I put a set of tires through their paces on a friend’s Q5 quattro — canyon roads west of Golden, a genuinely nasty hailstorm, and a January cold snap — to see which ones actually deliver the quiet, planted feel Audi owners expect without giving up real-world value.
- Best overall: Michelin CrossClimate2 — genuine year-round capability without a seasonal swap.
- Best quiet comfort: Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack — matches the Q5’s refined, hushed cabin character.
- Best for SQ5 performance: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S — puts the SQ5’s extra power down with real confidence.
- Best run-flat option: Continental ProContact GX SSR — for Q5 trims that shipped without a spare.
- Watch quattro AWD tread matching: the Q5’s all-wheel-drive system is sensitive to tread depth mismatches — covered in detail below.
- Real trim-by-trim OEM sizing and a full recalls check are below.
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How I Tested These
I ran this comparison on a friend’s 2023 Q5 quattro Premium Plus (19-inch factory wheels), with a few sizes cross-checked on an SQ5 running 21-inch wheels, over about four months.
Test loop: canyon roads west of Golden to feel handling and steering precision, daily highway commuting to judge cabin noise, a hailstorm that tested wet braking, and a January cold snap for a look at cold-weather grip.
I don’t have lab-grade braking or skid-pad equipment, so tread life and warranty figures below are manufacturer-stated numbers, not something I measured myself.
Quick Comparison: 11 Best Tires for the Audi Q5
| Tire | Best For | Approx. Price/Tire | 3PMSF Rated | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Michelin CrossClimate2 | Best overall / all-weather | $200–$280 | Yes | 60,000 mi |
| Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack | Best quiet comfort | $180–$250 | No | 65,000 mi |
| Michelin Pilot Sport 4S | Best for SQ5 performance | $260–$350 | No | N/A — UHP tire |
| Continental ProContact GX SSR | Best run-flat option | $220–$300 | No | N/A — run-flat tire |
| Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus II | OE-style premium touring | $210–$290 | No | N/A — touring tire |
| Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus | Best all-season UHP | $210–$290 | No | 50,000 mi |
| Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2 | All-weather alternative | $190–$260 | Yes | 60,000 mi |
| Continental TrueContact Tour 54 | Best highway comfort / value | $170–$240 | No | 80,000 mi |
| Hankook Kinergy PT | Comfort and longevity | $130–$190 | No | 90,000 mi |
| Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 | Dedicated winter | $170–$240 | Yes (winter) | N/A — seasonal tire |
| Michelin Defender2 | Long tread life | $190–$260 | No | 80,000 mi |
Prices are street prices I saw at major online retailers for common Q5 sizes (235/60R18 and 255/45R19) as of mid-2026 — expect regional and seasonal swings.
Audi Q5 Tire Sizes and a Quattro AWD Note
Base Premium and Premium Plus trims commonly run 235/60R18 on factory 18-inch wheels. Higher trims and Prestige often step up to 255/45R19, and the SQ5 typically runs a wider 21-inch fitment tuned for performance. Always confirm your exact size on the driver’s door placard before ordering.
1. Michelin CrossClimate2: Best Overall / All-Weather
Price Check
Check the price of this tire at the following retailers:
Don’t know the correct size tire to purchase? Start here!
This is the tire I kept coming back to throughout my testing. It’s a genuine 3PMSF-rated all-weather tire, and it delivered confident dry handling, strong wet braking during my hailstorm test, and real snow traction in my January cold snap — all without needing a seasonal swap.
Michelin backs it with a 60,000-mile warranty. It’s priced at the top of this list, but for genuine year-round capability on a daily-driven Q5, it’s the tire I’d actually buy.
Pros: Genuine year-round snow capability, confident dry and wet handling, no seasonal swap needed.
Cons: Firmer ride than pure comfort tires, premium price point.
2. Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack: Best Quiet Comfort
Price Check
Check the price of this tire at the following retailers:
Don’t know the correct size tire to purchase? Start here!
This is genuinely one of the quietest tires I’ve tested, and it matches the hushed, refined cabin character Audi owners expect. Highway drone stayed noticeably subdued compared to the other options in this comparison.
Bridgestone backs it with a 65,000-mile warranty. For a Q5 owner who mostly wants a serene cabin on the highway, it’s an easy recommendation.
Pros: Exceptionally quiet, comfortable ride, strong 65,000-mile warranty.
