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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.0L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S7) |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Premium |
| City / Hwy MPG | 22 / 27 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 24 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $3,400 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 372 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $39,865–$49,523 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.3/10, the 2019 Audi Q5 earns a Good rating among the suvs we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.6/10, while Reliability at 6.5/10 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 6.5/10 — 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 8.0/10: 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 6.7/10 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 scores 8.3/10 — one of the stronger tech packages in the segment. Expect a responsive infotainment system, broad smartphone integration, and a solid suite of driver-assistance features.
Priced from $39,865–$49,523, 22 MPG, seating 5, the Audi Q5 sits in the mid-market bracket of the suv segment. The 8.6/10 value score is the headline: relative to what it costs, this suv delivers more than most of the class. At 7 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 2019 Audi Q5, but it needs the right buyer. Its performance and reliability 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 →
The 2019 Audi Q5 ranks #1384 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 44% of the segment. Its 7.3/10 overall score is 0.1 points below the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $39,865 starting price is about 10% above the segment's median of $36,079.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking → · Best SUVs under $50k →
Smart-money pick: the 2016 Audi Q5 scores 7.3/10 — within striking distance of the 2019's 7.3 — and starts roughly $4,000 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| 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 (this review) | 7.3/10 | $39,865 | |
| 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.
| Electrical system / Body control module/bcm 08/12/2021 · 21V947000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback, 2018-2022 Q5, and SQ5 vehicles. A liquid spill in the rear seat, or water ingress from an insufficient body seam underneath the vehicle may allow liquid… |
|---|---|
| Wheels / Hub 05/06/2019 · 19V416000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach. |
| Air bags / Frontal / Passenger side / Inflator module 19/06/2019 · 19V473000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. In the event of a crash deploying the passenger's frontal air bag, the instrument panel carrier may break due to incorrect welding. If the carrier breaks,… |
| Structure / Body 16/10/2019 · 19V737000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi SQ5 and 2018-2020 Audi Q5 vehicles. The rear wheel arch cover trim may loosen and detach from the vehicle. |
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Foundation components / Master cylinder 08/04/2019 · 19V277000 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Audi Q5 and SQ5 vehicles. The brake master cylinder casting may be too short. |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2019 Audi Q5's reliability 6.5/10 — below the segment average, so budget for higher maintenance. It has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
5 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.3/10 overall, ranking #1384 of 2454 suvs in our database (better than 44% of the segment). Stronger-scoring alternatives exist at similar prices — use our compare tool before committing.
The 2019 Audi Q5 starts at $39,865 and ranges up to $49,523 across trims (MSRP when new). At 22 MPG, expect roughly $2,386/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Other suvs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Audi models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
