Independent Reviews of Audi Q5 New and Used Cars

The following reviews are available:

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‘DOES IT HAVE TO BE Q?’

Added 17th March, 2017

By Jonathan Crouch

The world's fastest diesel SUV from the 2012 to 2016 period? You'd never know it from a casual glance, for this SQ5 is as subtle a sporting car as you could ever want. You have to look hard at the details - the quad exhaust pipes, the wider wheels and tyres and the silver-toned trim - to see there's something special here. Very special in fact. It's pretty hard to think of a single car of this kind from this period that can do so much so well. This one's quick, composed, economical, well-built, discreet and practical. As long as you're aware of its necessary limitations, it's even got a generous measure of fun fitted as standard. If you feel that you're owed something special - an indulgence if you like - but don't want to look like a mid-life crisis on wheels, an Audi SQ5 TDI could be exactly what you're looking for. It has all the outward trappings of measured responsibility with a slightly demented dressing of excess included. Nobody needs a car like this but drive it and you'll definitely want one. That much is guaranteed.
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‘DOES IT HAVE TO BE Q?’

Added 11th November, 2016

By Jonathan Crouch

Whether your destination is Sainsburys or the annual family skiing trip to Crans Montana, you'll feel better about doing it in an Audi Q5. In between, in contrast to larger, plusher and thirstier 4x4s, you won't get that nagging feeling of using a sledgehammer to crash a nut when it comes to meeting your real motoring needs. Nor, when you're alone on a twisty B road, should you need to wish you'd bought something sportier. Of course, this car faces tough competition, but the well considered package of changes made to this smarter, better equipped and higher-tech improved MK1 version did much to keep it ahead of the chasing pack. Certainly it's not cheap - but then neither is anything else in this segment and at least you'll get a decent part of your money back at resale time. True, it doesn't have the showiness of a Range Rover Evoque or the ultimate handling feedback of a BMW X3, but many will still find this Audi a perfect balance between these two extremes. Resolutely hi-tech and resolutely real world, the Q5 remains resolutely right.
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‘PLUSH IN THE SLUSH’

Added 14th October, 2016 , updated 22nd November, 2019

By Jonathan Crouch

Audi's second generation Q5 is a premium mid-sized SUV that's been usefully improved in recent times. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at what's on offer.
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‘HOW TO ARRIVE ON Q’

Added 4th May, 2012

By Steve Walker

For a long time before the Q5 was launched, it looked like Audi had a truly top class 4x4 somewhere in its locker and this was the car to finally deliver on that promise. Its stylish looks and high quality cabin gave it the perfect feel for the premium end of the compact 4x4 sector and the technology under the skin works extremely well. There isn't a duffer in the engine range but the potent 3.0 TDI diesel is quite a piece of work if you can afford it and the Q5 is genuinely fun to drive if you can live with the firm ride. If you want a classy used 4x4 that isn't the size of the three-bedroom bungalow, there are few better options.

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