2018 Audi Q5 Review | Edmunds

Our experts review the 2018 Audi Q5.
2018 is a significant year for the Audi Q5 since it's been fully redesigned after an eight-year run with its predecessor. We think Audi knocked it out of the park with this luxury SUV, from its more aggressive and sharper styling to its engaging and comfortable ride. Watch the video for a closer look with windswept Senior Writer Mark Takahashi.
Q. How much is the Audi Q5?
A. The 2018 Audi Q5 ranges from $42,475 for a base model to $53,325 fully loaded.
Q. What's new in the Audi Q5?
A. Entering its second generation, the 2018 Audi Q5 is all-new. It now offers more power from the standard engine, a revised all-wheel-drive system, more available technology features and crisp, new styling.
Q. Which Audi Q5 to buy?
A. We recommend the 2018 Audi Q5 Premium Plus model with the Navigation package. It will hit the sweet spot for most buyers because it includes most luxury features buyers expect (panoramic sunroof, LED headlights and heated leather front seats) while satisfying tech and safety needs, with in-car Wi-Fi, rear cross-traffic alert and automatic emergency braking.
Audi Q5 Time Jump
0:16 Walk-around
2:34 Interior
5:36 Drive
9:41 Final thoughts
Read our full review at: www.edmunds.com/audi/q5/2018/...
Edmunds - we help you find your perfect car with unbiased and useful reviews, advice, pricing and tools. Visit us at edmunds.com.

[@20gravedigger11]

One of the best reviews I've seen on KZbin in a long time. Not forced or sugar-coating anything, just very natural, honest, and to the point. I have an MDX right now, but my lease is up next summer and with the latest 2021 refresh, I'm HIGHLY considering the Q5. I drove a 2020 and I loved it!

[@clint7312]

Solid review. Natural presentation

[@edmundscars]

Thanks, Clint!

[@prasish]

not an audi fan but he convinced me wanna buy one

[@viswanathdevaram8812]

I got a 2019 Q5 prestige 2 weeks back. Its fantastic so far and I'm super happy with the purchase 😊

[@keyshawnrussell245]

Are you still happy?

[@sadiqqq]

Great review, thorough and to the point, very informative and comprehensively presented, great job

[@Increase315]

My Jeep was totaled and I’m getting an Audi Q5 this year!!!

[@NovieBigSad]

Excellent review. Came away throughly impressed

[@tictocbang7443]

Outstanding review, especially relating the stats and features to real world experience.

[@kolade4630]

Good job! Great review. I like your objectivity and know how. You sold me

[@thomaspoke8511]

I would like to say that your review was excellent! I really like your calm appraisals and practical insights into the vehicles you review. I have been driving a 2012 Q5 since purchasing it new, and was looking for a new vehicle in the same sized luxury suv segment. I wanted a 4 cylinder turbo. I am 6’4” with some girth but am tall torso. I test drove the Volvo but the seating was tight; test drove the Acura RDX and the Infiniti. Couldn’t fit into the equivalent Lexus. The concerns about the Infiniti’s transmission moved me away from them as did their very aggressive pricing as odd as that sounds. I liked the Acura but went back home and just leased the 2018 Q5 Prestige trim with bells and whistles and couldn’t be happier. You helped that process a lot Mark so thank you!

[@user-wz8us9eg3v]

Excellent review. Not too long, very honest and natural delivery.

[@markcrupi]

Mark Takahashi is the best car reviewer on youtube...period

[@cinqo7]

Excellent review! I loved it!

[@janibeg3247]

I have a 2018 Audi Q5. It is a very nice suv and fun to drive. It has all the gizmos that i want/need.

[@Ads7903]

Still reliable? I read some problems...

[@janibeg3247]

@@Ads7903 - no problems (yet)

[@SR-hg2bq]

@@janibeg3247 how many miles on your q5 now and having any problems?

[@janibeg3247]

@@SR-hg2bq about 18,000 miles, no problems.

[@SR-hg2bq]

@@janibeg3247 Thanks for your reply. I’m going to test drive one today! 🤞🏼

[@PoppaCYS]

Great review.

