The 2018 Audi Q5 has balanced handling, capable engines, and an opulent cabin with many features, but its below-average predicted reliability rating keeps the Q5 from ranking higher in its class.
The 2018 Audi Q5's #6 ranking is based on its score within the 2018 Luxury Compact SUVs category. It is the winner of our 2018 Best Luxury Compact SUV for Families award. Currently the Audi Q5 has a score of 8.0 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 22 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
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:
The Q5 has one glaring weakness:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 »
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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 »
At the time of writing, two safety recalls have been issued for the 2018 Audi Q5:
Before buying any used vehicle, make sure all recalls have been addressed.
See more information on Audi Q5 safety recalls »
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.
See 2018 Audi Q5 trims and specs »
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.
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:
Available advanced safety features:
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.
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.
The 2018 Q5 gets above-average fuel economy estimates for the class.
The Q5 can tow up to 4,400 pounds when properly equipped.
Read more about Q5 performance »
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:
Available seating features:
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.
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.
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.
Audi built the Q5 in Mexico.
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