2020 Audi Q5

The 2020 Audi Q5 applies the brand's luxury pedigree to the compact crossover template with lukewarm results- CarAndDriver

The Audi Q5 is one of the best-selling vehicles in its class as it excels in every aspect. Its athletic turbo-4 engine delivers an engaging performance while also being fuel-efficient. The smooth ride quality gives you the best driving experience. The luxurious interiors are spacious and practical. The Q5 is also at the forefront in terms of technological features. Top-notch safety features keep this ride safe at all times. 

Owning a luxury vehicle comes at a cost and that's not completely true with the Q5. Its ownership costs are slightly less compared to the X3 and the GLC-Class. Although its repair costs are equivalent to its German rivals, the Q5 has low maintenance. Therefore, you may have to shell out nearly $11,700 every year including depreciation, finance, insurance, etc. However, its J.D. Power reliability ratings are lower.

 We recommend the Premium Plus trim as it comes with more driver-assist features such as Audi Side Assist and Park Assist. It also adds satellite radio, a hands-free tailgate, and a panoramic sunroof to the list. Also, opt for the $1,500 Driver Assistance package for Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Jam Assist, and Audi Active Lane Assist. 

Audi's technology features are refreshingly easy to use- Edmunds

The Audi Q5 comes in just three trims which include Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. Prices start from $43,300 for the base Premium trim and go over $53,700 for the top-of-the-line Prestige trim. Add to this a $995 destination charge. Just one powertrain is available paired with Audi’s famed Quattro AWD system. The price difference between these trims is huge but Audi has nicely added all the latest features. 

Lots of comfort and technological features are standard in the Premium trim. Yet, Audi offers some optional packages for the Premium and Premium Plus models. The $1,500 Convenience package adds Audi Side Assist, Audi Pre Sense Rear, keyless entry, satellite radio, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror for the Premium trim. The $750 Cold Weather package adds all-weather floor mats, heated rear seats, and steering wheel to the Prestige trim. 

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This drivetrain combo never feels underpowered, with lively pull throughout the engine's rev range- Cnet

Under the hood, you will see a 2.0L turbo inline-4 engine that develops 248 hp and 273 lb-ft. of torque. Attached to this engine is a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that shifts gears fluidly without any break in the power delivery - courtesy of dual-clutch. It ensures that power is always available on tap no matter what speeds you're doing. Also, the Quattro AWD system is standard across the line. The Q5 has a towing capacity of up to 4,400 pounds. 

The Q5 handles more like a low-set hatchback than a crossover. It does an excellent job of coping with tight bends and corners with utmost precision and confidence. The Q5 has a well-tuned suspension setup that offers a stable and planted ride, no matter the terrain or the conditions around. It absorbs anything that’s thrown in front of it. There is plenty of feedback from the steering and it maintains healthy communication between the road and the driver.

The slick-shifting DSG and the standard Quattro AWD together ensure a smooth and grippy launch from a standstill and helps the Q5 sprint from 0-60 MPH in just 6l2 seconds. Keep the accelerator floored and you'll clear the quarter-mile mark in about 14.7 seconds which places it amongst the fastest crossovers in this price bracket. Even its brakes operate quickly as it gathers pace. Courtesy of big brake rotors and a well-tuned ABS, the Q5 comes to a dead halt from 60 MPH in just 112 ft.

Thanks to its powerful engine, the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class has the best performance stats in this competition. The Volvo XC90 gives a tough fight to the Q5 in terms of acceleration. Also, it is the only vehicle here with an FWD drivetrain. Meanwhile, the BMW X3 is the slowest contender here despite weighing less than the Q5. 

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The 2020 Audi Q5 is reasonably efficient in base form, especially considering it comes with all-wheel drive- The Car Connection

The Audi Q5's 2.0L turbo-4 engine has been nicely tuned to deliver good fuel economy without hampering its performance. The EPA-estimated MPG figures include 22 MPG in the city, 28 MPG on a highway, and 24 MPG combined. Despite a standard Quattro AWD system, the Q5's fuel economy is great and keeps up with its rivals.

The Q5 comes with an engine start/stop feature that shuts off the engine automatically when stopped and turns on the engine once the pedal is pressed. This feature helps to improve fuel economy. The fuel tank in the Q5 is decently sized. Owing to its 18.5-gallon fuel tank, it delivers a combined range of 444 miles, which is very competitive in the segment. 

The BMW X3 is the most fuel-efficient SUV as it returns 27 MPG combined despite carrying a small fuel tank. The second-in-line is the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. Its fuel ratings are similar to the Q5 but the engine is more efficient. In the FWD form, the Volvo XC60's fuel economy is similar to the Q5. This suggests that the Q5 is more efficient. 

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The Q5 is a serious contender for best interior in its class- Autoweek

The interior of the Audi Q5 is a very nice place to be in. High-quality materials are used and the layout is very modern. Leather upholstery adorns this five-seater. The front seats are fairly comfortable. The seat bottoms are soft, good for long journeys. Power-adjustable front seats with heated functionality are standard equipment but only the Prestige trim gets the option of ventilated front seats. 

The three-spoke steering wheel looks good and is power-adjustable only on the Prestige trim. Coming to the passenger space, there is ample head and legroom in both rows. That said, the middle-seat passenger at the back will suffer from limited legroom due to the hump on the floor. The rear seats have a good recline angle and the seating position is comfortable too but they don't get heated functionality.

A 7-inch infotainment screen is standard but higher trims get an 8.3-inch screen. The MMI controller on the center console controls everything on the screen. Both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are built-in. The 12-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit can be a little gimmicky but helps with a ton of information. Only the Prestige trim gets a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system while the other two trims come with a 10-speaker sound system. 

