As one of Audi’s best-selling SUVs, the 2023 Q5, and its performance twin, the SQ5, hit the sweet spot in the luxury crossover segment, offering an SUV large enough to hold five people but small enough to fit in tight parking spaces or an average garage. It competes with the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Acura RDX, and Lincoln Corsair, all of which offer a unique take on the genre.
Within the Q5 family are several variations, including the Q5/SQ5 Sportback models featuring a sloping roofline that gives them a sportier look but less cargo space. There’s also a plug-in hybrid on the standard Q5 SUV, a tempting option in days of high gas prices.
The Q5 SUV offers two different horsepower 2.0-liter engines and an optional plug-in hybrid. The Q5 Sportback models have a high-output 2.0-liter engine, while the SQ5 gets a turbocharged 3.0-liter 6-cylinder engine.
2023 Audi Q5 Premium (starting at $43,500), Q5 Sportback ($50,300), Q5 55 Plug-in Hybrid ($55,400)
The 2023 Audi Q5 Premium is the entry-level trim, but it offers a wide variety of features, starting under the hood. The standard engine in the Q5 40 is a 201-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) and Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive (AWD).
The Q5 45 is similarly equipped but features a more powerful 261-hp version of the same engine. The Q5 55 plug-in hybrid is even more powerful. Its 2.0-liter engine and electric motor combine for an output of 362 hp.
A quick walk around the Q5 Premium reveals 18-inch alloy wheels, a power rear liftgate, S line styling elements, LED headlights, heated power side mirrors, and a rear roof spoiler.
Also standard are aluminum roof rails, trailer hitch rewiring, and heat-insulating tinted side windows.
The Q5 Premium cabin is everything you’d expect from Audi, with leather upholstery, a 12-way power driver’s seat including 4-way power lumbar support, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with integrated toll module, and a 40/20/40-split and reclining rear seat.
Amenities include a manual tilt/telescoping steering wheel with paddle shifters, heated front seats, 3-zone automatic climate controls, and keyless entry with push-button start.
Audi equips the Q5 with numerous safety and driver assists, including adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist, forward collision warning and low-speed automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic detection, and automatic high-beam headlights.
Also standard are lane-keeping assist, front and rear parking sensors, and Audi’s Pre Sense Basic, which can detect when a collision is inevitable and prepare the cabin by tightening the seatbelts and closing the windows and sunroof.
The Premium features a 10.1-inch color touchscreen connected to a 180-watt 10-speaker audio system on the infotainment front. The screen also serves as the rearview camera monitor. Audi Connect Care services include a limited-time subscription for stolen vehicle recovery, roadside assistance, and SOS emergency services.
A 7-inch driver information display separates the Premium’s analog gauges for various readouts and vehicle systems, such as the adaptive cruise control distance settings.
The Q5 Sportback Premium adds the more powerful 2.0-liter engine, a panoramic sunroof, 19-inch wheels, and sport seats. It does not get roof rails.
The Q5 Hybrid Premium adds Audi’s digital Virtual Cockpit, 19-inch wheels, and sport seats.
The Premium offers several upgrades, including a Convenience package that adds Advanced Key keyless entry and start, which locks and unlocks the doors without needing the key fob in your hand. Also in the package are auto-dimming power-folding side mirrors, driver’s seat memory, a heated steering wheel, and a 3-month trial subscription to SiriusXM.
Buyers can opt for 19-inch wheels, rear-seat side airbags, a panoramic glass sunroof, and birch wood inlays.
With the $1,195 delivery charge, the cost for a 2023 Audi Q5 Premium 40 is $44,695. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to about $803. See 2023 Audi Q5 Premium models for sale
2023 Audi Q5 Premium includes:
- Power tailgate – Raises automatically at the push of a button.
- Adaptive cruise control – Allows the driver to set and maintain a safe distance from traffic, with the system automatically slowing down and speeding up the vehicle as needed. Traffic Jam Assist helps in stop-and-go traffic.
- 12-way power driver’s seat – Helps the driver find the most comfortable driving position with 4-way lumbar adjustment for better lower back support.
- Three-zone climate control – Includes individual temperature zone controls for the driver, front-seat passenger, and rear-seat passengers.
2023 Audi Q5 Premium Plus (starting at $49,000), Q5 Sportback ($54,200), Q5 55 Plug-in Hybrid ($60,000)
The Premium Plus adds to the Premium’s standard equipment with a panoramic glass sunroof, the contents of the Convenience Package, and, new for 2023, a 19-speaker, 755-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system.
The Premium Plus touts a heated power tilt/telescope steering wheel and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (Virtual Cockpit Plus) that displays instruments, navigation (when equipped), and infotainment selections.
Other standard fare includes a top-view 360-degree camera and the Audi Phone Box, which features wireless smartphone integration and a wireless charging pad.
