2023 Audi Q5 / Q5 Sportback
Overview
The 2023 Audi Q5 is like the Apple iPhone of the SUV world: it’s known for its precise build quality, good performance, and refined appearance. Other luxury SUVs offer similar tech features and flashier styling, but the Q5 is satisfaction guaranteed—at least for drivers who don’t mind bland handling. A trio of powertrains is on offer, starting with a 201-hp turbocharged four-cylinder which comes standard with Quattro all-wheel drive. A more powerful 261-hp four is optional, as is a 362-hp plug-in hybrid, the two of which provide quick and quicker acceleration. Technophiles rather than enthusiast drivers appear to be the Q5’s target audience, though, as it offers plenty of digital-friendly features and driver assists. If you’re like us and prefer something a zestier, the performance-oriented SQ5 (reviewed separately) might be your ride of choice. Otherwise, know that rivals such as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and the Porsche Macan offer more driver involvement, but both have a higher starting price than the Q5.
What’s New for 2023?
Audi has shifted around a few features in the Q5 lineup this year, starting by making adaptive cruise control standard on all models. Premium Plus trims now come with a Bang and Olufsen stereo system and plug-in hybrid “55” models get OLED taillights. Chronos Gray has been replaced by Quantum Gray on the Q5’s exterior color palette, too.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
Premium 40
$44,695
Premium 45
$47,195
Premium Plus 40
$50,195
Sportback Premium 40
$51,495
$52,695
Sportback Premium Plus 45
$55,395
Prestige 40
$55,695
Premium 55 PHEV
$56,595
Prestige 45
$58,195
Sportback Prestige
$60,495
Premium Plus 55 PHEV
$61,195
Prestige 55 PHEV
$66,495
Audi distinguishes the Q5’s powertrains with the numbers 40, 45, and 55, the first two refer to the standard turbo four and the third indicates the optional plug-in hybrid setup. We’ll let you choose between the regular Q5 and the coupe-like Q5 Sportback, but we’d recommend sticking with the mid-range 45 models. Of those, the mid-range Premium Plus trim offers the best balance of features and price, and comes standard with Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital gauge display.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The 2023 Q5 40 features a standard 201-hp turbocharged four-cylinder, a seven-speed automatic transmission, and Quattro all-wheel drive. Stepping up to the 45 model boosts horsepower to 261. The turbo four provides plenty of punch to scoot the Q5 45 around town or blast down a highway on-ramp, and it is smooth, quiet, and mellifluous. At our test track, the Q5 45 delivered a brisk 5.5-second run to 60 mph. The plug-in-hybrid variant adds an electric motor that increases output to a combined 362 horses and 369 lb-ft of torque, which helped it snap off a quick 4.5-second run to 60 mph in our hands, beating the performance oriented SQ5 Sportback by 0.3 seconds. The luxury compact crossover’s suspension is well damped and imparts a stable feeling no matter the road or driving condition. The ride is smooth and controlled—with or without the optional adaptive suspension—even over pockmarked asphalt. The steering is accurate and lightly weighted but provides no discernible feedback from the front wheels. In the Dynamic drive mode, the steering feels heftier but still artificial. Pitch the Q5 down a twisty two-lane and it’ll handle it reasonably well, but a Porsche Macan will show you a much better time.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA estimates for Q5 40 will earn 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway while the 45 is rated for 23 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. The plug-in-hybrid variant has a combined estimate of 27 mpg and an electric-only range of 23 miles. On our 75-mph fuel economy test route, the Q5 45 matched its EPA rating of 28 mpg; the plug-in hybrid model delivered only 26 mpg in the same test and managed to go on for only 17 of its 23 estimated electric-only miles. For more information about the Q5’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Q5 provides enough room for four adults to get comfy and offers plenty of upscale features, even on the base Premium model. The cabin is both quiet at speed and easy to get in and out of. Moving up through the three trim levels—Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige—nets more luxury features, including Audi’s slick Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster. When it came to seeing how many of our carry-on cargo boxes fit, the Q5 didn’t impress. It beat the smaller Macan, but only just and held 18 cases with the rear seats folded. The Q5’s rear seatbacks easily fold in a 40/20/40 fashion, however, providing flexibility that the Lexus RX doesn’t have.
The Car and Driver Difference
Infotainment and Connectivity
Buyers of even the least expensive Q5 will enjoy an intuitive infotainment system displayed in a dashtop 10.1-inch screen. Most of the expected infotainment features are present and accounted for in the base Q5, including a Wi-Fi hotspot and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. Things get much more interesting if you jump to the Premium Plus or Prestige trims, as they come with a reconfigurable digital gauge cluster that Audi calls Virtual Cockpit. It provides a wide, 12.3-inch view of the nav map plus selected media, phone controls, trip computer, speed, and tachometer, or a combination of these.
How to Buy and Maintain a Car
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The Q5 comes with standard driver-assistance technology, such as automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and forward-collision warning. Other assists are available on the pricier models. For more information about the Q5’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard automated emergency braking with forward-collision warning Standard blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert Standard adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Audi’s warranty coverage for the Q5 is average, and many other luxury SUVs offer longer coverage periods. Rivals such as the BMW X3 and the Volvo XC60 also come with complimentary maintenance plans.
Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles Powertrain warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2021 Audi Q5 45 TFSI
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
ENGINE TYPE
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, iron block and head, direct fuel injection, 261 hp, 273 lb-ft
TRANSMISSION
8-speed automatic
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 111.0 in
Length: 184.3 in
Width: 74.5 in
Height: 65.5 in
Passenger volume: 99 ft3
Cargo volume: 26 ft3
Curb weight: 4185 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.5 sec
1/4 mile: 14.2 sec @ 97 mph
100 mph: 15.2 sec
120 mph: 24.9 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.2 sec.
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 6.3 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.1 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 4.3 sec
Top speed (governor limited): 129 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 171 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.86 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 21 mpg
75-mph highway driving: 28 mpg
Highway range: 510 miles
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 25/23/28 mpg
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C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
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2021 Audi Q5 55 TFSI e
Vehicle Type: front-engine, mid -motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $52,995/$60,740
POWERTRAIN
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 248 hp, 273 lb-ft + AC motor, 141 hp, 258 lb-ft (combined output: 362 hp, 369 lb-ft; 11.3-kWh lithium-ion, 7.7-kW onboard charger) Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: multilink/multilink; Brakes, F/R: 13.8-in vented disc/13.0-in vented disc; Tires: Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season 255/45R-20 101H M+S AO
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 111.0 in; Length: 184.3 in; Width: 74.5 in; Height: 65.3 in; Passenger Volume: 99 ft3; Cargo Volume: 26 ft3; Curb Weight: 4733 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 4.5 sec
100 mph: 12.2 sec
1/4-Mile: 13.2 sec @ 104 mph
120 mph: 19.1 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.9 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.0 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.9 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 128 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 176 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.83 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 26 MPGe
75-mph Highway Driving: 26 mpg
Highway Range: 480 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 27/25/29 mpg
EV Range: 23 mi
More Features and Specs
