A few years ago, Audi was building some of the best SUVs, well, really, cars in general. Models like the Q7 from 2015 and the Q5 a year or so after might have looked pretty conservative, but they were incredibly well-engineered and objectively put all of their premium badge rivals to shame. However, the company’s latest SUVs, the Q4 and Q6, aren’t quite as special.
Don’t get it wrong, they are good cars. If you wanted to buy either, we definitely wouldn’t try to talk you out of it. It’s just that they aren’t the very best cars in their classes. But Audi might be about to return to class-leading form because this is the new 2025 Audi Q5. In this article, we’ll find out more about it.
Where the Q5 Fits in Audi’s Lineup
In Audi’s lineup, it used to be very straightforward, but it’s now a little more complicated. This model still sits above the Q3 and below the Q7, and like both of those cars, the Q5 features petrol and diesel engines under its hood.
There are also now the Q4 and Q6, which straddle the Q5 in size but are fully electric. In fact, Audi’s plan was to use odd numbers for combustion engine cars and even numbers for electric models. However, they have now decided that was a terrible idea.
As a sign of what’s to come, the A6 replacement will actually still be called the A6. it was originally going to be badged as an A7. This means there will be both a fully electric A6 and a combustion engine A6, making it easier for long-time Audi fans to understand the lineup.
Engine Options and Performance
So, we know the Q5 has petrol and diesel engines under its bonnet, but what exactly are they? Well, this car comes with a 2.0L turbocharged petrol engine with 201 brake horsepower. For around £600 extra, you can opt for a 2.0L diesel with the same power output but more torque, making it more economical.
If that isn’t enough power for you, there’s also the hot SQ5 version, featuring a 3.0L V6 petrol engine with 362 brake horsepower, capable of reaching 62 mph in just 4.5 seconds. A plug-in hybrid version will also be joining the lineup later this year, which may be worth waiting for if you’re a company car driver paying benefit-in-kind tax.
Whichever engine you choose, you can pick between the regular SUV version and the swoopier Sportback variant with its coupe-like rear end. While the Sportback looks more stylish, it comes with some minor practicality compromises.
However, the main reason you might want to stick with the regular SUV is that the Sportback costs around £25,000 extra. The Q5 isn’t cheap to begin with—prices start at roughly £50,000, which is about the same as a BMW X3 and slightly cheaper than an equivalent Mercedes GLC.
If you want the SQ5, you’ll be spending around £75,000, which is similar to a Porsche Macan GTS. If that sounds pricey, it’s because the SQ5 is only available in range-topping Edition One trim, which comes with loads of standard equipment.
Design and Platform
At first glance, this new 2025 Audi Q5 might look fairly similar to the previous generation. It’s an evolution of that design rather than a drastic change, but it actually sits on heavily revised underpinnings. This is the first SUV on Audi’s new PPC (Premium Platform Combustion) platform, which debuted on the A5 late last year and will also be used for future models, including the Q7. It isn’t an entirely new platform; Audi still plans to have a fully electric lineup in just a few years, but it has allowed for more advanced mild hybrid technology.
Interior and Technology
Stepping inside, visually, it is quite similar to the latest Q6, featuring a big curved piece of glass stretching across half of the dashboard. This houses two displays: an 11.9-inch Virtual Cockpit behind the steering wheel (which Audi has had for years) and a 14.5-inch touchscreen in the center for infotainment functions.
This type of setup isn’t entirely new—it’s been seen in the latest Porsche Taycan and even Range Rovers going back 20 years. However, in the UK, you can only get this extra screen in the range-topping Edition One trim; it’s not an option on lower trims.
The central touchscreen itself is bright, high up, and responsive, though it is still more distracting to use while driving compared to a rotary controller. Unfortunately, physical air conditioning controls are gone, meaning you’ll have to use touchscreen icons or voice commands to adjust the temperature.
In terms of the interior quality, Audi used to build the best interiors in the business. While this Q5’s interior isn’t bad, some details disappoint. There are leather-trimmed areas and soft-touch materials, but certain elements, like the trim behind the steering wheel, have noticeably larger panel gaps.
That said, Audi isn’t alone in this; BMW’s latest X3 is a step down from its predecessor, and the Mercedes GLC’s interior isn’t great either. If interior quality is your top priority, consider the Porsche Macan or Lexus NX instead.
Practicality and Storage
Storage is better than in the previous Q5, with a larger center cubby, decent-sized door bins, and a wireless phone charger tray. The driving position is also excellent you sit high, the seats are comfortable, and everything lines up well. The Virtual Cockpit is partially obscured by the steering wheel, but Audi has cleverly designed the display so that essential information isn’t blocked.
The new 2025 Audi Q5 is slightly larger than before, but not by much, only 3.5 cm longer, with a 9 mm increase in wheelbase. That means rear space is similar to the previous model. At just over 6 feet tall, it offers plenty of knee room. The seats can slide forward to increase boot space, and the backrest can recline for added comfort. Headroom is decent even in the Sportback, and even better in the regular SUV version. The only real downside is the large central floor tunnel, which makes the middle seat less comfortable.
Cargo Space
The boot is about the same size as the old Q5s, with 550 liters of space in the Sportback and 555 liters in the regular SUV. The Sportback’s load area is slightly shallower at the rear, but both versions have a removable load cover, extra storage under the floor, and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats.
Driving Experience
The Q5 features a mild hybrid system with a relatively large 1.7 kWh battery and a powertrain generator that assists the engine. This helps fuel economy achieve over 40 mpg for the petrol and 47+ mpg for the diesel. The driving experience is smooth, with well-calibrated brakes and quick acceleration (0-62 mph in around 7 seconds).
Different trims come with different suspension setups. Sport trim gets Comfort suspension, while S Line and Edition One get Sport suspension, which is firmer. The car I drove had optional air suspension (£1,725), which provides a plush ride, even on large 21-inch wheels. In Comfort mode, it’s more comfortable than the BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC. In Dynamic mode, the suspension lowers by 15 mm for better handling, though the steering feels unnecessarily heavy.
Off-Road Capabilities
When driving Off-road, the air suspension can lift the car for better ground clearance, making it more capable than expected for a luxury SUV. Overall, while the new 2025 Audi Q5 may be a little disappointing in terms of interior quality, it remains a practical, tech-filled, and great-driving SUV.
