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Audi Q5: pros, cons, costs and common fixes
"Descrizione"
by Al222 (21080 pt)
2025-May-21 15:15

Audi Q5 / Q5 Sportback (FY “second facelift” — Model-Year 2025)

Audi’s mid-size SUV receives a last refresh before an all-electric PPE replacement arrives. Updates include L-shaped air-intake bumpers, a lower 3-D Singleframe grille, HD-Matrix LED head-lamps (standard on S line) with selectable OLED tail-light signatures, and the new MIB 3.5 infotainment running on an 11.6-inch touchscreen driven by a Snapdragon SA8155P. The 12.3-inch Digital Cockpit carries over. Built on the MLB-evo platform it offers optional adaptive air suspension and rear-wheel steering, and comes in two body styles: the regular SUV and the coupé-like Sportback (+70 mm tail).

Powertrain (EU-6e)Output / Torque48 V M-HEVDriveGearbox0-100 km/hWLTP
35 TDI 2.0 I4163 hp • 380 Nm12 Vquattro7-DCT8.9 s5.6 l/100 km
40 TDI 2.0 I4204 hp • 420 Nm12 Vquattro7-DCT7.4 s5.8 l/100 km
45 TFSI 2.0 I4265 hp • 370 Nm48 Vquattro7-DCT6.1 s7.6 l/100 km
50 TFSI e PHEV299 hp • 450 Nm19.7 kWh netquattro7-DCT5.9 s1.2 l/100 km · EV 72 km
55 TFSI e PHEV367 hp • 500 Nm19.7 kWhquattro7-DCT5.3 s1.3 l/100 km · EV 66 km
SQ5 3.0 V6 TDI341 hp • 700 Nm48 Vquattro sport diff8-AT5.1 s7.3 l/100 km

Boot: 550 L (Q5) / 510 L (Sportback) — minus 100 L on PHEVs; seats folded: 1 520 L.


PRO

PROWhy it convinces
Family-friendly versatility550 L boot, 40/20/40 rear bench slides ±12 cm, standard power tail-gate.
Wide powertrain spreadEfficient diesels, lively 48-V petrol, and PHEVs with ~60 km real EV range.
quattro with sport diff (SQ5)Superior exit traction and stability on slick surfaces.
Comfort firstAir suspension filters bumps, cuts roll and varies ride-height (-55 / +45 mm).
MIB 3.5 infotainmentFast 11.6″ UI, wireless CarPlay/AA, Alexa integration.
Full ADAS (Tour package)Lane-centring, stop-&-go ACC, traffic assist, remote self-parking.
Solid resale40 TDI quattro S line holds ~70 % of MSRP after 36 months; PHEVs popular with company fleets.

CON

CONTypical remark
Heavy PHEVs (≈ 2 070 kg)8 l/100 km once battery is empty; less agile than ICE versions.
Firm ride on 21-inch S-line wheelsSharp impacts over urban potholes.
Smaller PHEV boot (450 L)HV module raises floor by 70 mm.
Pricey optionsHD-Matrix, pano roof, B&O 3D, rear-steer add €10 k to a base 40 TDI.
2.0 TFSI oil top-ups~0.4 L every 4 000 km is deemed normal on 45 TFSI.
OTA glitchesOccasional MMI reboots after updates; fixed by dealer patch.

Indicative running costs 

ItemPartsLabourInterval
0W-30 oil + filter€180€11030 000 km / 24 mo
DSG oil (DQ381)€220€17060 000 km
Tiptronic oil + filter (SQ5)€340€23080 000 km
Brake fluid + Haldex€130€150every 3 yr
HV-battery coolant & filters (PHEV)€14030 000 km
Front discs + pads 40 TDI€300€160~60 000 km
AdBlue (TDI)€10 / 12 000 km

Price guide (OTR)

ModelEngineDriveline / GearboxPrice
Q5 35 TDI quattro Business163 hpAWD / 7-DCT€53 400
Q5 40 TDI quattro S-line204 hpAWD / 7-DCT€56 900
Q5 45 TFSI quattro S-line265 hpAWD / 7-DCT€58 600
Q5 50 TFSI e quattro299 hp PHEVAWD / 7-DCT€63 800
SQ5 TDI quattro341 hpAWD / 8-AT€77 400

Sportback: +€1 800.


Known issues & fixes

IssueCurrent remedy
NOx sensor faults (TDI)ECU update and sensor swap under extended warranty.
Dashboard creaksFelt-strip kit (TPI 206 8372) and stronger clips.
110–140 km/h steering shimmyWheel balance + lower-arm bush check (TPI 207 0458).
MMI OTA boot loop12-s reset + SW 2860_12 patch; head-unit replaced if persistent.
Matrix head-lamp condensationNew vents from MY 25; lamp replaced if moisture remains >24 h.

Extended verdict

Versatility & comfort – The Q5 still nails the “one-car-does-it-all” brief: it’s almost as roomy as a Q7 inside yet city-manageable. The sliding rear bench, flat load bay and optional air suspension turn motorway slogs and cobbled streets into low-stress journeys.

Powertrains – The 40 TDI quattro is the workhorse for 40 000 km-a-year drivers, sipping around 6 L/100 km. The 45 TFSI 48-V rockets to 100 km/h in six seconds yet needs routine oil top-ups. PHEVs (50/55 TFSI e) slash urban fuel bills if you plug in daily and can DC-charge at 50 kW on the road—at the price of a smaller boot. Performance-minded buyers will enjoy the SQ5 TDI’s torque-rich shove and 800-km range, even if its soundtrack is partly synthesised.

Tech & ADAS – MIB 3.5 finally matches BMW iDrive 9 and Mercedes MBUX for speed, and the Tour package delivers smooth lane-centring. Audi’s decision to drop physical climate knobs may irk traditionalists.

Costs & value – Running costs mirror rival premium SUVs. Air suspension and quattro show solid reliability in fleet use, yet a 5-year / 150 000 km extended warranty is wise, especially for PHEV electronics. High demand for used Q5s—particularly diesel quattro and Business-spec PHEVs—keeps resale stronger than for equivalent X3s or GLCs.

Bottom line: the 2025 Q5 suits buyers who

  • want a premium SUV with balanced space, comfort and build quality;

  • clock big motorway miles (40 TDI) or have home charging for near-zero daily fuel (50 TFSI e);

  • live in snowy or mountainous regions and value quattro security;

  • prefer understated styling to flashy infotainment theatrics.

Drivers seeking sharper handling, flashier cabins or full-electric propulsion might lean toward BMW’s new mild-hybrid X3 G45, Mercedes-Benz’s curved-screen GLC, or Audi’s upcoming Q6 e-tron.


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