The Audi Q5 is an excellent luxury small SUV, yes. It excels at few things yet does most things well. A trio of engine choices include a sporty plug-in hybrid, a smooth turbocharged V6, and a subdued base model. Despite not being track-worthy, the handling is nice and the ride is comfy.
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Upon what vehicle is the Audi Q5 based?
Beginning in 2008, the German luxury automaker Audi began producing the Q5 line of small luxurycrossover SUVs.
[1] After the Audi A5 and fourth-generation A4, which were all built on the Audi MLB platform, the original first-generation (Typ 8R) model was the third member of the B8 family to be launched. The second-generation Q5 (Typ 80A), which made its debut in 2016, is built on the same Audi MLB Evo platform as the comparable A4 and A5 B9 models.
Does the Audi Q5 have issues?
For many American families, compact SUVs and crossovers have replaced larger SUVs as their preferred vehicles. However, many automobile purchasers desire something else than the Ford Escapes, Toyota RAV4s, and Honda CR-Vs that dominate today’s driveways and parking spaces. Audi and other high-end automakers are happy to fill this requirement. The Q5, the brand’s initial entrance into this very competitive market, swiftly rose to the top spot in sales. So, if you’re searching for a used luxury SUV, it makes sense to give an Audi Q5 some thought. In light of this, let’s examine the Audi Q5 years to stay away from.
Essential Info on Audi Q5 Years To Avoid
This year-by-year examination includes information on owner-reported problems, manufacturer-authorized recalls, and technical service bulletin (TSB) reports. TSBs, also referred to as “hidden recalls, are manufacturer-generated repair guidelines without the same legal weight as a recall. A TSB-related issue might range from little things like upgrading maintenance procedures to handling serious mechanical issues. Due to the complexity of modern automobiles, it’s also not unusual for a carmaker to release dozens, if not hundreds, of TSBs for a single model year.
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Audi Q5 Generations
The Q5 has been made by Audi in two generations. The first was constructed between 2009 and 2017, and the second has been manufactured since 2018. The 20192022 model years will be skipped since there isn’t much available about these newest Q5s.
Audi Q5
The Q5’s first model year is 2009, and it’s generally a smart idea to steer clear of an entirely new vehicle’s first year. Despite the low number of complaints from consumers (just 32; see chart above), this may be because fewer than 14,000 Q5s were sold in the U.S. during the model’s first year. Audi, on the other hand, shipped close to 70,000 Q5s in 2018.
Problems with seatbelts and airbags are the most frequent owner complaints, followed by problems with the fuel system. It comes as no surprise that these problems are at the center of all six recalls. It’s challenging to identify a single, serious problem area with 606 TSBs for the fifth quarter of 2009. However, it is advisable to first look through the TSB reports for a potential cause and remedy if your 2009 Q5 is acting up.
Audi Q5
Reports continue to identify the same airbag, seatbelt, and fuel system issues as complaints rise along with sales volume for the 2010 Q5. Of course, these issues are addressed by the four recalls for this model year. For this model year, there are 759 more TSB reports. Thus, one of the years to steer clear of for the Audi Q5 is 2010.
Audi Q5
The 2011 Q5s are still subject to the same recalls that apply to older versions. At the same time, reports of engine issues including excessive oil use begin to surface. It is important to take note of the 895 TSBs and the 191 complaints, which are up by 60% for this model year. For the Audi Q5, 2011 is again another year to forego.
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Audi Q5
There have now been 206 complaints filed against the 2012 Audi Q5. Additionally, we observe problems like engine failure and sunroof failure (for which a recall was issued) that were previously experienced by owners of prior models. Additionally, the automaker issues 985 technical service bulletins. 2012 is the Audi Q5 year to steer clear of.
Audi Q5
The 2013 Audi Q5 has less than 100 complaints, although some owners have reported electrical and steering issues. These are more recent faults that weren’t noticeable in prior Q5s. 1309 TSBs have been issued, which is the most for any Q5 year. The 2013 BMW X5 has 363 TSBs in contrast. Corrections for the cooling and electrical systems are among the recalls for this model year. If you’re considering a 2013 Audi Q5, proceed with care.
Audi Q5
Consumer Reports assigns a Q5 a “good reliability rating” for the first time. When looking for a secondhand car, though, don’t rely exclusively on this review. Has the car undergone a mechanic’s inspection? Nevertheless, there are still 111 documented complaints about typical issues such excessive oil usage.
