Audi Q5 2023 Review

The Audi Q5 is a luxury crossover. Initially, the German automaker’s response to competitors such as the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC. It quickly replaced the A4 sedan as Audi’s best seller of the past ten years. It specializes in cutting-edge technology and first-class comfort in a crowded market. With three distinct engine options (two gas engines and one plug-in hybrid) and luxury packages that carry over to the trim level, the Q5 is a five-seater and will work well for a junior or small family. Along with the coupe-like BMW X4, there are two body styles. The Q5 Sportback was introduced in 2021.

The Audi Q5 comes standard with three trim levels (Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige) and three engine choices (40 TFSI, 45 TFSI, or 55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid) at each level. Upgrade packages are available, such as a panoramic sunroof and a comfort package with a heated steering wheel and driver seat memory. Adaptive cruise control is now a welcomed standard feature on all cars starting in 2023. The plug-ins get OLED taillights, while Chronos grey replaces Quantum grey in the exterior color palette. Middle-grade Q5s in Premium Plus now come standard with a Bang & Olufsen audio system.

The Q5 comes with standard all-wheel drive and a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 201 horsepower. It has two additional powertrain options, including a plug-in hybrid (albeit not on the Sportback). The basic RDX from Acura generates 272 horsepower, the Jaguar F-Pace generates 246 horsepower, and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio produces 280 horsepower. All of its rivals use a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. The Q5, on the other hand, offers a good 25 mpg combined according to EPA estimates, which is a little bit better fuel efficiency. As long as commutes are under 23 miles, the plug-in hybrid may provide some financial benefits; after the battery is used, the gas engine can still deliver 26 mpg combined.

The Q5, which costs $43,500 for the basic Premium trim, is approximately $3,000 more expensive than the RDX. Still, it is around $2,500 less costly than a Stelvio and over $9,000 cheaper than the F-Pace, putting it in the pack’s center. Starting prices for the Prestige and Premium Plus trims are $49,000 and $54,500, respectively. The basic Q5 is a reliable performer with predictable simplicity, even if the SQ5, a different beast with a strong V6 engine producing 354 horsepower, is the Q5 at its most potent.

The Q5 fulfills all requirements for amenities and appropriate plushness in a premium SUV. Two ways German engineering speaks for itself are driving pleasure and clear design signals. Even while a 10.1-inch touchscreen eliminates the need for physical knobs and streamlines access to entertainment and vehicle settings, the driver still needs to interact. The two-row SUV’s interior panels, which include a second row that is sufficiently roomy, are expertly assembled, and a variety of materials are used throughout the cabin with no visible seams.

The Q5 standard features include frontal collision prevention, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure alerts, and front and rear parking sensors. An upgrade over 2022 is that adaptive cruise control is now included with traffic jam assist and predictive efficiency help. However, they are still expensive compared to certain cars from popular brands, including the Hyundai Tucson. The Q5 is a chameleon that offers a stable of alternatives to satisfy a range of budgets and a hunger for acceleration. We advise the mid-range Premium Plus, which has a sunroof and an improved audio system. The roster for this crossover has something for almost everyone.

Performance: Audi Q5

Three different engines are offered for the Q5 from Audi. First, the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder 40 TFSI (“Turbo Fuel Stratified Injection”) engine produces 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The 45 TFSI, a version of the same machine with 261 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, comes next.

The 55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid comes in last and uses an electric motor and a 17.9 kWh battery to provide a combined 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The EPA assesses the plug-in hybrid’s all-electric range to be 23 miles. Unfortunately, there is no PHEV version of the sporty-looking Sportback. All models have a seven-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive (AWD).

The same turbocharged 2.0-litre engine powers several rivals in the premium small crossover segment with varying degrees of success. However, the machines in the Acura RDX, Jaguar F-Pace, and Alfa Romeo Stelvio all produce more horsepower. The Q5 from Audi is 45 horsepower behind the F-Pace, 71 horsepower behind the RDX, and 79 horsepower behind the Stelvio. Each of them outperformed the Q5 in terms of torque figures as well.

The Q5’s silky-smooth suspension, which offers a pleasant ride in most conditions, is what it does have going for it. The Q5 works nicely, whether negotiating a bend on a famously potholed Midwestern rural road at the end of winter or a little bumpy dirt road.

Fuel efficiency: in the Audi Q5

The EPA predicts that the Q5 will get 23 mpg in the city, 29 mpg overall, and 25 mpg combined. The only other plug-in hybrid with a combined estimated fuel economy of 26 mpg and an electric-only range of 23 miles is the 55 TFSI e. Drivers of SQ5 vehicles will discover that the performance variant’s mileage falls marginally, dropping by one mpg in the city.

The Q5 performs well in comparison to other crossovers in its class. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio AWD achieves 24 mpg combined, the Jaguar F-Pace achieves an EPA-estimated 22 mpg combined, and the Acura RDX achieves 24 mpg combined with FWD or 23 mpg combined with AWD.

Safety and driver support technology:

Audi outfits each Q5 with a standard assortment of cutting-edge driver-assistance safety technologies. Its standard package includes Audi adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, Audi Pre Sense (which tightens the front seat belts, closes the front and rear side windows, closes the sunroof, and activates braking assistance or full/emergency braking), Audi side assist (two rear-facing radar sensors detect cars approaching from the rear and the side and alert the driver during lane changes via indicators located in the side mirror.

