Fresh off a full redesign, the 2019 Audi Q5 is back with only minor changes. It hasn’t received the latest powertrain technologies, but it still carries the torch for Audi’s usual virtues: comfort, quality, and top-notch safety.
The Q5 gets a few aesthetic and trim changes. Heated front seats are now standard, along with electric rear child locks, Audi Connect CARE, a seven-inch driver display, and roof crossbars. There’s a new Black Optic Package, and the Premium Plus trim gains a few standard infotainment perks.
Audi is making a clear effort to bring hybrid and electric technologies to many of its cars, but the Q5 hasn’t gotten the memo yet. It’s powered by a single engine, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive is standard on every Q5. The combination is good for an EPA-estimated 22 miles per gallon city, 27 mpg highway, and 24 combined, which is average among similar vehicles.
Perhaps because of the newly standard heated seats, Audi has rearranged the Q5’s interior slightly for 2019. The result is more rear leg room, but less cargo capacity – the rear can only hold 25.1 cubic feet of luggage, expanding to 53.1 cubes with the seats down.
In the safety department, the Q5 is up to date. Audi’s pre sense suite of safety technologies is included on all Q5s, including low-speed automatic emergency braking. The upper trims get even more tech, up to adaptive cruise control and a limited AI-driven traffic jam pilot.
Three available trims delineate the feature set:
Despite being the cheapest Q5 at $43,945 (all prices include the $995 destination charge), the Premium is no slouch. Leather upholstery is standard, along with heated front seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, a 10-speaker audio system, and a seven-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The exterior has 18-inch alloy rims, xenon headlights, roof rails, and automatic wipers.
The sole available package on this trim is a Convenience Package ($1,500), which adds eight-way power front seats with memory settings, keyless entry, remote start, heated and auto-dimming side mirrors, and satellite radio. The main standalone options are 19-inch wheels ($800), a panoramic sunroof ($1,450), and running boards ($1,100).
Stepping up to the Premium Plus trim bumps starting price to $50,945. For the price, buyers get the panoramic sunroof included, along with 19-inch wheels and full LED headlights. The driver gets Audi’s impressive “virtual cockpit,” a 12.3-inch digital display that shows everything from audio controls to Google Earth. A few extra safety sensors join the array, including rear cross-traffic alert. Features from the Premium trim’s Convenience Package are also standard.
A Warm Weather Package ($1,450) swaps in ventilated sport seats for the front row, with rear side-window shades as a bonus. For the opposite climates, a Cold Weather Package ($750) adds heated rear seats and a heated three-spoke steering wheel. The Black Optic Package ($1,300) does exactly what it promises and blacks out the exterior. Options include 20-inch rims ($800) and a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system ($950). Nixing the sunroof is a no-cost option.
For a starting price of $54,845, the Q5 Prestige pulls out the remaining stops. The premium sound system is standard, along with a surround-view camera and parking assist. The driver gets a head-up display, adaptive cruise control, active lane assist, and a limited AI traffic jam pilot.
The Warm Weather, Cold Weather, and Black Optic Packages all remain in place, and standalone options (where non-standard) remain the same as the Premium Plus trim.
The 2019 Audi Q5 Premium Plus gets excellent tech, but it sees a huge price hike. Better value is found in the base trim, which holds plenty of luxury for most buyers.
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