Car buying guide: Audi Q5

AUDI Q5 — PROS

Generally acknowledged as a superb driving experience, the Q5 is Audi’s best selling car worldwide for a reason.
 
Living up to its European roots the Q5 is built for luxury and has a wealth of safety and comfort features which make it a pleasure to drive. The cabin space provides a comfortable passenger ride and the interior finish exudes quality.
 

AUDI Q5 — CONS

 
Audi Australia recently issued a recall on Q5 models manufactured from 2010 to 2016 due to concerns surrounding leaks from the panoramic sunroof which could activate the curtain airbag. More information surrounding this issue can be accessed here

BACKGROUND

Produced by German car manufacturer Audi since 2008, the Audi Q5 is a series of compact crossover SUV’s which combine luxury and sportiness with practicality. Based on the Audi MLB and MLBevo platforms, 2018 will see the second generation of the Q5 commence.
When first introduced to the Australian market in 2009 the Q5 was a well-priced mid-sized SUV aimed to appeal to buyers looking for style and presence in a wagon body. The Q5 is a five-door SUV with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system, choice of four petrol and diesel engines and a seven-speed and eight-speed dual clutch auto transmission.
 
It is capable of towing up to 2.0 tons and it is fitted with an advanced Trailer Stability Program. The program is designed to combat any destabilisation or snaking when towing a large trailer or caravan.
 
Second hand vehicles currently for sale through private vendors and used car auctions would have a top speed of around 222km/h.
In 2008 the Audi Q5 received the Golden Steering Wheel award due to its space, seat comfort and superb handling. The distinction is one of the most prestigious in the automotive industry and is voted on by a jury consisting of VIPs, technical experts, and racing and rally pros.
In 2017 the Q5 was announced as a finalist in the World Car of the Year awards.
 
 

RANGE

Audi’s Q5 range includes both petrol and diesel engines with 7 and 8-speed auto transmissions.
The 8R and FY series feature a wide selection of badges:

8R:	FSI	TDI	TDI design
	TDI S line	TDI sport	TDI Sport Edition
	TFSI	TFSI S line
	TFSI Sport Edition	TFSI sport
FY:	TDI design	TDI S line
	TFSI S	TFSI sport
	TDI sport

AUDI Q5 — SUV

Years of manufacture: 2011 – Present
The Australian incarnation of the Audi Q5 is offered in four trim levels:

• Premium – 2.0
• Premium Plus – 2.0
• Premium Plus – 3.0
• Prestige – 3.0

The Q5’s sports automatic dual clutch transmission is connected to Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system. This sends about 60 percent of engine torque to the rear wheels under most driving conditions. The system is able to reapportion torque when slippery surfaces are detected, or when more stability is needed.
 
Each Q5 available for sale in Australia is a five door, five seater.

 

FEATURES, OPTIONS AND UPGRADES 

2.0 Litre — Petrol and Diesel
The four cylinder, 2.0 litre 2014 Audio Q5 TFSI Auto Quattro, is packed with luxury features - highlights include:

• Partial leather seats
• 10 speaker stereo
• Electric driver’s seat
• Multi-function steering wheel
• Height adjustable driver’s seat with electric lumbar
• Driver attention detection system

Optional extras available at additional cost include:
Bang & Olufsen sound system, audio connect (in-car Wi-Fi), Technology Package, Sport Design Package, Technik Package, Leather trim, wood inlays (Beaufort Oak), 19” or 20” Alloy wheels, electric sunroof panoramic glass, multifunction sports steering wheel with paddles.
3.0 Litre
The 2014 V6 3.0 Litre Audi Q5 TFSI Auto Quattro is fitted with much the same equipment as the 4 cylinder with additional features including:

• Voice recognition
• Body colour fittings
• Rear vision camera
• Drive-by-Wire (ETC) — Selectable Multi Mode
• DVD Player
• Driver’s seat with memory

Optional extras available at additional cost include:
 
Audi Drive Select with Dynamic Steering, S-line Sports Pack, Sport Design Package, Technick Package, Technology Package, heated seats to front, Wood inlay, 20” alloy wheels, tinted windows (extra dark), Audi Connect (in car Wif-Fi Internet Hotspot.
 
