A mid-spec, black on black Audi Q5 is one of the most understated premium SUVs you can buy right now.
The second-generation Q5 was revealed back in 2016, and eight years on renewed rivals like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC make it a reminder of what mid-sized luxury SUVs used to be.
Under the bonnet of this 45 TFSI Sport sits a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine without any form of electric assistance. The cabin centres around a pair of modestly-sized screens. All very familiar, then.
That’s all about to change. When Audi brings the next generation of Q5 to Australia late next year, it’ll feature “innovative lighting” as well as the latest infotainment tech from the Q6 e-tron.
WATCH: Paul’s video review of the 2022 Audi Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI
Audi also expects to bring its new mild-hybrid plus engines for the next generation of what was once Australia’s top-selling medium luxury SUV.
It leaves potential buyers with a bit of a dilemma – wait and then embrace change and the associated teething issues that may come with it, or snap up a current Q5 now and enjoy its familiar simplicity?
How much does the Audi Q5 cost?
On test here is the cheapest petrol-powered variant in the current Q5 lineup.
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 2025 Audi Q5 35 TDI | $73,400 |
| 2025 Audi Q5 40 TDI Sport quattro | $87,000 |
| 2025 Audi Q5 45 TFSI Sport quattro | $88,315 |
| 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback 40 TDI quattro S Line | $89,769 |
| 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI quattro S Line | $96,515 |
| 2025 Audi Q5 55 TFSI e quattro S Line | $105,984 |
| 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback 55 TFSI e quattro S Line | $113,984 |
To see how the Audi Q5 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
What is the Audi Q5 like on the inside?
What the interior of the Q5 45 TFSI Sport lacks in showroom appeal, it makes up for with utilitarian user-friendliness.
Instead of colourful ambient lighting and a sea of multimedia screens, you’re greeted by a traditional dashboard layout trimmed in fifty shades of black. It’s not as claustrophobic as you might expect though, as the Sport trim brings a panoramic sunroof.
Textured silver trims scattered throughout the cabin come the closest to what I’d call design flair.
Wow factor may be absent, but there’s no mistaking that the Q5 is a high-end product.
Soft-touch finishes adorn the doors and dash, while the steering wheel, gear selector and centre console are all trimmed in smooth, supple leather – the real stuff, smells and all.
Audi’s functional approach extends to the seats, which accommodate all body types in supreme comfort. The textured leather-clad pews are fully power-adjustable with supportive side bolstering and an extendable thigh cushion.
The base cushion is pretty comfy too, and three-stage heating is available for cold winter mornings.
Ahead of the driver sits a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, which is similar in design to the units found in cars right across the Volkswagen Audi group portfolio.
It’s not quite cutting edge but the display houses plenty of information, all presented in easy to interpret ways.
To the left sits a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring satellite navigation, DAB+ digital radio and wireless smartphone mirroring.
Despite the inclusion of the aforementioned mod cons, the infotainment screen dates the Q5 compared to its rivals. Plonked upon the top of the dash, the system is plain in design with old-school lower case fonts and an uninspiring colour scheme.
While it leaves a bit to be desired from a form standpoint, functionality is less of an issue. Audi has opted for the popular application grid layout – familiar to smartphone users and owners of cars from rival brands alike.
It’s nearly impossible to become lost in a maze of menus, as shortcut icons for home, navigation, phone and media are permanently situated to the right of the screen, even when using Apple CarPlay.
CarPlay itself displays with crisp graphics, and we never had any wireless connection issues. Touch inputs were likewise met with consistent, positive responses from the system.
In Sport trim, the Q5 comes with a powerful, crystal clear 10-speaker sound system – perfect for long road trips.
Other important functions (climate control, drive modes and audio controls) are spread across physical buttons and dials on the centre stack – another example of the Q5’s user-friendly nature.
That said, it could be a little more practical from a cabin storage perspective.
Aside from deep, wide door bins, there’s not much to work with. The centre console is shallow, as is the cubby under the centre stack. You won’t find a sunglasses holder, either.
Electronic devices such as phones can be stored in the centre console, which houses a USB-C outlet and a slidable wireless charging pad. A USB-A outlet and 12V socket are located below the centre stack.
In some ways, rear seat passengers are actually better off. There’s enough headroom and legroom back there for adults up to around 6’3″, and the seats themselves are comfortable with plenty of cushioning and even some side bolstering.
Big windows and a panoramic sunroof make it an inviting space, too. A protruding transmission tunnel eats into middle seat legroom, but you can rely on the second row to swallow a pair of adults or three kids with few complaints.
