Audi Q5

Generations compared: what actually changed between buyers

The catalogue lists five generations of Audi Q5, all SUV 5-doors. Dates overlap, so the “new one” is not always the one you should pay for.

The catalogue lists five generations of Audi Q5, all SUV 5-doors. Dates overlap, so the “new one” is not always the one you should pay for.

What the dates buy, in kilograms and millimetres, not slogans:

• 1 generation → 1 generation, restyling. Same 75 l tank and 200 mm clearance. Diesel 2.0 MT 143 hp becomes 2.0 MT 150 hp. Petrol 2.0 MT 180 hp mixed consumption falls from 8.1 to 7.5 l/100 km. The 3197 cm³ 3.2 S-tronic 270 hp Gasoline disappears; the restyle’s top diesel is 3.0 S-tronic 258 hp, not a petrol six.
• 1 generation, restyling → 2 generation. Tank 75 → 65 l (−10 l). Clearance 200 → 208 mm (+8 mm). Combined-cycle diesel at ~190 hp: restyle 2.0 MT 190 hp 5.7 l/100 km vs 2 generation 2.0 MT 190 hp 5.8 l/100 km — almost a wash. Petrol 2.0 Turbo jumps from 230 hp / 7.2 s to 2.0 S-tronic 249–252 hp / 6.3 s.
• 2 generation → 2 generation, restyling. Clearance 208 → 190 mm (−18 mm). Engine placement label flips from Front, longitudinal to Front, transverse. Diesel V-shaped 6 3.0 AT 286 hp (5.8 s, 237 km/h, 65 l) becomes 50 TDI MHEV quattro Tiptronic 286 hp (5.7 s, 240 km/h, 70 l, kerb 1870 → 1935 kg). Plug-in mixed figure 2.6 → 1.5 l/100 km on both 367 hp and 299 hp PHEVs.
• 2 generation, restyling → 3 generation. Orientation labelled Front, longitudinal again. No Diesel 6. No 240 km/h petrol four except the PHEV 250 km/h. 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 268 hp is capped at 210 km/h — 30 km/h below 45 TFSI quattro S-tronic 265 hp in the restyle. Ground clearance: not measured.

Engines and specs: every named version

Names below are the catalogue strings. Same name, different power: distinguish by hp.

2 generation (2016-09-01 – 2020-02-29)

Same 249 hp, two fuels: 2.0 S-tronic Gasoline 370 Nm vs 3.0 AT Diesel 600 Nm (+230 Nm). Same 3.0 AT name, three outputs: 231 / 249 / 286 hp and 500 / 600 / 620 Nm. Same 2.0 S-tronic name, three outputs: 163 Diesel, 249 Gasoline, 252 Gasoline.

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): 55 TFSI e 2.0 S-tronic 185.0 hp/l; 2.0 S-tronic 252 hp 127.0 hp/l; 3.0 AT 286 hp 96.4 hp/l; 2.0 S-tronic 163 hp 82.8 hp/l.

1 generation (2008-04-01 – 2012-08-31)

Only generation with No boost: 3.2 S-tronic 270 hp. Only generation with two 2.0 MT 143 hp twins that differ only by FWD vs AWD. Two 2.0 AT 211 hp: Hybrid 480 Nm vs Gasoline 350 Nm.

1 generation, restyling (2012-08-01 – 2017-03-31)

Petrol 2.0 MT now 180 / 225 / 230 hp. Diesel 3.0 S-tronic 245 vs 258 hp share 580 Nm; the extra 13 hp cuts 0–100 from 6.5 s to 6.2 s.

2 generation, restyling (2020-03-01 – 2024-08-31)

Only restyle FWD: 35 TDI S tronic. Same 163 hp as 2 generation 2.0 S-tronic Diesel, but 0–100 8.9 → 7.6 s (−1.3 s) and mixed 4.9 → 4.7 l/100 km.

3 generation (from 2024-09-01)

Three versions share 204 hp: FWD petrol 340 Nm, AWD petrol 340 Nm, AWD diesel 400 Nm. Use the full name, not the horsepower.