 

COLOUR OPTIONS

A selection of the standard colour options available are as follows, with Pearl and Metallic variations available at an extra cost:

• Cuvee Silver — Metallic add $1,850
• Florett Silver — Metallic add $1,850
• Dakar Beige — Metallic add $1,900
• Dakar Beige
• Brilliant Black — Solid
• Phantom Black — Pearl
• Deep Sea Blue
• Teak Brown — Metallic add $1,900
• Teak Brown
• Amethyst Grey — Metallic add $1,900
• Dayton Grey Pearl — Pearl
• Lava Grey — Pearl
• Lava Grey
• Meteor Grey — Pearl
• Meteor Grey Pearl
• Monsoon Grey — Metallic add $1,900
• Volcano Red — Metallic add $1,850
• Utopia Blue — Metallic add $1,850
• Mythos Black — Metallic add $1,850
• Quartz Grey — Metallic add $1,900
• Garnet Red — Pearl
• Garnet Red Pearl
• Ice Silver — Metallic add $1,900
• Scuba Blue — Metallic add $1,850
• Monza Silver — Metallic add $1,900
• Glacier White — Metallic add $1,900
• Ibis White

 

TRANSMISSION

• 7-speed sports automatic
• 8-speed sports automatic

The Audi Q5 is available in both a seven-speed an eight-speed automatic transmission (Tiptronic). Whilst not as fast shifting as other Audi models, it is nonetheless a smooth and quick shifting unit.
 
 

ENGINE

The late model Audi Q5 is offered with three different engines:

• 220-horsepower 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder;
• supercharged 272-horsepower 3.0L V6;
• turbocharged 3.0L diesel V6 240 horsepower

Between 2009 and 2012 a 3.2i V6 Audi Q5 FSI Auto Quattro was sold in Australia but has since been discontinued.
All engines are mated to a Tiptronic automatic transmission, and feature Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive system. The advantage of this being that 60 percent of engine torque goes to the rear wheels under most driving conditions. However, when slippery surfaces are detected, or when more stability is needed, the system is able to reapportion torque as needed.
Unfortunately the Audi Q5 Hybrid is not yet available in Australia.

Petrol Engines
Model	Year	Engine type	Power, torque@rpm
2.0 TFSI hybrid Quattro	2011–	1,984 cc (1.984 L; 121.1 cu in) I4 turbo (petrol)	211 PS (155 kW; 208 hp)@4300–6000, 350 N·m (258.15 lbf·ft)@1500–4200
2.0 TFSI Quattro (180PS)	2009–2012	1,984 cc (1.984 L; 121.1 cu in) I4 turbo	180 PS (132 kW; 178 hp)@4000–6000, 320 N·m (236 lbf·ft)@1500–4200
2.0 TFSI Quattro (211PS)	2008–2012	1,984 cc (1.984 L; 121.1 cu in) I4 turbo	211 PS (155 kW; 208 hp)@4300–6000, 350 N·m (258 lbf·ft)@1500–4200
2.0 TFSI Quattro (225PS)	2011–	1,984 cc (1.984 L; 121.1 cu in) I4 turbo	225 PS (165 kW; 222 hp)@4500–6250, 350 N·m (258 lbf·ft)@1500–4500
3.2 FSI Quattro	2009–2012	3,197 cc (3.197 L; 195.1 cu in) V6	270 PS (199 kW; 266 hp)@6500, 330 N·m (243 lbf·ft)@3000–5000
Diesel Engines
Model	Year	Engine type	Power, torque@rpm
2.0 TDI (143PS)	2009–	1,968 cc (1.968 L; 120.1 cu in) I4 turbo common rail	143 PS (105 kW; 141 hp)@4200, 320 N·m (236 lbf·ft)@1750–2500
2.0 TDI Quattro (143PS)	2009–2012	1,968 cc (1.968 L; 120.1 cu in) I4 turbo common rail	143 PS (105 kW; 141 hp)@4200, 320 N·m (236 lbf·ft)@1750–2500
2.0 TDI Quattro (170PS)	2008–2012	1,968 cc (1.968 L; 120.1 cu in) I4 turbo common rail	170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp)@4200, 350 N·m (258 lbf·ft)@1750–2500
3.0 TDI Quattro	2008–2012	2,967 cc (2.967 L; 181.1 cu in) V6 turbo common rail	240 PS (177 kW; 237 hp)@4000–4400, 500 N·m (369 lbf·ft)@1500–3000

*Note: Some of the above engines may not be available in Australia.
 

