Audi Q5 2021 review
Overview
The facelifted Audi Q5, codenamed FY, was revealed in 2020 with UK deliveries starting in September 2020, so 2021 cars are facelift cars with the sharper grille, new OLED rear lights and the upgraded MIB 3 infotainment. Prices at the facelift launch started from £42,950, with four trims initially: Sport, S line, Edition 1 and Vorsprung. The car covered here is the volume seller, the 40 TDI quattro S tronic Sport, which Auto Express tested in January 2021 at £43,625.
The 40 TDI pairs a 1,968cc four-cylinder turbodiesel with a 12V mild-hybrid system, producing 204 PS (201bhp) and 400 Nm. It drives all four wheels through Audi's quattro on-demand system and a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox, covering 0–62mph in 7.6 seconds and reaching 137mph. The Sport's WLTP figures are 44.8mpg and 165g/km of CO2; S line cars on bigger wheels return slightly less (43.5mpg, up to 177g/km), so trim matters when comparing figures.
The Q5 remains one of the most complete mid-size SUVs: a 550-litre boot, 2,400kg of braked towing, a hushed and beautifully built cabin, and quattro traction that embarrasses front-drive rivals in bad weather. The warranty is three years or 60,000 miles, and the car carries the five-star Euro NCAP rating from its 2017 test — note that rating has since expired under current Euro NCAP rules, so it should be read as a 2017 result, not a current one.
As a used buy, check the car's history carefully. Owner surveys report heated-seat, pre-sense and infotainment niggles, and the DSG gearbox and quattro system deserve a service-history check. Several recalls have touched the 2021 Q5 in the US and EU — including a rear-axle trailing-arm lock-nut campaign and a gateway control module campaign — but no UK DVSA list was verified for this page, so check any specific car by VIN with Audi UK or DVSA before purchase.
UK price from: £43,625
Specifications
| Engine | 2.0L 4-cylinder turbodiesel mild hybrid (1,968cc) |
| Power | 204 PS (201 bhp) |
| Torque | 400 Nm @ 1,750 rpm |
| 0-62 mph | 7.6 seconds |
| Top speed | 137 mph |
| Transmission | 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic |
| Drive | quattro on-demand all-wheel drive |
| Fuel economy | 44.8 mpg combined (Sport, WLTP) |
| CO2 emissions | 165 g/km (Sport, WLTP) |
| Boot space | 550 litres |
| Towing capacity | 2,400 kg braked |
| Insurance group | 33E-39E (examples by trim/wheels) |
| Warranty | 3 years / 60,000 miles |
| Euro NCAP | 5 stars (2017 test, rating since expired) |
Features
- 2.0-litre 40 TDI turbodiesel with 12V mild hybrid (204 PS, 400 Nm)
- Seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic gearbox
- quattro on-demand all-wheel drive
- MIB 3 infotainment with 10.1-inch touchscreen
- 550-litre boot
- 2,400kg braked towing capacity
- Matrix LED headlights on S line and above
- Full active safety suite with pre-sense
Common parts & prices
| Part | Price (GBP) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake pads (set) | £84.99 | Pattern part; OEM specification |
| Oil filter | £13.99 | |
| Cabin pollen filter | £23.99 | |
| Front wiper blades (pair) | £28.99 | |
| 12V battery | £124.99 | |
| Engine air filter | £20.99 |
Pros
- Superb cabin quality and refinement for the class
- Strong, smooth 204 PS diesel with quattro traction
- Big 550-litre boot and 2,400kg towing
- Facelift brings sharper looks and modern infotainment
Cons
- No verified UK DVSA recall list — VIN check essential
- Economy and CO2 vary by trim and wheels
- 2017 Euro NCAP rating has since expired
- Insurance groups vary widely (33E-39E examples seen) by trim
