Which year to buy
Best betNo standoutNo year is clearly better than the rest
Newest we'd buy2024The latest year rated a good buy
Avoid2025Far more serious problems than usual
Be careful2010–2011, 2021More problems; check the recalls were done
Too new to judge: 2026. Give a new year a year or two of owner reports.
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2010CAREFULSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly air bags and fuel system Extended coverage
94 serious complaints of 100, the most about air bags (50) and fuel system (29); per car on the road, 1.6× this model's usual year. 4 recalls.
What owners report
“Takata recall. The contact owns a 2010 audi q5. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v078000 (air bags); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, Dec 2016
“The contact owns a 2010 audi q5. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v660000 (fuel system, gasoline); however the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the fuel system, Mar 2017
Fixes and extended coverage
- Extended coverage This document contains general information on the upcoming warranty extension on the high pressure fuel pump. (Dealer, Apr 2015)
- Extended coverage This Document informs dealers on the new Takata warranty extension for 2005-2017 A3, A4 Avant, A4 Sedan, S4 Sedan, S4, Avant, A4 Cabriolet, S4 Cabriolet, A5 Cabriolet, S5 Cabriolet, A6 Avant, A6 Sedan, Q5, R8 Coupe, R8 Spyder, RS4 Cabriolet, RS4 Sedan, S6 Sedan, S6 Sedan, TT Coupe, and TT Roadster… (AWA 22, Apr 2022)
- Extended coverage This warranty extension is fully transferable to subsequent owners.warranty key: u27 airbag cm ext 15/150,000 us only is assigned in elsa to identify vehicle eligibility.in rare cases, a power supply component in the airbag control module may corrode and cause the module to fail, turning on the… (AWA 16, Jul 2016)
- Extended coverage Audi is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty for certain 2009-2011 A4, A5, and Q5 Vehicles with the CAEB 2.0T engine to 8 years/80,000 miles (whichever occurs first) from the vehicle's in-service date or 12 months/12,000 miles (whichever occurs first) from the date of a settlement Service… (AWA-15, Jan 2015)
From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
100 owner complaints · 4 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 20 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2010 trims and features
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 3.2L 6-cyl · Drive: AWD
2010 Q5 trims
| Premium | Premium Plus | Prestige |
|---|
base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Audi reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Audi aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | — | — | — | Not rated | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 2026 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 268 hp | AWD | 24 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 7 | Forward collision avoidance (3) | — |
| 2025 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 261–362 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo plug-in hybrid, 261–362 hp | AWD | 25–26 mpg | 5 of 5 | 1 | 50 | Forward collision avoidance (25) | Yes |
| 2024 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 261–362 hp | AWD | 24–26 mpg | 5 of 5 | 4 | 40 | Forward collision avoidance (17) | Yes |
| 2023 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 261–362 hp | AWD | 25–26 mpg | 5 of 5 | 6 | 52 | Electrical system (15) | Yes |
| 2022 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 261–362 hp | AWD | 25–26 mpg | 5 of 5 | 9 | 51 | Electrical system (15) | Yes |
| 2021 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 261–362 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo mild hybrid, 261–362 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo plug-in hybrid, 261–362 hp | AWD | 25–27 mpg | 5 of 5 | 8 | 116 | Electrical system (37) | Yes |
| 2020 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 248–363 hp | AWD | 24–27 mpg | 5 of 5 | 6 | 45 | Electrical system (12) | Yes |
| 2019 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 248 hp | AWD | 24 mpg | 5 of 5 | 5 | 71 | Electrical system (15) | Yes |
| 2018 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 252 hp | AWD | 25 mpg | 5 of 5 | 6 | 231 | Electrical system (82) | Yes |
| 2017 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 220 hp 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged, 272–354 hp | AWD | 21–22 mpg | 4 of 5 | 5 | 47 | Engine (19) | No |
| 2016 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 220–245 hp 2.0L 4-cyl turbo hybrid, 220–245 hp 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged, 240–354 hp 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel, 240–354 hp | AWD | 21–26 mpg | 4 of 5 | 5 | 83 | Engine (27) | No |
| 2015 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl turbo hybrid 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel | AWD | 21–26 mpg | 4 of 5 | 7 | 107 | Engine (38) | No |
| 2014 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl turbo hybrid 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged 3.0L 6-cyl turbo diesel | AWD | 21–26 mpg | 4 of 5 | 6 | 118 | Engine (37) | No |
| 2013 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 2.0L 4-cyl turbo hybrid 3.0L 6-cyl supercharged | AWD | 21–26 mpg | Not rated | 5 | 93 | Engine (35) | No |
| 2012 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 3.2L 6-cyl | AWD | 20–22 mpg | Not rated | 6 | 4 | Structure (2) | No |
| 2011 | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo 3.2L 6-cyl | AWD | 20–22 mpg | Not rated | 5 | 143 | Air bags (67) | No |
| 2010 | 3.2L 6-cyl | AWD | 20 mpg | Not rated | 4 | 100 | Air bags (50) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Apple lists CarPlay for: Q5 2018–2025, Q5 2025 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | AUDI Q5 SUV ICE AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2027 | AUDI Q5 SPORTBACK SUV ICE AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2027 | AUDI SQ5 SUV ICE AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2027 | AUDI SQ5 SPORTBACK SUV ICE AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | AUDI Q5 SUV N/A AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | AUDI Q5 SPORTBACK SUV N/A AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 3 |
| 2026 | AUDI SQ5 SUV N/A AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 4 |
| 2026 | AUDI SQ5 SPORTBACK SUV N/A AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | Audi All-new Q5 SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 5 |
| 2025 | Audi All-new Q5 Sportback SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | Audi All-new SQ5 SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 3 |
| 2025 | Audi All-new SQ5 Sportback SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | Audi Q5 SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 42 |