FUEL TYPE

Premium Unleaded Petrol (PULP)
Diesel
 
 

RUNNING COST AND ECONOMY

The following figures may have been achieved in test conditions - city or rural driving can be expected to have an influence on these numbers.
Automatic — 4 cylinder, 2.0-litre — 8.5L/100 km
Automatic — V6, 3.2 litre — 9.3L/100km
Automatic — V6, 3.0-litre — 7.5L/100km

Economy
4-cyl, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, 2.0-litre turbo petrol engines,
 
Performance
3.2-litre V6 petrol (2009 – 2012)
 
Performance and Economy
3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel
 

HANDLING

The Q5’s suspension maintains stability even on twisting roads. The ride feels ‘grippy’ and the Quattro four wheel drive instils confidence in slippery conditions due to its high level of traction.
 
The steering is acceptable but not up to the standard of some of its competitors. Models fitted with the optional adaptive air suspension can be tightened up at the touch of a button — firming the steering and improving stability.
 

STORAGE CAPACITY

The Q5’s cabin is spacious and thanks to the range of the seat movement, there is room for the longest legs. Likewise, the high roofline translates to ample headroom. Storage bins, cubbies and coffee holders provide ample space for storing drinks, bottles and small items.
 
At the rear, the Q5 is fitted with a powered tailgate to allow for press button opening. Better still is the optioned hands-free opening on some models, which only requires a waggle of the foot near the rear bumper to open it.
 
The boot has a 550 litre capacity and there is no intrusion from wheel-arches. Unfortunately, there is a ‘lip’ which means heavy items would need to be lifted over it.
 
Vehicles which are fitted with the optional Rear Bench Seat plus pack, have the capacity to slide the seats all the way forward, increasing storage capacity to 610 litres.
 

SAFETY FEATURES

5ANCAP Star Rating
According to the How Safe is your Car website, the Audi Q5 has been awarded a five star Driver Protection rating from ANCAP — the Australasian New Car Assessment Program.
 
These ratings are estimated from data garnered from crashes reported to the police and measure the ability of the vehicle to prevent serious injury to the driver in the event of a collision.
 
Comprehensive Airbags
Front, side, rear and curtain airbags designed to protect the driver and front seat passenger’s heads in a frontal, side or rear impact crash. The airbags activate instantaneously to form a cushion between the driver or passenger and the dash or window.
 
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Protects driver and front passenger by tightening and reducing seat belt slack to prevent rapid forward movement in the event of an accident.
 
Traction Control System (TCS)
On low friction surfaces to help prevent wheel slip, TCS responds by reducing throttle or applying brake pressure to help improve traction.
 
Electronic Stability Control
Helps drivers to avoid collisions by reducing the danger of skidding or loss of control caused by over-steering. Research indicates ESC reduces risk of single car crashes by up to 25 percent.
 
Driver Attention Detection
Designed to analyse the characteristics of the driver and identify signs of drowsiness or inattention.
 
 

USED PRICE RANGE

The following figures represent the estimated sale price for medium trim level, second-hand Audi Q5 vehicles. This figure is based on private car sales and may not reflect vehicles sold through car auctions or used car dealerships.
 
Values for each model is affected by variables such as mileage, service history, condition and upgrades. The following figures are to be used as a guide only.
 

	2.0-LITRE	3.0-LITRE	3.2-LITRE
2016	$44,800 - 48,700	$51,500 - 55,800
2015	$40,300 - 44,000	$46,000 - 50,500
2014	$36,500 - 39,900	$43,400 - 47,300
2013	$31,300 - $34,400	$44,600 - 48,700
2012	$29,500 – 32,600	$35,000 – 38,600	$27,000 – 29,900
2011	$20,100 – 22,600	$25,100 – 28,000	$22,300 – 25,000