2016 Audi Q5

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Rating8.2

Ranked #6 in 

Midsize SUV
Write Review
$40,900 - $57,700
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on July 17, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Attractive exterior design

No rearview camera as a standard offering

Panoramic sunroof now standard across the range

Fast and smooth gearbox

Not so frugal engine

Audi Connect feature now offered with the Navigation Plus Package in the Premium trim

Quattro drive is offered as a standard offering

On the pricier side

Premium Plus trim offers the option to upgrade to optional adaptive suspension dampers

Spacious and comfortable cabin

New optional Bang & Olufsen audio system with Technology package

Sorted driving dynamics and impressive handling

Specs & Features

$40,900

price

220 hp @ 4450 rpm

horsepower

258 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

torque

8-Speed Automatic w/od

transmission

2.0L 4cyl AWD 8A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2016 Audi Q5 is certainly one of the best luxury compact SUVs money can buy in the segment. Big on luxury, from the feature-packed Q5 interior to also proving its worth on the performance front with the standard 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder engine, the 2016 Q5 is back this year with plenty of upgrades. Changes to the tune of a standard panoramic sunroof, Audi telematics with the Premium trim, and optional adaptive suspension dampers with the Premium Plus trim are available with the 2016 Q5.

 

 

 

2016 Audi Q5 Buying Advice

The present Audi Q5 is still in its first generation which started off in 2009. Having said that, there is still a major update to be witnessed on the design front. Although, with the range of feature addition that goes on about every year, we would recommend a 2015 Audi Q5 model, as it offers the same list of features as the 2016 MY, but for a much more affordable price tag.

Furthermore, the Technology package also now includes the Bang & Olufsen audio system, among other features. Now, apart from the 2.0L on offer, Audi also offers a 272 hp V6 engine with the 3.0T Premium Plus and above trims. The Audi Q5 has always been known for its looks, premium cabin, and sorted driving dynamics along with its supreme long-term reliability, which accounts for fewer problems down the line and challenges the 2016 X3 towing capacity.

2016 Audi Q5 for sale

The 2016 Audi Q5 comes in over three trim levels, namely Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige, with prices starting from an MSRP of $40,900 for the base trim, whereas the mid-tier Premium trim is priced at $42,750. While the base trim will do you no wrong, the best trim out of the lot is without question the Prestige trim, priced at $53,500. If performance is one of your topmost priorities, the 2016 Q5 Prestige comes with a 276 hp V6 engine, that should suffice. Building atop the basic feature list available, plenty of standard feature packages including Technology, Navigation, and Luxury packages are also available.

Buying Advice

The fully loaded Prestige model comes with all the bells and whistles and will definitely be a great choice for buyers. Moreover, you get a supercharged V6 engine with this trim. It not only comes with a long list of creature comforts, but in addition to this, also offers advanced safety features and equipment. Even at $52,500, it is an excellent buy.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

Audi brings some valuable additions to the lineup and makes the most sought-after compact 2016 Q5 SUV even more appealing. Prices are also competitive, with the Q5 starting from $40,900 for the base trim and going up to $48,100 for the topmost trim. In addition to this, the buyers of the Q5 are offered a series of options ranging from powertrain choices to other features, making it a practical and suitable vehicle for many.

Just like other cars from the German carmaker, the 2016 Q5 also comes with an elegant and subtle design language both on the interior and exterior front that is not expected to look aged anytime soon. The Audi Q5 gives strong competition to rivals like the BMW X3, Volvo XC60, and the Acura RDX. With this being said, how good is the 2016 Audi Q5? Let’s find out.

Buying Advice

The fully loaded 2016 Audi Q5 Prestige model comes with all the bells and whistles and will definitely be a great choice for buyers. Moreover, you get a supercharged V6 engine with this trim. It not only comes with a long list of creature comforts but in addition to this, also offers advanced safety features and equipment too. Even at an MSRP of $53,500, it is an excellent buy.

Features
9.0/10

The 2016 Audi Q5 is available with 3 trim options. To start with, the Premium trim is the most affordable trim and is priced from $40,900, while the Premium Plus and Prestige trims are priced from $42,750 and $52,500, respectively. Audi has provided a wide range of features right from the base trim, and for the year 2016, plenty of other feature additions have also been brought about across the spectrum. On the powertrain front, both the Premium Plus and Prestige trims get treated with an optional 3.0L supercharged V6, apart from the standard 2.0L turbo-four in the base trim.