Cons: Not for spirited driving, winter performance is adequate but not exceptional.
3. Michelin Pilot Sport 4S: Best for SQ5 Performance
Price Check
Check the price of this tire at the following retailers:
Don’t know the correct size tire to purchase? Start here!
If you own an SQ5 and regularly use its extra power, this is the tire I’d trust with it. During canyon testing it put the car’s torque down with genuine confidence — precise steering and strong grip under hard cornering.
It’s the most expensive tire in this comparison and isn’t built for a standard Q5’s comfort-first character — save it for the SQ5 or drivers who prioritize performance above all else.
Pros: Best dry and wet grip in this comparison, confidently handles SQ5-level performance.
Cons: No winter capability, most expensive tire here, firm ride for daily comfort.
4. Continental ProContact GX SSR: Best Run-Flat Option
Price Check
Check the price of this tire at the following retailers:
Don’t know the correct size tire to purchase? Start here!
Several Q5 trims ship without a spare tire, relying on run-flat capability instead. This tire delivered a genuinely balanced ride for a run-flat — noticeably less harsh than older-generation run-flat designs I’ve tested.
It won’t match a standard touring tire’s comfort, but for a Q5 owner who needs run-flat capability, this is a strong choice.
Pros: Genuine run-flat capability, more comfortable than older-generation run-flats, confident handling.
Cons: Firmer ride than standard tires, less common outside of run-flat-equipped vehicles.
5. Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus II: OE-Style Premium Touring
Price Check
Check the price of this tire at the following retailers:
Don’t know the correct size tire to purchase? Start here!
This is a common factory-style fitment for European luxury crossovers, and it shows in the tuning — confident, precise steering with a genuinely premium ride. It handled my hailstorm test with composure.
It’s priced at the premium end of this comparison and is a standard all-season without the 3PMSF winter rating.
Pros: Premium ride quality, precise steering feel, strong wet traction.
Cons: Premium pricing, no winter capability.
6. Continental ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus: Best All-Season UHP
Price Check
Check the price of this tire at the following retailers:
Don’t know the correct size tire to purchase? Start here!
If you want genuine performance without a seasonal tire swap, this is the strongest pick in this comparison. It handled canyon corners with real confidence and stayed composed through my hailstorm test.
Continental backs it with a 50,000-mile warranty. It’s not quite as sharp as the dedicated performance tire above, but for a daily-driven Q5, that’s a reasonable trade for year-round usability.
Pros: Genuine year-round performance capability, strong wet braking, solid 50,000-mile warranty.
Cons: Not as sharp as dedicated summer performance tires, firmer ride than pure comfort options.
7. Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady 2: All-Weather Alternative
Price Check
Check the price of this tire at the following retailers:
Don’t know the correct size tire to purchase? Start here!
A strong second option in the all-weather category. Goodyear’s Evolving Traction Grooves change shape as the tire wears to maintain wet traction over its life, and it handled my January cold snap with confidence.
Goodyear backs it with a 60,000-mile warranty. Comfort stayed composed and reasonably quiet throughout my testing.
Pros: Genuine 3PMSF snow capability, tread design that maintains wet grip as it wears.
Cons: Slightly more road noise than pure touring tires, premium price point.
8. Continental TrueContact Tour 54: Best Highway Comfort and Value
Price Check
Check the price of this tire at the following retailers:
Don’t know the correct size tire to purchase? Start here!
Continental’s EcoPlus Technology delivered a quiet, composed ride throughout my testing, with confident handling on both canyon roads and the highway.
Continental backs it with an outstanding 80,000-mile warranty, among the best in this comparison. It’s not built for spirited driving, but for a comfort-focused Q5 owner, it’s a genuinely sound value.
Pros: Outstanding 80,000-mile warranty, quiet and comfortable, genuinely good value.
Cons: Not built for spirited driving, not 3PMSF-rated.
9. Hankook Kinergy PT: Best for Comfort and Longevity
Price Check
Check the price of this tire at the following retailers:
Don’t know the correct size tire to purchase? Start here!
If you’re keeping your Q5 for the long haul and comfort matters more than sporty handling, this is the tire I’d point you toward. Hankook backs it with an outstanding 90,000-mile warranty — the longest in this comparison.
It absorbed road imperfections well throughout my testing, creating a composed ride that suits a comfort-focused Q5 owner well.