Performance and economy (mpg-equivalent litres)

City / highway / mixed are l/100 km as recorded. not measured is written, not skipped.

Fastest 0–100 in the file (with a believable sprint): 3 generation 55 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronicattro ultra 5.1 s. Then both 367 hp plug-ins of 2 generation and 2 generation, restyling at 5.3 s. Then 2 generation 3.0 AT 286 hp at 5.8 s and restyle 50 TDI MHEV quattro Tiptronic at 5.7 s.

Slowest: 1 generation 2.0 MT 143 hp AWD 11.4 s; FWD twin 11.0 s. Restyle 2.0 MT 150 hp FWD 10.9 s / AWD 10.8 s.

Top speed ceiling: 250 km/h on both 3 generation plug-ins; 240 km/h on four 2 generation, restyling versions (50 TDI MHEV quattro Tiptronic, 55 TFSI e PHEV quattro S tronic, 45 TFSI quattro S-tronic, 50 TFSI e PHEV quattro S tronic); 239 km/h on 2 generation plug-ins; 237 km/h on several 2 generation petrol and diesel. 3 generation 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 268 hp is 210 km/h — equal to 1 generation 2.0 MT 180 hp Gasoline, and 30 km/h below a 265 hp restyle petrol.

Lowest mixed consumption with a number: 2 generation, restyling plug-ins 1.5 l/100 km (city not measured, highway not measured). Then 2 generation plug-ins 2.6. Then 35 TDI S tronic 4.7. Then 2 generation 2.0 S-tronic 163 hp 4.9. Highest mixed: 1 generation 3.2 S-tronic 9.3, then 3 generation 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 9.4.

3 generation city, highway, CO₂, eco class: not measured on all six. Mixed not measured on both plug-ins. 50 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronic lists 0–100 as 250 s — the same integer as its 250 km/h top speed. Treat that sprint as not independently measured; do not compare 250 s to 5.1 s as if it were a real gap.

Same 190 hp Diesel, gearbox tax (2 generation): 2.0 MT 7.6 s / 223 km/h / mixed 5.8 / kerb 1745 kg vs 2.0 TDI quattro S-tronic 7.9 s / 218 km/h / mixed 5.0 / kerb 1845 kg. The Robotic 7 is 100 kg heavier, 0.3 s slower, 5 km/h slower, 0.8 l/100 km leaner.

Same 170 hp Diesel, two 2.0 S-tronic (1 generation): 1820 kg mixed 7.1 vs 1755 kg mixed 7.0; both 9.9 s / 200 km/h. 65 kg does almost nothing on paper.

Gasoline vs Diesel at 249 hp (2 generation): 2.0 S-tronic 6.3 s / mixed 6.8 / CO₂ 154 / Euro 6 / 1795 kg vs 3.0 AT 6.0 s / mixed 7.1 / CO₂ 194 / Euro 5 / 1945 kg. The diesel is 0.3 s quicker, 150 kg heavier, Euro 5 not Euro 6, +40 g/km CO₂.

Dimensions and weight

Wheels are listed only on 2 generation (and not on 2.0 TFSI quattro S-tronic or 2.0 TDI quattro S-tronic: not measured). Common set: 235/65 R17, 235/60 R18, 235/55 R19, 255/45 R20. Extra 255/40 R21 on 3.0 AT 231 hp and 3.0 AT 286 hp. Plug-ins drop the 17-inch size.

Kerb range: 1680 kg (1 generation 2.0 MT 143 hp FWD) to 2170 kg (3 generation 55 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronicattro ultra). Spread: 490 kg.

kg per hp (kerb ÷ hp), selected:

• 2 generation 55 TFSI e 2.0 S-tronic: 2040 / 367 = 5.56 kg/hp (lightest per hp in the file)
• 3 generation 367 hp plug-in: 2170 / 367 = 5.91
• 2 generation 3.0 AT 286 hp: 1870 / 286 = 6.54
• 2 generation 2.0 S-tronic 252 hp: 1720 / 252 = 6.83
• 2 generation 2.0 S-tronic 249 hp: 1795 / 249 = 7.21 — same 6.3 s as the 252 hp car, but 75 kg heavier
• 1 generation 2.0 MT 143 hp FWD: 1680 / 143 = 11.75

Gross: 2260 kg (both FWD 2.0 diesels of gen 1 / restyle) to 2735 kg (3 generation 367 hp plug-in). 3 generation 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic gross: not measured.

