2019 Audi Q5 Review

Name: 2019 Audi Q5 Review
Brand: Audi
Price: 19490 USD

2019 Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI Prestige quattro 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

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Edmunds' Expert Review

byDan Frio^{Reviews Editor
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.}

Pros

Recent chassis changes deliver a 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

A few more features are standard this year
New 7-inch driver information display
Premium Plus trim adds standard navigation and wireless phone charging
Part of the second Q5 generation introduced for 2018

In a decade of production, the Audi Q5 has only undergone one significant overhaul — and that was for last year's model. That's a testament to just how well Audi nailed this luxury SUV's appeal from the beginning. The Q5 quickly became the brand's best-selling model in America. And with that kind of success, it's wise to tweak at the margins while the competition catches up. Not surprisingly, the 2019 Audi Q5 offers only a few subtle refinements for this year.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2019 Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI Premium quattro 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.27 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$220/mo

$197/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

The 2019 Q5 now offers a few more standard luxuries, including heated front seats and an upgraded driver display and gauge cluster. The midtrim model now includes navigation and wireless phone charging (previously it was an option). They are small changes, but they're enough to keep the Q5 fresh.

As before, a turbocharged four-cylinder engine carries the workload. The standard Quattro all-wheel-drive system for which Audi is renowned also received a major overhaul in the Q5 last year. It's now primarily a front-wheel-drive system that can engage the rear wheels in less than a half-second when traction is required.

Today's Q5 also features some of the latest driver assistance technologies, such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and city-oriented automatic emergency braking at speeds up to 52 mph. These kinds of driver aids were noticeably absent in the first-generation models.

All of these second-generation updates make the 2019 Audi Q5 a premium crossover that can mix it up on dry roads as easily as those covered in snow or dirt. In this increasingly competitive group — with alternatives from BMW, Cadillac, Jaguar, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz — the Audi Q5 remains a standout.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

7.9 / 10

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 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. However, its overly intrusive stability control prevents it from scoring a bit higher. But for the typical driver, this drawback will probably never arise. Otherwise, we consider it one of the best in the class.

Acceleration

7.0

With a 0-60 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

The Q5 stopped from 60 mph in 114 feet, which is shorter than its competition. In routine conditions, the pedal is moderately firm, though we did feel some odd ABS resets and clicks. Even when driven hard, though, we had full 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 explore its potential fully. 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. The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic shifts quickly and smoothly, and it feels well-tuned for the engine. And because of the Q5's relatively compact size, it's easy to squeeze into small parking spots.

Comfort

8.0

In every comfort metric, the Audi Q5 does well, balancing 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, the ventilated seats offered in the optional Warm Weather package are a nice addition. 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 that 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 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 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, which 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 is 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 require reliance 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 25.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and a maximum of 53.1 cubic feet, the Q5's capacity is a bit small for the class. But plenty of hooks and nets are available 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, which is 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 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.

2019 Audi Q5 models

The 2019 Audi Q5 is available in Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige trim levels. All trims come with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (248 horsepower, 273 pound-feet of torque) joined to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard.

Standard equipment on Premium trim includes 18-inch wheels, roof rails and crossbars, a rear spoiler, xenon headlights with LED running lights, LED taillights, keyless entry, 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, heated and power-adjustable front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, transmission shift paddles, and a 40/20/40-split folding and reclining rear seat.

Technology features include a rearview camera, Bluetooth and an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone 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 19-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, automatic LED headlights, auto-dimming side mirrors, front and rear parking sensors, driver-seat memory functions, a navigation system, a 10-speaker audio system with satellite radio, a wireless phone charger, a Wi-Fi connection, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster display. Driver assistance features include blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Prestige models combine the features listed above with noise-insulated side windows, a head-up display, ambient cabin lighting, a bird's-eye view parking camera, a Bang & Olufsen surround-sound system, and driver aids that include adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist.

Premium trims can add a handful of stand-alone options such as 19-inch wheels, heated front seats, panoramic sunroof and rear side airbags. The Convenience package, which adds eight-way power-adjustable seats, keyless entry, heated side mirrors and satellite radio, also is available on the Premium.

