There is a lot to unwrap for the 2022 Audi Q5. This compact SUV is sold in two body styles with choices of gasoline engines or a plug-in hybrid
The Audi Q5 is sold with a choice of three models: the Q5 45 4-cylinder (today’s tester), Q5 55 e plug-in hybrid, and the SQ5 turbo V-6. (Photography by Mark Maynard)
Table of Contents
What’s new for 2022?
Pricing
Performance and Fuel Economy
Safety Features
Ride and Handling
Quattro AWD
Interior Function
Back Seats and Cargo
Why Buy the Audi Q5?
Specifications
There is a lot to unwrap about the 2022 Audi Q5, and not just that it shares a celebrity lineage with the Porsche Macan — and has heated and cooled cup holders. This compact SUV crossover is Audi’s top-seller and packs an abundance of five-star NHTSA safety ratings. And it is sold in two body styles, including the rakish Sportback, and with choices of gasoline engines or a plug-in hybrid.
What’s New for the 2022 Audi Q5?
The Q5 has powertrain choices of a gasoline-powered 45 TFSI and the 55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid. Both have standard quattro all-wheel drive. (TFSI stands for the turbocharged and direct-injected engine.) Next, choose from three trim choices: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige.
Following a styling, decor, and infotainment update in 2021, the 2022 Q5 45 TFSI was upgraded to a standard S line exterior. The treatment includes aluminum front door-sill inlays with an illuminated S logo. There is also a new 18-inch wheel design for the Premium trim.
Additionally, a power-adjusted steering column is now standard in the Premium Plus trim. And the performance-oriented SQ5 and SQ5 Sportback get real Atlas Carbon fiber inlays as standard.
A new Black optic package ($1,300) is available for all models, including black exterior trim and 20-inch wheels with all-season tires.
The plug-in Q5 55 e gets standard sport seats to create an SQ5-lite variant. The plug-in hybrid model also receives a battery upgrade to a 17.9 kWh battery, which adds 3.8 kWh. Q5 55 e has an electric driving range of around 19 miles.
Front headroom is a tall 39.6 inches even with the moonroof.
Audi Q5 Pricing
Starting prices for the Q5 45 range from $46,695 to $51,695 to $57,395. The powertrain is the 261-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged and direct-injected four-cylinder with a seven-speed direct-shift (automated manual) automatic transmission. Audi cites 0-60 mph acceleration in 5.7 seconds. All MSRPs include the $1,095 freight charge from San Jose Chiapa, Mexico.
The 55 e plug-in hybrid uses the 2.0-liter engine with an electric motor and 17.9 kWh lithium-ion battery. With power ratings of 362 hp and 369 foot-pounds of torque, Audi cites 0-60 mph acceleration in 5 seconds. Starting prices range from $55,695 to $65,145.
The high-performance SQ5 quattro has a 349-hp 3.0-liter V-6 with 369 lb.-ft. of torque. Audi cites 0-60 acceleration in 4.7 seconds with its eight-speed Tiptronic automatic. The SQ5 also has three trim choices with starting prices ranging from $56,695 to $66,095.
The fastback Sportback models, with cropped cargo space, are available only with the 45 TFSI powertrain and the same basic content as the full SUV model. The Sportback price premium ranges from $2,300 to $4,300, depending on trim choice.
The Audi Q5 S Line 45 quattro Prestige tester was $59,290 with options including the $595 Glacier White metallic paint and the Black optic package, $1,300.
Ibis white paint is the only non-premium color. Another six hues are offered for $595 each, and there are exclusive colors for $3,900.
Check here for current pricing and incentives.
The handsome tricolor theme with the tester’s Atlas Beige leather.
Performance and Fuel Economy
The Q5’s turbocharged and direct-injection 2.0-liter four-cylinder has an impressive 261-horsepower and 273 foot-pounds of torque from 1,500-4,200 rpm.
All Q5 engines feature a 12-volt “mild hybrid” system that engages auto stop-start at idle. The MHEV system also can recover energy under braking or coasting. A lithium-ion battery powers auxiliaries when coasting with the combustion engine shut off. The 12-volt belt-alternator starter system adds 13 horsepower.
Going pedal-down for full launch force creates quite the road show, factoring an all-wheel-drive curb weight of 4,079 pounds. But initial acceleration can be delayed as the turbo spools power and the dual-clutch (an automated manual) engages a gear.
