2025 Audi Q5 review: International first drive

It’s no secret that the previous-generation Audi Q5 was getting on in age.

It’s an important car for the brand, so there were plenty of tweaks to keep it current since its initial debut in 2016.

In fact, I remember driving a previous-generation Audi Q5 roughly 18 months ago and being impressed with just how well it had kept up with the times.

But there’s only so much you can do when your competitors start to pump out all-new replacements for their alternatives.

2025 now sees a new generation Audi Q5 make its debut, and it reinserts into the line-up as a bigger alternative to the Audi Q3 small SUV while still positioned below the Q7 large SUV.

Audi flew me to Spain to check this box-fresh Audi Q5 out. It promises a whole host of upgrades from the technology, the drive components, to the way this thing looks. Turns out, it was well worth the wait.

The styling is likely the first way you’ll be able to tell a new Q5 apart from its predecessors. I reckon it’s an absolute looker in the metal.

Normally, I’m not one to call out an SUV as an attractive car, but the Audi Q5 undeniably looks fresh and stocks the latest design attributes that you’d expect from the Audi range.

Up front, you’ve got Audi’s signature Singleframe front grille, which has taken on an evolutionary look, while sleek LED headlights are seen at each corner.

Audi’s moved away from its classic silver trims that you used to see on almost every model – in their place are black highlights on the S line trim package. Obviously new wheel designs make their debut with this updated model. There were 20-inch S line units fitted to my tester, though there are a plethora of options available to buyers.

The rear end features a full-width light bar in what’s becoming a must-have look.

We don’t know yet what this new model will cost, but given the substantial updates inside and out, as well as the changes under the skin, it’s a certainty that it’ll come more expensive than before.

The previous-generation Audi Q5 started at the $73,000 mark.

But you get more for your money too. It’s not only an incrementally larger car than before, but there’s more technology packed inside the interior, better appointments, and updated engines too.

As before, the Q5 comes in wagon body style or with Sportback coupe styling. The latter is more aerodynamic but loses out on boot space compared to the regular Q5 SUV shape.

The Q5 wagon will first come to Australia in 2025, followed by the Sportback after.

Over in Europe, there are two 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engines with either petrol or diesel persuasion, plus a top-dog 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol V6 that powers the Audi SQ5 performance variant.

Each engine is coupled with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The diesel engine outputs 150kW and 400Nm, the petrol provides 150kW and 340Nm, while the flagship SQ5 produces 270kW and 550Nm.

Every option is paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system with a 1.7kWh battery that helps reduce fuel consumption. It also allows the Q5 to be manoeuvred on complete electric power at low speeds, while providing an 18kW boost under heavy acceleration load.

Before the new Q5 lands in Australia, you can find your nearest Audi dealer here and get ready to check ou the new model when it arrives in Australia.

I’ve always been a fan of Audi interiors and this latest dash presentation from the brand is no exception – it’s a seamless blend of technology and fine craftsmanship.

It’s hard to miss the massive dashboard displays – you can get up to three separate screens with the new Q5 – but I'll talk about them soon.

Otherwise, I’m a fan of the wraparound ambient lighting beneath the windscreen, the door panels with suede inserts feel very sturdy, and the materials the brand’s used throughout feel top-notch quality.

The Audi Q5s provided for review were fitted with Audi's S line kit, which means there’s little difference between the Q5 S line and full-fat SQ5 sports version. It’s only the latter that gets a few more racy red details, plus red stitching around the leather upholstery.

There’s storage in the form of twin cupholders in the centre console, a big compartment to house larger items, a wireless smartphone charger, and twin USB-C ports to charge devices.

The two front seats are super supportive – with myriad adjustments – plus they feel comfortable enough to tackle some serious highway miles. I don’t feel like I’d get sore sitting in them for hours on end, either.

Unfortunately, Audi has made the decision to go with touch-capacitive controls on the steering wheel. We’ve learnt that this solution isn’t very user-friendly and the experience in this Q5 is no different. Please return to regular buttons, Audi.

Likewise, you’ll find air-conditioning adjustments within the main screen, which is a minus. Although the controls are hard-coded along the bottom of the display, using dials and knobs is far easier than prodding your way through the screen.

However, it’s nice to see a normal start button, volume dial, and a functional gear selector around the centre console.

There is abundant space in the second row, even for tall people like me. I’m 194cm tall and I had plenty of head room, nice air around my legs, and good foot room too.

One thing I love to see in an SUV is a seat bench that slides forward and back so that you can configure the space between the boot and second row. Plus, the backrest reclines.

There are air vents, map pockets, a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders, USB-C charging ports, and ample storage for odds and ends.

The boot of the Q5 wagon fits 520 litres with the second row of seating in use. It expands to 1473L with the 40/20/40-fold seats flattened. It’s cool to see that Audi’s thought of a way to stow the cargo blind beneath the load floor, plus there are manual latches to drop the rear seats down from the boot.

