2025 Audi Q5 review
The Audi Q5 is a compact luxury SUV with room for five and all-wheel drive as standard equipment. This model year ushers in an all-new version of Audi’s best-selling SUV (and best-selling model in the U.S.). Audi has kept the basic recipe of the Q5, though it has worked to upgrade its tech content and performance. For the time being, only two engines are available: a turbocharged four-cylinder and a turbocharged V6. Expect a hybrid and plug-in hybrid to join the range in the near future. True to Audi tradition, special attention has been paid to making the business class-like cabin comfortable and luxurious—not to mention bursting full of display screens in this latest iteration. Direct competitors to the Q5 include the BMW X3, Genesis GV70, and Lincoln Corsair, and Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Explore the evolution of the Audi Q5
Get our expert take on used Audi Q5 models, or view year-by-year changes.
Third generation Audi Q5
Consider us fans of the outgoing Q5. Even after many years of service, it provided a great balance of practicality and luxury in reasonably sized dimensions. That means the Q5 never felt like a land barge when navigating urban traffic or tight parking lots. All good things come to an end, however, and the new Q5 raises the bar in terms of performance and technology. It doesn’t look dramatically different from the outside. The headlights are narrower, and there are sharper creases in the front and rear body panels. Audi has winnowed engine choices down to two, at least for the time being. A 265-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder is the standard engine, and a 349-horsepower turbocharged V6 is found under the hood of the SQ5 model. Each is paired with a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The more dramatic updates are found inside. Upper trims are fitted with no fewer than four display screens. These include a head-up instrument display, an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, and even a 10.9-inch screen for the front passenger. Audi may want to consider offering the option of a lifetime supply of microfiber cleaning cloths with every Q5.
Model highlights
Standard turbo four-cylinder; available turbo V6
Standard all-wheel drive
Updated seven-speed automatic transmission
14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen
11.9-inch digital instrument display
Available head-up instrument display and 10.9-inch front passenger screen
Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
Second generation Audi Q5
Introduced for the 2018 model year, the second-generation Q5 ended its run with a choice of three drivetrains. These included two turbocharged four-cylinder engines and a plug-in hybrid that delivered an EPA-estimated 23 miles of electric-only driving range
. During road testing, the Q5 impressed with its communicative steering and firm but well-controlled suspension. Typical of Audi vehicles, the brand’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system came standard. Because the Q5 was Audi’s best-selling vehicle, it’s no surprise standard equipment was generous. In its last model year, this second-gen Q5 came with leather upholstery, a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay®, and Android Auto™, a power liftgate, tri-zone climate control, and a 10-speaker audio systemModel highlights
Choice of three engines, including a plug-in hybrid drivetrain
Standard all-wheel drive
Seven-speed automatic transmission
10.1-inch touchscreen
Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
23 miles of electric driving range (plug-in hybrid)
First generation Audi Q5
Introduced for the 2009 model year, the Q5 compact SUV quickly became Audi’s best-selling model. Highlights of the first-generation variant included its excellent outward visibility, standard all-wheel drive, and business class-like interior quality. Audi has long had a reputation for crafting top-notch cabins, and that held true with the Q5. A few things missing from its repertoire were active accident-avoidance technologies, however. During road tests, the Q5 routinely impressed with its upmarket ride and handling. While hardly an inexpensive vehicle, its driving dynamics exceeded expectations and were more than a match to SUVs costing thousands of dollars more.
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2025 - present
2025 Audi Q5
Highlights
All-new Audi Q5 introduced
Refreshed exterior styling
High-tech interior with 11.9-inch digital instrument panel
10.9-inch screen for front passenger
More powerful base engine
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Previous generation from 2018 - 2024
2024 Audi Q5
Highlights
Lane-keeping assistance and heated steering wheel became standard
Black Optic design package available on more trims
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2023 Audi Q5
Highlights
Adaptive cruise control became standard
Bang & Olufsen® stereo came with Premium Plus trim
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2022 Audi Q5
Highlights
Entry-level 201-horsepower turbo four-cylinder added
Plug-in hybrid got an upgraded battery
Updated voice controls for the infotainment system
S line exterior design elements became standard on all trims
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2021 Audi Q5
Highlights
Larger standard touchscreen with updated interface
Updated exterior styling
More powerful standard turbo four-cylinder
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2020 Audi Q5
2019 Audi Q5
Highlights
Premium Plus trim added standard navigation and wireless device charging
Standard heated front seats
New seven-inch driver information display
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2018 Audi Q5
Highlights
Redesigned second-generation Q5
More power and added technology features
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Previous generation from 2009 - 2017
2017 Audi Q5
Highlights
Adaptive cruise control and selectable drive modes became standard on 3.0T Prestige
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2016 Audi Q5
2015 Audi Q5
Highlights
LED running lights and taillights and a power liftgate became standard
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Reliability
RepairPal gave the Audi Q5 an overall reliability rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Audi Q5 19th out of 29 among Luxury Midsize SUVs.
RepairPal reports that the average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Audi Q5 is $644, compared to an average of $642 for Luxury Midsize SUVs and $591 for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
According to RepairPal, Audi Q5 owners bring their vehicles into a repair shop for unscheduled repairs an average of 1.5 times per year, compared to an average of 1.4 times for Luxury Midsize SUVs and 1.3 times for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
RepairPal reported that the probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 16% for the Audi Q5, compared to an average of 13% for Luxury Midsize SUVs and 14% for all the vehicles RepairPal considered in its dataset.
Nick Kurczewski has been writing about cars for more than 20 years, and his enthusiasm for journalism has led him to cover auto-related stories around the world. From blasting down the German autobahn to covering every major auto show, his stories have appeared in the New York Times, Car and Driver, U.S. News & World Report, Kelley Blue Book, Cars.com and the New York Daily News, where he served as head editor. Having once aspired to be a Formula One racer, Nick discovered sharing his passion for cars as a journalist is just as thrilling as dreaming of pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix.
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Statements of fuel economy or EV range are based on EPA and other third-party estimates for vehicles when new. Fuel economy and EV range will degrade with time and vary based on age, driving conditions, vehicle history, and other conditions. See fueleconomy.gov for more info.
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