In normal drive mode, the fuzzy logic calibrations to the transmission dole out shifts according to how the driver has been working the accelerator. Easy, around-town driving has a conservative response. But when get-me-outta-here force is needed, the sensors fire off imminent-danger alerts and then there is liftoff. I learned to finesse the “logic” by being a little more aggressive on the accelerator or just driving in Sport mode.
Official fuel-economy ratings are 23 mpg city, 28 highway, and 25 mpg combined on the recommended premium fuel. The good news is that I worked up to a combined 30.3 mpg in a 180-mile highway run. And with the 18.5-gallon fuel tank, the cruising range can be more than 500 miles.
The turbocharged and direct-injection (TFSI) 2.0-liter has an impressive 261-horsepower and 273 foot-pounds of torque.
Audi Q5 Safety Features
The safety stars shine for the Audi Q5 in either body style. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Q5 earns the top five stars in the overall category with five stars for frontal and side crashes and four stars for rollover protection.
Standard Q5 safety features include:
•Six air bags.
•Forward collision warning and avoidance assistance.
•Lane-departure warning.
•Blind-spot warning.
•Rear cross-traffic warning.
The Prestige package links the standard driver-assist technologies with adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist, Navigation Plus, and active lane assist.
The top-view camera system on the 10.1-inch touchscreen.
Q5 45 Ride and Handling
As with any good German-engineered vehicle, the Q5 has born-with drivability. It is felt in how well the suspension compensates for road conditions and how the tires transmit feedback through the steering wheel and seat.
The Q5’s five-link front and rear independent suspension is never harsh and neatly dips a shoulder into cornering maneuvers. Of course, that engineering is more important for the higher-performance and Sportback models, but the Q5 45 reaps the reward.
Stopping power is substantial from four-wheel ventilated disc brakes, 13.3-inch rotors at the front wheels and 13-inch rotors rear.
The cabin is well soundproofed and the chassis seems to filter out road harshness. The Prestige upgrade includes 20-inch Continental CrossContact XL Sport (255/45) all-season tires.
Continentals can be noisy with a grainy sizzle at highway speeds, but this tire’s compliance and low rolling noise are notable, especially at 20 inches. The comfort factor is the moderate treadwear rating of 480, which is a softer formula than the harder 600 or 700. The higher ratings have a longer tread life and are common on small SUVs.
There is a “space-saving” spare with an inflation system rather than a temporary spare (for such a large wheel).
The Black optic package added 20-inch tri-color finish wheels with Continental CrossContact XL Sport (255/45) all-season tires.
Quattro AWD System
Audi’s sophisticated AWD system decouples the driveshaft to the rear wheels when all-wheel drive is not needed. Essentially the vehicle becomes front-wheel drive when cruising or in other driving situations where the vehicle’s computers determine all-wheel traction is not required.
Audi claims the system can re-engage power to the rear wheels within milliseconds of the system detecting or predicting slip or when the driver accelerates aggressively.
Audi Q5 Interior Function
Clean lines, tidy organization, and rich materials describe Audi’s cabin design. There are no gimmicky electronic displays. Instead, it’s all about the business of driving — and those heated and cooled cup holders.
The tester’s tricolor interior theme is handsome and contrasts nicely with the tester’s Atlas Beige leather-trimmed and perforated upholstery with granite-gray stitching. The front sport seats are firm but comfortably bolstered and 10-way power-adjustable, including seat-bottom tilt.
While the Q5 is compact class, the cabin doesn’t feel small. The SUV body style has the benefit of squared-off proportions, not the raked rear roofline of the Sportback.
Entry and exit are comfortable and uncomplicated by design swoops. Front headroom is a tall 39.6 inches, even with the moonroof. Sightlines are open across the fenders and made better by some open space between the side mirror and windshield pillar.
The Q5 is among about nine new vehicles that offer heated and cooled front cup holders. Add that perk to the other humanizing features of heated back seats, heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated seats, and heated side mirrors.
A wireless phone charging pad is just below the center armrest with a USB port. And there is another charging USB and 12-volt plug at the head of the shift console.
Cabin controls are easily viewed in three levels of graduating sizes. At the top is the 10.1-inch color touchscreen. Climate controls are below, followed by a tier of less-often adjusted elements; these include the drive-select performance modes, hill-descent control, parking assist, and the cancel switch for the engine’s stop-start.
