2018 Audi Q5 Review

Name: 2018 Audi Q5 Review
Brand: Audi

Price Range: $13,994 - $32,998

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Appraise My 2018 Audi Q5

Audi Q5 model years

Audi Q5 for Sale

Edmunds' Expert Review

by Dan Frio

Pros

All-new chassis helps deliver smoother ride than before
Quiet, comfortable cabin features top-notch interior craftsmanship
All-wheel drive comes standard
Wide array of technology options

Cons

Only one engine offered
Diminished space for luggage behind rear seats

What's new

Redesigned this year
More powerful engine
New tech features and new styling
Part of the second Q5 generation introduced for 2018

Eight years is a long time to go without a major overhaul, especially for a luxury crossover in a class that's constantly evolving with new designs and competitors. But Audi's Q5, first launched in 2009, sold so successfully that it eventually became the company's best-selling vehicle in America. When it comes to tinkering with that kind of success, you tread cautiously. Which makes the 2018 Audi Q5 a measured, if overdue, arrival.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near San Antonio, TX

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2018 Audi Q5
2.0T Premium Plus quattro Summer of Audi 4dr SUV
$14,999
- 69,612 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 23 City / 27 Hwy MPG
- AMD Auto (3 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in San Antonio, TX
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: Yes
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
25 Combined MPG (23 City/27 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WA1BNAFY4J2193511
Stock: 13585
Certified Pre-Owned: No
2018 Audi Q5
2.0T Prestige quattro 4dr SUV
$22,985
- 67,941 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 23 City / 27 Hwy MPG
- Spotless Auto (8 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in San Antonio, TX
Visit Spotless Auto LLC (Loop 1604) to shop our great deals. You can call 210-785-4940 to schedule your test drive today.
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
25 Combined MPG (23 City/27 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: WA1CNAFY8J2101756
Stock: 26964
Certified Pre-Owned: No

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The new Q5 isn't a stylistic departure from its predecessor. The lines are bit crisper, tighter, narrower. The sheet metal now looks more spun from the larger Q7 crossover. But these subtle evolutions mask deeper changes under the metal. The Q5 now rides atop an all-new chassis based on the latest A4 sedan. It's longer, wider and taller, not by much, but enough to open up more room in the cabin for rear passengers and cargo loads. More significantly, the new chassis yields a far smoother ride than before, addressing a frequent complaint leveled against the outgoing model.

The standard turbocharged four-cylinder engine carries over, but it now offers more power. The Quattro all-wheel-drive system for which Audi is renowned also receives a major overhaul in the Q5, now transformed into a primarily front-wheel-drive system that can engage the rear wheels in less than a half-second when traction is required.

Significant changes also come with technology and driver-assistance features; the lack of the latter was also a knock on the previous Q5. This new model remedies the situation with available features such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and city-oriented automatic emergency braking at speeds up to 52 mph.

All of which makes the 2018 Audi Q5 worth the wait if you're looking for a premium crossover that can mix it up as equally on dry roads as those covered in snow or dirt. In this space increasingly crowded with alternatives from BMW, Cadillac, Jaguar, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz, the Audi Q5 remains a standout.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

7.9 / 10

Eight years is a long time to go without a major overhaul, so the all-new 2018 Audi Q5 is a welcome upgrade that features a revised chassis and numerous updates to its technology, comfort and driver assistance features.

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2018 Audi Q5 Premium Plus Quattro (turbo 2.0L inline-4 | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic | AWD).

Scorecard

Overall	7.9 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	8.0
Interior	8.5
Utility	7.0
Technology	8.0

Driving

7.5

Overall, the Audi Q5 gets strong scores for performance. Were it not for the overly intrusive stability control, this score would be a bit higher. For the typical driver, however, this drawback will probably never arise. Otherwise, we consider it one of the best in the class.

Acceleration

7.0

With a zero-to-60-mph time of 6.2 seconds, the Q5 is no slouch, but it is marginally slower than some of its rivals. It's certainly quicker than what we would've expected from a four-cylinder engine a few years ago. In everyday driving, it gets off the line smoothly with confident power.

Braking

8.0

Stopping from 60 mph required 114 feet, which is shorter than its competition. In normal conditions, the pedal is moderately firm, though we did feel some odd ABS resets and clicks. Even when driven hard, though, we had all the confidence in the brakes.

Steering

8.0

The steering is appropriately weighted in Comfort and Dynamic modes. On a winding road, it's precise, although there's not a lot of feedback for the driver. In tight confines, whipping the wheel around is effortless.

Handling

6.0

The Q5 feels very capable on twisting mountain roads, but the stability control intervenes far too early and aggressively to fully explore its potential. For the average driver, this is a nonissue, but it could be alarming in evasive maneuvers.

Drivability

9.0

The Q5 has a great balance of performance and drivability. Its seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic shifts quick and smoothly, and it feels well-tuned for the engine. And because of its relative compact size, it's easy to squeeze into small parking spots.

