2014 Audi Q5 2.0T quattro Premium Plus for sale in Carrollton TX Review

Rankings & Awards

2014 Audi Q5 Overview

Is the 2014 Audi Q5 a Good Used SUV?

When it was new, the 2014 Audi Q5 won our Best Luxury Compact SUV for Families award. Contributing to its win are roomy, leather-swaddled seats, a convenient cargo space, and a healthy dose of family-favorite amenities.

The 2014 Q5 comes in a motley of trims, each boasting a signature engine. Under the hood of the base, 2.0T Premium is a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that's refined and energetic, with a middle-of-the-road fuel economy. If you want faster acceleration, pick the 3.0T Premium Plus. Its supercharged 3.0-liter V6 boosts horsepower from 220 to 272. Gas mileage inches down from the base engine's 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway to 18 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway. For 2014, Audi added the high-performance SQ5 edition to the lineup. It has a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 with a 354-horsepower rating and a zero to 60 sprint time of 5.1 seconds. The 2014 Q5 is also available as a hybrid SUV and with a turbodiesel engine (though sales of the 3.0 TDI are limited following the Volkswagen emissions scandal). Every model comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Audi's all-wheel-drive Quattro system. Agile handling, precise steering, and a comfortable ride help make up the Q5's enjoyable driving dynamics.

First-class materials and stellar build quality are two traits of the Q5's cabin, which is often considered one of the most luxurious in the class. The Q5 seats five people on leather upholstery. The front seats are cushy and the rear seats slide and recline for added legroom.

Quite a bit of comfort and technology amenities come standard in the 2014 Q5. Goodies like Bluetooth connectivity and iPod integration give you lots of ways to stay entertained, and tri-zone automatic climate control minimizes disputes over temperature settings. Audi's MMI infotainment interface is a bit hit-and-miss for usability, so you may want to spend a few minutes familiarizing yourself with this system before you buy. Other available features in the 2014 Q5 include navigation, adaptive cruise control, a Bang & Olufsen stereo, a rearview camera, parking sensors, a blind spot monitoring system, and a panoramic moonroof.

Used 2014 Audi Q5 Prices

Expect to pay between $21,700 and $35,300 for a used 2014 Audi Q5. The price will go up or down depending on regional fluctuations and the vehicle's trim level, condition, and mileage. 

How Reliable Is the 2014 Audi Q5?

The 2014 Audi Q5 has only average reliability; about half of the rivals in our 2014 luxury compact SUV rankings top its score of three out of five. The 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class posts a perfect reliability score of five, and the 2014 Volvo XC60 and 2014 Acura RDX each receive a 3.5.

Driving

Regardless of which powertrain you choose, the 2014 Audi Q5 delivers smooth, powerful acceleration, and the eight-speed automatic is also refined and responsive. Both the 2.0T and 3.0T gas engines match their respective rivals in terms of acceleration and fuel economy, while the diesel and hybrid versions of the Q5 offer even higher fuel-efficiency while still delivering plenty of power. The 3.0T and 3.0 TDI's automatic stop-start system also helps efficiency, but it doesn't keep the engine off very long at traffic lights. Such random refiring can get annoying.

The Q5's ride quality is firmer than the norm for this class of vehicle, but we've never found it to be harsh. Handling is excellent, and we consider the 2014 Q5 is one of the sportiest crossovers on the market. The steering is similarly quick and responsive, though it has a rather artificial feel.

How Safe Is the Q5?

The 2014 Q5 earned top scores in all four crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, as did the 2014 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class. No advanced driver assistance features are standard in the Q5, but adaptive cruise control, a rearview camera, parking sensors, and a blind spot monitoring system are among the available safety options.

Standard safety equipment for the 2014 Audi Q5 includes stability and traction control, front side airbags, and side curtain airbags. Rear side airbags are optional on all models, as is blind-spot monitoring (standard on the Hybrid). The optional Audi MMI Navigation package includes rear parking sensors and a rearview camera.

In Texas Carz braking testing, the Q5 2.0T came to a stop in 114 feet, a very strong result. Yet a 3.0T with the Prestige package stopped even shorter in 109 feet, which is very impressive for any vehicle, let alone an SUV with all-season tires.

In government crash tests the Q5 received four (out of five) stars overall, with four stars for frontal and five stars for side crash categories. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety testing, the Q5 was awarded the highest rating of "Good" in moderate-overlap frontal-offset, side-impact, and roof-strength tests.

Should I Consider Another Used Q5?

Audi first released the Q5 for the 2009 model year. The current generation spans from 2009 through 2017. There have been no major updates since the Q5’s launch, but not every model year is equal. If you compare the 2014 model year with the two prior model years, the 2013 Q5 emerges as the most reliable. It also scored higher in our rankings overall. Though it's missing a few of the 2014 Q5’s improvements (including powertrain enhancements and standard Bluetooth), you can save money by shopping for a 2013 Q5 instead.

How Much Does It Cost to Insure an Audi Q5?

