The Audi Q5 was completely redesigned for 2025, and while its tech, performance and design are now up with the latest rivals in a very competitive segment, we wanted to see how it compared to its major German competitors in terms of reliability. The BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC are both popular luxury compact SUVs, selling for a premium over more family-oriented mass-market brands, both are packed with the very latest in on-board tech.
We compared the Q5 to its predecessor as well as these rivals using Consumer Report’s reliability data. It is widely regarded as one of the most trusted sources in the automotive industry because it operates as an independent, non-profit organization that accepts no corporate sponsorship or advertising. Its predicted reliability scores are calculated using data gathered from annual surveys filled out by hundreds of thousands of vehicle owners detailing real-world mechanical repairs and electrical faults.
Audi Q5
Audi
Joe Santos
| Make and Model | Audi Q5 |
| Engine | 2.0L Turbo Inline-4 |
| Power | 268 hp |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft |
| 0-60 mph | 5.8 sec |
| Fuel economy | 25 MPG Comb (22 City / 30 Hwy) |
| Towing Capacity | 4,400 pounds |
| Premium | $52,800 |
| Premium Plus | $55,700 |
| Prestige | $60,700 |
The Q5 is Audi’s best seller here, and its pricing, performance, and practicality all start with a P, which isn’t all that pertinent, but they do happen to be core to its enduring appeal. It is powered by a turbocharged 268-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which sends power to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. These mechanical components are used across several Audi models, as is the new infotainment setup and other electronic systems.
Aside from the development cost benefits of sharing components across many platforms, it also helps enhance durability and allows the manufacturer to roll out updates and improvements as issues crop up far more easily. It can also result in widespread recalls or common issues across models if an inherent design flaw is found, so we wanted to see just how reliable the new Audi Q5 was, especially compared to its predecessor.
Audi Q5 Reliability
Consumer Reports covers a broad range of factors to arrive at its overall reliability score, and each model year of the Audi Q5 has been rated based on thousands of owner’s feedback. The previous generation model was sold from 2018 to 2024 and peaked in the 2020 model year.
The first couple of years after its introduction and straight after the mid-life facelift were some of the worst years for reliability, and this is a common pattern across most brands as the manufacturer deals with niggling issues and a new or updated platform with relatively untested technologies.
The current generation Q5 has only been on sale for two years, but early signs from owners indicate that it is following the same trend as its predecessor, with lowish scores that place it below the average for its class. But luxury SUVs are known for being temperamental and more expensive to run than their less premium counterparts, so are the Q5’s reliability scores really that bad, or is this the norm for this type of vehicle?
Audi Q5 Vs Rivals
Porsche
Lexus
The compact luxury SUV market is extremely competitive and has a broad range of offerings from many premium brands. Apart from the popular Lexus NX, the German marques tend to dominate the segment, but Porsche Macan aside, they are certainly not the market leaders when it comes to overall reliability.
The Macan is a bit of a unique case as it is a low-volume seller, priced well above most of the other vehicles in this segment, it has been around since 2014 and is being phased out this year. That long production run has benefited reliability, and it tops the charts with an impressive score for 2026. When we look at the Q5’s closer price and performance rivals over the past four years, the Audi Q5 slots in just above the Mercedes-Benz GLC, but falls well short of the BMW X3.
Closer analysis of the figures shows that the X3’s scores are bolstered by the previous generation model which was one of the most reliable in this segment for years. The 2026 model year for this SUV has yielded far less impressive scores, and all three are within a few points of each other.
If you aren’t set on a German luxury SUV, then rivals like the Lexus NX and RX regulalry score highly, but there are plenty of poor performers here, with a brace of Land Rovers, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and the Maserati Grecale propping up the bottom of the table.
So, is the Q5 reliable? It is no less reliable than its direct German rivals, but that’s not an accolade here, and Audi still has a long way to go before its reliability scores come close to challenging the likes of Porsche, Lexus, and Acura.
Research Note:
To evaluate long-term dependability objectively, our vehicle reliability scores are based on Consumer Reports data. Consumer Reports is widely regarded as one of the most trusted sources in automotive evaluation because it operates as an independent, non-profit organization that accepts no corporate sponsorship or advertising.
Its predicted reliability scores are calculated using data gathered from annual surveys filled out by hundreds of thousands of vehicle owners detailing real-world mechanical repairs and electrical faults.
For exact scores on the models mentioned please visit consumerreports.org.
About the author
John Tallodi
Senior Editor