2018 Audi Q5

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Rating7.6

Ranked #5 in 

Midsize SUV
Write Review
$41,500 - $52,100
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on July 16, 2024

ProsConsWhat's New

Luxurious interior on offer

Below average cargo space behind rear seats

Better interiors than previous model year

Potent engine on offer

Refined engine in terms of power output and efficiency

New chassis delivers smoother ride

Updated exterior design

Specs & Features

$42,475

price

252 hp @ 5000 rpm

horsepower

273 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

torque

7-Speed Auto-Shift Manual w/od

transmission

2.0L 4cyl AWD 7AM

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

Building up on the best-selling tag of the 2017 Q5, the premium compact 2018 Audi Q5 crossover seems to be rebuilt from the ground up. Featuring significant design changes on the exteriors and a whole lot of changes on the inside, the 2018 Q5 has a lot of surprises for its prospective buyers. Also with an updated variant of the VW#39;s MLB architecture, the 2018 Q5 is nearly 200 lbs lighter than the previous iteration. On sale, the 2018 Q5 is available in three trim configurations.


Also Read:

  • Which luxury crossover has a higher towing capacity: 2018 Audi Q5 vs 2018 BMW X3 vs 2018 Volvo XC60

The 2018 Audi Q5 comes in three trims: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige with prices ranging from $41,500 to $50,800. Our recommendation out of this trim lineup is the Premium Plus, which is priced at $45,500. Available in only a single 2.0L turbo powertrain, the only differentiating factor between the trims is the set of features offered. Building atop the Premium feature list, the Premium Plus trim gets heated front seats, keyless entry, and more.

2018 Audi Q5 for sale

We Recommend

Moreover, if you're in the Used Audi market, better go for the first-gen 2017 Q5, although you might miss out on the heavily updated changes that adorn the 2018 Q5, and that too at a minimal price difference. Further, the 2019 Q5 MY also received minor changes on the feature front for the price of $42,950.

On the specs front, featuring a revised 2.0L inline 4-cylinder engine, the 2018 Q5 generates the most power in class, at 252 HP. It also has the best acceleration timings to its name. Reviewed separately, the Audi SQ5 manages to put down 354 hp from its 3.0L V6 engine. In terms of interiors, the compact Q5 dimensions manage just about average cabin space for seating. This is even with regard to the cargo space, which is also just about average. The competition it faces includes the likes of the Jaguar F-Pace, Volvo XC60, and the Porsche Macan.

Buying Advice

If the latest Q5 has caught your attention, consider buying the Premium Plus trim. It would add up luxury features to your vehicle such as a panoramic sunroof, LED headlights, and heated leather front seats along with safety techs such as rear cross traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, etc. without getting too high on the price scale.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

All Q5 trims come with a single drivetrain offering, the Audi Quattro AWD drivetrain. Delivering the highest power in class with its base engine itself, the 2018 Audi Q5 goes ahead to also offer the best in class acceleration timings for the 0-60 mph test and the quarter-mile dash. It astonishingly manages to offer the best in class fuel economy, despite churning out the most power. It further offers an extremely comfortable and decently spacious cabin both for the front and rear row of seats. The 2018 model year sees significant changes to the exteriors and also claims a perfect 5 on 5-star safety rating from NHTSA, while also bagging an overall "Good" grade from IIHS on the safety front.

Buying Advice

We would suggest you go in for the Q5 Premium Plus trim that is priced at $45,500 and comes equipped with heated front seats with driver memory, it also gets advanced safety features such as the Audi Pre Sense and Vehicle Exit Assist. This is apart from everything you would get on the premium trim otherwise.

Features
8.0/10

The 2018 Audi Q5 has balanced handling, capable engines, and an opulent cabin with many features, but its below-average predicted reliability rating keeps the Q5 from ranking higher in its class - Cars.USnews

The 2018 Audi Q5 comes with a lineup of three + two trims. The differentiation between the first three and the second two is that of the powertrain. The basic engine offering being a 2.0L inline 4-cylinder gas engine, it generates 252 HP and 273 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain is found in the first three trims: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. It comes priced at $41,500, $45,500 and $50,800 respectively.

