2018 Audi Q5

2018 Audi Q5 Overview

Is the 2018 Audi Q5 a Good Used SUV?

The redesigned 2018 Audi Q5 is a decent used SUV. The Q5 offers an array of tech and driver assistance features and sports a spacious, luxurious interior. This Audi boasts two powerful engine options, and it feels agile and composed around tight turns. It also provides a comfortable ride, even on rough pavement. The biggest mark against the Q5 is its below-average predicted reliability rating. If this is a deal breaker for you, consider some top-rated rivals.

The Q5’s strengths include:

• Lots of advanced tech and safety features
• Spacious seating in both rows
• High-end cabin materials
• A user-friendly infotainment system
• A comfortable ride and poised handling
• Standard all-wheel drive

The Q5 has one glaring weakness:

• A below-average predicted reliability rating

Why You Can Trust Us

Our Audi Q5 review includes far more than just one person's opinion. We collected professional evaluations from 26 sources and combined them with concrete data like fuel economy estimates, safety features, and performance specs to help you make an informed buying decision.

The U.S. News Best Cars team has been ranking cars, trucks, and SUVs since 2007, and our staff has more than a combined 75 years of automotive industry experience. To ensure our impartiality, we never accept expensive gifts or trips from car companies, and an outside team handles the advertising on our site.

How Much Is the 2018 Audi Q5?

There are about 80 listings for the 2018 Audi Q5 on our site, with an average list price of $40,400. Prices range from $30,500 to $40,400 and vary depending on the vehicle’s condition, mileage, features, and location.

See the Best Used Car Deals »

How Much Does the 2018 Audi Q5 Cost to Own?

The 2018 Q5’s five-year costs for gas, insurance, repairs, and maintenance are projected to be $30,400, or about $6,100 per year. That’s above average for a luxury compact SUV.

Is It Better to Buy a Used or New Q5?

The Audi Q5 was fully redesigned for 2018, and the 2019 model received only minor changes: Heated front seats became standard, and the SQ5 Premium trim debuted. This means you can save money by opting for a used 2018 model while still getting the same features and performance that you would on a 2019 model. Starting prices for the 2019 Audi Q5 range from $42,950 to $52,400.

Read about the new Audi Q5 »

You can save even more money with a used 2017 model, which is part of the Q5’s previous generation. However, you’ll miss out on the 2018 model’s improved fuel economy, extra horsepower in the base engine, larger cargo hold, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration.

Compare the 2017, 2018, and 2019 Q5 »

See the Best New Car Deals »

See the Best New Car Lease Deals »

How Reliable Is the 2018 Audi Q5?

The Audi Q5 has a below-average predicted reliability rating of 2.5 out of five from J.D. Power.

Read more about Q5 reliability »

2018 Audi Q5 Recalls

At the time of writing, two safety recalls have been issued for the 2018 Audi Q5:

• Some models have insufficient coating on brake caliper pistons
• Air bags or seat belt pretensioners may not deploy

Before buying any used vehicle, make sure all recalls have been addressed.

See more information on Audi Q5 safety recalls »

Which Used Audi Q5 Trim Is Right for Me?

The 2018 Audi Q5 comes in five trims: Premium, Premium Plus, Prestige, SQ5 Premium Plus, and SQ5 Prestige. The first three trims come standard with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. SQ5 models are powered by a twin-turbocharged V6. The V6 has a lot more muscle, but most shoppers will find the base engine plenty powerful.

• Audi Q5 Premium: The base Q5 Premium trim comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a rearview camera, a 7-inch display, a 10-speaker sound system, HD Radio, two USB ports, Bluetooth, push-button ignition, a power liftgate, leather upholstery, three-zone automatic climate control, Audi Pre Sense Basic, and Audi Pre Sense City.
• Audi Q5 Premium Plus: The Audi Q5 Premium Plus trim adds a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, a hands-free power liftgate, satellite radio, parking sensors, Vehicle Exit Assist, and Audi Connect Care.
• Audi Q5 Prestige: The Q5 Prestige trim adds a navigation system and handwriting recognition, a 19-speaker sound system, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, an 8.3-inch infotainment display, a head-up display, a top-view camera system, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and Audi Connect Prime, which includes Google Earth, internet radio, and various apps.
• Audi Q5 SQ5 Premium Plus: The SQ5 Premium Plus comes with all the Q5 Premium Plus’ features and adds upgraded upholstery, a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
• Audi Q5 SQ5 Prestige: The Audi SQ5 Prestige trim comes with all the Q5 Prestige’s features, in addition to upgraded upholstery, the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, and the eight-speed automatic transmission.

See 2018 Audi Q5 trims and specs »

What Does Audi's Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?

Audi offers a certified pre-owned program for cars five years old or less and with fewer than 60,000 miles. Qualifying vehicles bought under the new-car warranty period have coverage until five years from the vehicle’s original in-service date, with no mileage limitation. Certified pre-owned Audis purchased after the four-year new-car warranty has ended receive an additional one-year/unlimited-mileage comprehensive warranty. This is not an extension of the new-car warranty. The two warranties differ in important ways, so read Audi’s warranty page carefully. Audi CPO models must pass a 300-plus-point inspection.

Among luxury car manufacturers, Audi’s CPO program is one of the best, according to our research. It's rivaled only by Lexus and Infiniti.

See the best CPO programs »

How Safe Is the Q5?