Options for Premium Plus trims include the Black Optic package (20-inch wheels, matte-black roof rails and black exterior trim), Cold Weather package (heated rear seats, heated steering wheel) and the Warm Weather package (ventilated front sport seats, rear window shades). The premium Bang & Olufsen audio system, rear side airbags and 20-inch wheels can also be added à la carte.

Prestige models are also offered with the same option packages as those of the Premium Plus trim, and a fixed roof can replace the standard panoramic sunroof on both trims.

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

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Audi Q5 from 2008-2022.}

$644/yr

vs. $602/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

1.51x/yr

vs. 1.09x/yr
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

15.6%

vs. 9.4%
for Average Luxury Midsize SUV

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2019 Audi Q5.

5 (72%)

4 (16%)

3 (6%)

2 (3%)

1 (3%)

4.5

32 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Don't Judge A Car by Its Tires

David S, 03/04/2019

2019 Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

Look, I'm a brand-new Audi owner, my first although not my first German car. It's terrific. We bought it primarily for my wife to use. It is beautifully appointed, handles well based on our standards, certainly seems to have all the niceties that a luxury SUV should have. This is particularly true when considering the electronics, most importantly the safety features - adaptive … cruise control, parking assistance, lane departure, all-around cameras, blind-spot warnings - that are important to us. A few personal facts: we are in our early 70's, we are not off-road enthusiasts, we don't use many of the "sport" settings, probably pretty boring reviewers. We liked the "look" of the car because it wasn't a racy, road-warrior design unlike some Japanese models. Fit our traditional view of our lifestyle. What would I change? The electronics take some attention and help. I read the book but my wife wasn't about to. In that regard, Audi Elk Grove offered several times to do a special driver familiarization class for her. The storage is just average; her Toyota Venza had slightly more room. There aren't quite enough spaces in the front row to store the junk that older drivers need or want, a drawback but not much better on competing models. If storage is a paramount concern, consider the Q7 although it was too big for just the 2 of us and adds, at the same Premier level, maybe $7K to the price. Speaking of price, we used the Costco program, not sure whether our deal was "good" but it was easy, comfortable and stress-free. Maybe negotiation would be better for those psychologically equipped for it. For us, not having the hassle is better even if we pay a little more at the end. What's $500 or $1000 really when you're buying that nice a car. I can quarrel about one thing: the "add-ons". We got a $1200 added paint protection and interior protection job, already included. The dealer added the $110 USB connectors (they're nice but $110?). What I really wanted was door cup protection. And the all-weather floor mats probably aren't as good as the after-market WeatherTech mats we ordered for the Toyota Venza but, again, it's only money. For those of you less cavalier than we were, you might save some money there. All-in-all, as we get more comfortable with the car, and try it in different driving conditions, I think that we'll find the Audi to be a worthwhile investment for us. Good wishes to you as well.

Nice and quiet, ride

KS, 02/25/2020

2019 Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI Prestige quattro 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

We got the Q5 a few months back, and so far it is running well. The ride is very quiet, and it drives well, and the mileage is decent. The only complaints I would have are that a) the trunk space is a little less, and b) storage compartment in between the front seats is a little small. But, everything else is just fine. Update after 18 months: It is still a very nice ride. We had the …

Great to be back in an Audi

vmccarty1970, 07/16/2019

2019 Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

Having previously owned mostly Japanese built cars, and a German made MINI and Audi...Recently bought the new Acura RDX, that was supposed to be a rival to the German smaller SUV's. WOW...no comparision, for only a few thousand dollars less, the Acura was noise, terrible glitchy infotainment, rattles, very poorly made (now built in Ohio), I dumped it for the 2019 Q5. A million times …

It’s a 2020 Q5 Premium Plus with black optics pack

Ron Lesieur, 12/02/2019

2019 Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI Premium Plus quattro 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)

This is my 3rd Q5 in 5 years and it truly outshines its competition. The Benz Glc300 , no AWD standard and the nickel you to death on every option. Ride and handling inferior to Audi. BMW X3 is fine is you like small uncomfortable seats and the interior underwhelming, not even stard leather in either of these models. The standard Q5 leather and AWD is unbeatable in my book. Engines …

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2019 Q5 Highlights

Trim:

2.0 TFSI Premium quattro

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$42,950
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	24 MPG
Cost to Drive	$220/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	25.1 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 as well as 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 objects enter the Q5's blind spot or cross the vehicle from behind.
Rear Side Airbags: Optional 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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