Trims Premium Premium Plus Prestige
Price $ 41,500 $ 45,500 $ 50,800
Key Features Apple CarPlay and Google Android Auto Everything on Premium plus Everything on Premium Plus plus
  18" 5-double-spoke-dynamic design wheels with 235/60 R18 103H all-season tires Audi side assist and Audi pre sense rear with Rear cross traffic assist & Vehicle exit assist Audi virtual cockpit and head-up display with navigation
  Audi pre sense basic and Audi pre sense city Full LED headlights Bang & Olufsen sound system with 19 speakers
  Rearview camera with 7.0" center color display Audi advanced key—keyless start, stop, and entry with hands-free tailgate release MMI navigation plus with MMI all-in-touch with handwriting-recognition technology
    Heated front seats with driver memory Parking system plus with a top view camera system

The other engine offering is a turbocharged 3.0L V6 that is capable of generating 354 HP. This is offered on the two variants namely, SQ5 Prestige and SQ5 Premium Plus. The base trim premium price at 41500 offers advanced infotainment features along with a 10 speaker sound system, it also gets advanced safety features such as Audi Pre Sense Basic and Audi Pre Sense City as standard.

Fuel Economy
6.0/10

The 2018 Q5 gets above-average fuel economy estimates for the class - Cars.USnews

The 2018 Audi Q5 has the best in class fuel economy offering, this is despite the fact that it delivers the most power and torque. All of this magic is credited to the "Ultra tech" technology and the Quattro drivetrain. The 2018 Q5 delivers a gas mileage of 23/27/25 MPG for city/highway/combined reading.

Model

2018 Audi Q5 2018 Porsche Macan 2018 Jaguar F-Pace 2018 Volvo XC60
Mpg city 23 20 22

22

Mpg highway

27 25 27 28
Mpg combined 25 22 24

24

The prowess of the Audi is clearly understood when you go to see the fuel efficiency of the equally powered Porsche. The Porsche delivers the least economy in the class. The Volvo and Jaguar offer average fuel efficiency, better than what the Porsche has to offer though.

Interior
8.0/10

Audi claims to have revamped the 2018 Q5 from the ground up, which is clearly visible with regard to the interior cabin as there are several significant changes. The cabin remains adequately spacious and comfortable while accommodating five individuals. Audi offers generous room for both the front and rear row of seats. It is further equipped with soft-touch materials and wooden inserts.

The entire setup is driver-oriented and delivers an amazing cockpit-like experience, with all the buttons accessible to the driver. You further find 8-way power-adjustability for the driver's seat. There is also 4-way lumbar support along with thigh extensions for taller passengers. Offering just about an average space for its cargo offering, the 2018 Audi Q5 sees a standard cargo room of 60.4 cubic feet, behind the front seats. There isn't really more to ask for in the 2018 Audi Q5.

The 2018 Audi Q5 interior is available in regular black, rock grey, atlas beige, and nougat brown colors. These colors can be paired with wood trim available in walnut, aluminum, and ash wood colors. The ash wood color wood trim comes at an additional cost. The back camera is standard in all trims. The premium plus and prestige trims add parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert. The Prestige adds a 360-degree camera and an electronic parking brake with an automatic function. The Prestige trim also adds an auto-dimming rearview mirror with a compass.

Model

2018 Audi Q5 2018 Porsche Macan 2018 Jaguar F-Pace 2018 Volvo XC60
Passenger capacity 5 5 5

5

Front (Head/Hip/Shoulder/ Leg) (in.)

41.7/57.7/41.0

39.4/-/33.1 37.8/57.7/40.3

38.0/58.2/41.5

Second (Head/Hip/Shoulder/ Leg) (In.)

