2013 Audi Q5 — Carivo review carivo.co
SUV

2013 Audi Q5

Independent review & score by Carivo

Price Range $27,470–$32,707
Fuel Economy 14 MPG
Seating 5 passengers
Category SUV
Est. Annual Fuel $3,750/yr

Key Specifications — 2013 Audi Q5

Engine2.0L 4-Cylinder
TransmissionAutomatic (S8)
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Fuel TypePremium
City / Hwy MPG20 / 28 MPG
Combined MPG23 MPG
Est. Annual Fuel Cost$3,550
CO₂ Emissions389 g/mi
Seating Capacity5 passengers
Body StyleSUV
Base Price$27,470–$32,707

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.

About the 2013 Audi Q5

With an overall Carivo score of 6.8/10, the 2013 Audi Q5 earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 7.7/10, while Performance at 6.3/10 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. We rate reliability at 6.3/10 — below the segment average in our scoring. Budget for potentially higher maintenance costs and check the recall record below before buying. On safety it earns 7.7/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.

Performance at 6.3/10 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. Technology comes in at 7.6/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.

Priced from $27,470–$32,707, 14 MPG, seating 5, the Audi Q5 sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The value score of 6.6/10 is a red flag — comparable alternatives offer meaningfully more for the same outlay. Shop the segment before deciding. At 13 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.

Bottom line: There's a case for the 2013 Audi Q5, but it needs the right buyer. Its value and reliability and performance scores trail the class, and several higher-rated rivals sell for similar money — comparison-shop before committing.

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 →

How It Ranks Among SUVs

The 2013 Audi Q5 ranks #2205 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 10% of the segment. Its 6.8/10 overall score is 0.6 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $27,470 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $36,079 by about 24%.

Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →

Which Q5 Year Should You Buy?

Across the Q5 model years we've scored, the 2013 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.

YearScoreStarting 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 →

Pros & Cons — 2013 Audi Q5

✓ What it does well

  • Strong safety ratings from NHTSA and independent testers
  • Modern, intuitive tech suite with wireless connectivity and up-to-date ADAS
  • Versatile body style handles daily commuting and weekend adventures equally well

✗ Where it falls short

  • Below-average reliability data — factor in potential repair and maintenance costs
  • Performance is a genuine liability — well below class rivals and worth factoring into any decision
  • Fuel economy at 14 MPG is low — running costs will add up quickly

NHTSA Recalls — 2013 Audi Q5 (5 on record)

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.

Electrical system / Wiring
05/10/2017 · 17V622000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2016 Audi A5 Coupe, A5 Cabriolet, A4 Sedan, A4 Allroad and Q5 vehicles. Contact corrosion within the electrical connector for the auxiliary heater may cause the heater wires to…
Engine and engine cooling / Cooling system
03/01/2017 · 17V002000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5, A5 Cabriolet and Q5 vehicles, 2013-2016 Audi Allroad and Audi A4 vehicles and 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI engines, have an…
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…
Engine and engine cooling / Cooling system
11/04/2018 · 18V229000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2013-2017 Audi A5 Cabriolet, A5 Sedan and Audi Q5 vehicles, 2012-2015 Audi A6 vehicles and 2013-2016 Audi A4 Sedan and A4 allroad vehicles. These vehicles, equipped with 2.0l Turbo FSI…
Fuel system, gasoline / Delivery / Fuel pump
03/05/2017 · 17V298000
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Audi Q5 and 2013-2017 Audi Q7 vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel pump flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.

Similar SUV to Consider

Other suvs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.

2025 Toyota RAV4 Base
2025 Toyota RAV4 Base
8.4/10
View →
2025 Toyota RAV4
2025 Toyota RAV4
8.4/10
View →
2026 Toyota RAV4
2026 Toyota RAV4
8.4/10
View →
2025 Toyota RAV4 S
2025 Toyota RAV4 S
8.4/10
View →

More Audi Reviews

Explore the full lineup of Audi models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.