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Used 2018 Audi Q5 Consumer Reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars
105 reviews
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4 out of 5 stars

What a crossover should be.

Michael J., 03/21/2019
updated 09/22/2020
2018 Audi Q5 2.0T Premium Plus quattro 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 6/18 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
27 of 27 people found this review helpful

I purchased my 2018 Q5 used with 30k miles six weeks ago. For those concerned about Audi switching from a Torsen-based Quattro to the Quattro Ultra (Haldex) all I can say is not to be. Many car review sites have it 100% wrong that this system on the A4/A4 Allroad/Q5 is now a front-wheel drive biased system that engages the rear wheels when it detects traction is needed. That is 100% BACKWARD. It is an all-wheel drive car that disengages the rear wheels when not necessary. That is an IMPORTANT difference. I have driven RWD, AWD, 4WD, FWD cars for 35 years. I can tell you at no time does a Q5 ever feel like a front-wheel drive car. I've driven it now on a couple long freeway trips in the dry and rain, and have been through a few Erie PA snows. It is the equal in the snow (even with the crappy Continental tires it came with - I purchased too late in the season to justify the snow tires I always run) to my Jeep GC with the Quadra-Trac II. You can disable the FWD mode by using the Audi Drive Select to put it in Offroad mode. The ride on rough roads is smooth and controlled. If you like a cushy luxo-car you may think it is a little harsh, but if you like a tight drive, the Q5 is for you. All the controls feel like they are moving on lubed ball bearings, especially the smoothness and solidity of the steering wheel. The interior materials are awesome. My 6'1" frame (long legged) has plenty of head room and leg room, even with the panoramic sunroof. Power is awesome. Audi, and other European manufacturers under-rate HP. Many tuners have dyno-ed stock Audis with the 252 hp 2.0T and found it is really 262-266 hp with 280-290 ft-lb of torque. For the average driver, you will never fear an on-ramp, passing on a country road or climbing any hill. I'm having my ECU aftermarket tuned just to have a bit more fun. The DSG transmission will take getting used to if all you have driven is automatic cars. I you ever drove a manual, you quickly get how it works. Basically a DSG is a manual transmission where the computer does all the shifting for you. It saves gas by giving a direct connection to the drivetrain, is is somewhat lighter and allows the driver to use the shift paddles to treat it as a manual. The only foible with it is in low speed maneuvering in a parking lot, it will hesitate at times, then surge more than you expected. I love it, because having driven a lot of manual cars, I can predict its behavior, but I can see where someone may not. Plenty of rear seat room, it will slide back and forth, but it is only over 3-4 inches, not going to make a huge difference. My Q5 has the virtual cockpit which will cause any new passenger you have to ooo and aaah (and so will you the first couple drives). I leave mine on map, 500 ft resolution, with small gauges as my dash and my media on the side screen. You can arrange however you chooses and for many functions there are multiple ways to access. Two USB and one 1/8 input in the console, plus two SD slots in the glove box. The car also has a 10Gb drive to store favorites. I've gotten 23-25 mpg on country roads and in town with my lead foot, easily. The computer calculated mileage matches my gallons to trip odometer almost exactly. I absolutely love it. Has all the traction of my former Jeep, excellent luxury and quality, and is faster and much better on gas. Next winter I'm putting Nokian Hakkapaletta tires on it for ultimate grip. Another great feature is there is a washer for the rear camera lens. Very helpful in places where it gets grimed up. Just hit the rear window washer and your camera lens is washed at the same time. The LED headlight package has a nice country road mode that takes the place of foglights. Rather than have a separate fog light package, it uses the aiming geometry of the LED to put out light to the sides of the car as well. I like it better than fogs I have run on anything in the past. UPDATE: 56k miles. Tuned car at 35k (Unitronic 91 octane) no issues. Apart from the recall regarding the wheel liners the car has had ZERO repair issues. I change oil more often than the factory interval, at 7500 miles and use the Audi OEM filter and Liqui Moly 2332 Leichtlauf High Tech 5W-40 oil. The oil level (via the electronic gauge) never goes down between changes. OEM tires wore out, replaced with Kumho Crugen Premiums (which are available through Audi, so they are 'approved' for the car) at a good price from Priority Tire on eBay. I run Cooper Evolution snow tires in the winters here. Grip is phenomenal in braking and cornering. Unless there is ice, you can go the speed limit with no worries, and never lose momentum on unplowed roads.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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1 out of 5 stars

Lemon!