39.3/56.5/37.8 36.3/-/32.3 37.5/55.8/37.2

38/56.3/38

Cargo Volume (ft.cube) (w/Rear seats fold)

60.4 53.0 64.0

63.3

The base trim gets a 10-speaker sound system setup, while the top-tier trims feature a 19-speaker Bang and Olufsen speaker setup. As standard, there is a 7-inch touchscreen display for the infotainments and other information, this can be upgraded to an 8.3-inch touchscreen, at an additional charge. Google Earth, voice recognition, myAudi Destinations, predictive traffic and weather, internet radio, and applications like Twitter come included.

The other features offered are mentioned below:

  • panoramic sunroof
  • satellite radio
  • navigation
  • MMI All-In-Touch touchpad with handwriting recognition
  • 12.3-inch virtual cockpit
  • Audi Connect Plus
  • Wi-Fi hotspot
  • Audi Connect Prime

Exterior
7.0/10

Just as mentioned before, the 2018 Audi Q5 gets a complete makeover, however, most of the changes are visible inside the car, on the outside, there are only a few significant changes. The most notable exterior design changes are lines across the body and on the bonnet, the aggressive new headlights, and a stunning body shape.

In terms of dimension, the Audi Q5 is clearly the heaviest, weighing 4045 pounds, followed by the Volvo XC60 at 3950 pounds. The Jaguar measures the lightest with a weight of 3880 pounds. Further, in comparison, we find that the Audi Q5 has a compact body compared to its rivals, it is followed by the Macan with a slightly larger body, Volvo ranks third followed by the Jaguar F-Pace which has the largest body dimensions.

Model

2018 Audi Q5 2018 Porsche Macan 2018 Jaguar F-Pace 2018 Volvo XC60
Curb Weight (lbs.) 4,045 3,902 3880

3950

Length (in)

183.6 184.9 186.3 184.8
Width(in) 74.5 75.7 81.5

78.7

Height(in)

65.3 63.9 65.0 65.3
Ground clearance(in) 8.2 7.8 8.4

8.5

Wheelbase (in)

111.0 110.5 113.2 112.8
Track width(in) F/R 63.6/63.3 65.2/65.0 64.6/65.1

65.1/.65.2

The exterior features offered for the 2018 Audi Q5 include the following:

  • Xenon lights (on lower trims)
  • Headlamps (with embedded fog lights)
  • Audi Progressive taillights
  • 18-inch 5 spoke alloy wheels/19-inch 5 wing design alloys/20- inch alloys with 5 spokes
  • Powered and heated side mirrors
  • Auto-dimming and power-folding side mirrors on top-tier trims

Safety
8.0/10

The 2018 Q5 has an above-average safety score for the class - Cars.USnews

With regard to the safety offering, the 2018 Audi Q5 performs phenomenally. And we know so by looking into the records of NHTSA, it scores a perfect 5 out of 5 stars in the Overall Safety Rating and also in aspects such as Frontal crash and Side crash. With slight room for improvement, the 2018 Q5 scores 4 out of 5 stars in the rollover crash tests.

In order to cross verify the safety ratings that seemed unbelievable, we went to check the records of IIHS. To our utter amazement, we found that the Audi Q5 indeed scores a fabulous safety rating. Graded an overall "Good" it also goes ahead to score the same grade in all the 9-safety aspects.

Safety features of the 2018 Audi Q5-

  • Post-Collision Safety System
  • Pre-Collision Safety System
  • Remote Anti-Theft Alarm System
  • Stability Control
  • Tire Pressure Monitoring
  • Traction Control
  • Front And Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes
  • Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation
  • Rear Center 3-Point Belt
  • Rear Door Child Safety Locks

Competition
8.0/10

2018 Audi Q5 vs 2018 Volvo XC60

The 2018 Audi Q5 has a similar engine configuration when compared to the 2018 Volvo XC60. Audi does offer a better torque generation and this translates to better acceleration timing. Audi also has the upper hand in terms of brake performance and towing capacity. With the best-in-class fuel economy on offer, Audi outperforms the Volvo even in this segment, however, by a margin of just one mile per gallon. Both the vehicles deliver a top-notch safety offering. Overall it is the Audi that has the upper hand, given that they both have more or less the same base price.

