Used Audi Q5: The 5 Best & Worst Years

The Audi Q5 is a luxury crossover SUV produced by German luxury automaker Audi from 2008 to the present, taking its place between the smaller Q3 and three-row Q7. Compared to Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X3, and other rivals, the Q5 is a relatively affordable option in the five-seater luxury SUV segment.

The Q5 is a great choice for anyone looking for a high-quality SUV. It offers plenty of luxury features and excellent handling and performance. Even better, it's available with all-wheel drive, which helps in bad weather or when towing. Although the owners have reported some problems, most people will be satisfied with this vehicle's performance.

There are plenty of reasons to buy a used Audi Q5 these days. Do you want to get your money's worth but don't know which year is the best and which one should be avoided?

Here are my two cents on the various years of Audi Q5.

Here are the key changes for the Audi Q5 over the last few model years:

2023: standard adaptive cruise control.

2022: 201-horsepower base model debuts; plug-in hybrid gains larger battery.

2021: refreshed exterior styling; Sportback model debuted; infotainment system updated with larger 10.1-inch touch screen.

2020: plug-in-hybrid model introduced.

2019: heated front seats became standard.

2018: fully redesigned (start of the second generation) with a more potent base engine, standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and more advanced safety features.

The 5 Best Years for Audi Q5

By Least Complaints:

2017 - 1
2021 - 1
2009 - 4
2020 - 5

2019 Audi Q5 (top choice)

Used Audi Q5: The 5 Best & Worst Years

Audi keeps getting better, and that's evident in the new Q5. It has a standard power liftgate, all-wheel drive and heated front seats, wireless phone charging, a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and more.

Owners raved about this car's interior design and quality, infotainment system, and dashboard. These features were impressive for the time and contributed to a comfortable ride. However, Edmunds.com gave it a 4.4 out of 5 ratings, while Cars.com gave it a 4.7 out of 5.

All these facts, along with a few reports of problems on Car Complaints, lead us to believe it's the best choice.

2017 Audi Q5

The 2017 Q5 was redesigned with interior style and comfort, more space, and a greater towing capacity in mind. In addition, many owners praised its superior steering and handling and upgraded safety features.

Customers on Edmunds.com and Cars.com gave it an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 for overall satisfaction, and J.D. Power has given it 82 out of 100 for quality and reliability.

The 2017 Audi Q5 is a great option for those with a tighter budget, especially considering its many excellent features.

2021 Audi Q5

The 2021 Q5 might need more time to receive comprehensive ratings; as of this writing, there is only one report on CarComplaints about an electrical malfunction.

Owners appreciate the quiet ride, comfort, cargo space, and headroom. U.S. News gave it 8.2 out of 10, while Edmunds experts rated it 7.5/10.

Overall, it is a pretty good vehicle, but you should wait for additional reviews before deciding whether or not to purchase it.

2009 Audi Q5

The 2009 Audi Q5 is a great option for those on a budget, offering power, style, and comfort. In addition, U.S. News ranked it as #3 in the 2009 Luxury Compact SUV lineup with 8.4 out of 10 ratings.

However, the high mileage of most 2009 Audi Q5s could be off-putting. If that's the case, the Q5 from 2019 to 2017 gets high marks for reliability, style, power, and safety, making it a great alternative if you want something newer or more modern.

The 5 Worst Years for Audi Q5

It's no secret that Audi has had some issues with their Q5 models. While it may seem like a great vehicle to own, there are a few models you should probably avoid. Here's what you need to know about Audi Q5 problems.

By Least Complaints:

2014 - 48
2012 - 43
2013 - 26
2015 - 15
2011 - 14

2014 Audi Q5

Used Audi Q5: The 5 Best & Worst Years

The 2014 Audi Q5 has the most complaints of any Q5, which is reason enough for concern. Add to that the fact that most of these complaints are about engine problems, and we find it even harder to ignore.

In addition, some problems with this car model include transmission problems, excessive oil consumption, and issues with the timing belt chain.

All of this leads us to conclude that the 2014 Q5 is definitely not worth considering.

2012 Audi Q5

The 2012 Q5 was beaten only by 2014 in the number of complaints. The most common complaint about the 2012 Q5 was excessive oil consumption, which caused a lot of frustration for owners. The fix was either a replaced or rebuilt engine.

Some owners have also complained of squeaky brakes and broken sunroofs. In our opinion, these factors make the 2012 Q5 not worth buying.

Conclusion

There's no denying it, SUV sales have been steadily increasing over the years, and for a good reason. The Audi Q5 is a great-looking crossover for going light off-roading and looking sharp driving around town.

If you're looking for a car that won't burden your budget, provides a comfortable ride, and is fun to drive, the 2019 and 2017 Audi Q5 is definitely a compact luxury crossover SUV worth looking at.