make longer journeys easy. For music lovers, a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system is available.

The driver faces a sculpted three-spoke multifunction steering wheel. Behind it, the optional 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus has a resolution of 1,920 × 720 pixels, while base versions keep analogue dials. A head-up display shows speed, navigation instructions and warnings from the assistance systems, and the Q5 Sportback gets sportier seats with better lateral support.

The large T-shaped centre console is arranged in tiers. At the top, a row of air vents frames a 10.1-inch touchscreen running the MIB 3 platform with MMI infotainment, which understands natural voice commands — so the old rotary controller on the tunnel is gone. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect wirelessly. Below the screen are the climate controls and a few buttons for lights and auxiliary functions, and at the base of the console there is a wireless charging pad and ports for external media. The wide tunnel carries the gear selector, a covered storage compartment and a comfortable armrest with a cooled box.

The Q5 seats five. Front seats with good side support, electric adjustment and heating are standard on the facelifted car. The rear bench has a fold-down armrest, its own climate zone and backrests with adjustable angle, although the centre passenger has a short cushion and a raised transmission tunnel to contend with. The boot holds 550 litres with all seats in use and up to 1,550 litres with the rear backrests folded; a powered tailgate is standard.

Engines and transmissions

The 2.0 TFSI petrol engine has a turbocharger, combined port and direct injection, variable timing on both camshafts, 16 valves driven by a chain, an electronically controlled thermostat and Audi valvelift on the exhaust side. In the 183 kW (249 PS) version it uses about 7.7 l/100 km on the combined cycle. The 3.0 V6 TDI has a variable-geometry turbocharger, common-rail injection and variable exhaust valve lift; it uses about 7.2 l/100 km. Both 183 kW versions reach 100 km/h in 6.2–6.3 seconds and top out at 237–240 km/h.

The European four-cylinder engines add a 12-volt starter-generator. It works with the start-stop system and can shut the engine down while the car is coasting to a stop from 22 km/h; Audi quotes a saving of about 0.3 l/100 km. Six-cylinder versions use a 48-volt system.

Petrol models use the seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox and quattro with ultra technology: the car is normally front-driven, and an electromechanical clutch engages the rear axle when needed. The V6 diesel has an eight-speed tiptronic automatic and permanent quattro with a Torsen centre differential that splits torque 40:60 in favour of the rear wheels.

Chassis and body

The facelifted Q5 uses the modular MLB Evo platform with independent five-link suspension at both axles. The body combines high-strength steels with aluminium, which is used for the front suspension mounts, the bonnet, the front bumper beam and the tailgate. Standard equipment includes electromechanical power steering, disc brakes on all wheels (ventilated at the front) and electronic aids such as ABS, EBD and brake assist. Options include electronically controlled adaptive dampers, air suspension that can raise the body by up to 60 mm, and progressive steering.

Safety

The Q5 offers a broad set of assistance systems:

• a blind-spot warning that uses LED indicators in the door mirrors;
• lane departure warning with steering intervention that brings the car back into its lane;
• Audi pre sense rear and side assist, with radar sensors in the rear bumper that warn of approaching vehicles;
• a parking assistant and acoustic parking sensors;
• a trailer assistant for reversing with a trailer;
• adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, which accelerates and brakes the car;
• top-view cameras — four wide-angle cameras that give a 360-degree view around the car.

Six airbags, LED headlights and front and rear parking sensors are standard.

Equipment

Even the entry-level facelifted Q5 comes with six airbags, single-zone climate control, 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and tail lights, a powered tailgate, an infotainment system with ten speakers, front and rear parking sensors and heated front seats. Sportier versions add three-zone climate control, mixed upholstery, electric front seats, a heated steering wheel and special exterior and interior trim. The option list is long and has a big effect on the final price.

Rivals

The Q5's main rivals are the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Volvo XC60, Lexus NX, Jaguar F-Pace and Infiniti QX50. For a sportier take on the same body, see our review of the Audi SQ5.