The Q5 doesn’t disappoint in terms of the cargo space on offer. Dedicated trunk space of 25.1 cu-ft. is offered in the Q5. This further expands to 53.1 cu-ft. if you split-fold the rear seats. It isn’t class-leading but it will accommodate most of what you would want. The Q5 houses plenty of hooks and nets on the inside that make it easy to store small packets. Some important cabin highlights of the Q5 are:

• Power tilt & telescopic multi-function leather steering wheel 
• Power front leather heated seats
• Tri-zone automatic climate control
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Color-adjustable ambient & footwell lights
• Leatherette dash & door trim
• Hands-free power tailgate
• Panoramic sunroof
• Wireless charging
• 8.3-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
• 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system

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The Q5’s design bears a strong familiarity with the previous generation- KellyBlue Book

There are no exterior changes this year for the Audi Q5. However, it will receive a facelift for the coming model year. From the front end, you will see a traditional single-frame Audi grille Most of the models get a chrome finish but you can get a blacked-out grille through a Black Optic package. As for headlights, most of the models get a fully LED setup except for the base Premium trim that comes with xenon bulbs.

The wheel options for the Q5 include 18, 19 and 20-inch alloy wheels. The Q5's short wheelbase does not affect its interior room but instead helps to burn out quicker. There are few sharp creases running along from the side view. Coming to the rear, you will notice Audi signature clamshell tailgate will full LED taillights. Dual integrated exhaust outlets can be found on the lower fascia. 

The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class has the lowest ground clearance in this competition. It's exactly 3.2 inches less than the Q5 which allows passengers to get in and out of the vehicle easily. At 185.9 inches, the BMW X3 is the longest SUV here, meaning taking tight turns or parking at congested spaces can be a challenge. The slightly wider wheelbase of the Volvo XC60 helps to offer a stable ride. Some main exterior features of the Q5 are:

• 18, 19 & 20-inch alloy wheels
• Chrome grille
• LED  DRLs
• Full LED automatic headlights with dynamic range adjustment
• LED taillights with dynamic turn signals
• Power-folding, auto-dimming side mirrors
• Aluminum roof rails
• Dual integrated exhaust tips
• Rear roofline spoiler
• Aluminum trim

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Most of the Q5's driver aids work well, but the stability control system is unusually sensitive- Edmunds

Audi doesn’t skip on the safety of its car and the 2020 Q5 is no exception. It got a 5-star safety rating from NHTSA. Even IIHS gave a 'Good' rating in all crash tests and the top-most 'Superior' rating for the front crash prevention. However, it received the second-lowest 'Marginal' rating for its headlights. Nevertheless, the Q5 is a safe vehicle.   

The Q5 packs a few safety features as standard and Audi take it a step forward with the advanced driver aids on offer. All the top driver-assist features are available on higher trims. Also, the optional Driver Assistance package adds a few more safety features to the list. Some of these safety features are mentioned below:

• Rearview Camera
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Traffic Jam Assist
• Audi Active Lane Assist
• Audi Side Assist
• Parking System Plus
• Traffic Sign Recognition
• Head-up display
• Park Assist
• Surround-View Camera
• Vehicle Exit Assist
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert

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2020 Audi Q5 vs 2020 BMW X3

Picking between the Q5 and the BMW X3 is troublesome. They are similarly valued, convey a satisfying driving background, and offer a far-reaching set of highlights. The X3 is ahead in terms of cargo space. If you want a feature-loaded cabin without paying a lot, the X3 will be the best. In case you're after a more pleasant inside and an additionally engaging infotainment framework, the Q5 could be your SUV of decision.

2020 Audi Q5 vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

The Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class has a lineup of powerful engines, though the Q5 offers sporty handling. The GLC-Class is low on towing capacity but is more efficient than the Q5. Although both of termed as luxury SUVs, the GLC-Class's interior feels more opulent should be your choice, if you prefer to be chauffeur-driven. The GLC-Class is also slightly more practical but ties lock with the Q5 in terms of safety ratings and features.

2020 Audi Q5 vs 2020 Volvo XC60

The performance aspect of the Volvo XC60 is equal to the Q5, except that the latter offers more athletic handling. The XC60's towing capacity is slightly off the pace but it keeps up with the Q5 in terms of fuel economy. Both the SUVs are equally spacious but the XC60 leads the battle with better cargo room. The XC60 also garnered the Top Safety Pick award by IIHS and packs more standard active safety features than the Q5. 

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There will be a facelift coming for this vehicle for the next model year but there's nothing fundamentally wrong with the current version. It looks good, it's pretty good to drive, and it's fairly premium inside and practical too. Of course, there are many options in this segment but the Q5 combines the athletic nature of the BMW X3 and the opulence of the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class. 

2020 Audi Q5 FAQs

Is the Audi Q5 reliable?

According to J.D. Power, it scored 722 out of 100 while other luxury crossovers scored much better. 

Does the 2020 Audi Q5 have ambient lighting?

Yes, LED ambient lighting is standard on the Prestige trim. 

How much is a fully loaded 2020 Audi Q5?

A fully loaded 2020 Audi Q5 costs up to $58,000. 

How fast is the 2020 Audi Q5?

The Audi Q5 can do a 0-60 MPH sprint in 6.2 seconds and records a quarter-mile time of 14.7 seconds and tops at 130 MPH. 

Does the 2020 Audi Q5 have a blind-spot monitor?

Yes, the blind-spot monitor is standard on the Premium Plus and Prestige trim and optional on the Premium trim. The brand dubs it Audi Side Assist.