Pros
- Sleek new styling
- Roomy rear seats
- Whisper-quiet cabin
Cons
- Lacks sporty edge
- Overloaded with screens
- Some cheap-feeling trim
The Audi Q5 remains the brand’s best-selling vehicle, yet it’s always lived in the long shadows of the Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3 when it comes to driving excitement. Instead of chasing pure sportiness, Audi has stuck to what it knows best: delivering refinement, understated luxury, and a serene, well-mannered ride.
Now, with the fully redesigned 2025 Q5, the automaker leans even further into that philosophy. It’s quiet, confident, and composed—an SUV built to soothe rather than thrill. The cabin still seats five adults comfortably, maintaining that balance between elegance and everyday usability that made the Q5 so popular in the first place.
But First, the Screens
Like many modern luxury cars, the latest Q5 has gone all-in on digital displays—perhaps to a fault. The driver faces an 11.9-inch digital cluster, while a massive 14.5-inch infotainment screen dominates the center of the dashboard. Together, they blanket nearly two-thirds of the dash in glowing pixels, creating a high-tech atmosphere that can feel overwhelming.
If that weren’t enough, Audi now offers an optional 10.9-inch passenger display, effectively turning the dashboard into a wall of glass. It’s undeniably futuristic but risks crossing the line from sleek to excessive.
Here’s the catch: the passenger display comes standard with the range-topping Prestige trim, meaning you can’t delete it if you prefer a simpler look. On the upside, it’s included in the price—so tech enthusiasts won’t need to pay extra for their digital playground.
Once you adjust to all those screens, the Q5’s cabin proves genuinely inviting. The quilted leather seats are soft yet supportive, and every surface your hands touch feels premium. Still, not every detail lands. The door handles, for instance, have an awkward plastic insert where European models feature lock buttons—a small oversight that cheapens the overall feel.
That’s because Audi relocated those controls, along with seat and light settings, to a cluster of capacitive touch buttons on a small lower panel. Squeezing more than a dozen touch-sensitive icons into such a confined area feels like a misstep—one that could use rethinking in a future refresh.
Beyond those quirks, the interior remains quintessential Audi: polished, modern, and thoughtfully laid out. The new compact shifter frees up space on the center console, making room for two cupholders and a wireless phone tray. The piano-black surfaces still attract fingerprints faster than you can wipe them, but the open design and clean geometry give the front cabin an airy, sophisticated presence.
Rear passengers enjoy generous space as well, with ample legroom and headroom for two adults. A third passenger can fit in a pinch, though things get snug on longer drives.
How Does the Q5 Drive?
Underneath, the 2025 Q5 rides on Audi’s new Premium Platform Combustion architecture, giving engineers a fresh canvas to refine comfort and handling. The result is a smoother, quieter, and more composed SUV than ever before—like silk gliding over asphalt.
The updated suspension soaks up bumps with ease, delivering impressive calm over uneven roads. Our test model, a Q5 Prestige, featured the optional air suspension—rare in this class and worth every penny for the serenity it brings to the ride.
Power comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 268 horsepower—a modest 7-hp bump over the outgoing model. Paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive, the Q5 moves with quiet confidence.
Though the extra power gives it a livelier feel, this isn’t a performance SUV. That honor still belongs to the SQ5, which packs a V6 and well over 350 hp. The standard Q5 instead focuses on balance, prioritizing comfort and composure rather than adrenaline.
The steering remains light and precise, with selectable drive modes that add a hint of sportiness when desired. Overall, the Q5 feels like a polished travel companion rather than a back-road thrill-seeker—and that’s exactly its appeal.
Is the Q5 Worth It?
In a fiercely contested luxury compact SUV field dominated by German rivals, standing out requires focus—and Audi’s focus remains clear. It delivers refinement, space, and technology wrapped in a design that whispers luxury rather than shouting it.
The 2025 Q5 represents meaningful progress, from its improved chassis and ride quality to its tech-forward interior. Yet there’s room for improvement: less piano-black trim, fewer hard plastics, and a rethink of those cramped touch controls would elevate the experience even further.
Are these flaws dealbreakers? Hardly. For most buyers, the Q5’s comfort, craftsmanship, and serene character easily outweigh the minor annoyances. It’s the most complete and confident Q5 yet—one that feels deeply Audi in every sense.
The 2025 Q5 doesn’t try to be something it’s not. Instead, it doubles down on refinement and quiet confidence—a reminder that true luxury isn’t always loud.
2025 Audi Q5 Quattro Specifications
Base Price – $53,495
As Tested – $63,290
Layout – Front-engine, AWD, 5-passenger, 4-door SUV
Engine – 2.0L turbocharged direct-injected DOHC 16-valve I-4
Power – 268 hp @ 5,000 rpm
Torque – 295 lb-ft @ 1,750 rpm
Transmission – 7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Curb Weight (F/R) – 4,348 lb (55/45%)
Wheelbase – 110.9 in
Dimensions (L x W x H) – 185.7 x 65.7 x 74.8 in
Tires – Pirelli Scorpion MS RE0, 255/45R20 105H M+S
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Hwy/Combined) – 22/30/25 mpg
EPA Range – 430 miles
On Sale – Now
MotorTrend Test Results
0–60 mph – 5.8 sec
Quarter Mile – 14.4 sec @ 96.4 mph
Braking (60–0 mph) – 119 ft
Lateral Acceleration – 0.88 g
Figure-Eight Lap – 26.6 sec @ 0.69 g (avg)
