Audi Q5 review

Being a premium-badged SUV, it’s not surprising that the Audi Q5 isn't cheap to buy. It’s priced competitively against its key rivals, though, and should be worth more than many of its peers when you decide to sell on in the future. That relatively slow depreciation helps bring attractive monthly finance rates, making the Q5 cheaper than you might imagine if you're buying on PCP finance.

If you're a company car driver, the 40 TDI with Sport trim is the only model in the current range with low enough CO2 emissions keep it out of the top benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax bracket, although for the cheapest monthly tax you'll want to wait for the refreshed TFSIe plug-in hybrid version of the Q5 that's due to arrive shortly.

Standard equipment is reasonably generous across the range. Entry-level Sport trim gets you 18in alloy wheels, three-zone climate control, part-leather seats (heated in the front) and cruise control. 

S line is our pick of the range, though. It brings larger 19in alloy wheels, more aggressive bumpers, privacy glass and also gives you the option to add the super-smooth air suspension we mentioned earlier.

Edition 1 adds yet bigger (20in) wheels, further styling touches and nappa leather seats. Meanwhile, range-topping Vorsprung is lavishly equipped, with pretty much every creature comfort you can think of, but it's very pricey indeed.

The Q5 fared well in the 2020 What Car? Reliability Survey, proving more dependable than the majority of its key rivals, including the Mercedes GLC, Volvo XC60 and BMW X3. The Lexus NX was the only premium-badged large SUV that scored higher marks.

All Q5s come with a three-year warranty that's capped and 60,000 miles. Extended warranties of up to five years (or 90,000 miles) are available.

The Q5 scored five stars (out of five) for safety in its Euro NCAP safety appraisal. However, a closer inspection of the scores reveals it isn't quite as good as the GLC or XC60 at protecting adult or child occupants in a crash.

Every Q5 gets six airbags as standard as well as automatic emergency braking (AEB), while the optional City Assist pack (standard on Vorsprung trim) adds further preventative safety aids, including blindspot monitoring and a system that warns you about approaching vehicles when you're backing out onto a road.

Meanwhile, the optional Tour pack (standard on Vorsprung trim) includes turn assist, which stops the Q5 if you fail to spot a car when pulling out of a T-junction, plus adaptive cruise control and traffic sign recognition to keep you informed of the prevailing speed limit. All Q5s come with a Thatcham-approved alarm and immobiliser as standard.

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