[@shemrun]

Good review. Thanks

[@wilsonsall]

Good review! Thank you.

[@ruturajpatil3644]

Audi makes the Best Interior , quality top notch , futuristic design ,feels you are really connected with the car , BMW are much plasticy, And Mercedes are boring

[@turbomikel]

Ruturaj Patil Yeah

[@jeremyv11000]

Ruturaj Patil exactly

[@golfraven5669]

Fully agree. Been driving BMW and get tired ot the interior. Looking forward to this Q5 next 😏

[@XavierMathewsEntertainment]

I prefer Audi also, but I wouldn't call mercedes boring by any measure. BMW just plain sucks. No innovation at all.

[@Farooqummer]

@@golfraven5669 Be careful when u buy Audi. I own Audi Q5, after reaching 95000 kms car has lots of issues and very costly to fix minor fixes. I am fed up of Audi Q5. Each problems I take to Audi they say it's a know issue because car drove this much kms. I am selling it and buying Lexus or Benz.

[@michaelkensington2494]

What a beauty! Im getting one!

[@J_wins]

Excellent review.

[@origamicrane685]

Great review. Can you review the 2018 SQ5?

[@brijan81]

Great review ! I really like this cars simple and sporty luxurious styling. It will do well, very well in sales numbers.

[@CnJPlayTv]

Absolutely love my Q5!

[@Ads7903]

No reliability issues? 2018?

[@deepsamurai]

@@Ads7903 no issues so far.

[@edwinchen7729]

Really hope they stick with the dial without the track pad like the A4 where you can just write on top of the dial.

[@PCConditioning]

Do you feel the ride height is high enough to feel like you are in an SUV? I sometimes look at Q5's and am not sure they sit high enough? I don't need pickup truck height, but I don't wanna feel on the same ride height as a sedan.

[@bar2326]

will be picking up mine in a couple of hours!!

[@merxb6859]

Bryan Rubio how is it ? Powerful or not for the snow ?

[@bar2326]

adeel khan Amazing! I'm only using all season tires in snowy Alberta, Canada. But ofcourse, with extreme caution.

[@merxb6859]

Nice i also live in Alberta lol. Do you have 2 liter or the 3.2 version ?

[@bar2326]

adeel khan the 2018 Q5 has only the 2.0 turbocharged 4 cylinder, if you want the turbocharged 3.0 V6, it’s only in the SQ5.

[@bautistap8515]

How's been the experience so far? Any problems yet?

[@AHAUGHT]

So Carlos, how does that new Lamborghini Huracan Performante handle the figure 8?

[@1ROCKY89]

Great review this guy has experience. What a nice car to own. I have the 2014 3.0 prestige and it sounds like a review of my car. I own 4 cars all different styles but the crossover type is currently the car I want to drive. If you don’t have a Q5 think about doing a test drive and see for yourself.

[@556-fred5]

Audis, sophisticated, performance, Top class 👌

[@Farooqummer]

Until it reach to 80k kms. After that Low class, Zero reliability, More time car in Audi service center. Car looks good and driving pleasure is good if the car in driving condition. Majority of time car will not be driving condition. More times it will be towing condition.

[@stevefranklin8052]

the door tops with that Ridge that slowly curves down, looks just like the door tops on 65/68 mustangs!

[@PrithiviRaj7]

Which camera & lens was this Video shot on ?

[@jwcollect6642]

Hi, Great review and agree it's slightly ahead in its class. I found the steering wheel a little thin and steering was too light for me. I prefer tighter steering like in a BMW. Thanks.

[@summerbreeze5758]

JW Collect omg!!! This is so true!!! I prefer tighter like bmw!!!

[@g1981c]

i'm not crazy about the new sharp creases in the sheetmetal audi is doing in their crossovers but the Q5 was a classic and this can only be better ...

[@vigneshpushparaj8486]

which trim did you use in this review?

[@jvlixn]

do audi's have different car engines like bmw or regular engines?

[@gadarquea]

A little off topic but... what kind of microphone are you using that gets rid of all the wind noise?

[@edmundscars]

There is no specific brand we use, but a Lavalier mic is being used here. Thanks for watching!