Trim

Premium

Premium Plus

Prestige

MSRP

$40,900

$42,750

$53,500

Key Features

Adjustable Steering wheel

Adds or replaces features of ‘Premium’

Adds or replaces features of ‘Premium Plus’

 

Cruise Control

Electrochromic rear-view mirror

Rear-view Camera

 

Keyless entry

Keyless ignition

20’ inch 5-arm wheels

 

Auto-off headlights

Premium speaker system

Front and rear parking sensors

 

Vehicle anti-theft system

Multi-level heating driver and passenger seats

Blind-spot monitoring

 

Rain-sensing wipers

Optional Blind Spot Monitor

Bang and Olufsen speaker system

Aside from that, all the said trims come with a standard AWD system and an efficient 8-speed automatic transmission unit. On the feature packages front, the 2016 Q5 Premium trim gets just a Navigation package as standard., whereas the top-end Prestige trim gets the Prestige-spec Technology package, which includes all the latest bells and whistles, one would expect in a luxury SUV of this caliber. The 3.0T trims can also be had with a Black optic package.

Fuel Economy
6.0/10

The 2.0L engine powering the 2016 Audi Q5 is not known to be the most frugal engine in the market and gets a claimed combined fuel economy of 23 MPG. Individually, it boasts a city and highway fuel mileage of 20 MPG and 28 MPG, respectively. The car gets a 19.8-gallon fuel tank. The hybrid versions, on the other hand, offer significantly better fuel economy, but the variant gets reviewed separately.

Models

2016 Audi Q5

2016 BMW X3

2016 Volvo XC60

2016 Acura RDX

MPG (City)

20

21

23

20

MPG (Highway)

28

28

31

29

MPG (Combined)

23

24

26

23

Fuel Capacity (gallons)

19.8

17.7

18.5

16.0

Range (City/ Highway) (miles)

396.0/554.5

371.7/495.6

425/573

320.0/464.0

The rivals of the 2016 Audi Q5 offer better fuel economy and a longer range on a single tank of fuel, all thanks to better fuel economy figures. Audi manages to be competent in terms of range due to its large fuel tank. The XC60 is the most fuel-efficient of the lot, and combine that with a large fuel tank, it offers nearly 600 miles of driving range on the highway.

Interior
9.0/10

The Audi Q5 has always been appreciated for the comfort, luxury, and sheer levels of quality offered inside the cabin, and the 2016 model is no different. The seats are comfortable and can be adjusted in a number of ways to make long-distance journeys even better. The cushioning is spot on, and the passengers do not feel tired. The suspension is tuned to deliver the best combo of ride and handling balance, thus improving the ride quality by a fair margin. The fit and finish levels inside the cabin are impressive and one of the best in the segment.

On the features front, the car gets a three-zone automatic climate control along with a large panoramic sunroof which is now available as standard across the range. There is no dearth of space inside the cabin of the 2016 Audi Q5. The features and other parameters too are at par with the segment standards. The cargo capacity of the Q5, which stands at 29.1 cu.ft is one of the best. In all, the cabin of the 2016 Q5 is premium and boasts high levels of luxury and exclusivity, making it a great choice for the buyers of this segment.

Models

2016 Audi Q5

2016 BMW X3

2016 Volvo XC60

2016 Acura RDX

Seating Capacity

5

5

5

5

Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

39.4/57.7/41.0

40.7/57.3/39.9

39/56.7/41.2

38.7/58.7/42.0

Rear Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

39.0/56.4/37.4

39.1/56.0/36.5

39.5/55.2/36.4

38.1/57.2/38.3

Cargo Capacity (cu-ft)

29.1

27.6

30.8

26.1

The 2016 Audi Q5 comes equipped with Audi’s latest MMI infotainment system that comes mated to a 10-speaker audio setup, while an optional, more premium audio setup from Bang & Olufsen is also on offer. The touchscreen system is responsive and easy to use and offers almost all the latest features. The system however misses out on USB ports while a Navigation system is available as an optional upgrade. Features like a WiFi hotspot and Audi connect are also available.

Exterior
8.0/10

The 2016 Audi Q5 is one of the best-looking SUVs in the segment and comes with an elegant and subtle design language. The car looks extremely appealing and outshines most of its rivals when it comes to class and elegance. The LED DRLs and the chrome slated grille at the front along with a neat bumper design gives it a strong character and decisive road presence.

The side profile remains simple, but the 17-inch alloy wheels are the center of attraction here. The five-spoke rims go well with the exterior design of the Q5. The rear remains subtle and falls in line with the overall design ideology. The build quality is great and the HID headlamps offer good vision at night. The fit and finish levels and the panel gaps too are uniform and impressive.