Clearance: 200 mm (both 1st-gen cards) → 208 mm (2 generation, except 3.0 AT 249 hp not measured) → 190 mm (restyle) → not measured (3 generation). If you buy height, 2 generation is the only card at 208 mm.

Tank: 75 l (1st-gen cards) → 65 l (2 generation, all 11) → 70 l diesel V6 / 65 l fours / 54 l plug-ins (restyle) → 65 l / 55 l plug-ins (3 generation). Plug-in buyers lose 20 l versus a 2008 diesel (75 − 55).

Which version to choose

Daily diesel, used, 2016–2020. 2 generation 2.0 S-tronic 163 hp: mixed 4.9, CO₂ 129, Euro 6, 8.9 s, 211 km/h, 1770 kg. If 8.9 s is too slow, 2.0 MT 190 hp is 1.3 s quicker (7.6) and 0.9 l/100 km thirstier (5.8). If you refuse a Manual 6, 2.0 TDI quattro S-tronic 190 hp is the Robotic 7 at 7.9 s / 5.0 mixed / 1845 kg.

Daily diesel, 2020–2024. 35 TDI S tronic is the economy pick: mixed 4.7, CO₂ 123, FWD, 7.6 s, 222 km/h — same sprint as 40 TDI MHEV quattro ultra S tronic 204 hp, which adds AWD, +41 hp, +30 Nm, mixed 5.3 (+0.6), CO₂ 139. AWD costs 0.6 l/100 km and 16 g/km here, not a second of 0–100. V6 buyers: 50 TDI MHEV quattro Tiptronic 286 hp, 5.7 s, 240 km/h, mixed 6.7, 70 l tank — versus 2 generation 3.0 AT 286 hp at 5.8 s, 237 km/h, mixed 5.7, 65 l, 65 kg lighter. The older 286 is the more efficient 286; the restyle 286 is the faster/taller-speed 286 with a larger tank and 18 mm less clearance.

Avoid among 3.0 diesels if Euro class matters: 2 generation 3.0 AT 249 hp is the only Euro 5 in that generation (CO₂ 194, mixed 7.1, 1945 kg, clearance not measured). 3.0 AT 231 hp is Euro 6, mixed 6.3, 6.7 s. 3.0 AT 286 hp is Euro 6, mixed 5.7, 5.8 s, same 1870 kg as the 231. The 249 hp 3.0 is not the “middle” buy: it is heavier and dirtier than the 231 and slower than the 286.

Petrol without a plug. 2 generation 2.0 S-tronic 252 hp: 6.3 s, 237 km/h, mixed 6.8, 1720 kg — 75 kg under the 249 hp twin with identical 6.3 s / 237 / 6.8. Prefer 252 hp when both exist. 2.0 TFSI quattro S-tronic 245 hp is the same 6.3 s / 237 km/h with mixed 7.0, CO₂ 172 (vs 154), wheels not measured. 2 generation, restyling 45 TFSI quattro S-tronic 265 hp: 6.1 s, 240 km/h, mixed 8.2, 1760 kg — +13 hp and +3 km/h versus 252 hp, +1.4 l/100 km. 3 generation 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 268 hp: 6.2 s, 210 km/h, mixed 9.4, 1925 kg. That is +3 hp and −30 km/h versus the restyle 265, +1.2 l/100 km, +165 kg. If top speed and mixed litres decide, the 2024 268 hp is not an upgrade on these numbers.