Comfort

8.0

In every comfort metric, the Audi Q5 does well. It has a good balance of compliance and road-hugging reassurance. Like most of the cars in the class, it's easy to drive for many hours at a time with little to no fatigue.

Seat comfort

8.0

The seats are firm but well-shaped for hours of comfortable touring. The leather upholstery breathes reasonably well, but on hot days, ventilated seats would be a nice addition. Problem is, it's only available on the top trim. The rear seats may lack a little thigh support for the average adult.

Ride comfort

8.0

The Q5 feels sure-footed on the road without sacrificing ride quality. You feel most of the imperfections in the surface, but it's never transmitted into the cabin as a harsh jolt. This base suspension is so good, we question whether it's worth it to upgrade to the adaptive system.

Noise & vibration

8.0

Road noise is muted to barely noticeable levels, and wind noise is essentially absent at highway speeds. The engine is also appropriately quiet, but it doesn't sound that great under hard acceleration.

Climate control

8.0

Once the dual-zone automatic climate control is set, you rarely have to adjust it. It cools down a hot cabin quickly, and the vents disperse the airflow without any cold spots or gaps.

Interior

8.5

Audi's interior design continues to impress us. The design is minimal and tidy, and the smart use of multipurpose switches and knobs reduces the clutter of buttons suffered by rivals. Materials quality is excellent regardless of trim level and contributes to the way it makes you feel special.

Ease of use

9.0

The world would be a better place if all cars were as easy to operate as the Q5. Primary and secondary controls are placed right where you want, and even though there is an abundance of features, finding and using them is intuitive.

Getting in/getting out

8.0

The door openings are tall in height and relatively short in terms of length. This makes getting in and out easy in tight parking spots, and the elevated ride height won't require any undue effort for shorter passengers.

Driving position

8.0

The driver's seat has all the adjustments needed to accommodate occupants of varying heights and builds. The range of adjustments are also wide enough to allow taller drivers to find an optimal position.

Roominess

9.0

Even though the Q5 isn't a big car, it feels big inside. In the front and back, headroom, shoulder room and hiproom are generous, and there's plenty of legroom for adults in the rear seats.

Visibility

8.0

The roof pillars allow for decent outward visibility. The placement of the infotainment screen is excellent, right in the driver's line of sight. The same holds true for the easy-to-read virtual instrument panel. Rear visibility is good enough not to rely on the rearview camera.

Quality

9.0

As with other Audi vehicles, the Q5 benefits from sturdy assembly and impeccable materials at all trim levels. The consistent weight and click of all switchgear stand as a great example of attention to detail. Everything about it screams premium.

Utility

7.0

The Q5 will easily hold all of your items, whether it's cargo in the back or your personal effects up front. Cargo capacity is about average for the class and includes plenty of smart features to keep things in place. The rear seats don't fold flat with the cargo floor but are easy to push past.

Small-item storage

7.0

The door pockets and the center armrest bin are adequately sized for personal items, and a handy narrow slot keeps your phone secure. The cupholders are placed in front of the armrest, which may impede use of the infotainment system.

Cargo space

7.0

With 26.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and a maximum of 60.4 cubic feet, the Q5's capacity is typical for the class. There are plenty of hooks and nets to keep smaller objects in place, and a track-based anchor system handles bigger items. A power liftgate comes standard.

Child safety seat accommodation

7.0

LATCH anchors are easily found and accessed behind clearly marked plastic covers.

Technology

8.0

Not only does Audi have a lot of tech features built in, but the automaker makes them easy to use. The doubling up of functions for switches, buttons and knobs keeps the cabin from getting cluttered with controls. We were surprised the stability control was overly sensitive, unusual for an Audi.

Audio & navigation

9.0

The MMI infotainment system remains one of the best in the industry thanks to a simple layout and intuitive menus. Controlling the audio via the steering wheel is pleasantly convenient, and it's easy to enter destinations for the navigation on the center console trace pad.

Smartphone integration

8.0

With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto included, you get the best smartphone integration implemented so far. These systems are more intuitive with a touchscreen than with the Q5's MMI dial controller, but shifting the dial allows for quick scrolling and selections.

Driver aids

6.0

The Q5's stability control was unusually sensitive. If driven with vigor, the system will kick in very aggressively when cornering by activating the brakes at specific wheels. Most drivers will never corner with this kind of speed, but it could occur in emergency swerves.

Voice control

8.0

Audi's MMI system accurately deciphers voice commands for standard functions, such as navigation and phone calls, but Apple CarPlay recognizes more natural speech and provides access to the audio system.

Compare 2018 Audi Q5 trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

2018 Audi Q5 models

The 2018 Audi Q5 is available in Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige trim levels. All trims come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (252 horsepower, 273 pound-feet of torque) joined to a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard.