Amenities consist of a centre armrest with fold-out cupholders, two USB-C outlets, a 12V socket, dual air vents with fan and temperature adjustment, storage nets and wide door bins. In other words, it’s lovely back there.
All three rear seats are equipped with top-tether child seat anchor points for the little ones.
In the event that you need extra cargo room instead of additional seating, the rear bench folds completely flat in 60/40 fashion, upping capacity from 520L to 1520L.
Boot access from the rear of the car is straightforward – a hands-free powered tailgate makes the standard equipment list for the Q5.
The tailgate opens nice and high, revealing a large, square boot aperture devoid of an annoying load lip. Each side of the boot features a net to secure smaller items, while a space-saver spare wheel can be found under the boot floor.
| Dimensions | Audi Q5 45 TFSI Sport |
|---|---|
| Length | 4682mm |
| Width | 1893mm |
| Height | 1663mm |
| Wheelbase | 2832mm |
| Cargo capacity | 520L (rear seats row up) 1520L (rear seats folded) |
To see how the Audi Q5 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
The Q5 45 TFSI uses the venerable EA888 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine as a base, which is augmented with a 12V mild-hybrid system.
| Specifications | Audi Q5 45 TFSI Sport |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L 4cyl turbo petrol 12V MHEV |
| Power | 183kW |
| Torque | 370Nm |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT) |
| Driven wheels | All-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1995kg |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 8.0L/100km |
| Fuel economy (as tested) | 9.0L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 70L |
| Fuel requirement | 95 octane premium unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 182g/km |
| Emissions standard | Euro 6 |
| Braked tow capacity | 2000kg |
To see how the Audi Q5 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
How does the Audi Q5 drive?
All it takes is a short drive in the Q5 for all your worldly worries to simply evaporate.
Q5 55 TFSI e S line shown
From an NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) perspective, the turbo-petrol example on test here is more than capable of holding its own against any premium SUV, from silent EVs to internal combustion luxury leaders.
The cabin of the Q5 is whisper quiet – wind and road noise are just about eliminated by excellent insulation, and the familiar EA888 engine rarely disturbs the peace.
With origins dating back to the 2000s, this 2.0-litre turbo four has continuously evolved to the point where it’s capable of robust performance while remaining smooth, linear, and quiet.
Known best for its exploits in Volkswagen hot hatches, the EA888 produces 183kW of power and 370Nm of torque in this application. Peak torque is on tap over 1600-4300rpm, so a significant chunk of the rev range.
As a result, the Q5 45 TFSI offers strong acceleration across a range of situations, especially with the assistance of all-wheel drive. Audi quotes a 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.2 seconds, making it swifter than the Lexus RX350h and Range Rover Evoque P250, and on par with the Mercedes-Benz GLC300.
Subsequently, the Q5 doesn’t feel like a cumbersome SUV around town. Rather, it’s relatively dynamic and has light yet accurate steering, and a nimbleness that belies its size.
It feels like you sit right over the front of the car, with a wide view of the road ahead and a clear understanding of where each corner of the vehicle is. That makes the Q5 an approachable SUV to drive, and great for stressed parents dealing with screaming kids in the back.
Now in its seventh year of production, the second-generation Q5 also boasts straightforward driving controls. You get two pedals, a steering wheel and a couple of stalks – no spaceage gear selectors or digital mirrors in sight here.
While the age of the Q5 dates it in some regards, it also flattens the learning curve for buyers coming from cars built in the 2010s or earlier.
That’s not to say that this Q5 is devoid of driver assistance technology. City slickers like myself are bound to appreciate the standard fitment of auto-hold, idle stop/start, and park assist.
A high resolution surround-view camera and both front and rear parking sensors come in handy too, although the Q5 never feels like a handful in tight shopping centre carparks. Both the front and rear of the vehicle feel easy to place, especially when making sharp turns.
But this version of the Q5 isn’t the most efficient SUV going around. It’ll consume a quoted 8.0L/100km on average, although we saw 9.0L/100km over the course of a week.
While the Mercedes-Benz GLC300 and Range Rover Evoque P250 are similar in this regard, hybrid options such as the Lexus RX350h (5.4L/100km) are considerably more efficient.
Out of town, the Q5 retains its quiet and composed character. Even at highway speeds, external noise is kept to a minimum, and the powertrain is more than happy cruising at 100km/h.
All Q5 variants are equipped with adaptive cruise control as standard, operated via a small stalk protruding from the lower left side of the steering column.
The controls are a little more fiddly to use than buttons on the steering wheel, and we found Audi’s system to be a bit behind the curve. When active, adaptive cruise struggled to maintain a consistent speed, dipping 5-10km/h below the set speed on several occasions.