The main 14.5-inch touchscreen runs all primary infotainment functions, but there’s also an 11.9-inch instrument cluster, and an optional display in front of the passenger.

The new Android Automotive software is extremely slick in its operation and there are plenty of features to play with. There’s native satellite navigation, digital radio connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus internet connectivity to run downloadable apps such as YouTube.

I don’t think that the optional passenger display adds too much in the way of entertainment – especially because it sits right beside the main infotainment display anyway – but at least the option is there.

The embedded maps and camera feeds are very high quality and the colours are bright and easy to make out.

In front of the driver is an 11.9-inch digital cluster that can be adjusted to the driver’s preferences. There’s a smattering of information that can be displayed on the screen, which is easy to configure using the steering wheel buttons.

The Audi Q5 hasn’t yet been rated by crash-safety authorities like Euro NCAP or ANCAP, though it does come with a suite of active safety measures to help its cause.

I love the fact that there’s a dedicated button on the centre console to quickly call up all the safety settings. This means you can chop and change your preferences within a few clicks.

There’s the standard autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and lane-centring, lane-keep assistance, and blind-spot monitoring, but the Audi has smart integrations of technologies such as intelligent traffic sign recognition, driver awareness monitoring, and parking assistance.

These systems worked well on the launch, though we’ll see what they’re like once they’re implemented here in Australia.

I spent the majority of my time behind the wheel of a diesel-powered Audi Q5 at the model’s launch in Spain. Audi quotes an estimated fuel consumption between 5.9 and 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres for this variant.

In my time with the car, I saw consumption around the mid-8L/100km mark. This is higher than anticipated, though this number was based on spirited country driving rather than a combination of suburban and freeway roads. The front-wheel-drive petrol version is rated at 6.5–7.5L/100km.

It’s a silent affair getting going in the Audi Q5. The 48-volt mild-hybrid system takes care of low-speed reversing and manoeuvring, which is a nice way to begin a drive.

But it’s not long before the Q5 fires up its 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. While the unit is refined in its vibrations and power delivery, there is a bit of diesel clatter to contend with as it climbs up the rev range.

With 150kW/400Nm on tap, it’s not the quickest SUV out there. But the outputs are strong enough for the Q5 to pull itself up to the speed limit. Overtakes are more of an ask and should be well timed accordingly.

The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is a slick unit – whether you’re leaning into the throttle to come up a hill or pulling out into traffic, it’ll have an appropriate gear ready at the right time. There is some minor hesitation as you cycle from drive to reverse (and vice versa), though nothing that takes too long to sort itself out.

All cars at Audi’s launch were fitted with air suspension that did an incredible job of ironing out road imperfections. Whether it was a large speedhump, small potholes, or otherwise, the Q5 simply traverses all kinds of terrain without upsetting the cabin ambience.

It’s a fun car to drive spiritedly too. The Q5 holds composure through a bend without feeling floaty or heavy, but the engine lacks punch to pull away on the other side of a corner.  

The petrol (150kW/340Nm) motor is much the same. It’s fine for everyday, around-town use, but the Q5 feels a bit out of its depth when on rural or open, flowing roads. This is the case whether it’s the petrol or diesel under the bonnet, and both engines are slated for Australia.

To get a proper kick, you’ll have to spend up on the SQ5 (270kW/550Nm) variant. This version is far sportier in its outputs, providing a solid shove in the back as soon as you depress the throttle.

There’s a satisfying burble to the exhaust that accompanies the extra oomph, and while the regular Q5 didn’t have too much body roll in the corners, the SQ5 feels better. It tackles bends with solid pace and is able to carry much more momentum.

There are a series of driving modes to choose from – including a bespoke Individual mode – though I found the Auto mode provided a happy medium between comfort and sportiness.

I do like that the SQ5’s ace up the sleeve is the way it can be sporty, but also settle down to a comfortable level for everyday use like any other Q5. In that vein, every specification of the new-generation Q5 feels like a willing partner for everyday use – comfortable, quiet, premium, and sporty enough for the right back road.

Our first look at this box-fresh 2025 Audi Q5 reveals the latest generation to be an evolutionary – rather than revolutionary – affair. That’s a good thing.

Buyers in this space expect premium appointments, front-running technology, and a sophisticated driving experience – and in these areas, the new Q5 delivers in spades.

From the new looks to the impressive infotainment suite and cabin presentation, you really feel as though you’re driving a proper prestige car.

We await further details to see what this model will cost once landed in Australia, but from an initial preview, I can’t wait to see the Q5 launch Down Under.

Tom started out in the automotive industry by exploiting his photographic skills but quickly learned journalists got the better end of the deal. With tenures at CarAdvice, Wheels Media, and now Drive, Tom's breadth of experience and industry knowledge informs a strong opinion on all things automotive. At Drive, Tom covers automotive news, car reviews, advice, and holds a special interest in long-form feature stories.

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