| 2025 | Audi Q5 PHEV SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 1 |
| 2025 | Audi Q5 Sportback SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | Audi SQ5 SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 7 |
| 2025 | Audi SQ5 Sportback SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | Audi Q5 SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 4 | 20 |
| 2024 | Audi Q5 PHEV SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 14 |
| 2024 | Audi Q5 Sportback SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | Audi SQ5 SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 6 |
| 2024 | Audi SQ5 Sportback SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Audi Audi Q5 SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 2 | 6 |
| 2023 | Audi Audi Q5 PHEV SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Audi Audi Q5 Sportback SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 2 | 6 |
| 2023 | Audi Audi SQ5 SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 3 |
| 2023 | Audi Audi SQ5 Sportback SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Audi Audi Q5 SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 8 | 45 |
| 2022 | Audi Audi Q5 PHEV SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 | Audi Audi Q5 Sportback SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 8 | 45 |
| 2022 | Audi Audi SQ5 SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 2 | 5 |
| 2022 | Audi Audi SQ5 Sportback SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | Audi Q5 SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 8 | 74 |
| 2021 | Audi Q5 PHEV SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 8 | 74 |
| 2021 | Audi Q5 Sportback SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Standard | 8 | 74 |
| 2021 | Audi SQ5 SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 5 | 13 |
| 2021 | Audi SQ5 Sportback SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 5 | 13 |
| 2020 | Audi Q5 SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Optional | 6 | 25 |
| 2020 | Audi Q5 PHEV SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Optional | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | Audi SQ5 SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Optional | 4 | 8 |
| 2019 | Audi Q5 SUV AWD | 5 | Standard | Optional | 5 | 52 |
| 2019 | Audi SQ5 SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Optional | 5 | 19 |
| 2018 | Audi Q5 SUV AWD Later Release | 5 | Standard | Optional | 1 | 37 |
| 2018 | Audi Q5 SUV AWD Early Release | 5 | Standard | Optional | 6 | 207 |
| 2018 | Audi SQ5 SUV AWD | Not Rated | Standard | Optional | 5 | 24 |
| 2017 | Audi Q5 SUV AWD | 4 | Optional | No | 5 | 42 |
| 2017 | Audi SQ5 SUV AWD | 4 | Optional | No | 0 | 5 |
| 2016 | Audi Q5 SUV AWD | 4 | Optional | No | 5 | 77 |
| 2016 | Audi Q5 HEV SUV AWD | 4 | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | Audi SQ5 SUV AWD | 4 | Optional | No | 0 | 6 |
| 2015 | Audi Q5 SUV AWD | 4 | Optional | No | 6 | 99 |
| 2015 | Audi Q5 HEV SUV AWD | 4 | No | No | 6 | 88 |
| 2015 | Audi SQ5 SUV AWD | 4 | Optional | No | 1 | 8 |
| 2014 | Audi Q5 SUV AWD | 4 | Optional | No | 5 | 106 |
| 2014 | Audi Q5 HEV SUV AWD | 4 | Optional | No | 5 | 95 |
| 2014 | Audi SQ5 SUV AWD | 4 | Optional | No | 1 | 12 |
| 2013 | Audi Q5 SUV AWD | Not Rated | Optional | No | 5 | 92 |
| 2013 | Audi Q5 HEV SUV AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 5 | 90 |
| 2012 | Audi Q5 SUV AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 4 |
| 2011 | Audi Q5 SUV AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 5 | 143 |
| 2010 | Audi Q5 4-DR. w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 4 | 100 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Q5 Sportback TFSI quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 24 |
| 2026 | Q5 TFSI quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 24 |
| 2025 | Q5 Plug-In Hybrid quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 26 |
| 2025 | Q5 S line quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2025 | Q5 Sportback S line quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2025 | Q5 Sportback TFSI quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2025 | Q5 TFSI quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2025 | Q5 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 26 |
| 2024 | Q5 S line quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 24 |
| 2024 | Q5 Sportback S line quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 24 |
| 2024 | Q5 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 26 |
| 2023 | Q5 S-Line quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2023 | Q5 Sportback S-line quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2023 | Q5 TFSI e quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 26 |
| 2023 | Q5 quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2022 | Q5 S line quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2022 | Q5 Sportback S line quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2022 | Q5 TFSI e quattro | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 26 |
| 2022 | Q5 quattro | Auto (AM7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2021 | Q5 | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI; PHEV Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI; Mild Hybrid |
25–27 |
| 2021 | Q5 Sportback | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2020 | Q5 | Auto (AM-S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo |
24–27 |
| 2019 | Q5 | Auto (S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 24 |
| 2018 | Q5 | Auto (S7), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 25 |
| 2017 | Q5 | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg |
21–22 |
| 2016 | Q5 | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg |
21–26 |
| 2016 | Q5 Hybrid | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 26 |
| 2015 | Q5 | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg |
21–26 |
| 2015 | Q5 Hybrid | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 26 |
| 2014 | Q5 | Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Diesel, Turbo Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg |
21–26 |
| 2014 | Q5 Hybrid | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 26 |
| 2013 | Q5 | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, SIDI; FFV Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Sup Charg, SIDI |
21–23 |
| 2013 | Q5 Hybrid | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo | 26 |
| 2012 | Q5 | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L |
20–22 |
| 2011 | Q5 | Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L |
20–22 |
| 2010 | Q5 | Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L | 20 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.