Audi Q5 review
Second-generation Audi Q5 is a good all-rounder
At a glance |
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| New price | £46,335 - £75,240 |
| Lease from new | From £569 p/m View lease deals |
| Used price | £15,250 - £66,520 |
| Fuel Economy | 30.7 - 188.3 mpg |
| Road tax cost | £165 - £520 |
| Insurance group | 25 - 46 How much is it to insure? |
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PROS
- Spacious interior
- Comfortable, composed ride
- Superb infotainment system
CONS
- Expensive options
- S Tronic’s slow low-speed reactions
- Plug-in hybrid expensive to buy
Medium-sized premium SUVs are popular in the UK, and the Audi Q5 is a strong contender in the field. The second-generation model comes in standard SUV and curvier Q5 Sportback body styles, while petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid power is available, all with Quattro four-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox. At the top of the range is the sporty SQ5, a high-performance diesel SUV.
The Q5 is attractive because it packs plenty of kerb appeal into a family car that’s not as intimidating to drive as the larger Q7, yet it retains the benefits of a high quality, roomy interior, plus a broad choice of powerful and punchy engines.
There are a lot of strong rivals out there, though. The premium SUV market is a busy one, and the Q5’s main opposition comes from its German opponents, the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. But then there’s also the Volvo XC60, Jaguar F-Pace and Land Rover Discovery Sport. Like the Q5, all of these models can be had with plug-in hybrid drive. Elsewhere, the Porsche Macan and Alfa Romeo Stelvio offer sportier alternatives, while the Lexus NX is geared towards comfort and efficiency. A newcomer to the class is the Genesis GV70, an SUV from Hyundai’s premium brand, while the DS 7 Crossback aims to add some French flair to the mix. If you want to go full electric, then Audi’s smaller Q4 E-Tron has more space inside than the Q5, while the Tesla Model Y and BMW iX3 are strong options, too.
The Audi Q5 has an understated and high-quality cabin, while sections of the dashboard are shared with the A4 and A5 family of cars, so it feels just as upmarket as those cars. The Q5 is spacious, if not quite as roomy as a Volvo XC60, or Jaguar F-Pace in the rear. There’s easily enough room for a family and their cargo, thanks to a well-shaped boot with 550 litres of space, accessed via an electrically opening tailgate.
Continue reading about the Audi Q5, including its practicality and how much it costs to run.