The cost of insuring an Audi Q5 will depend on a variety of factors, including your deductible, the level of coverage that you want, and the type of insurance that you choose. Your age, gender, location, credit score, and driving record can also have an impact on your insurance rates. Check out our car insurance guide to find the best policy for you.

Which Used Audi Q5 Is Right for Me?

There's a lot to love about the Q5 2.0T Premium. As the base model, it will likely be the least expensive, but it doesn't feel cheap inside. Leather seats and tri-zone climate control – which are typically add-ons – are standard in the 2.0T, along with a well-equipped infotainment system and the all-wheel-drive Quattro system. Stepping up to the 3.0T Premium Plus adds a few other amenities, not to mention a more powerful supercharged engine. Though its V6 is certainly invigorating, the base turbocharged engine is still refined and peppy, delivering enough power to tackle most daily commutes with ease.

A certified pre-owned Q5 may suit you best. Audi CPO vehicles receive the balance of the original four-year/50,000-mile new-car warranty, then enjoy an additional two-year/50,000-mile comprehensive warranty. The two warranties differ in important ways, and there may be additional services like roadside assistance, so read the Audi warranty page carefully. Audi CPO models must pass an inspection covering 300-plus points.

We Did the Research for You: 59 Pieces of Data Analyzed

This 2014 Audi Q5 review is not based on our personal opinions, nor are any of our other used luxury SUV reviews. We pulled together dozens of different pieces of information, getting down to the finer details like fuel efficiency, legroom, and cargo space. We then compared the Q5 with its top rivals to help you make an informed buying decision.

Interior

As we've come to expect from all Audi models, the Q5 benefits from classy interior design and top-notch construction. The center stack controls are canted toward the driver, although the layout depends on whether you opt for the navigation system. Without navigation, the knob and buttons for the MMI system reside somewhat inconveniently on the center stack. With navigation, the controls are placed between the armrest and shift lever, where they're easier to reach. Navigation-equipped models also get the latest MMI system with more intuitive menus, enhanced Google Maps satellite imagery, and an additional joystick button for enhanced control.

Despite its compact size, the Q5 manages to feel roomy whether you're seated in the front or rear. The rear seats slide fore and aft, which is a rarity in this segment of luxury crossovers, and the seats also recline for greater comfort. Folding the rear seats down creates 57 cubic feet of maximum cargo space, which is a little below average for this segment.

Performance & mpg

The 2014 Audi Q5 2.0T comes standard with all-wheel drive and a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine good for 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 23 mpg combined (20 city/28 highway). In Texas Carz testing, a Q5 2.0T accelerated to 60 mph in 6.7 seconds, a performance on par with Audi's peers.

The Audi Q5 3.0T gets a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 that produces 272 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic is standard, as is an automatic stop-start system that saves fuel by shutting off the engine when the car comes to a halt. In Texas Carz testing, the 3.0T engine brought the Q5 from zero to 60 in 5.8 seconds, a very quick time for this class of vehicle. Fuel economy estimates stand at 21 mpg combined (18 mpg city/26 mpg highway).

The Q5 3.0 TDI features a 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V6 with 240 hp and a massive 428 lb-ft of torque. The automatic stop-start system is standard. Audi claims a zero-to-60-mph time of 6.5 seconds while fuel economy estimates stand at 27 mpg combined (24 mpg city/31 mpg highway).

The Q5 Hybrid pairs the 2.0T's engine with an electric motor and battery pack to provide a total output of 245 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. Audi estimates its 0-60 time at 6.8 seconds, while EPA fuel mileage estimates stand at 26 mpg combined (24 mpg city/30 mpg highway).

2014 Audi Q5 and Other SUVs to Consider

Which Is Better: 2014 Audi Q5 or 2014 BMW X3?

The 2014 BMW X3 outclasses the Audi Q5 in almost every way. It has a powerful base engine, sporty handling, and good ride comfort. While the Q5’s infotainment system can be complicated to learn, the X3 has a user-friendly interface with a clear display. The X3 has more cargo space and slightly better fuel economy than the Q5.

Which Is Better: 2014 Audi Q5 or 2014 Volvo XC60?

Volvo vehicles have a reputation for being safe and reliable, and the 2014 Volvo XC60 is no different. When the XC60 was new, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave it a Top Safety Pick+ designation. The Volvo has standard automatic emergency braking and optional pedestrian detection among its advanced driver assistance features. The car will keep you safe, but it isn't quite as vivacious as the Q5. You'll have to decide if protection or performance tops your list of priorities.

Which Is Better: 2014 Audi Q5 or 2014 Acura RDX?

If you want a luxury crossover SUV that's roomy and high-tech, and also has a smooth, sprightly powertrain, you should take a serious look at the 2014 Acura RDX. It has more cargo space and standard equipment than the Q5, and its climate and audio controls are well-placed and easy to use. Plus, you'll pay quite a bit less to buy and maintain an RDX than a Q5.