Model

2016 Audi Q5

2016 BMW X3

2016 Volvo XC60

2016 Acura RDX

Curb Weight (lbs.)

4090

4030

4041

3737

Length (in.)

182.6

183.8

182.8

184.4

Width (in.)

74.7

74.1

74.4

73.7

Height (in.)

65.2

66.1

67.4

65.0

Ground Clearance (in.)

7.9

8.0

9.1

8.1

Wheelbase (in.)

110.5

110.6

109.2

105.7

In terms of exterior dimensions, the 2016 Audi Q5 is at par with the segment rivals but does come with exclusive and elegant looks. The Acura RDX is the lightest of the lot, and even though it doesn't have a turbo, the light curb weight helps it to be one of the quickest of the cars in the lot. The Audi Q5 sits on the heavier side of the competition. When comparing the ground clearance, Volvo offers the most at 9.1 inches.

Standout exterior features include:

  • HID headlamps
  • 17-inch alloy wheels
  • LED DRLs
  • Chrome Front Grille
  • Fog lamps
  • Rear Wiper
  • Dual exhaust tips
  • LED Tail Lights

Safety
8.0/10

The overall safety level offered by the 2016 Audi Q5 is impressive and appreciable. For starters, the car is available with a long list of safety features such as brake assist, electronic stability control, etc. In addition to this, the Audi Q5 also scored 4 out of 5 stars in the crash tests conducted by NHTSA while it received the 2016 'Top Safety Pick +' award from IIHS after scoring 'Good' ratings in all the parameters of the crash tests.

Standout safety features include:

  • Parking sensors
  • Optional Front collision warning
  • Rearview camera
  • Brake assist
  • Traction control
  • Electronic Stability control
  • Auto-leveling headlights

Competition
7.5/10

2016 Audi Q5 Vs 2016 BMW X3

The BMW X3 undoubtedly has been the all-time benchmark for the premium mid-size SUV segment. It continues to be one of the best handling and best performing SUVs even in its base engine trim. The Audi Q5 does come close in performance but lacks the fun quotient the BMW has. The X3 comes out as a slightly more efficient SUV here despite the higher output, but the bigger fuel tank helps the Q5 gain points when it comes to tank range.

Also, the Q5 offers a wider and more accommodating cabin with a bigger boot despite being slightly smaller in exterior dimensions. If you are looking for a fun machine, the BMW X3 is for you but for being a better all-rounder, we have to give it to the Q5.

2016 Audi Q5 Vs 2016 Volvo XC60

This would come in as no surprise, but the Volvo XC60 feels thoroughly outdated in the company of the Audi Q5. The Q5 gets the plusher cabin and better equipment while bringing in a sense that everything has been put together in a better way than the Volvo, which should justify the bump in base pricing. The Q5 also feels like the bigger SUV here inside-out.

Also, the responsive transmission helps the Q5 perform better than the XC60 despite its disadvantage in curb weight and engine output. The only aspect that is better on the XC60, that too marginally, is the fuel economy and tank range. We did make up our mind in the beginning and our vote goes to the Audi Q5.

Final Verdict

The 2016 Audi Q5 is one of the most practical and powerful cars in the segment. It not only offers a luxurious and comfortable cabin but also offers a stellar exterior design and incredible long-term reliability. There is no dearth of features for the buyers in this segment, and the cabin too boasts high levels of luxury and quality. The buyers can choose from a wide range of powertrain options, while there are several other optional features as well. All in all, the 2016 Audi Q5 is a great car that offers supreme comfort and sorted driving dynamics, coming out to be an attractive option in the segment.

Trims

    Premium
    $40,900 onwards
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • AM/FM/Satellite-Prep
    • Front & rear fog/driving lights
    Premium Plus
    $40,900 onwards
    • 19-inch silver aluminum Wheels
    Premium Plus S Line
    $50,200 onwards
    • Engine: 3.0L 6cyl AWD 8A
    • Horsepower: 240 hp @ 3750 rpm hp
    • Torque: 428 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.4 sec
    • Top Speed: 130 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 27 mpg
    Prestige
    $53,500 onwards
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
    • Navigation system
    • Parking assist
    • Rain Sensing Windshield wipers
    Prestige S Line
    $57,700 onwards
    • Engine: 3.0L 6cyl AWD 8A
    • Horsepower: 240 hp @ 3750 rpm hp
    • Torque: 428 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 6.4 sec
    • Top Speed: 130 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 27 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$40,900- $57,700