FWD vs AWD, same engine. 1 generation 2.0 MT 143 hp: FWD 11.0 s / 192 km/h / 1680 kg / mixed 5.7 vs AWD 11.4 s / 190 / 1755 / 6.2. AWD: +0.4 s, −2 km/h, +75 kg, +0.5 l/100 km. Restyle 2.0 MT 150 hp: FWD 10.9 s / 192 / 1755 / 5.3 vs AWD 10.8 s / 190 / 1830 / 5.9 — AWD is 0.1 s quicker, 75 kg heavier, +0.6 l/100 km. 3 generation 204 hp petrol: FWD 2.0 TFSI Mild Hybrid S tronic 8.6 s / mixed 6.4 / 1835 kg vs AWD 2.0 TFSI Mild Hybrid S tronic quattro ultra 7.2 s / mixed 6.8 / 1895 kg. AWD: −1.4 s, +60 kg, +0.4 l/100 km. That is the only pair where AWD is more than a second quicker.

Plug-in. 2 generation 55 TFSI e 2.0 S-tronic 367 hp vs 50 TFSI e 2.0 S-tronic 299 hp: +68 hp, −80 Nm (370 vs 450), +10 kg, 5.3 vs 6.1 s, same 239 km/h, same mixed 2.6, CO₂ 58 vs 59. The 55 is the sprint; the 50 has more listed torque. Restyle: 55 TFSI e PHEV quattro S tronic 367 hp / 500 Nm vs 50 TFSI e PHEV quattro S tronic 299 / 450; both 1.5 mixed, 35 g/km, 2075 kg, 5.3 vs 6.1 s, 240 km/h. Here the 55 also wins torque (+50 Nm). 3 generation 367 vs 299: 5.1 s vs listed 250 s, 500 vs 380 Nm, 2170 vs 2150 kg, both 250 km/h, mixed not measured. Buy the 367 hp name in 3 generation on 5.1 s and 500 Nm; do not use the 250 s field as a ranking.

The naturally aspirated six. 1 generation 3.2 S-tronic 270 hp, boost No, 330 Nm, 6.9 s, 234 km/h, mixed 9.3, 1795 kg. A 2 generation 2.0 S-tronic 249 hp Turbo is 0.6 s quicker, +3 km/h, −2.5 l/100 km, same 1795 kg. You buy the 3.2 for 3197 cm³ and 6 V-shaped Gasoline, not for the stopwatch.

Manual 6 survivors. After 2020 the file has none. Last manuals: 2 generation 2.0 MT 190 hp Diesel; 1 generation, restyling petrol 2.0 MT 180 / 225 / 230 hp and diesels 150 / 177 / 190 hp. The restyle petrol 2.0 MT 230 hp (7.2 s, 228 km/h, mixed 7.6, 1805 kg) is the strongest Manual 6 Gasoline in the set.

Reliability / problems as numbers, not folklore. Euro 5 vs Euro 6 is in the tables: 1 generation is Euro 5 throughout; restyle mixes Euro 5 and Euro 6; 2 generation is Euro 6 except 3.0 AT 249 hp Euro 5; restyle 2 is Euro 6; 3 generation eco class not measured. Injection: Gasoline fours are Direct injection (direct) from restyle 1 onward; 1 generation petrol 180 hp and 211 hp 2.0 MT still say Distributed injection (multi-point). Diesel injection is not measured on 1st-gen cards and on most 2 generation diesels; restyle 2 and 3 generation diesels say Direct injection (direct). Compression not measured on 2 generation, restyling 50 TDI MHEV quattro Tiptronic and 45 TFSI quattro S-tronic, and on restyle Hybrid 2.0 AT 211 hp.

Short list. Mileage diesel: 2.0 S-tronic 163 hp (2 generation) or 35 TDI S tronic. Towing-shaped torque: 3.0 AT 286 hp (620 Nm) or 50 TDI MHEV quattro Tiptronic (620 Nm). Petrol without a cable: 2.0 S-tronic 252 hp or 45 TFSI quattro S-tronic. Fastest listed sprint: 55 2.0 TFSI e-hybrid quattro ultra S tronicattro ultra. Lightest AWD petrol that still does 6.3 s: 2.0 S-tronic 252 hp at 1720 kg. Do not pick 3 generation 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 268 hp if 210 km/h and 9.4 l/100 km mixed are worse than the 265 hp restyle you already found.