Standard equipment on Premium trims includes 18-inch wheels, roof rails, a rear spoiler, automatic xenon headlights with LED running lights, LED taillights, rain-sensing wipers, heated side mirrors and a power liftgate. Inside you'll find push-button ignition, cruise control, leather upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control, eight-way power front seats (with four-way power lumbar adjustment), auto-dimming rearview mirror, transmission shift paddles, a 40/20/40-split folding and reclining rear seat, a rearview camera, Bluetooth phone connection, and an infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Automatic emergency braking for vehicles and pedestrians at speeds up to 52 mph (called Pre Sense City) is also standard.

Premium Plus models add a panoramic sunroof, LED headlights, auto-dimming side mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry, heated front seats with driver-seat memory settings, satellite radio, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Prestige models combine the features listed above with 20-inch wheels, noise-insulated side windows, a head-up display, ambient cabin lighting, a bird's-eye view parking camera, a Bang & Olufsen surround-sound system, a touchscreen navigation system, a Wi-Fi connection and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster display.

Premium trims can add the Convenience Package (eight-way power seats, keyless entry, heated side mirrors and satellite radio); the Navigation and Telematics package (touchscreen navigation, Wi-Fi and digital gauge cluster); or a handful of stand-alone options including 19-inch wheels, heated front seats, panoramic sunroof and rear side airbags. Models produced later in the year offer a Technology Value package, which is simply the Convenience and Navigation and Telematics packages combined at a discounted price.

Options for Premium Plus trims include 19- or 20-inch wheels, touchscreen navigation, ventilated sport front seats, heated rear seats and heated steering wheel, the upgraded audio system, Wi-Fi and rear side airbags.

Heated rear seats and steering wheel and ventilated sport seats are also available on Prestige models, as are the rear airbags, aluminum or ash wood trim inlays, and an adaptive damping suspension. A fixed roof can also replace the standard panoramic sunroof on Premium Plus and Prestige trims.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Texas

$179/mo

$159/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

3/5Above Average

#19 out of 29 among Luxury Midsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$644/yr

vs. $602/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

Frequency

1.51x/yr

vs. 1.09x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

Severity

15.6%

vs. 9.4%
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

Audi Q5 Owner Reviews

3.7

108 reviews

5(46%)

4(14%)

3(16%)

2(12%)

1(12%)

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

What a crossover should be.

Michael J., 03/21/2019

2018 Audi Q5 2.0T Premium Plus quattro 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 6/18 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

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.

Fine ride!

jetplanepilot, 02/07/2018

2018 Audi Q5 2.0T Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD w/Prod. End 6/18 (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

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 …

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)

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 …

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)

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 …

See all 108 reviews of the Audi Q5

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2018 Audi Q5 videos

2017 Jaguar F-Pace vs. 2018 Audi Q5 Comparison Review

Edmunds SUV experts Carlos Lago and Mark Takahashi pit all-new luxury SUVs the 2017 Jaguar F-Pace 35t and 2018 Audi Q5 against each other, from performance to tech to even the back seat. How does the Q5's 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder match up to the F-Pace's 3.0L supercharged V6? And what about the Jag's shift knob vs. the Audi's yacht handle? Our experts ponder which…

2018 Q5 Highlights

Trim:

2.0T Premium quattro

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$41,500
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	25 MPG
Cost to Drive	$179/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	26.8 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	all wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Q5 models:

Automatic Emergency Braking: Can detect obstacles and pedestrians and initiate automatic emergency braking if the driver fails to respond to a series of warnings.
Side Assist/Pre Sense Rear: Combines visual and audible warnings when vehicles enter the Q5's blind spot or cross the vehicle from behind.
Rear Side Airbags: Airbags can deploy from the side of the rear seats in the event of a side collision.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover16.4%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2018 Audi Q5 Review

Price & Payment

Edmunds' Expert Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

For sale near San Antonio, TX

2018 Audi Q52.0T Premium Plus quattro Summer of Audi 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2018 Audi Q52.0T Prestige quattro 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds' Expert Rating

Trim tested

Scorecard

Driving

Acceleration

Braking

Steering

Handling

Drivability

Comfort

Seat comfort

Ride comfort

Noise & vibration

Climate control

Interior

Ease of use

Getting in/getting out

Driving position

Roominess

Visibility

Quality

Utility

Small-item storage

Cargo space

Child safety seat accommodation

Technology

Audio & navigation

Smartphone integration

Driver aids

Voice control

Which Q5 does Edmunds recommend?

2018 Audi Q5 models

Cost to Drive

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Audi Q5 Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

What a crossover should be.

Fine ride!

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

Lemon!

2018 Audi Q5 videos

2017 Jaguar F-Pace vs. 2018 Audi Q5 Comparison Review

2018 Q5 Highlights

Safety

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2.0T Premium Plus quattro Summer of Audi 4dr SUV

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2.0T Prestige quattro 4dr SUV