The Audi Q5 e spans 2020–2025 with 3 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2021, 2020, 2023 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2024, 2025, 2023. It delivers up to 32 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Audi Q5 e is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2020 to 2025 across multiple generations.
How to read a Audi Q5 e VIN — every digit explained
Every Audi Q5 e carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Audi and the country it was built in (real Audi codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Q5 e.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- GermanyWA1 · WAU · WU1 · WUA
- HungaryTRU
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Q5 e, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Audi Q5 e have?
The Audi Q5 e has 3 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2020–2025. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Audi Q5 e
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 5 tracked years, the worst years are 2021, 2020, 2023 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2024, 2025, 2023.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Q5 e | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2021 Q5 e | Power Train | Avoid | |
| 2023 Q5 e | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 2024 Q5 e | — | Best | |
| 2025 Q5 e | — | Best |
What are the most common Audi Q5 e problems?
The most-reported Audi Q5 e problems are Tires (1 reports), Engine (9 reports) and Wheels (4 reports) — out of 45 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Audi Q5 e specifications & dimensions
The 2025 Audi Q5 e. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Audi Q5 e window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Audi Q5 e cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Q5 e holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 92 cu ft of passenger volume and 24 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Audi Q5 e tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Audi Q5 e get?
The Audi Q5 e returns up to 32 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $1,950/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2025 Audi Q5 e (2L 4-cyl) gets 28 mpg combined and costs about $2,750/yr to fuel, emitting 320 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 6/10, smog 6/10) — about $2,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q5 e | 24 | 34 | $2,750 | 320 | 6/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2020 Q5 e | 27 | 36 | $2,100 | 293 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl |
The 2024 Audi Q5 e (2L 4-cyl Hybrid) gets 32 mpg combined and costs about $1,950/yr to fuel, emitting 279 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 6/10, smog 7/10) — that's about $1,250 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Q5 e | 29 | 37 | $1,950 | 279 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl Hybrid | |
| 2023 Q5 e | 28 | 38 | $1,950 | 276 | 7/10 | 2L 4-cyl Hybrid | |
| 2021 Q5 e | 24 | 30 | $2,950 | 335 | 5/10 | 2L 4-cyl Hybrid |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Q5 e stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this Q5 e's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Audi Q5 e have? Power & range
The Audi Q5 e is offered with 2 powertrains — 2L 4-cyl, 2L 4-cyl Hybrid. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | AWD | Premium |
| Hybrid | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Automatic (AM-S7) | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Audi Q5 e cost to own?
A Audi Q5 e tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Check what a used Q5 e is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Q5 e loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $9,750 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Q5 e ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Audi Q5 e to insure?
A Audi Q5 e costs about $1,352 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 6% below the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (94, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the Q5 e's HLDI loss index. See Audi insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Audi Q5 e safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Q5 e yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Audi Q5 e last?
A well-maintained Audi Q5 e typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Check your Audi Q5 e’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Q5 e’s VIN free →All Audi Q5 e model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Audi Q5 e — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Q5 e | 0 | — | |
| 2024 Q5 e | 0 | — | |
| 2023 Q5 e | 1 recall | — | |
| 2021 Q5 e | 1 recall | — | |
| 2020 Q5 e | 1 recall | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Q5 e?
By owner-complaint volume, 2021, 2020, 2023 drew the most reports. 2024, 2025, 2023 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Q5 e have?
3 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2020–2025. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Audi recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Q5 e get?
Up to 32 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Q5 e last?
A well-maintained Q5 e typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Q5 e reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Q5 e is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Audi Q5 e warranty?
New Audi models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Audi dealer.
Where is the Audi Q5 e made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Q5 e's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Audi may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Q5 e have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.