2018 Audi Q5 vs 2018 Porsche Macan

The 2018 Porsche Macan marks the closest competition to the Audi Q5 in terms of performance. This is in terms of power and torque generation, and not in acceleration performance. With a similar brake performance to offer, these vehicles also match in terms of their towing capacity. Here comes the tiebreaker in the aspect of fuel economy, where the 2018 Q5 wins by a great margin over the Porsche. In terms of interior features and comfort, it is the Audi that has the upper hand. Even considering safety, it is the Audi that is better than the Porsche. When you go to see their price tags it would become an obvious choice as Audi offers more value for money as compared to the Porsche.

Final Verdict

The Q5 is the most sold car in Audi’s arsenal. And the stats are just going to keep better with the new and redesigned 2018 Q5. The new and improved standard 4 cylinder engine provides more power than the earlier Q5 engines. The engine is powerful enough for everyday drives, but if you crave for more power, you always have the option of SQ5. The Audi Q5 is not just about looks. It is loaded with standard and optional features than enhance its comfort level, safety, and connectivity. To summarize, Audi is a luxurious, spacious, and fuel-efficient SUV. Sure, there are competitors like Mercedes GLC which provide more power, but none match the complete package that the Q5 so proudly displays.

Trims

    Premium
    $41,500 onwards
    • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
    • Automatic emergency braking
    • Automatic xenon headlights
    • Eight-Way power front seats
    • Leather upholstery
    • Push-Button ignition
    • Rain-Sensing wipers
    • Tri-Zone automatic climate control
    Premium Plus
    $41,500 onwards
    • Auto-Dimming side mirrors
    • Blind-Spot monitoring
    • Driver-Seat memory settings
    • Front and rear parking sensors
    • Heated Front Seats
    • Keyless entry
    • Led headlights
    • Panoramic sunroof
    Prestige
    $41,500 onwards
    • 12.3-Inch digital gauge cluster display
    • Ambient cabin lighting
    • Bang & Olufsen surround-sound system
    • Bird'S-Eye view parking camera
    • Head-Up display
    • Noise-Insulated side windows
    • Touchscreen navigation system
    Tech Premium
    $41,500 onwards
    • Navigation system
    Tech Premium Plus
    $44,100 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl AWD 7AM
    • Horsepower: 252 hp @ 5000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 273 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.5 sec
    • Top Speed: 126 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 25 mpg
    Tech Prestige
    $44,100 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl AWD 7AM
    • Horsepower: 252 hp @ 5000 rpm hp
    • Torque: 273 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.5 sec
    • Top Speed: 126 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 25 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$41,500- $52,100

