Audi Q5 (08 on) - Review

Review by David Ross on
Last Updated: 27 April 2009
With sharp styling, a comfortable cabin and the best handling of any off-roader, the Q5 is a superb all-round 4x4. It's considerably smaller than the Q7, making it much easier to drive and park, but still offers decent interior space and a large boot too. It doesn't have much off-road ability, but it's not designed to be taken into tricky terrain, instead it drives like a car on the road with minimal body roll and a refined ride. There's a good choice of engines, including the refined yet frugal 2.0 TDI, along with an excellent seven-speed automatic gearbox. If you're after a premium 4x4, but don't need the ruggedness of the Land Rover Freelander, the Q5 is the best model around.
4.5 out of 5

Other Audi reviews

4.5 out of 5

Safety

The Q5 was crash tested in 2009 under Euro NCAP's more stringent criteria. This is one overall rating (from one to five stars) that covers adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, pedestrian protection and a new area of assessment - safety assist. It was awarded the maxmum five stars and scored impressively well for child safety. Electronic stability control (ESP) comes as standard along with advanced Hill descent Control for off road driving. All cars get six airbags along with Isofix child seat mounting points in the back.

NCAP Test

Euro NCAP logo Euro NCAP

Provides motoring consumers with a realistic and independent assessment of the safety performance of some of the most popular cars sold in Europe.

Visit Euro NCAP for more info

  • Adult Occupant Rating

    5 out of 5
4 out of 5

Reliability

Audi has a well-deserved and hard earned reputation for quality and the rest of the model range has proved extremely reliable. The Q5 uses engines from existing cars along with the proven quattro four-wheel drive system, so problems will be extremely rare.

Car check problem points

Body

No problems reported.

Engine/Gearbox

No problems reported.

Other

No problems reported.