Audi Q5 vs Audi Q7: Performance, Tuning, and Reliability

Now, we’ve already done an Audi Q3 vs Q5 and an Audi Q7 vs Q8, but figured we should compare the most popular Audi SUVs, the Audi Q5 vs Q7. Audi has a suite of SUVs to choose from, it’s just a question of which one suits the consumer’s needs and lifestyles. In this article, we will be going over price, performance, size, reliability, common problems, and more to compare the Audi Q5 vs Q7.

Audi Q5 vs Q7 – The Basics

The Audi Q5 was first introduced in 2007 and is still being produced today. Since its inception, there have been two generations. The first generation (8R) was built on the Volkswagen Group’s MLB platform, and the second generation (80A) was built on the Volkswagen Group’s MLB Evo platform. Both the first and second generations offered an SQ5. However, the first generation offered an FCEV, while the second generation offers a Q5 Sportback and an SQ5 Sportback. The trims available are Audi Premium, Audi Premium Plus, and Audi Prestige. The Q5 is currently positioned between the Q4 e-tron and the Q7.

The Audi Q7 was first produced in 2006 and is still in production today. Since it was introduced, like the Q5, there have been two generations. The first generation (4L) was built on the PL71 platform, and the second generation was built on the MLB Evo platform. The Q7 was the first SUV that Audi offered back in 2006. This positioned them well in the CUV and SUV vehicle buying stage that took place around that time. Audi only offers a Q7 and an SQ7. Although it offered many engines for the Q7 from the beginning.

Audi Q5 Generations

• 8R Q5 (2008 – 2017)
• 80A Q5 (2018 – Present)

Audi Q7 Generations

• 4L Q7 (2006 – 2014)
• 4M Q7 (2015 – Present)

Audi Q5 vs Q7 Price

In this portion, we will be going over the new 2022, as of this writing, model prices and used prices for the Q5 and Q7.

New Audi Q5 Price

A Premium Audi Q5 with a 40 TFSI engine starts at $43,300, a Premium Plus with the same engine starts at $48,300, and lastly, a Prestige Audi Q5 with the same engine starts at $54,000. The Q5 comes with 2 other engines: 45 TFSI and a 55 TFSI e Plug-in hybrid. A premium Q5 with a 45 TFSI starts at $45,800, a premium plus with the same engine starts at $$50,800, and a Prestige Audi Q5 starts at $56,500. A premium Q5 with a 55 TFSI e Plug-in hybrid starts at $55,400, a premium plus with the same engine starts at $59,500, and a Prestige Audi Q5 starts at $64,800. The 2022 Q5 also has 3 other variations: Q5 Sportback, SQ5, and SQ5 Sportback. The Audi Q5 Sportback starts at $50,100, the Audi SQ5 starts at $55,800, and the Audi SQ5 Sportback $59,200.

New Audi Q7 Price

Where the Q5 offers three different engines for all three trims, the Q7 offers two engines for the Premium and Premium Plus. While the Prestige only has one engine. A Premium Audi Q7 with a 45 TFSI engine starts at $57,500, and the Premium Plus with the same engine starts at $60,400. The other engine that the Q5 offers is the 55 TFSI. The Premium Q7 with a 55 TFSI engine starts at $62,500, the Premium Plus with the same engine starts at $66,100, and lastly, a Prestige Audi Q7 with the same engine starts at $73,300. The 2022 Q7 has another variation: SQ7. The Audi SQ7 starts at $88,500.

If you are curious about the trim differences with Audi’s, here is an article we wrote about the different Audi trims.

Used Audi Q5 & Q7 Price

When it comes to used Audi Q5s vs Q7s, pricing is pretty much consistent with new prices. With that, we mean since the Q7 is larger than the Q5, it tends to be a bit more expensive. We will be basing it on the most popular generations for both models: 8R Q5 & 4L Q7. A used 8R Q5 price ranges from $7,500 – $36,998* with an average price overall of $22,250, depending on model year and mileage. A used 4L Q7 price ranges from $7,000 – $35,990* with an average price overall of $21,495, depending on model year and mileage. On the used side, since the 4L Q7 ended in 2014, that is why the prices are more similar.

*At the time of writing this article, we believe we are in a market where used vehicles are inflated, so consider that when seeing the used prices above. 

General Q5 & Q7 Topics

Q5 vs Q7 Size

Below are some basic details about the size and weight differences seen between the 2022 Audi Q5 and the 2022 Audi Q7.

The Q5 is a compact luxury CUV, while the Q7 is a mid-size luxury CUV. Therefore, to no surprise, all of the Q7s dimensions are larger than the Q5s. Two things that stand out to us is: cargo space and seating capacity. First, the Q7 can seat 7, while the Q5 can only seat 5. Therefore the Q7 would be better suited for a bigger family because it will seat more. As you can see with cargo space, the Q5 starts with more. However, that is because the Q5 only has two rows, while the Q7 has three rows of seats. When all three rows of seats are up in the Q7, cargo space begins at 14.2ft³. However, when the third row is folded down, it increases to 35.7ft³. Lastly, when the third and second row of seats are folded down, the cargo space increases to 69.6ft³.

