Audi Q5: pros, cons, costs and common fixes 
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 / Torque | 48 V M-HEV | Drive | Gearbox | 0-100 km/h | WLTP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 TDI 2.0 I4 | 163 hp • 380 Nm | 12 V | quattro | 7-DCT | 8.9 s | 5.6 l/100 km |
| 40 TDI 2.0 I4 | 204 hp • 420 Nm | 12 V | quattro | 7-DCT | 7.4 s | 5.8 l/100 km |
| 45 TFSI 2.0 I4 | 265 hp • 370 Nm | 48 V | quattro | 7-DCT | 6.1 s | 7.6 l/100 km |
| 50 TFSI e PHEV | 299 hp • 450 Nm | 19.7 kWh net | quattro | 7-DCT | 5.9 s | 1.2 l/100 km · EV 72 km |
| 55 TFSI e PHEV | 367 hp • 500 Nm | 19.7 kWh | quattro | 7-DCT | 5.3 s | 1.3 l/100 km · EV 66 km |
| SQ5 3.0 V6 TDI | 341 hp • 700 Nm | 48 V | quattro sport diff | 8-AT | 5.1 s | 7.3 l/100 km |
Boot: 550 L (Q5) / 510 L (Sportback) — minus 100 L on PHEVs; seats folded: 1 520 L.
PRO
| PRO | Why it convinces |
|---|---|
| Family-friendly versatility | 550 L boot, 40/20/40 rear bench slides ±12 cm, standard power tail-gate. |
| Wide powertrain spread | Efficient 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 first | Air suspension filters bumps, cuts roll and varies ride-height (-55 / +45 mm). |
| MIB 3.5 infotainment | Fast 11.6″ UI, wireless CarPlay/AA, Alexa integration. |
| Full ADAS (Tour package) | Lane-centring, stop-&-go ACC, traffic assist, remote self-parking. |
| Solid resale | 40 TDI quattro S line holds ~70 % of MSRP after 36 months; PHEVs popular with company fleets. |
CON
| CON | Typical 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 wheels | Sharp impacts over urban potholes. |
| Smaller PHEV boot (450 L) | HV module raises floor by 70 mm. |
| Pricey options | HD-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 glitches | Occasional MMI reboots after updates; fixed by dealer patch. |
Indicative running costs
| Item | Parts | Labour | Interval |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0W-30 oil + filter | €180 | €110 | 30 000 km / 24 mo |
| DSG oil (DQ381) | €220 | €170 | 60 000 km |
| Tiptronic oil + filter (SQ5) | €340 | €230 | 80 000 km |
| Brake fluid + Haldex | €130 | €150 | every 3 yr |
| HV-battery coolant & filters (PHEV) | – | €140 | 30 000 km |
| Front discs + pads 40 TDI | €300 | €160 | ~60 000 km |
| AdBlue (TDI) | €10 / 12 000 km | – | – |
Price guide (OTR)
| Model | Engine | Driveline / Gearbox | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q5 35 TDI quattro Business | 163 hp | AWD / 7-DCT | €53 400 |
| Q5 40 TDI quattro S-line | 204 hp | AWD / 7-DCT | €56 900 |
| Q5 45 TFSI quattro S-line | 265 hp | AWD / 7-DCT | €58 600 |
| Q5 50 TFSI e quattro | 299 hp PHEV | AWD / 7-DCT | €63 800 |
| SQ5 TDI quattro | 341 hp | AWD / 8-AT | €77 400 |
Sportback: +€1 800.
Known issues & fixes
| Issue | Current remedy |
|---|---|
| NOx sensor faults (TDI) | ECU update and sensor swap under extended warranty. |
| Dashboard creaks | Felt-strip kit (TPI 206 8372) and stronger clips. |
| 110–140 km/h steering shimmy | Wheel balance + lower-arm bush check (TPI 207 0458). |
| MMI OTA boot loop | 12-s reset + SW 2860_12 patch; head-unit replaced if persistent. |
| Matrix head-lamp condensation | New 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.
