Used car safety, rank #3 of 181
Audi Q5 4WD Safety Rating (2018-20)
Real IIHS driver death rates for the 2018-20 Audi Q5 4WD, a midsize luxury SUV, compared with its class and with the current model.
Safest PickThe 2018-20 Audi Q5 4WD has an IIHS driver death rate of 2 per million registered vehicle years against a midsize luxury SUVs average of 10.9, which is 82% below the class average. That places it #3 of 181 used vehicles with a safety score of 97.1/100, earning our Safest Pick designation, and it typically sells used for $23,000 to $38,000.
What the Audi Q5 death rate means
At 2 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, the Audi Q5 4WD beats the midsize luxury SUVs average of 10.9 by 82%. The 95% confidence interval is 0 to 6, so even the pessimistic end of the range is no worse than the class average.
The other-driver death rate of 21 measures the opposite risk: how many drivers of other vehicles died in crashes with a Audi Q5. It is higher than the Audi Q5's own driver death rate, the usual pattern for this class. Remember that death rates describe vehicles and their drivers together: IIHS adjusts for driver age and gender, but not for where or how carefully people drive. Our score weights this model's own rate at 70% and its class at 30%; see how we rank used cars.
Compared with similar used luxury SUVs
The safest midsize luxury SUVs in the IIHS study, by our score, with the Audi Q5 4WD highlighted. It ranks 2 of the 9 shown; the class leader is the BMW X3 4WD at a death rate of 0.
| Vehicle | Years | Death rate | Score | Reliability | Used price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW X3 4WD | 2019-20 | 0 (0 to 29) | 98.6 | 2.5/5 | $22,000 to $36,000 |
| Audi Q5 4WD (this page) | 2018-20 | 2 (0 to 6) | 97.1 | 3.0/5 | $23,000 to $38,000 |
| Volvo XC90 4WD | 2018-20 | 4 (0 to 13) | 96.3 | 3.5/5 | $26,000 to $42,000 |
| Volvo XC60 4WD | 2018-20 | 5 (0 to 16) | 95.5 | 4.0/5 | $23,000 to $36,000 |
| Lexus RX 350 4WD | 2017-20 | 5 (0 to 10) | 95.5 | 4.0/5 | $26,000 to $40,000 |
| Acura RDX 4WD | 2019-20 | 6 (0 to 18) | 93.6 | 4.5/5 | $22,000 to $34,000 |
| BMW X5 4WD | 2019-20 | 6 (0 to 19) | 93.6 | 2.0/5 | $28,000 to $48,000 |
| Porsche Macan | 2017-20 | 6 (0 to 14) | 93.6 | 1.5/5 | $32,000 to $52,000 |
| Acura MDX 4WD | 2017-20 | 6 (0 to 16) | 93.6 | 4.0/5 | $24,000 to $36,000 |
Class average for midsize luxury SUVs: 10.9 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years.
The new Audi Q5
Death rates lag the market by several years. For the current Audi Q5 we score IIHS crash tests instead; here is how the latest model years rate on our new-car scale.
| Model year | Model | IIHS award | New-car score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Audi Q5 | TSP+ | 97.2 |
| 2026 | Audi Q5 Sportback | TSP+ | 97.2 |
New-car scores use a different scale (crash tests, not death rates) and are not directly comparable with the 97.1 used-car score above.
Reliability and cost of ownership
Reliability: 3.0 out of 5
RepairPal rates the Audi Q5 3.0/5, 11th out of 14 in its category. Owners spend about $928 a year on repairs and maintenance, visiting the shop 1.2 times a year for unscheduled work, and 9% of those repairs are severe.
RepairPal detailsUsed price: $23,000 to $38,000
Typical asking prices for 2018-20 Audi Q5 4WD listings. For a model with a death rate of 2, that buys more real-world protection per dollar than most alternatives in the midsize luxury SUVs class.
Safety recalls for the Audi Q5 4WD
A recall is a defect the manufacturer must repair free of charge, however old the car and whoever owns it now. On a used car this matters more than on a new one: the work is only done if a previous owner took it in.
6 recall campaigns on the 2020 model year, covering electrical system, tires, suspension, seats, structure.
-
Electrical system: propulsion system, charging, cable/cord, onboard
Risk: An overheated outlet or charging cable can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to use the 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable and only use the 110V home charging cable or public charging stations. Dealers will supply a new 220V/240V compact/portable charging cable with an incorporated temperature sensor, free of charge.
-
Tires
Risk: Rear axle misalignment may cause premature or uneven tire wear, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle, adjust the alignment as necessary, and replace any prematurely or unevenly worn tires, free of charge.
-
Electrical system: body control module/bcm
Risk: A gateway control module shutdown will suddenly reduce engine power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install a protective cover on the gateway control module and seal an underbody seam as necessary, free of charge.
-
Suspension: rear, axle, non-powered axle assembly
Risk: A broken lock nut may misalign the rear axle, causing a loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the lock nuts and, if necessary, the associated bolts, free of charge.
-
Seats
Risk: In the event of a rear-end crash, the backrest adjustment could break, possibly reducing the amount of occupant restraint, thus increasing risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seats, and, as necessary, replace the seatback frames, free of charge. The recall began September 11, 2020. Volkswagen
-
Structure: body
Risk: The detached trim may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four clips securing the forward part of the rear wheel arch trim, free of charge. The recall began November 1, 2019.
Recall campaigns from the NHTSA recalls database, retrieved 2026-09-04. A campaign covers a range of build dates, not every car of the model year, and IIHS reports this nameplate across several years while these results are for 2020. Confirm against the VIN. Recalls do not affect the death rate on this page.
Audi Q5 4WD: Common Questions
Is the Audi Q5 4WD a safe car?
Yes, by the measure that matters most. IIHS recorded a driver death rate of 2 per million registered vehicle years for the 2018-20 Audi Q5 4WD, 82% below the class average (10.9 for midsize luxury SUVs). That earns a used-car safety score of 97.1 out of 100 and rank #3 of 181 used vehicles, with a Safest Pick designation.
What is the Audi Q5 4WD driver death rate?
2 driver deaths per million registered vehicle years, with a 95% confidence interval of 0 to 6. Drivers of other vehicles that collided with a Audi Q5 died at a rate of 21 per million. Source: IIHS driver death rates by make and model, covering 2018-20 models.
How does the Audi Q5 4WD compare with other midsize luxury SUVs?
The midsize luxury SUVs class averages 10.9 driver deaths per million; the Audi Q5 4WD sits at 2. Among the 9 midsize luxury SUVs compared above it ranks 2 by safety score; the top of that group is the BMW X3 4WD with a death rate of 0.