[@coffeehigh420]

what you are noticing is in post production, they enhance the master audio track by doing things like "multi band compression (which levels out highs, mids, and lows and evens out the peaks and valleys of speech) and audio noise reduction (which gets rid of any hiss, and of course, will catch other unwanted noise like in this case, the wind noise). Hope this helps!

[@malangi31]

pleaseeeee Do A5 Sportsback 2018

[@jaffarbaqi]

The X3 you mention, is it the 2018 new one ? If you are referring to the current X3, I would wait for the upcoming one.

[@edmundscars]

Hey Jaffar, agree completely! The X3 hasn't been redesigned since 2011, so the new 2018 is definitely worth a look. Read the full X3 review here: www.edmunds.com/bmw/x3/2018/suv/review/

[@MB-xx6xc]

What about the Volvo XC-60 2018?

[@NZsarge1]

All good in blue

[@dave_thomas]

Does it have a Mesh Fabric Sunshade for that Panoramic Sunroof or Solid Fabric Sunshade?

[@treez995]

Mesh

[@wtpiv6041]

My dad drives an old 04 MDX and I’ve been looking at a future replacement. So far it needs to be able to tow about 4500 ibs, be more luxury oriented, and be able to fit someone who’s 6 foot 5 inches tall. Any recommendations?

[@bar2326]

William Taylor Payne GLE 400 by Benz

[@anosikennadozie5470]

Very nice

[@PCConditioning]

I'm wondering if the factory navigation works like Google Maps/Waze where it routes you around traffic jams, accidents, etc...?

[@edmundscars]

It'll probably have to be a full Waze app integration. With Google buying Waze, though, it isn't unheard of for that traffic data to start showing up on infotainment systems with Google Maps capability.

[@golfraven5669]

My colleague has the Q5 for the past half a year and had some issues already like the rear trunk electronics and some entertainment stuff. Settings keep erasing itself. While the ride and comport are good the rest is falling behind. I opted for the GLC and quite happy with it although I would have enjoyed a facelift like it happened in the C-class in 2018. Happy I switched from the x3 although I found that the boot is bit smaller in the GLC which forces me to squize my golf trolly slighly. However the GLC has much better ride and interior quality compared to X3 - onpar with Q5. All of the midzise SUVs have their pros/cons so go and shop around.

[@sudheer88]

Great review for the great car

[@khoapho812]

I like the look of the completely new 2019 RDX than this very familiar Q5 design.

[@TheBigbangguy]

Do you still think it is better than the all new X3?

[@Farooqummer]

No. In my personal experience X3 is better. I own Audi Q5. My friend own X3. X3 is more faster and more better than Q5. My Q5 has lots of issues.

[@jackieajohn162]

When I grow up I wanna get an Audi d4 or Audi A4

[@RCtennis3811]

I was looking at replacing my first-generation Q5 with a brand-new 2018 Q5 Prestige until I started comparing it with the latest round of competitors. 8 years ago, the Q5 was unparalleled for the amount of content and style it had. Now, there's really nothing other than Google Earth that sets it apart (which, BTW, will not work after 2020 with current model Audis...Google it). Compared to the competition (XC60, X3, GLC), you can't get parallel/perpendicular park assist and adaptive headlights on US-spec Q5s. Seriously, a $57K Q5 doesn't have park assist and adaptive headlights yet the $37K Volkswagen Tiguan does? Add to that, Audi's connected car pricing is a joke - complimentary services such as remote start, real-time traffic, and updated maps for 6 months...then $199/year after? Volvo, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz throw their services in for at least 3 years. Get with it, Audi.

[@damiankullaya8316]

price os how much.

[@damiankullaya8316]

how much

[@ramchar]

I bought 2018 Q5 couple of months, back. Car came with lot of issues :(...some are still unfixed. Will make youtube video so that people are aware about the same. Car is already in the garage for 4 times now and nobody to hear to my frustration, my work hours. totally unhappy with the buy.

[@jerseyman9080]

I guess Indians should stick with Mini Van or Japanese cars.

[@mskud9996]

You must have bought 1820 not 2018. I bought mine didn't come with no issues. Still perfect. Buttery smooth.