Audi Q5 vs Q7 Performance

For consistencies sake, we will be using the 2022 Q5 and 2022 Q7 performance specs.

Engines, Drivetrain, & Fuel Economy

Q5 Performance

A 2022 Audi Q5 features three different engines: 40 TFSI, 45 TFSI, and a 55 TFSI e Plug-in hybrid. The 40 TFSI (2.0T) puts down 201hp and 236 lb-ft of torque and is found on all three trims. The 45 TFSI puts down 261hp and 273 lb-ft of torque and is also found on all three trims. The 55 TFSI e Plug-in hybrid puts down 362hp and 369lb-ft of torque. All three engines offer a 7-speed S Tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission with Audi’s quattro® AWD system.

The 40 TFSI engine gets 23mpg in the city and 29mpg on the highway for a combined mpg of 25 with an 18.5gal fuel tank. The 45 TFSI engine gets 23mpg in the city and 28mpg on the highway for a combined mpg of 25 with an 18.5gal fuel tank. Last but not least, the 55 TFSI e Plug-in hybrid engine gets a total electric range of 390 miles, a combined gas & electric 61 mpge, and a combined mpg of 26 on gas only with a 14.3gal fuel tank.

Q7 Performance

Unlike the Q5, the Audi Q7 only features 2 different engines: 45 TFSI & 55 TFSI. The 45 TFSI quattro® engine, although it sounds the same as the Q5’s 45 TFSI, it isn’t the same engine. It is a 2.0T that puts down 248hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The 55 TFSI is actually a 3.0L V6 TFSI that puts down 335hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Both engines offer a 7-speed S Tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission with Audi’s quattro® AWD system. The 45 TFSI engine gets 20mpg in the city and 25mpg on the highway for a combined mpg of 22 with a 22.5gal fuel tank. The 55 TFSI engine gets 18mpg in the city and 23mpg on the highway for a combined mpg of 20 with a 22.5gal fuel tank.

Q5 & Q7 Reliability and Common Problems

Audi Q5

The Q5s reliability comes in about the middle of the pack. The Audi Q5s reliability gets a bad reputation because of the Gen2 EA888 engines causing excessive oil consumption issues. RepairPal ranks the Audi Q5 3 out of 5 on their reliability rating. This positions them 11th out of 14 for all luxury midsize SUVs. If possible, we would avoid 2010-2014 Audi Q5 model years. The average annual maintenance of an Audi Q5 is $928, which is slightly above average for luxury midsize SUVs.

Common problems that are seen in Q5s are as followed: excessive oil consumption, leaking fuel pump flanges, timing chain tensioner failure, DRL failure, and start-stop system malfunction. If a Q5 is properly maintained, we’ve seen them last up to 150,000, while others with diesel’s last up to 300,000 miles.

The 5 Most Common Audi Q5 Engine Problems

Audi Q7

The Audi Q7s reliability is average. RepairPal rated it a 2.5 out of 5 and JD Power rated it 3 out of 5 on their own reliability ratings. On RepairPal, this positioned the Q7 8th out of 19 in the luxury full-size SUVs. Something to remember is the more expensive the vehicle, the higher maintenance is going to be. The average annual repair cost of an Audi Q7 is $1,185. The model years we see are the best are 2006, 2010, 2016, and 2019-2021 model years. Therefore if you are looking at used Q7s, look for those years if possible.

Common problems that are seen in Q7s are as followed: Premature CV boot failure, ignition coil and spark plug failure, N80 valve failure, fuel pump flange failure, and timing chain tensioner failure. If a Q7 is properly maintained, we’ve seen them last up to 150,000-200,000 miles. However, older Q7s with diesel engines can last up to 300,000 miles.

Audi Q7 Common Engine Problems & Reliability

Q5 vs Q7 – Which is Better?

When it comes to which model is better, we feel this is subjective. Because we can’t say which model better suits every single consumer. One consumer may need more space, in which the Q7 would fit best. Another consumer may not need three rows of seats and wants a sportier ride, in which the Q5 would fit best. Both the 2022 Audi Q5 and Q7 have a 5-star overall safety rating. They both share very similar cabins, as far as technology and safety features. Both have a rearview camera, HUD (head-up display), and Audi pre-sense. So there are a lot of similarities, it is just the differences that stand out. The dimensions of the Q7 are larger and seat 7. The Q5 is sportier, but only seat 5. In our personal opinion, we would go with the Q5 only because that suits our lifestyle the best.

Something we ALWAYS advise is to go to a local Audi dealer or used car lot and get a first-hand experience with both. There is nothing better than getting a test drive in both models because it will assist you the most when choosing which suits best for you.

Audi Q5 vs Q7 Conclusion

To end this article, we hope the information above assists anyone in their purchasing decision. Purchasing a vehicle, a luxury vehicle for that matter, is not a small purchase. Both models have their pros and cons depending on what a consumer is looking for. In short, the Q7 is larger, but the Q5 is sportier. If you have had an experience with either or both and have a preference, let us know in the comments. This will help readers in the future assist them in their purchasing decision.