There are several areas for small-item storage with bottle-holding capacity in the door panels and a lockable glove box of usable dimensions.
The wireless phone charging pad on a shelf below the center armrest.
Audi Q5 Back Seat and Cargo
There is no shortage of accommodations for the Prestige trim.
Headroom is tall at 39.3 inches with a long 38 inches of legroom unless there are tall people in the front seats. The 40/20/40 folding back seat is short on thigh support, and the tall transmission-exhaust tunnel takes from the center seat foot room. But the seatbacks have a couple of inches of recline and the beautiful leather upholstery is a sweet distraction.
Among the accommodations are side-window sunshades, two charging USBs, a 12-volt plug, and a fold-down armrest with can holders. Window seats have overhead grab handles and a dry-cleaning hook, plus sport-coat hooks on both B pillars.
Cargo space is the big separator between the Sportback and SUV body styles. The square space is 44 inches wide with 33 inches from floor to ceiling. Fold the seatback for a max length of 6 feet for a bike or boards.
The cargo area is 44 inches wide with 33 inches from floor to ceiling.
Why Buy the Audi Q5?
As the luxury division of Volkswagen and under the umbrella of Volkswagen Group, the Audi brand is in good corporate company with subsidiaries Bentley, Bugatti, and Lamborghini, among other European marques. That the Porsche Macan uses the Q5 architecture as a foundation is validation for its structural integrity and powertrain technologies.
The Audi Q5 is a smart choice for its stylish simplicity and robust engineering. Its interior design is artful, well assembled, and its level of luxury is rewarding without being precious.
The future is electric for Audi. And with the Q5’s redesign for 2021, the next and likely final redesign is expected for 2025. The Q5 is a complete package now, but expect an evolution revolution as Audi tends to its next-generation best-seller.
Follow the journey here.
The 2022 Q5 now has a standard S line exterior, which includes aluminum front door-sill inlays with an illuminated S logo.
2022 Audi Q5 45 TFSI Specifications
Body style: compact, 5-seat, 5-door AWD SUV crossover
Engine: 261-hp, turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0-liter 4-cylinder; 273 lb.-ft. torque from 1,500-4,200 rpm
Transmission: 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic with paddle shifters
0-60 mph acceleration: 5.7 seconds
Fuel economy: 23/28/25 mpg city/hwy/combined; premium fuel recommended
BY THE NUMBERS
Fuel tank: 18.5 gallons
Cargo space: 26-54 cubic feet, with moonroof
Front head/leg room: 39.6*/40.9 in. *w/moonroof
Rear head/leg room: 39.3/38 inches
Length/wheelbase: 184.3/111 inches
Curb weight: 4,079 pounds
Turning circle: 39.4 feet
Tow capacity: 4,400 pounds
FEATURES
Standard equipment includes: heated front seats, power (heated) side mirrors, high-beam assist, 8-way power front seats, 7-inch driver gauge display, a garage-door opener, brown walnut wood inlays, smartphone interface and Audi audio system, 10-inch MMI touch display, Audi Drive Select (performance modes), aluminum roof rails with crossbars, space-saving spare tire with sealer and inflation system
Prestige package, $10,700, includes smart-key entry with push-button ignition, top-view camera system, ventilated front sport seats with power lumbar, panoramic sunroof, heated and cooled front cup holders, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, leatherette covered center console and door armrests, adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist, Navigation Plus, active lane assist, LED interior lighting, head-up display with sign recognition, Audi virtual cockpit, park assist, matrix design LED headlights with headlight washers, driver-seat memory settings, satellite radio with a 3-month trial subscription, auto-dimming and power-folding side mirrors, Bang & Olufsen audio with 3D sound, 19-inch all-season tires and bi-color finish alloy wheels
Safety features include: 6 air bags, front and rear parking sensors, forward collision warning and avoidance assistance, lane-departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning
PRICING
Base price: $46,695, including $1,095 freight charge; price as tested $59,290
Options on test vehicle:
- Glacier White metallic paint $595;
- Prestige package, $10,700 (see content above);
- Black optic package, $1,300;
- Audi Guard protection kit $315;
- Cargo roller cover $275;
- Audi Beam rings (projected from side mirrors) $275
Where assembled: San Jose Chiapa, Mexico
Warranty: 4-years/50,000-miles bumper to bumper including powertrain with roadside assistance