[@gustavodbirocchi]

I bought an audi Q5 six months ago, and the car is pretty good

[@crecasens]

Maybe yours is just a lemon 🍋. I have a 2012 and I’ve yet to have an issues beyond standard maintenance.

[@Hershal13]

What type of issues do u have with your Q5?

[@earlbalance460]

This is a cheaper built car,from rear wheel to front wheel drive and this guy say that's a improvement, even the car interior material are a little cheaper,very good reviews from a car sale man.

[@RAJKOify]

you also got another 2 litter engine, 2l diesel whos got 190hp ^_^

[@markkievit3774]

Tell me what you think after 4 years.

[@jayakrishnanidamarthi9024]

How would you rate this versus a 2018 BMW X3? 90% of serious buyers in this class would be looking at these 2 vehicles I think. A comparison test is in order

[@MB-xx6xc]

Jayakrishna Nidamarthi they have to add the XC-60.. R-DESIGN

[@Farooqummer]

I own Q5 and my friend own X3. I feel X3 is more instant power and faster than Q5. But Audi has lots of issues after it reach 90k kms. Always problems

[@belluradamajorasti7861]

I am just 1 month into the lease and already regretting my decision to lease this thing. It pulls nicely from the start due to its low end torque availability but that's all about it. The moment you get to the freeway speeds, it feels so sluggish at above 60 mph speeds and turbo does not kick in until 2500 rpm and even then its no fun as I have to downshift most of the times i want to pass someone. Too bad that turbo lag is too obvious even in sport mode in an expensive car like this. Premium car makers like audi and bmw should totally give up on this "economical" bullshit and start putting naturally aspirated bigger engines in their base models specially if the car costs 50k+. I don't think most people who buy or lease these cars would mind spending 200 dollar extra on fuel each month but the only thing that keeps most of us from getting those powerful supercharged engine variants is paying 10k extra in initial costs. Nothing kills driving pleasure more than a turbo charged 4 cylinder baby engine in a heavy car like this.

[@flyingscotsman32]

I didn’t even consider the 2.0T for that reason. It’s an SUV. 6 cylinders or death. For gods sake my old 2004 Saturn Vue I’m donating now that I have the Q5 had a V6.

[@kubanskiloewe]

i stay with my Lexus RX450h ....unbelievable quality !!

[@steve19745]

The 2.0 T is too small for the size of the vehicle. the size of the vehicle forces it to work too hard and it will not last especially because its a turbo the standard 3.2 was and still is the perfect base motor that should be used a 380 hp , 3.2 turbo should be offered as well and the headrest need to be redesigned it takes a christmas miracle to get them to go up and down. I will skip buying this year and wait for them to get a better package together meanwhile my 13 prestige is paid for with low miles cause i never really need to go anywhere. if they cant figure out how to make a better head rest ill be ordering a lambo next time around. its the small details that mean the most to people whom actually buy your products.

[@infotrad]

I find the seats to be hard and uncomfortable.

[@jinkim0222]

I just bought 2018 q5 prestige. and there is a problems. I hear 2 clicking noise from gas pedal. and the heated seat is not really hot enough. I am sure many of q5 owner have same problems.

[@3DGvisuals]

I'm trying to decide between this, an X3 or an XC60. I like the BMW exterior best (interior worst of the 3), the volvo comfort the might be the best (infotainment is the worst), but I think the Audi does everything else better ... possibly, and the things that it gets beaten on it is a very close call.

[@ValeKasutaja]

car is nice, but fucking wind sound is like earcancer. -1 for that

[@dustinmorris13]

I'm not digging the new exterior design. It lost its uniqueness and now looks like the minivan Q7. Interior is okay... Boring and dull like an accord from the 90's. The tablet sticking out of the dash is ridiculous. It'll get loads of glare and looks out of place.

[@asdlkfjawoeijfldkf]

Good review. He said all of the things Audi told him to when they sent the car over. Regardless, I'm sure it is nice... just as I'm sure this review wasn't a review, but actually just a "presentation".

