The 2019 Audi Q5 is the premium compact crossover wearing that prestigious 4-ring badge. The Q5 is Audi’s best-selling vehicle. Not just because it’s the kind of ride that seemingly everyone wants to buy these days, but also because it’s extremely good at everything it’s supposed to do. The 2019 Q5 even has several things going for it that raises it above the level of school-run status symbol. There’s the immediately recognizable Audi style, naturally, that makes a virtue of restraint and hones it to perfection. There’s also a family resemblance with the larger and still fresh Q7 as well, which is no bad thing. Beneath the surface is the same platform as the current A4 sedan. The foundation, then, is as refined as it is stable, while also providing plenty of space for rear passengers and the cargo. Among the tech features are Apple CarPlay (standard even at the lowest level), pedestrian detection and traffic jam assistance (which helps with accelerating, braking and steering).
Autotrader’s Advice:
Now that the Premium Plus model has the excellent Virtual Cockpit and the upgraded infotainment system, we’re even more convinced that it’s a great choice. But by all means stretch to the Prestige model if the budget allows, to enjoy those extra driver aids and the excellent B&O audio.
What We Like:
High-quality interior; styling; engine; chassis; availability of tech.
What We Don’t:
No hybrid version (yet); most driver assistance features only come in the top trim; options are pricey.
Original MSRP:
$43,495-$54,845 (when new).
MPG:
A turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine propels the Q5 with 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. A 7-speed automatic transmission (with steering wheel-mounted shift paddles, which a driver can choose to use or not) sends that drive to all four wheels. The intelligent all-wheel drive system (known as Quattro) can decouple the rear axle to be more fuel efficient, but can send torque to both ends within milliseconds when necessary. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates fuel consumption at 22 miles per gallon in the city, 27 mpg on the highway and 24 mpg in combined driving.
Standard Features & Options:
The 2019 Audi Q5 luxury compact 5-seater crossover is available in Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige trim levels. Several features in the higher trims are available as options lower in the order, including the upgraded MMI system. Other extras include ventilated front seats, rear side window sunshades and a heated steering wheel.
Maximum cargo space is 53.1 cu ft. With the rear seats up, luggage area is 25.1 cu ft. Towing capacity maxes out at 4,400 pounds.
The
2019 Audi Q5 Premium ($43,945, when new) has 18-in alloy wheels, aluminum roof rails with crossbars, fog lights, xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights and taillights, heated side mirrors, heated windshield washer nozzles, rain-sensing wipers, a powered tailgate, leather upholstery, wood inlays, heated/8-way power-adjustable front seats, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, a self-dimming rearview mirror with compass, push-button start, selectable driving modes (adjusting steering, transmission and throttle responses), leather seating surfaces, tri-zone automatic climate control, ambient LED cabin lighting, slide/recline rear seats with 40/20/40 split and fold, a rearview camera, a garage door opener, forward-collision mitigation, Bluetooth, as well as Audi’s MMI infotainment system with a 7-in display, voice control, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration, 10 speakers, CD player, four USB ports (two up front, two in the back), two SD card slots, HD radio and Audi Connect Care (including emergency calls, roadside assistance, stolen vehicle location and Audi Service Request).
The
2019 Audi Q5 Premium Plus ($50,945, when new) brings the Virtual Cockpit (a 12.3-in configurable driver information display replacing the usual instrument cluster), full LED headlights, a panoramic sunroof, keyless entry, driver’s-side memory settings, hands-free tailgate release, blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, Audi Side Assist, rearward collision mitigation, parking sensors front and rear, navigation with a touchpad that recognizes handwritten inputs, an 8.3-inch infotainment screen, Wi-Fi and satellite radio.
The
2019 Audi Q5 Prestige ($54,845, when new) adds a head-up display, adaptive cruise control with stop/go, Traffic Jam Assist, active lane-keeping assist, dual-pane acoustic glass for the front side windows, 20-in alloy wheels, simulated leather on the center console and door armrests, a power-adjustable steering column, a top view camera system, a self-parking system and a 19-speaker/755-watt Bang & Olufsen audio system.
Safety:
The 2019 Q5 features standard stability control, 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and six airbags (front, front side, full-length side curtain). Rear side airbags are optional. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the Q5 a maximum overall score of five stars, including five stars for front impact protection and five stars in side impacts. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Q5 its highest rating of Good in every major category and named it a Top Safety Pick.
Behind the Wheel:
The cabin is elegantly simple, pared down without being bland, using high-quality materials. It takes no time at all to become accustomed to the positions of the switches. And the feel of the controls is simultaneously classy and substantial. At reasonable cornering speeds, the Q5’s handling abilities seem more like those of a sport sedan than a compact crossover with a raised driving position. Push harder and understeer is inevitable, but forgivable. No one buys a Q5 to chase motorcycles in the hills, after all. The vehicle’s true calling is to negotiate highways and patchy urban pavement with composure. For the most part, that’s exactly what it does. Those 20-in wheels will have a negative effect on ride quality, though. So if you’re considering them, test-drive them first.
