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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 3.2L 6-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 18 / 23 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $4,100 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $26,240–$30,464 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2012 Audi Q5 is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 6.7/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Technology at 7.6/10, while Reliability at 5.9/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 5.9/10 for reliability, this suv trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety lands at 7.5/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.4/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. At 7.6/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $26,240–$30,464, 13 MPG, seating 5, the Audi Q5 sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The value score of 6.4/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 14 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2012 Audi Q5 sits in the middle of the field. Until its value and performance and reliability scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2012 Audi Q5 ranks #2273 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 7% of the segment. Its 6.7/10 overall score is 0.7 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $26,240 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 27%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Across the Q5 model years we've scored, the 2012 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.7/10 | $48,307 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.7/10 | $48,307 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.7/10 | $46,900 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.7/10 | $45,493 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.6/10 | $44,086 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.5/10 | $42,679 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.5/10 | $41,272 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.3/10 | $39,865 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.3/10 | $38,458 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.4/10 | $37,051 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.3/10 | $35,644 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.2/10 | $34,237 | Read review → |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump 19/11/2018 · 18V818000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2007-2012 Audi Q7 and 2009-2012 Audi Q5 vehicles, previously repaired under NHTSA recall 16V-660. These vehicles were previously repaired with an interim repair of installing butyl tape… |
|---|---|
| Visibility / Sun/moon roof assembly 03/01/2017 · 17V001000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Audi Q5 vehicles. The sunroof drainage system may allow water to soak into the foam surrounding the side head air bag inflator canister resulting in the corrosion of the… |
| Air bags / Frontal / Driver side / Inflator module 30/01/2018 · 18V082000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2006-2013 Audi A3, 2007-2009 A4 Cabriolet and S4 Cabriolet, 2008 RS4 Cabriolet, 2009-2012 Q5, and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's… |
| Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump 13/09/2016 · 16V660000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Audi Q5, and 2007-2012 Audi Q7 vehicles equipped with gasoline engines. The fuel pump flange on the affected vehicles may crack, allowing fuel to leak. |
| Air bags / Frontal / Driver side / Inflator module 10/02/2016 · 16V078000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet… |
Showing 5 of 6 campaigns — see the full list on NHTSA's site.
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Explore the full lineup of Audi models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