[@SamuelForan]

Seems like a lot of design work to make a vehicle look the same as the one it replaces. Very disappointing show from one of Audi's biggest sellers. Too conservative I'd say, especially in terms of performance and value.

[@edmundscars]

Hey Samuel, Thanks for your comment. What would you have liked to see? It was interesting to me that it's only offered in a 2.0 4 cylinder turbo. Would you opt for the SQ5?

[@larjkok1184]

Samuel Foran It'll be their biggest seller.

[@matt34003434]

Audi's have always been pretty conservative regarding style.

[@Phantom096]

Samuel Foran Agreed looks similar to previous ones which makes it boring.

[@rustyshackleford4801]

You want not boring, flashy then go get an Acura/Honda or get xhibit to get you on pimp my ride. You want a well made mature minimalist Design then go Audi/bmw/merc

[@gauthamsatheesh2296]

Audis are true German luxury cars, cause the looks, the interiors, the Quattro system are all amazing.. mercs and bmws are too ugly.. mercs suck with their boring interiors and lame exteriors, the gle looks like a hippo.. bmws exterior material is not that good for me too.

[@robykulkarni]

Really liked the new Q7 design, this one not really.

[@anishg3669]

They look the exact same... did you like your own comment?

[@mansees]

The look is already outdated.

[@skny2282]

mansees classic

[@scottw7492]

Not digging the looks. Really like the Look of the GLC AMG 43

[@edmundscars]

Hey Scott, what don't you like about it? The whole look? Something more specific? Also, completely agree about the GLC AMG 43. It's got a strong front grille. Almost mean looking.

[@PCConditioning]

But you're gonna pay a LOT more for the GLC AMG than this Q5, no? I'd be curious on price diff between the Prestige Q5 and the GLC AMG 43? Is it even a fair comparison since it's not SQ5 vs GLC AMG, though?

[@edmundscars]

The SQ5 would be the comparison. www.edmunds.com/car-comparisons/?veh1=401645990|suv&veh2=401694490|amg-glc-43&show=0&comparatorId=1631698

[@scottw7492]

I would say the Audi looks to feminine for me. The GLC grill is much better looking and the AMG version is even better. I understand the price differences. I was just saying the style is more appealing to me on the GLC

[@roarpal6314]

i'd take alfa romeo stelvio then boring machine!

[@7700778737]

Overpriced, almost $50,000 just to get navigation.

[@7700778737]

Leased one, but Edmunds will not post my review. Too many negative reviews?. Don't want to add another. But it was an honest review..

[@clintvanveen3087]

Too bad it's made in Mexico

[@floridahometeamr.e.sarasot6998]

Tried hard to love this new Q5; can't get past (1.) Fake exhausts (2.) Made in Mexico. Drive clearly inferior to both the Porsche Macan and the BMW X3. The tough choice in this segment is the Macan S and the X3M40! Can't lose with either.

[@bwbeta]

wanted to add one more thing .... (3) can't get past that stupid "stuck on dash" GPS. integrate that GPS into dash...please. Overall I love Audi's and love my 2015 Q5 with 6 cyl TDI ...what a beast... with incredible gas mileage. Kind of agree ...Macan S is the best pick in this segment right now .

[@michaellui74]

Asian. Guy looks like the guy in the movie hangover:-):-)

[@TheMichaelRN]

Meh. XC60.

[@edmundscars]

Yes, the XC40 looks intriguing. Which drivetrain on the XC40 would you be getting?

[@ivanlowjones]

Edmunds The new XC60 should be a worthwhile competitor to the Q5.

[@TheMulticoaster]

Does the Q5 have any of the auto autopilot features that are coming in the Volvos?

[@ivanlowjones]

Ira Kauffman You probably have to get the highest Prestige trim and even then it might be an added option.

[@scottperry7311]

I drove both the 2018 Q5 and the 2018 XC60. I really wanted to like the XC60, but unfortunately for me I found that the Q5 was just the better buy. The new XC60 just seams to be missing something, I drove and loved the 2017 XC60 but the 2018 seems to have lost something. That's my personal opinion, and that's why there are so many car companies with so many car models, everyone has different likes and price points.

[@charlesrogers8420]

Boring