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

8.2

Horsepower

272 hp @ 4780 rpm

Torque

428 lb.-ft. @ 1750 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$35,370- $43,520

Gasoline

7.73

279 hp @ 6200 rpm

252 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

5

Read Review

$41,870- $57,230

Gasoline

7.8

290 hp @ 6200 rpm

252 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

7

Read Review

$45,250- $57,800

Gasoline

8.7

240 hp @ 5000 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 1450 rpm

5

Read Review

$38,950- $46,800

Gasoline

8.59

240 hp @ 5000 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 1450 rpm

5

Read Review

$42,070- $44,710

Gasoline

8.49

252 hp @ 5500 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

5

Read Review

$28,700- $40,900

Gasoline

8.3

245 hp @ 5500 rpm

275 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

5

Read Review

$52,050- $53,450

hybrid

7.79

250 hp @ 5600 rpm

243 lb.-ft. @ 3600 rpm

7

Read Review

$34,450- $35,850

Gasoline

7.38

325 hp @ 7000 rpm

267 lb.-ft. @ 5200 rpm

5

Read Review

$29,995- $65,695

Gasoline

7.98

293 hp @ 6400 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 4800 rpm

5

Read Review

2016 Audi Q5 vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    2016 Audi Q5

    Ranked #10

    7.5 sec15.8 sec122 mph
    5.1 sec13.6 sec156 mph
    5.3 sec--
    6 sec-93 mph
    2016 BMW X4

    Ranked #3

    6 sec15.2 sec130 mph
    6.2 sec14.7 sec113 mph

    2016 Audi Q5 vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      2016 Audi Q5

      Ranked #5

      20 mpg28 mpg23 mpg19.8 gal.396/554.4 mi.
      25 mpg33 mpg28 mpg18.5 gal.462.5/610.5 mi.
      26 mpg28 mpg26 mpg19.5 gal.507/546 mi.
      22 mpg28 mpg25 mpg15.9 gal.349.8/445.2 mi.
      20 mpg30 mpg24 mpg18 gal.378/540 mi.
      22 mpg28 mpg24 mpg17.4 gal.382.80/487.20 mi.

      2016 Audi Q5 vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        2016 Audi Q5

        Ranked #15

        182.6 in.74.7 in.65.2 in.7.9 in.110.5 in.
        196.4 in.77.2 in.68.8 in.6.5 in.114.2 in.
        193.6 in.77.2 in.67.6 in.5.6 in.111 in.
        192.5 in.74.6 in.67.7 in.8.2 in.109.8 in.
        191.1 in.75.8 in.68.1 in.8 in.109.8 in.
        189.8 in.76.5 in.69.3 in.8.6 in.114.8 in.Jeep USA

        2016 Audi Q5 vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          2016 Audi Q5

          Ranked #20

          29.1 cu.ft.101.5 cu.ft.57.3 cu.ft.
          26.9 cu.ft.100.6 cu.ft.57.3 cu.ft.
          13.8 cu.ft.144.9 cu.ft.83.7 cu.ft.
          18.6 cu.ft.96.8 cu.ft.47.4 cu.ft.
          39.2 cu.ft.113.9 cu.ft.31.6 cu.ft.
          15.8 cu.ft.149.8 cu.ft.76.5 cu.ft.

          2016 Audi Q5 vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            2016 Audi Q5

            Ranked #1

            9.9 cu.ft.29.1 cu.ft.57.3 cu.ft.-
            89.7 cu.ft.26.9 cu.ft.57.3 cu.ft.74 ft.
            54.6 cu.ft.17.7 cu.ft.54.6 cu.ft.-
            12.4 cu.ft.26.1 cu.ft.76.9 cu.ft.-
            73.3 cu.ft.35.5 cu.ft.73.3 cu.ft.-
            76.5 cu.ft.15.8 cu.ft.76.5 cu.ft.-

            2016 Audi Q5 vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              2016 Audi Q5

              Ranked #5

              4400 lbs.1047 lbs.4079 lbs.
              6200 lbs.1180 lbs.4545 lbs.Jeep USA
              5291 lbs.1510 lbs.4112 lbs.
              5000 lbs.1464 lbs.4213 lbs.
              4409 lbs.1563 lbs.3854 lbs.
              3968 lbs.1361 lbs.3865 lbs.

              2016 Audi Q5 SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              5

              Recalls

              0

              Investigations

              70

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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