The Audi Q5 does 23.8 mpg combined (21.6 city, 27.5 highway), which works out to about $1,613 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl Hybrid does 26.2 mpg while 3.2L 6-cyl does 20 — a difference of $454 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Audi Q5 engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl Hybrid | 24.4 / 28.8 | 2013–2025 | $1,466 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 21 / 28.4 | 2013–2017 | $1,600 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 20.8 / 27.6 | 2011–2026 | $1,662 | |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 18 / 23 | 2009–2012 | $1,920 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.134 |
| Fuel per year | $1,613 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,065 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$101 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,263 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 21.6 mpg | $1,778 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 27.5 mpg | $1,396 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.9 mpg (27%) | Typical for its type |
How the Q5 changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2025 | 23.5 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,506 | |
| 2024 | 23 / 29 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2023 | 25 / 27 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2022 | 25 / 27 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2021 | 25 / 29 | 1 | $1,422 | |
| 2020 | 23.5 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,506 | |
| 2019 | 22 / 27 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2018 | 23 / 27 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 2017 | 19 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2016 | 22.3 / 29 | 3 | $1,555 | |
| 2015 | 22.3 / 29 | 3 | $1,555 | |
| 2014 | 22.3 / 29 | 3 | $1,555 | |
| 2013 | 20.7 / 28 | 3 | $1,648 | |
| 2012 | 19 / 25 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2011 | 19 / 25 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2010 | 18 / 23 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2009 | 18 / 23 | 1 | $1,920 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Audi Q5 get?
23.8 mpg combined on average — 21.6 in the city and 27.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2009–2026.
How much does a Audi Q5 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,613 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,065 over five years, or 0.134 dollars a mile.
Which Q5 engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl Hybrid at 26.2 mpg, against 20 for the 3.2L 6-cyl — a difference of about $454 a year.
Is the Q5 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.