Anyone interested in the Audi Q5 as a used car has to spend a little money. The SUV is not a bargain, but a favorite of the TÜV.
The first-generation Audi Q5 was produced in Ingolstadt between 2008 and 2016 and took the middle place between Q3 and Q7 in the Audi SUV range. So it was a good compromise between compact and luxury class, offered more space than the Q3, but required significantly less traffic space than the over 5 meter long Q7.
Body and interior: With a length of 4,60 meters, the Q5 remains clear in city traffic and when looking for a parking space, but still offers plenty of space for passengers and luggage and is therefore suitable as a family vehicle. The interior is beyond any doubt in terms of choice of materials and workmanship; and seats, controls and air conditioning are also very good. Together with the agile but harmonious chassis, you can spend long journeys comfortably and relaxed.
Motors and drive: Technically closely related to the mid-range model A4, the Q5 also uses the engine range of the sedan. The range of services includes diesel and petrol engines from 105 kW / 143 PS to 260 kW / 354 PS (SQ5). Except for the two-liter basic self-igniter with 143 PS, which was delivered with front-wheel drive as standard, all engines are combined with all-wheel drive.
The two-liter diesel was offered in various configurations up to 140 kW / 190 PS. The entry-level version - since the facelift 2012 with 150 PS and since 2014 with 163 PS - is a good choice for reason-oriented buyers, combines decent mileage, comparatively low purchase costs and low consumption. Top diesel is the three-liter V6 with up to 190 kW / 258 PS (since 2013). Its expansion levels as SQ go up to 250 kW / 340 PS. Illegal shutdown devices were used in the 3,0 liter and two liter diesel (2008 to 2015). Buyers of a used Q5 with one of these engines should ensure that the appropriate recalls have been made.
The gasoline engines are rather rare to find on the German used car market. A total of three 2,0-liter four-cylinder turbos with 132 kW / 180 PS, 155 kW / 211 PS and 169 kW / 230 PS were available over the previous production time. Then there is the very thirsty 3,2 liter V6 with 199 kW / 270 PS, which was replaced by a 2012 liter compressor V3,0 with 6 kW / 200 PS. In the S version it comes to 272 kW / 260 PS. The complete exotic is the hybrid available from mid-354 to mid-2011 with 2015 kW / 180 PS and a standard consumption of 245 liters. Depending on the engine, a manual six-speed manual transmission, eight-speed automatic (tiptronic) or a seven-speed DSG (S tronic) are used.
Equipment and safety: After all, the basic models come with CD radio, automatic climate control and 18 inch rims. Typical for Audi, however, the Q5 also offers many options beyond the standard equipment to invest money in comfort and safety, such as in bi-xenon cornering lights, parking sensors and electric tailgate. The offer also included an off-road optics package with underride protection and an S-Line sports package with partial leather sports seats. Six airbags and the ESP anti-skid device ensure safety ex works. Lane Keeping and Blind Spot Assist are on board for an additional charge. In the EuroNCAP crash test, 2009 was given a maximum rating of five stars.
Quality. In the TÜV main inspection (HU), the Q5 usually behaves exemplary. The older models also master the HU largely without problems. In the TÜV list of defects in the 8 and 9 year-old vehicles, the Ingolstadt-based company is in fourth place as a defect dwarf. There are occasional problems with brake hoses and drive shafts.
And finally ... The Audi Q5 is a reliable vehicle. The first-time buyers were generally not satisfied with the basic equipment, so that the used ones often have many comfort extras. The prices on the used car online exchanges are high despite the high mileage. The offers for models from the year 13.000 start at around 2009 euros; 2016 Euro and more are popular for younger models from 30.000.