Audi Q5
The Q5 makes a turn for the 2015 model year. Consumer Reports rates the SUV as having “fair reliability” and notes that complaints and TSBs (867) are on the decline. At the same time, reports of typical issues have decreased as well, including steering and oil use. If you’re looking for a secondhand Q5, a 2015 is less of a worry.
Audi Q5
As the trend of decreased complaints and TSBs (672) continues, a 2016 Q5 is a strong contender for a used Audi. The model year receives a decent grade from Consumer Reports, and individual complaints are generally dispersed among a range of problems. In other words, unlike previous years, there isn’t just one major issue.
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Audi Q5
Another excellent option for a pre-owned Audi is the final year of the first-generation Q5. The Q5 has received far fewer complaints than in its early years, and Consumer Reports has given it a “very good rating.” Comparatively speaking to past Q5 years, TSBs are small at 473. It’s usual for a car’s final model year to have numerous bugs ironed out by this time.
Audi Q5
Given that the 2018 Q5 is a completely new model, you should think carefully about whether purchasing a secondhand one makes sense. The 2018 model has a thumbs up (good rating) from Consumer Reports and has a low complaint frequency. The majority of complaints revolve on various electrical problems without any obvious difficulty sites. The manufacturer’s warranty can still be active on a used 2018 Q5. If so, make sure to look over the manufacturer’s service and maintenance records.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
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Is the Audi Q5 a quick vehicle?
You can reach top track speeds of 130 mph with the standard Intercooled Turbo I-4 engine’s mind-boggling 5.9-second 0-60 acceleration. Whether powered by the turbo-four or the optional twin-turbo V6, the Q5 offers spirited driving to make any ordinary commute to Portsmouth into a memorable experience.
Why not purchase an Audi Q5?
The 2019 Audi Q5 has a lot to offer drivers this year, following a successful facelift for the previous model year. Numerous optional cutting-edge features are available, so you can simply tailor the Q5 to meet your specific requirements. The Q5’s lack of cargo room is readily overlooked due to its quiet and comfortable ride. The Q5’s price is the only significant drawback; expect to pay more than you would for, say, a brand-new Acura RDX.
Since there was a complete overhaul in 2018, there isn’t anything new this year. Although a few elements have been changed, the 2019 Audi Q5’s differences from the outgoing 2018 model are minimal. Changes will probably be minor until a mid-cycle update, which is rumored to be coming within the next model year or two.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2019 Audi Q5The Pros
1. A Comfortable Ride
The 2019 Audi Q5’s exceptionally smooth ride quality is one of the main factors that sets it apart. Only slight surface imperfections in the road can be felt; nothing even slightly jarring will ever enter the cabin. Although the adaptive suspension can be added for an additional improvement in ride quality, the base suspension already provides good support. You would typically need to upgrade to a higher trim level on many of the Q5’s rivals in order to enjoy the adaptive suspensions’ superior ride quality.
2. A Quiet Space
The Q5’s smooth ride is not simply made better by the cabin’s quiet atmosphere. When pushed hard to accelerate, the engine will make some noise, but normally it will be quiet. Even when you accelerate the car on the highway, wind and road noise seldom ever enter the cabin. No need to bother about turning up the audio system’s level just to hear what is playing.
3. A Long List of Advanced Functions
Look no farther than the 2019 Audi Q5 if you want a car that is loaded with the most cutting-edge security and entertainment amenities. The list of both standard and optional equipment for this car is quite long. Rain-sensing wipers, Bluetooth, a rearview camera, automatic emergency braking for speeds up to 52 mph, and smartphone app integration via Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are all included in the base model alone. A digital gauge cluster, WiFi hot spot access, and navigation are all included in the Navigation and Telematics package, which is an add-on option.
4. All-wheel drive as standard
All-wheel drive is standard across the Audi Q5 lineup, which will be appreciated by people who live in regions where bad weather practically demands that cars have it. The Quattro, which was updated for the 2017 model year, distributes the majority of the power to the front wheels until the back wheels must engage. The distribution switch happens in a fraction of a second.
5. Brakes That Encourage Driver Trust
The 2019 Audi Q5’s braking system gives off the appearance of being quite secure in all of its capabilities. Under normal conditions, the pedal maintains a reasonable amount of stiffness. You can push the car as far as you wish without the brakes showing any symptoms of fading. Additionally, the Audi Q5 has a panic stop distance of just 114 feet from 60 mph, which is incredibly close for cars in this class.