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.58

Horsepower

252 hp @ 5000 rpm

Torque

273 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$44,200- $58,650

Gasoline

7.67

290 hp @ 6200 rpm

267 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

7

Read Review

$35,800- $44,000

Gasoline

7

279 hp @ 6200 rpm

252 lb.-ft. @ 4900 rpm

5

Read Review

$41,995- $79,795

Gasoline

7.55

280 hp @ 5200 rpm

306 lb.-ft. @ 2000 rpm

5

Read Review

$32,900- $37,900

Gasoline

6.96

200 hp @ 5100 rpm

207 lb.-ft. @ 1700 rpm

5

Read Review

$49,900- $65,400

Gasoline

8.23

252 hp @ 5000 rpm

273 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

7

Read Review

$54,300- $58,500

Gasoline

8.41

354 hp @ 6000 rpm

346 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

$33,900- $35,900

Gasoline

6.77

228 hp @ 5000 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1450 rpm

5

Read Review

$42,650- $54,500

Gasoline

7.69

248 hp @ 5200 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1450 rpm

5

Read Review

$47,600- $59,250

Gasoline

7.02

240 hp @ 5000 rpm

260 lb.-ft. @ 1450 rpm

5

Read Review

2018 Audi Q5 vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    2018 Audi Q5

    Ranked #16

    7.5 sec15 sec126 mph
    2018 BMW X3

    Ranked #1

    4.7 sec13.2 sec155 mph
    2018 Audi SQ5

    Ranked #2

    5.1 sec13.8 sec155 mph
    5.9 sec14.5 sec126 mph
    6 sec--
    2018 BMW X4

    Ranked #4

    6 sec15.2 sec130 mph

    2018 Audi Q5 vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      2018 Audi Q5

      Ranked #3

      23 mpg27 mpg25 mpg18.5 gal.425.5/499.5 mi.
      31 mpg28 mpg30 mpg17.2 gal.533.2/481.6 mi.
      31 mpg28 mpg30 mpg17.2 gal.533.2/481.6 mi.
      2018 BMW X1

      Ranked #2

      23 mpg32 mpg26 mpg16.1 gal.370.3/515.2 mi.
      22 mpg28 mpg25 mpg15.9 gal.349.8/445.2 mi.
      2018 BMW X3

      Ranked #3

      22 mpg29 mpg25 mpg17.2 gal.378.40/498.80 mi.

      2018 Audi Q5 vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        2018 Audi Q5

        Ranked #17

        183.6 in.74.5 in.65.3 in.8.2 in.111 in.
        200.1 in.77.2 in.68.6 in.6.5 in.114.2 in.
        2018 Audi Q7

        Ranked #2

        199.6 in.77.5 in.68.5 in.8 in.117.9 in.
        196.9 in.74.6 in.67.3 in.8.1 in.109.8 in.
        196.9 in.74.6 in.67.7 in.7.9 in.109.8 in.
        196.2 in.77.7 in.67.4 in.5.6 in.111 in.

        2018 Audi Q5 vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          2018 Audi Q5

          Ranked #26

          26.8 cu.ft.97.2 cu.ft.60.4 cu.ft.
          7.5 cu.ft.117 cu.ft.58.5 cu.ft.
          15.8 cu.ft.130.4 cu.ft.76.5 cu.ft.
          20.3 cu.ft.-51 cu.ft.
          2018 Audi Q3

          Ranked #4

          16.7 cu.ft.108.6 cu.ft.48.2 cu.ft.
          29.7 cu.ft.103 cu.ft.63.3 cu.ft.

          2018 Audi Q5 vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            2018 Audi Q5

            Ranked #1

            4.6 cu.ft.26.8 cu.ft.60.4 cu.ft.165 ft.
            2018 Audi SQ5

            Ranked #2

            -26.8 cu.ft.53.1 cu.ft.98 ft.
            10.4 cu.ft.17.7 cu.ft.54.6 cu.ft.-
            15.1 cu.ft.18.5 cu.ft.56.5 cu.ft.-
            5.4 cu.ft.24.2 cu.ft.52.7 cu.ft.-
            7.6 cu.ft.34.4 cu.ft.7.6 cu.ft.-

            2018 Audi Q5 vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              2018 Audi Q5

              Ranked #8

              4400 lbs.1411 lbs.4045 lbs.
              10330 lbs.1070 lbs.4905 lbs.
              2018 BMW X5

              Ranked #2

              5952 lbs.1110 lbs.4680 lbs.
              5291 lbs.1228 lbs.4217 lbs.
              5290 lbs.1545 lbs.3880 lbs.
              5000 lbs.1605 lbs.4390 lbs.

              2018 Audi Q5 SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              6

              Recalls

              0

              Investigations

              178

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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