Skip advert
Advertisement

Audi Q5 review (2008-2017) - can Ingolstadt's best SUV challenge the BMW X3? - Design

The Q5 is the best of Audi’s competent SUV range

Evo rating
RRP
from £32,580
  • Well-sorted chassis, stylish looks inside and out, mega SQ5
  • steering lacks feel, dynamics not as sharp as BMW X3

Design

We like the Q5 best of all when considering Audi’s ‘proper’ off-roaders, as it strikes the right balance between looking like a genuine SUV but not appearing as if it should have its own gravitational pull (Q7, we’re talking about you). Don’t get us wrong, the Q5 is hardly strikingly beautiful but it is neat, crisp and handsome, and the wheels it wears are all sizeable items that fill the arches nicely. There are optional designs of wheel that go up to 21-inches (£1250), if you don’t mind a bouncier ride. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The standard, no-cost colours for the Q5 are white and black, so if you want a bit more sparkle in your life, metallic and pearl effect paints are £615, Audi exclusive hues (six special finishes to choose from or the entire Audi palette) are £2115 and for £2615, Ingolstadt will clothe your Q5 in any possible shade in the world.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Maserati GT2 Stradale review – can Modena best the Porsche 911 GT3 RS?
Maserati GT2 Stradale
Reviews

Maserati GT2 Stradale review – can Modena best the Porsche 911 GT3 RS?

Maserati’s GT2 Stradale might look like a race track refugee but this supercar is at its best on the road
20 Jan 2026
Caterham Project V is delayed, but a running prototype is finally here
Caterham Project V
News

Caterham Project V is delayed, but a running prototype is finally here

Caterham’s new age electric coupe is now officially behind schedule, but the first running prototype has now been unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Salon
13 Jan 2026
The anatomy of a top-class Dakar-winning racer: Dacia Sandrider
Dacia Sandrider
Features

The anatomy of a top-class Dakar-winning racer: Dacia Sandrider

The Dacia Sandrider is a £1million, Prodrive-built Rally-Raid special that now has an outright Dakar Rally win under its belt. We dissect it
19 Jan 2026