It can also be slow to react to changes in the flow of traffic, prompting driver intervention. If you allow the Q5 to drive itself too close to surrounding cars, Audi’s pre-sense collision warning system displays an eye-catching visual warning, which thankfully isn’t accompanied by the overly sensitive alarms that are pervading new cars.
Indeed, none of the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are overly intrusive in the Q5.
In keeping with its cosseting personality, the Q5 is underpinned by an accomplished suspension setup that smooths out coarse country roads effortlessly. Particularly nasty bumps and potholes occasionally make themselves known in the cabin, but ride comfort is never a point of concern.
A trio of drive modes allow you to tailor the driving experience, whether you’re tackling the city commute or touring cross-country. Eco and Comfort are best suited to maximising efficiency and smoothness, while Dynamic is there if you want sharper throttle and transmission mapping for some fun on a twisty road.
To see how the Audi Q5 stacks up against its rivals, use our comparison tool
What do you get?
On test here is the Q5 45 TFSI Sport quattro.
Audi Q5 equipment highlights:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- 235/55 tyres
- Hill descent control
- LED headlights and daytime running lights
- Keyless entry and start
- Hands-free power tailgate
- Heated exterior mirrors
- Tri-zone climate control
- Auto-dimming rear-view mirror
- Aluminium door sill plates
- Floor mats front, rear
- Ambient lighting
- 12.3-inch virtual cockpit plus digital instrument cluster
- 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen infotainment system
- Satellite navigation
- Voice control
- DAB+ radio
- Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- 8-speaker sound system, 100W output
- Wireless phone charger
- Audi connect plus Navigation & Infotainment*
- Online traffic information
- Destination entry via myAudi, Google Maps
- Parking information
- Weather
- Fuel prices
- Google Services
- Audi connect plus Security & Assistance*
- Car finder incl. remote signal
- Remote lock, unlock
- Emergency call
- Online roadside assistance
- Electric front seats with four-way lumbar
- Leather-appointed upholstery
*Audi connect plus service subscription valid for up to three years after delivery
Q5 Sport adds:
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Exterior mirrors with heating, folding, auto dimming, dipping
- Panoramic sunroof
- 10-speaker 180W sound system
- Driver seat memory
- Heated front seats
- Sport front seats
- Semi-automatic parking assist
Is the Audi Q5 safe?
The Audi Q5 and SQ5 are currently unrated by ANCAP, after the five-star ratings for the pre-update models expired on January 1.
Standard safety features include:
- 8 airbags
- Dual front
- Dual front-side
- Dual curtain
- Dual rear-side
- Active bonnet
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- up to 85km/h
- Pedestrian detection
- Blind-spot monitoring (side assist)
- Collision avoidance assist
- Exit warning
- Automatic high-beam
- Hill descent control
- Lane-keep assist
- Rear cross-traffic assist
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Turn Assist
- Swerve Assist
- Predictive Efficiency Assistant
- Driver attention monitoring
- Reversing camera
Q5 Sport adds:
- Park assist
- 360-degree cameras
How much does the Audi Q5 cost to run?
The Audi Q5 is covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
| Running costs | Audi Q5 45 TFSI Sport |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 5 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Roadside assistance | 5 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000km |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years |
| Total capped-price service cost | $3520 |
CarExpert’s Take on the Audi Q5
The Audi Q5 in 45 TFSI Sport proves that an SUV doesn’t need to be glitzy to be premium.
It’s quiet, comfortable and well equipped, without needing an ultra-complex powertrain or supersized interior screens.
The Q5 is truly one of the most soothing cars I’ve driven, thanks to top-notch sound insulation and a low-effort driving experience.
However, buyers in the market for a $90,000 SUV expect a little more than that. And this mid-spec Q5 isn’t particularly efficient, nor is it especially cheap to run.
Then there’s the elephant in the room. The third-generation Q5 will hit Australian roads within 12 months, and it will move the game on considerably with enhanced looks, an overhauled cabin, fresh tech, and a selection of mild-hybrid engines.
We’d be hesitant to sink nearly six figures into an already aging model that’s soon to be replaced, especially when there are so many worthy alternatives.
The Genesis GV70 is every bit as luxurious as the Audi, and feels far more modern. The same can be said of the new BMW X3.
Both are in the same price bracket, and wear badges that command respect. With that in mind, unless you value simplicity and familiarity over all else in your mid-sized luxury SUV, it may be worth holding out until the all-new one comes around.
Interested in buying an Audi Q5? Get in touch with one of CarExpert’s trusted dealers here
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