What's New
Following last year’s comprehensive update, the Q5 receives minor tweaks for the 2022 model year. There are illuminated aluminum door sills, new wheel designs and Black Optic design packages, while the 55 TFSI e hybrid model gains sports seats and a more powerful battery.
Choosing Your Audi Q5
The Audi Q5 is available in three trims and with two engine types. The most affordable model is the 45 TFSI, costing $45,195 including destination in Premium guise. Premium Plus models start at $50,195, and Prestige can be yours from $55,895.
The awkwardly-named 55 TFSI e Plug-in Hybrid models all command a different price premium over their 45 siblings as you move through the trim levels, costing between $7,550 and $8,800 more.
Engine Choices
The standard Q5 is powered by a two-liter gas engine, generating 261 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This is supplied to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, returning an EPA-estimated 23 miles per gallon city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 combined.
Engine Type | Horsepower | Torque | Fuel Economy (City/Highway/Combined) |
2.0 four-cylinder | 261 hp | 273 lb-ft | 23/28/25 MPG |
2.0 hybrid | 362 hp | 369 lb-ft | 61 MPGe (Combined) |
The plug-in hybrid unites this engine with an electric motor and a newly-upgraded 17.9 kWh battery, collectively pumping out 362 HP and 369 lb-ft through the same transmission and quattro, all-wheel drive system. There’s an electric-only range of 23 miles, with a combined fuel economy of 61 MPGe.
Passenger and Cargo Capacity
Cargo capacity for the five-seater Q5 stands at 25.8 cu ft with the rear seats in place, and 54 cu ft once they’re dropped. These figures fall slightly in models fitted with sunroofs, to 25.6 and 53.5 respectively.
Safety Features
Whichever Q5 you choose, you’ll have quattro all-wheel drive and cruise control as standard, alongside LED lights with high beam assist. A suite of driver aids includes collision mitigation technology with autonomous braking, active lane assistance, and lane change alerts, plus front and rear acoustic sensors. Premium Plus receives adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assistance and a top-view camera system, but only Prestige models benefit from a head-up display with traffic sign recognition.
Connectivity
Alongside a seven-inch driver information system, the Q5 has a 10.1-inch touchscreen controlling features like Audi’s smartphone interface, which includes support for Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay.
Premium Plus improves on this with Audi’s virtual cockpit plus system, offering a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. You’ll need Prestige trim to enjoy a 3D sound system courtesy of Bang & Olufsen, though it’s an option on Premium Plus.
Q5 Premium – MSRP From $45,195
The cheapest Q5 is impressively specified, with cruise control and LED headlights alongside an auto-dimming rearview mirror. A power tailgate reveals a cabin with a three-zone climate, LED interior lighting, and walnut wooden inlays, while the leather seats are heated in the front.
The $1,100 Convenience package combines keyless entry and engine start with a heated steering wheel, driver’s seat memory, and auto-dimming power-folding outside mirrors.
Q5 Premium Plus – MSRP From $50,195
Premium Plus models ride on larger 19-inch bi-color wheels, but the main upgrades are found inside a cabin illuminated by a panoramic sunroof. Safety features include a top-view camera system and active lane-keeping, allied to adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assistance. Audi’s stylish virtual cockpit plus system also comes as standard.
Buyers in southern states may wish to spend $1,450 on the Warm Weather pack, which combines ventilated front seats with rear window sunshades, though the $1,500 Navigation pack is arguably better value. A 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system produces 755 watts of sound, and costs $950.
Q5 Prestige – MSRP From $55,895
It’s debatable whether Prestige models justify their price hike over Premium Plus, but they are the only Q5 model to come with navigation as standard. A head-up display with traffic sign recognition also makes the driver’s life easier, while washers on the matrix-style LED headlights are another distinguishing feature. The front seats are ventilated, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system is fitted as standard.
There are no packs available on Prestige models.
If safety is paramount, Premium Plus models offer the best balance between safety and affordability. However, Premium should be quite satisfactory for most buyers.