Audi Q5 Review 2024

Audi Q5 At A Glance

4/5
Honest John Overall Rating
The Audi Q5 is an accomplished premium SUV that delivers lots of space and comfort. The bland styling might leave some people a bit cold but the Q5 is one of the best large family cars.

+Even more refined and upmarket than original Q5. Lovely quality interior. Electric tailgate fitted as standard. 2.0 litre petrol plug-in hybrid from May 2019.

-Unadventurous styling. Firm ride quality on 20- and 21-inch wheels. Some of the best tech features cost extra.

New prices start from £44,175, brokers can source from £40,532
Insurance Groups are between 22–45
On average it achieves 80% of the official MPG figure

Easy to drive, spacious and comfortable, the Audi Q5 is an accomplished large SUV. Admittedly, the latest BMW X3 is more rewarding to drive and the Lexus NX better for comfort on a long journey, but if you are in the market for a big and upmarket SUV the Q5 is unlikely to disappoint. 

The original Audi Q5 ruled the roost when it came to luxury SUVs. They were - and still are - everywhere. It managed to make even the Mercedes-Benz GLC look like a rare breed. Exclusive it may not have been, but there was a reason so many people bought one - it was one of the best SUVs going. Plus, of course, it had an Audi badge on the bonnet. Which never does any harm.

Things have changed since that first model arrived though and the Q5 now sits in a very crowded room. A room full of posh SUVs. So what has Audi done to make this one stand out?

Well, it's not exactly knocked itself out when it comes to styling. This Q5 is best described as a 'gentle evolution' of the original. It looks - and feels - a lot like an Audi A4, only taller. Which is a good thing in our opinion. 

It is a smidgen bigger than before, which means more head and legroom, plus the boot is larger and all models come with an electric tailgate. We told you it was posh. 

What Audi has done is improved every aspect of the original Q5. The ride quality is better, there's less engine and road noise on the move plus the interior is a big step up in terms of design with a more upmarket feel. There are plenty of modern touches too, including Audi's impressive virtual cockpit, which replaces the standard dials with a high-resolution screen.

The usual Audi engine suspects are available with the 2.0 TDI and 2.0 TFSI available from launch. As you'd expect, the TDI diesel will prove very popular, thanks to claimed economy of 45mpg. But for performance - and if you don't cover big mileages - the TFSI makes more sense and is the far smoother and more enjoyable engine to drive.

While the Q5 may not be particularly exciting - to look at or to drive - it nonetheless does everything incredibly well. In fact, it's hard to find any faults with a car that feels so well put together and is so comfortable and relaxing to drive. It's also very practical and an ideal family motor. If you want a comfortable and high-quality SUV, look no further.  

Looking for a second opinon? Why not read heycar's Audi Q5 review.

Ask Honest John

Is supermarket fuel poor quality?

"Is supermarket fuel quality being compromised due to the large mark up they are being allowed to charge? My 25k mile Audi Q7 engine light came on recently and turned out it was a Nox sensor failure, Strange thing is whilst in the Audi dealer I was told it would take a few days to get the part as there was a run on failures so parts were low. Only a week later my brother rang to say same fault on his Audi Q5. Now these parts aren't cheap, £800+, fortunately my car is under warranty. Is it possible to prove what caused the damage and how can this be avoided in future?"
There is no evidence to suggest that supermarket fuel is inferior quality, as they conform to the same British standards as any other fuel sold and are supplied by many of the same large refineries. Premium fuels such as Shell V-Power may offer additional benefits thanks to additives designed to reduce wear, but you should experience no problems from using standard fuels.
Answered by David Ross

What's the best hybrid for towing a caravan?

"I have a twin axle Swift caravan of about 1.7t that I need to tow. In an ideal world I'd like an at least a 2.0 litre 4x4 with a high ride and diesel/electric that means I go electric most of the time, but diesel when towing. I'm getting very confused with all the details about SUVs. My budget is up to about £30K."
It sounds like a petrol plug-in hybrid might suit your needs. They can be charged and used like an EV for your day-to-day driving while having the ability to tow a caravan further afield. How about a used Volvo XC60 T8? It's a very desirable premium SUV with plenty of grunt for towing. It has an official towing capacity of up to 2100kg so should comfortably tow your caravan. An Audi Q5 TFSI e is worth a look, too.
Answered by Andrew Brady

Will fitting mudflaps affect fuel economy and road noise?

"I’ve recently purchased an Audi Q5 and am considering fitting mud slaps as the sides of the vehicle dirty up quickly in wet weather conditions. Would such a fitting effect the fuel consumption and road noise?"
You can fit mud flaps to your Audi Q5 as they were available as original equipment. It would be possible to fit aftermarket versions, but we would suggest going with OEM parts where possible. There may be a fractional impact on fuel consumption but we would expect this to be minimal. There may also be a slight increase in noise, but again this would be minimal.
Answered by David Ross

Can you recommend a reliable used SUV?

"I currently have a 2017 Ford Kuga 1.5 petrol with 44,000 miles and a full service history. I’m looking at changing it for something with the same higher up seating position and like the look of the Audi Q5. Are they worth the money and reliable? It would be a used car and I’ve got a budget of around £16,000. Is this worth it and what sort of age would I be looking at? If not, what other brands should I look at? "
Audi Q5s are generally considered reliable if well maintained, but when things do go wrong the parts and complexity of premium cars like this can add to the cost quite a bit. For your budget, depending on engine and spec, you'd be getting a 2012-2015 car. We'd also be checking out the BMW X3, while the Volvo XC60 is also a good buy.
Answered by Lawrence Allan
More Questions

What does a Audi Q5 cost?

Buy new from £40,532(list price from £48,175)