6. Top-notch interior components
The majority of Audi enthusiasts will attest to the brand’s usage of seriously amazing high-quality materials inside its cars. The leather upholstery that decorates the cabin looks and feels premium, from the entry-level Premium trim to the top-of-the-line Prestige. There are no gaps in the panels, and nothing moves or rattles while driving. It is obvious from looking at the many components inside the Q5 that a great degree of craftsmanship was put into making this vehicle stand out.
7. Simple to Use Controls
Some high-end vehicles include controls that are difficult for the average driver to use and are downright perplexing. With the user-friendly 2019 Audi Q5, this is not the case. The controls are arranged logically along the dash, and the well-thought-out interface makes it easy to select the appropriate button on the touchscreen display. Even non-technical drivers shouldn’t have any trouble figuring out where each button is on the touchscreen’s menus.
8. A Roomy Cabin
Despite the Audi Q5’s small size, Audi makes the most of the available interior space. It’s an incredible accomplishment for a car in this class that the entire interior actually seems very spacious. Many of the Q5’s rivals struggle with inadequate rear leg room, but the Q5 offers enough of room for heads, shoulders, hips, and legs both up front and in the back. Even tall adults will have plenty of room in the back seats.
9. The MMI Informational System
The MMI infotainment system from Aud is widely regarded as one of the greatest ones now available on the market. It’s undoubtedly one of the 2019 Audi Q5’s most alluring technological features. The MMI infotainment system’s uncomplicated design makes it simple for customers of diverse backgrounds to locate and utilize various features. You can quickly navigate the menu selections and select what you want with a dial controller.
10. Outstanding Visibility
From the driver’s seat, vision is absolutely excellent because everything seems to have been placed to maximize visibility. The infotainment screen is positioned such that it does not obstruct the driver’s view and the roof pillars are thin. Due to the design of the roof pillars, rear visibility is also quite clear, so the driver rarely has to use the rearview camera that comes standard.
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Reasons Not to Buy a 2019 Audi Q5The Cons
1. Constrained Cargo Room
The 2019 Audi Q5’s lack of cargo room, like that of some of its competitors, is one of its main drawbacks. There is only 26.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity available with all seats in position. This amount can be increased to 60.4 cubic feet by folding the back seats. Although this is about normal for the class, this year’s lineup of Audi vehicles also includes those that have additional cargo room.
A single engine alternative 2.
On the Audi Q5, only one engine is available for installation. This engine, a 2.0-L inline-4 cylinder turbocharged engine with 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, is not inherently a terrible one, but it makes modification challenging. Because other luxury cars of this caliber frequently offer at least one additional engine option, the Q5’s top competitors may outsell it in terms of sales.
3. Stability control interference
The 2019 Audi Q5’s stability control is pretty inconvenient due to the amount of disturbance it creates. When driving down twisting roads, the Q5 does handle well, but the stability control intervenes far too abruptly and strongly for the driver to properly test the car’s limitations. For the majority of drivers, this probably won’t be a problem, but for those who enjoy a good, exciting drive along a mountain route, it might start to irritate them.
4. The Organization of Small Item Storage Could Be Better
While some of the Audi Q5’s storage compartments are adequate in size, many of them appear to be situated in inconvenient locations. For instance, the driver may find it challenging to use the infotainment touchscreen display if the cupholders are placed in front of the front armrest.
How It Stacks Up to the Competition:
The new 2019 BMW X3 is a strong rival to the 2019 Audi Q5. Two potent engines with good fuel economy are available in the X3. Large amounts of space can be found throughout the cabin, and an incredible number of entertainment and safety technologies are available as options. However, the X3 lacks any smartphone app integration with Android Auto and has a few excessively sensitive driver assistance features.
The 2019 Jaguar F-Pace is another strong rival for the Audi Q5. The first generation’s new Jaguar F-Pace is only in its third year, but it already has a lot to offer. With regard to load capacity, it significantly surpasses most competitors, and this vehicle feels like a sedan thanks to its handling and brakes. For those wishing to save money on gas, there is a diesel alternative as well as a potent supercharged V6 engine. The inside materials have a somewhat poor appearance, and the ride is rough due to the larger wheels and excessive wind and road noise.
If you really require an engine that is more powerful than the one that is supplied, the 2019 Audi Q5 might not be the right car for you. Audi could significantly boost sales if it provided one or two additional engine options. Nevertheless, there are many positive aspects of the Q5, including the roomy interior and user-friendly MMI infotainment system.