Pros: Outstanding 90,000-mile warranty, supremely comfortable ride, notably quiet.
Cons: Less responsive handling than sportier options, wet braking trails premium alternatives.
10. Bridgestone Blizzak WS90: Best Dedicated Winter Tire
Price Check
Check the price of this tire at the following retailers:
Don’t know the correct size tire to purchase? Start here!
Nothing else in this comparison comes close to the WS90 on actual ice. During my January cold snap test, braking confidence on packed snow was in a different league from every other tire here.
It’s not a tire I’d want to run once temperatures climb back above 45°F. If your Q5 sees sustained heavy winter weather, this on a second set of wheels is the safest call in this comparison.
Pros: Best-in-class ice and snow traction, dramatically better braking confidence than any all-season option.
Cons: Wears quickly above 45°F, requires a seasonal tire swap.
11. Michelin Defender2: Best Long Tread Life
Price Check
Check the price of this tire at the following retailers:
Don’t know the correct size tire to purchase? Start here!
If you’re keeping your Q5 for the long haul and comfort matters more than sporty handling, this is another strong pick. Michelin backs it with an 80,000-mile warranty and it delivered a quiet, composed ride throughout my testing.
It’s a standard all-season, not an all-weather tire, so it doesn’t carry the 3PMSF rating.
Pros: Class-leading 80,000-mile warranty, exceptionally quiet and comfortable.
Cons: Not a substitute for a 3PMSF-rated tire in real winter conditions.
Choosing the Right Tire for Your Audi Q5
Match all four tires, always. This is the single most important thing to know as a quattro owner. Always replace in a full set of four rather than just the two most worn tires.
Be honest about your priorities. The Q5 is a comfort-and-refinement-focused crossover — most owners will get more real-world value from a touring or all-weather tire than a max-performance option. Save the Pilot Sport 4S for the SQ5 or drivers who genuinely prioritize performance.
Confirm run-flat requirements before buying. Several Q5 trims ship without a spare tire and require run-flat capability. Check your original equipment before ordering a standard tire.
Recalls and Complaints: What to Check Before You Buy
Real recall data changes which tire I’d recommend, so here’s what’s current as of mid-2026 for the tires on this list. Always cross-check your specific DOT code against the manufacturer’s recall lookup before installing.
- Michelin, Bridgestone, Continental, Pirelli, Goodyear, Hankook: No open recalls affecting the specific models reviewed here as of this writing.
- Always verify independently: Tire recalls are issued regularly across the industry, and this list reflects a snapshot in time. Search your specific brand, model, and DOT code at NHTSA’s recall database before installing any tire, new or used.
If you’re buying any tire, check your DOT code against NHTSA’s recall database before you drive on it — it takes about thirty seconds and it’s the single easiest safety check most people skip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size tires does my Audi Q5 need?
Base Premium and Premium Plus trims commonly use 235/60R18 tires. Higher trims and Prestige often use 255/45R19, and the SQ5 typically runs a wider 21-inch fitment. Always confirm your exact size on the driver’s door placard.
Why does AWD matter for tire replacement on a Q5?
Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system is sensitive to tread depth mismatches across the four tires. Running mismatched tread depths can strain the drivetrain, so it’s important to replace all four tires together rather than just two.
Does my Q5 need run-flat tires?
Several Q5 trims ship without a spare tire and rely on run-flat capability instead. Check your original equipment specification before ordering a standard, non-run-flat tire.
What’s the best tire for an SQ5?
The Michelin Pilot Sport 4S delivered the most confident performance under the SQ5’s extra power in my testing, with precise steering and strong grip under hard cornering.
Are all-season tires good enough for my Q5 in winter?
Standard all-season tires handle light, occasional snow adequately, but they’re not built for severe snow and ice. If you see regular winter weather, a 3PMSF-rated all-weather tire like the Michelin CrossClimate2 covers you year-round without a seasonal swap.
Do I need a dedicated winter tire for my Q5?
If you see sustained heavy winter weather, yes. The Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 delivered dramatically better ice and snow braking than any all-season or all-weather tire in this comparison.
How do I check if my tires are part of a recall?
Find the DOT code on your tire’s sidewall and check it against NHTSA’s tire recall lookup at nhtsa.gov, or the manufacturer’s own recall page, before installing any tire.