Julie, 06/04/2018
2018 Audi Q5 2.0T Premium Plus quattro 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 6/18 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
83 of 87 people found this review helpful

Like other reviewers, I was very excited to have decided to buy a brand new 2018 Audi Q5. I did months of research and based on reliability and owner satisfaction scores in Consumer Reports, I went with the Q5 over a Volvo XC60. I am regretting that choice. I have owned the vehicle for less than 2 months. The night I brought it home the front driver's side turn signal stopped working. It sat in the shop for 4 days while they replaced both headlight assemblies. Then last week, with just 2500 miles on the car, the engine failed which landed me broken-down on the side of the road with my 90-year-old Grandpa on a short road trip. Now the dealer said that an entire new engine has to put in the car. The dealer acts like they are doing me a favor, instead of being embarrassed and apologetic for this poor quality vehicle. Owning an Audi has been nothing but a nightmare.

Safety
1 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Buyer beware: Major reliability issue 2018 Q5

Rich, 08/03/2018
2018 Audi Q5 2.0T Premium Plus quattro 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 6/18 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
91 of 96 people found this review helpful

Purchased car in November of 2017. Have been very happy with it until August of 2018 (13K miles) when the engine self destructed. Audi is in the process of replacing the engine. Dealership has been ho-hum about the whole thing and haven't even managed to provide me with a loaner vehicle going on a week now. Given the catastrophic failure of their product, I assumed that a higher level of customer service would be in play but that is not the case.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
3 out of 5 stars
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3 out of 5 stars

Beautiful vehicle but....ABS clicks at 25mph

Brenda, 06/01/2017
2018 Audi Q5 2.0T Premium Plus quattro 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 6/18 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
116 of 123 people found this review helpful

This car is gorgeous. I love how it drives and brakes and the technology is the best! HOWEVER, the gas mileage averages ~20mpg and there is a clicking under the gas peddle at 25mph. Between stop signs, red lights, and traffic, it makes my teeth grind every time because it's constant in traffic. It seems to be worse on some days. Audi says there will be a fix pushed out to the vehicles but I have seen posts regarding the same issue for several years back. This alone is making me think I should have considered another model.

Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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5 out of 5 stars

Fine ride!

jetplanepilot, 02/07/2018
updated 08/14/2018
2018 Audi Q5 2.0T Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 6/18 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
34 of 35 people found this review helpful

I picked up my ordered Q5 Prestige in August. I have always had at least one model of BMW in my stable since 1969 and was ready to buy an X3. However, the Q5 was more to my liking due to a smoother ride ( hate stiff run flat tires) and superior performance from the 2 liter engine and technology that sets Audi apart from the competition. I also tested the Mercedes and Volvo and found them lacking compared to the Audi. First, the ride is firm but compliant and the point and shoot handling is magnificent. Secondly, the adaptive cruise control is on a par with the Subaru eyesight system and easy to use. Thirdly, the cabin is serenely quiet and beautifully appointed. I opted for the warm weather package which includes heated and ventilated sport seats which are very comfortable on long trips. Also the B&O sound system just blows away the others in sound quality. Apple Car Play is great and intuitive. The controls for all the technology takes a bit of getting used to but becomes intuitive after a while. Acceleration is excellent for an SUV and the WOW factor of the mapping display is addictive. For an old BMW enthusiast, I am extremely satisfied with my first Audi. I have had no issues with quality so far and based on Audi’s reputation, I don’t expect to for a long long time. Update: After 7400 miles my review remains the same. The Q5 is a joy to drive. Recent 400+ mile trips have netted 32 - 33 MPG. I look forward to strapping this SUV on every day!

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
4 out of 5 stars
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