The 2018 Q5 has an above-average safety score for the class. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named it a Top Safety Pick and gave it the highest rating of Good in all six crash tests. It received a Superior rating for its front crash prevention, and its headlights received the second-lowest rating of Marginal for how well it illuminates the road ahead.

In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration testing, the Q5 received an overall five-out-of-five-star rating, earning five stars in all but the rollover test, where it received four stars.

Standard advanced safety features:

• rearview camera
• Audi Pre Sense Basic (rolls up windows and tightens seatbelts before a collision)
• Audi Pre Sense City (pedestrian detection and forward collision warning with brake assist)

Available advanced safety features:

• rear cross traffic alert
• front and rear parking sensors
• blind spot monitoring
• 360-degree parking camera
• head-up display
• Vehicle Exit Assist (alerts driver when a cyclist or vehicle is approaching from behind)

See Q5 safety scores »

2018 Audi Q5 Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: 2018 Audi Q5 or 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC?

Like the 2018 Q5, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC has one of the most luxurious and well-equipped cabins in the class. While both SUVs offer a smooth ride, the Q5’s sportier suspension and standard all-wheel drive make it a better option for those who prioritize agile handling over comfort. Additionally, the Audi has a larger cargo capacity. That said, the GLC’s above-average predicted reliability rating earns it a much higher spot in our rankings.

Which Is Better: 2018 Audi Q5 or 2018 BMW X3?

The 2018 BMW X3 and the Q5 offer some of the best performance dynamics in the class. Both have similarly powered base engines and strong available six-cylinder engines. Their handling is comparable as well: Both SUVs have pliable suspensions and little body roll. The similarities don’t stop there. The Q5 and X3 were both redesigned for 2018, and both have luxurious, roomy interiors. Deciding between these vehicles comes down to your preferences: Choose the Q5 for its abundant standard and available features or the X3 for its higher predicted reliability rating.

Compare the Q5, GLC, and X3 »

2018 Q5 Performance

How Does the 2018 Audi Q5 Drive?

The 2018 Q5 comes with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and it's available with a twin-turbocharged V6. Both engines produce lively acceleration and easy passing power on the highway. The four-cylinder is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission, and the V6 is paired with an eight-speed automatic. Both transmissions shift smoothly, with the seven-speed automatic delivering particularly quick shifts.

The Audi Q5 gently glides over road imperfections, keeping occupants comfortable. It comes standard with Audi Drive Select, which allows you to choose between drive modes such as Dynamic, Comfort, Auto, and Individual. Each mode fine-tunes the SUV's engine, transmission, steering, and suspension settings to suit your preferred driving style. Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive is also standard.

• Base engine: 252-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder
• Available engine: 354-horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6
• Drivetrain: standard all-wheel drive
• Transmission: standard seven-speed automatic; available eight-speed automatic

Does the 2018 Audi Q5 Get Good Gas Mileage?

The 2018 Q5 gets above-average fuel economy estimates for the class.

• Four-cylinder: 23/27 mpg city/highway
• V6: 19/24 mpg city/highway

2018 Audi Q5 Towing Capacity

The Q5 can tow up to 4,400 pounds when properly equipped.

Read more about Q5 performance »

2018 Q5 Interior

How Many People Does the 2018 Q5 Seat?

Though the 2018 Q5 has five seats, it’s really only suited for four people. The front seats and rear outboard seats are comfortable and supportive, with ample headroom and legroom. Additionally, the rear seats slide forward and backward, further expanding legroom. Audi designed the Q5’s luxurious cabin with first-rate materials.

Standard seating features:

• genuine leather seats
• eight-way power-adjustable front seats
• split-folding 40/20/40 rear seats

Available seating features:

• heated front seats
• heated steering wheel with paddle shifters
• ventilated front seats
• Alcantara upholstery
• 12-way power-adjustable front sport seats
• driver's seat memory settings

How Many Car Seats Fit in the 2018 Audi Q5?

The 2018 Q5 has two complete sets of LATCH car-seat connectors on the rear outboard seats and an upper tether on the rear middle seat. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave this LATCH system a Good rating for its ease of use.

2018 Audi Q5 Features

Physical buttons and knobs control the dashboard’s common functions, making it easy to adjust settings while driving. The standard infotainment system is intuitive, and connecting your smartphone is easy with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The available MMI All-In-Touch system features handwriting recognition and quickly responds to written commands and smartphonelike pinch-to-zoom gestures.

• Standard infotainment features: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 7-inch display, a 10-speaker sound system, HD Radio, two USB ports, and Bluetooth
• Available infotainment features: satellite radio, navigation, the MMI All-In-Touch touchpad with handwriting recognition, a 19-speaker sound system, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, an 8.3-inch infotainment display, a head-up display, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and Audi Connect Prime, which includes Google Earth, predictive traffic and weather, internet radio, and various apps like Twitter
• Additional standard features: push-button ignition
• Other available features: a panoramic sunroof

See 2018 Audi Q5 specs »

Read more about Q5 interior »

2018 Audi Q5 Dimensions

Audi Q5 Cargo Space

The Audi Q5 has 26.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in use and 60.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. That’s slightly above the class average for overall cargo capacity. Split-folding 40/20/40 rear seats are standard, and a hands-free power liftgate is available.

These cargo dimensions are for comparative purposes. There is no substitute for visually examining the storage area in any car you’re considering.

2018 Audi Q5 Length and Weight

• Length: 15 feet, 3 inches
• Curb weight: 4,045 to 4,398 pounds

Where Was the 2018 Audi Q5 Built?

Audi built the Q5 in Mexico.