The Q5 Sportback has the same features but a more powerful 2.0-liter engine.
The Audi Q5 Premium Plus offers the Warm Weather Package that adds rear window sunshades, ventilated front seats, and sport front seats with 4-way power lumbar support (standard on the hybrid).
Other options include upgraded interior colors, materials, and navigation with Audi Connect Prime (subscription required after the trial period ends).
The Audi Q5 45 offers 20-inch 5-spoke wheels and the Black Optic package with black roof rails, black exterior trim, and 20-inch bi-color wheels.
The Q5 Sportback offers the Black Optic Sport package that adds a sport suspension, 21-inch wheels, black exterior trim, and aluminum inlays.
The Q5 55 plug-in hybrid also offers the Black Optic package, along with the Sport Plus package featuring 20-inch 10-spoke star alloy wheels, an adaptive air suspension, a black cloth headliner, and front sport seats with Dinamica faux-suede inserts.
With the $1,195 delivery charge, the cost for a 2023 Audi Q5 Premium Plus 40 is $50,195. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to about $902. See 2023 Audi Q5 Premium Plus models for sale
2023 Audi Q5 Premium Plus includes:
- Virtual Cockpit – Audi’s digital instrument cluster not only recreates a digital speedometer and tachometer but can also display various screen themes, navigation directions, and vital vehicle information.
- Bang & Olufsen audio – With 755 watts powering 19 speakers, this upgraded audio system knows how to wake up your music.
- Advanced Key – This clever system allows locking and unlocking the Q5 simply by having the key fob with you. Once in range, you need only touch the door handle to unlock the car.
- Top-View camera – Provides a 360-degree image around the vehicle, a bonus when maneuvering in confined spaces.
2023 Audi Q5 Prestige (starting at $54,500), Q5 Sportback ($59,300), Q5 55 Plug-in Hybrid ($65,300)
Take all that’s good about the Premium Plus, toss in all its optional equipment (except for the rear side airbags), and you get the Prestige trim.
Unique to the Prestige is a head-up display with traffic-sign recognition, Matrix-design LED headlights with washers, 19-inch wheels, and the Audi Park Assist self-parking assistant.
As with the Premium Plus, the Prestige 45 offers the Black Optic package, while the Prestige 55 Plug-in Hybrid provides the Black Optic and Sport Plus packages.
The Q5 Sportback Prestige starts with the same packages as the Sportback Premium Plus before adding to its list of impressive options.
With the $1,195 delivery charge, the cost for a 2023 Audi Q5 Prestige 40 is $55,695. On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to approximately $1,001. See 2023 Audi Q5 Prestige models for sale
2023 Audi Q5 Prestige includes:
- Head-up display – Projects important vehicle information onto the vehicle’s windshield and includes traffic sign recognition so you’ll always know the correct posted speed limit.
- Matrix-design LED headlights – With numerous LED bulbs and reflecting mirrors that can adjust to varying situations, these headlights look fantastic and provide better light dispersion. The headlights also feature power washers.
- Park Assist – This important self-parking system can parallel or perpendicularly park the Q5 Prestige with minimal assistance from the driver.
- Ventilated seats – These seats circulate cool air using tiny fans, helping keep occupants comfortable and dry.
2023 Audi SQ5 Premium (starting at $55,800) SQ5 Sportback ($59,200)
The SQ5 is the high-performance version of the Audi Q5. It comes standard with a 349-hp 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine, an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission with manual shift mode, and quattro AWD.
The SQ5 includes 20-inch wheels, an adaptive sport suspension, Dinamica seating, and carbon atlas inlays. The Sportback adds a panoramic sunroof, which is optional on the SQ5 SUV.
The SQ5 Premium Plus ($60,500), SQ5 Sportback Premium Plus ($62,900), SQ5 Prestige ($65,700), and SQ5 Sportback Prestige ($68,100) have similar standard features as their Q5 siblings, but with different options packages.
The SQ5 Premium Plus and Prestige offer fine Nappa leather seating with a quilted pattern, Dynamic Steering, and the S Sport package that adds red brake calipers, an adaptive air suspension, and a Sport rear differential.
All three trims include 21-inch wheels.
With the $1,195 delivery charge, the cost for a 2023 Audi SQ5 Premium is $56,995.On a 60-month loan at 3% financing and zero down, the monthly payment comes to about $1,024. See 2023 Audi SQ5 Premium models for sale
2023 Audi SQ5 includes:
- Adaptive dampers – These shock absorbers automatically adjust to varying road conditions, helping to keep the Audi SQ5 planted in the curves and settled on rough pavement.
- Available adaptive air suspension – With air suspension, you get a smoother ride and variable ride height. You can raise the SQ5 on dirt or lower it on curvy pavement.
- Available Dynamic Steering – Improves steering feedback by adjusting the steering ratio according to speed or the chosen Audi Drive Select mode.
