2027 Audi Q5 vs Audi Q8: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Q5 — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–2.5 across 6 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($53,300 vs $76,900) and better fuel economy (24 mpg vs 19 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Q8 if you want the most power (631 hp vs 362 hp).
Scorecard: Q5 3.5 pts · Q8 2.5 pts across 6 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Q5 | 2027 Q8 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $53,300 | $76,900 | Q5 |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 36.7% | — | No data |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 24 mpg | 19 mpg | Q5 |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 362 hp | 631 hp | Q8 |
| Max towing (1) | 4,400 lb | 7,700 lb | Q8 |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 27.6 cu ft | — | No data |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 8% off MSRP | — | No data |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 6 | 4 | Q8 |
| Weighted points | 3.5 | 2.5 | Q5 |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Q5 — 24 mpg vs 19 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: it's a wash — Q5 5 vs Q8 5 (standard seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the Q5 — $53,300 vs $76,900 (starting MSRP).
- Towing. Towing: the Q8 — 7,700 lb vs 4,400 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The Q5 starts at $53,300 and tops out at $67,300; the Q8 runs $76,900 to $139,700 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified Q5 buyers paid a median 8% off MSRP across 5 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 10% off.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Q5: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Q8: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Q5 6, Q8 4.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Q5 2016 (caution) · Q8 2019 (avoid), 2020 (solid), 2021 (caution).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 Q5 | 2027 Q8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $53,300 | $76,900 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $67,300 | $139,700 |
| Horsepower | 268–362 hp | 335–631 hp |
| Max torque | 406 lb-ft | 627 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 24 mpg | 19 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 4,400 lb | 7,700 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 27.6 cu ft | — |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Q5 lists for a median $22,166 — 36.7% of today's median new price of $60,431. There's no 5-year retention figure for the Q8 yet.
Shop both
- See new 2027 Audi Q5s for sale →
- See 3,740 new 2027 Audi Q8s for sale →Median listed price $86,780 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Audi Q5
More on the Audi Q8
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Q5 better than the Q8?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the Q5 — it leads our weighted scorecard 3.5–2.5 across 6 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($53,300 vs $76,900) and better fuel economy (24 mpg vs 19 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Q8 if you want the most power (631 hp vs 362 hp).
Which is more reliable, the Q5 or the Q8?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Q5 and 4 for the Q8.
Which holds its value better, the Q5 or the Q8?
We don't have a 5-year retention figure for both models.
Which is cheaper, the Q5 or the Q8?
The Q5 starts lower: $53,300 vs $76,900 starting MSRP (before destination).
Which has better gas mileage, the Q5 or the Q8?
The Q5: up to 24 mpg combined vs 19 mpg for the Q8 (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2027 Audi Q5 vs Audi Q8: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/audi-q5-vs-audi-q8, updated November 8, 2026.