All versions now come standard with adaptive cruise control, making even the primary Q5 competitive and fully equipped in its market. For individuals who want to let the vehicle maneuver into a parking place with minimum assistance, parking assistance is available on the Prestige trim. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Q5 its top safety rating, Top Safety Pick+. The Q5 received the highest possible overall safety rating of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Comfort and Space in the Audi Q5

The Q5 is roomy and comfy in both rows, and it has wide door openings that make it simple to get in and out. The touchscreen in the center console is awkwardly placed and entirely dependent on touch. Since the driver must reach across for specific functions, it may be challenging and distracting for drivers.

The Q5 has 38 inches of legroom in the second row, which matches it with the RDX but is 2 inches more than the F-Pace and Stelvio. The Q5’s five seats are all comfortable and ergonomically designed, which is good for short and long rides. Although the conventional fabric/leather combination suits the driver and passengers better, the option of materials, colors, and varieties (leather, Nappa leather, imitation leather, combined with a microfiber fabric) provides a bespoke cabin experience.

Infotainment:

Even the entry model, Q5s from Audi, comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connection, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a 10.1-inch touchscreen with good quality. Audi doesn’t compromise on technology. The Premium Plus option features wireless charging as well as Audi’s extensive Virtual Cockpit feature, a programmable digital gauge cluster on the driver’s side that includes a 12.3-inch display of the phone controls, trip computer, speed, tachometer, and a lovely navigation map.

The Q5’s infotainment system receives good ratings for its clear and understandable visuals but could use fewer taps and swipes to get further into the menu. However, it is a more sophisticated and up-to-date system than those found in the F-Pace and Stelvio. However, the tech-savvy RDX rivals the Q5 in terms of use and design, giving it a run for its money.

Storage & Cargo Space:

The Q5’s rear luggage space has a capacity of 25.8 cubic feet when all five seats are occupied. This is inferior to the Acura RDX’s 31.1 cubes and the Jaguar F-Pace’s somewhat more impressive 32.1 cubes. The Stelvio can only accommodate a meager 18.5 cubic feet of goods when all the seats are in place, whereas the Q5 has a larger cargo capacity. The Q5 expands to 54 cubic feet when the seats are folded down, which is acceptable but ordinary and much less than the roomiest SUVs in this class (the F-Pace is just short of 70 cubic feet).

With its sportier roofline, the Q5 Sportback loses a little volume (24.7 cubic feet behind the back seats and 51.9 overall). However, it does so less drastically than rival “crossover coupes” like the BMW X4 or Infiniti QX55.

The Q5’s back seats may be in a 40/20/40 configuration, making the cargo capacity more adaptable. Because of this, the Q5 may ingest oddly sized objects like musical instruments, hockey equipment bags, or gardening tools like a tiny tomato trellis. Although the Q5 isn’t designed to transport bulky objects, it can readily manage trips to big-box retailers and transport many children to various athletic activities.

The cabin has sufficient small-item storage, and the valuable console hides stuff like chapstick, wipes, and loose cash. The pockets within the doors may hold a small water bottle at an angle; nevertheless, a wider aperture would be preferable.

With a towing capacity of 4,400 pounds, the Q5 is among the best in its class. Compared to the Stelvio, which can hold 3,000 pounds, and the RDX, which can only hold 1,500 pounds, it is more powerful. The strong F-Pace from Jaguar outperforms the Q5 with a maximum towing capacity of 5,291 pounds.

Design: Audi Q5

Audi does a remarkable job of creating a lovely vehicle on the inside and exterior while also ensuring that the fit and quality are reasonable for the price. The Q5 delivers a product that fulfills its promises and then some regarding the overall design. The German manufacturer develops methods to employ various materials harmoniously within the cockpit, and the inside panels are beautifully placed. The knobs and switches are arranged straightforwardly, making it simple to use each function, and the gear shifter has a good form and glides smoothly.

By upgrading to the Premium Plus or Prestige trims, you may get Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, which transforms the inside of the car with stunning visuals and opulent navigation displays. The 10.1-inch touchscreen in the center should be more seamlessly incorporated into the dashboard, but it excels in graphics quality and usefulness.

Is the Audi Q5 Worth It?

The 2023 Audi Q5 has three trim levels (Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige) and three engine choices, one of which is a plug-in hybrid, much like the 2022 model. All vehicles come equipped with all-wheel drive. The performance-focused SQ5 model will interest those looking for additional power.

The basic Q5 and the top-of-the-line Q5 Prestige vary by over $10,000. The Premium Plus ($49,000) strikes a balance between the two and is our choice for the most significant value. This mid-grade trim is impressive since it comes with the enhanced Bang & Olufsen audio system, Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, a panoramic sunroof, and more. Choose the 45 TFSI engine, which has 37 more lb-ft of torque and 60 more horsepower than the standard 40 TFSI, for around $2,500. Although gas-powered vehicles are more affordable overall and offer a more extended range per tank, the plug-in hybrid may first seem more appealing.

How much does the Audi Q5 insurance cost?

The Q5 is as expensive to insure as the majority of its competitors. Depending on the engine and trim, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record should anticipate an average yearly premium ranging from $2,543 to $2,654; this budget covers all 50 states. A Jaguar F-Pace car costs $2,870 per year, compared to $1,875 for the Acura RDX and roughly $2,600 for an Alfa Romeo Stelvio owner.

Our Finding

The 2009 all-new Audi Q5 has gracefully transitioned into adolescence. The Q5 has two additional powertrain choices: a plug-in hybrid, primary all-wheel drive, and a 201-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. This is a respectable five-passenger SUV that will appeal to Audi enthusiasts. Still, it may be unable to attract customers away from its more affordable rivals, like the Acura RDX. Although there won’t be many modifications in 2023, adaptive cruise control is an excellent standard feature.