Audi Q5 review

Given Audi’s plan to have a fully electric line-up in a few years, it’s put a surprising amount of effort into its combustion-engined Audi Q5. Then again, a less-than-thorough refresh of its global bestseller would have been more than a little risky.

So what’s changed? Well, the big news is that the Q5 is the first SUV to sit on Audi’s Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) underpinnings, which debuted on the Audi A5 last year. They're not entirely new, but some major upgrades were needed to accommodate the brand’s latest fuel-saving mild-hybrid technology.

There’s also fresh infotainment tech, a new interior design and fancy headlights that can display customisable patterns. The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version has also been upgraded to offer a significantly longer pure-electric range. And you can, as before, choose between this SUV version and the sleeker Audi Q5 Sportback.

Audi Q5 video review

The competition in the upmarket family SUV class is pretty intense, and if you’re looking at the Q5 there are quite a few other models you might be considering too, including the BMW X3, Lexus NX, Mercedes GLC and Volvo XC60.

So how does the latest Audi Q5 compare against its key rivals for driving manners, practicality, interior quality and more? Let's find out...

What’s new?

- June 2025: Q5 e-hybrid announced, with a 295bhp plug-in hybrid engine, providing up to 62 miles of all-electric driving

- October 2024: UK sales begin

- September 2024: Third-generation Q5 revealed, becoming the first Audi SUV to use brand’s new ‘PPC’ underpinnings

How fast is it and which engine is best?

The Audi Q5 line-up is pretty simple because there’s just one petrol and one diesel engine (not counting the sportier SQ5). Both are 201bhp 2.0-litre engines with four-wheel drive, and performance is very similar.

Our preferred choice is the diesel, which is eager to set off at low revs and muscular enough to feel flexible and effortless in everyday driving. Although both engines have an official towing weight of 2400kg, the diesel is likely to be more capable as a tow car. 

It’s pretty quick, too. We managed a 0-60mph time of 6.9sec with the TDI diesel, pipping the BMW X3 20d (7.2sec) and the most powerful Mazda CX-60 3.3D (7.1sec).

The Q5's mild-hybrid set-up is also impressive. Usually with this sort of tech there’s a tiny battery that provides a minuscule amount of electrical assistance when you’re accelerating. Here, though, the battery is a respectable size (1.7kWh) and gives enough oomph to drive the car with the engine off.

Granted, that mostly happens at low speeds, for a short time and when you’re super gentle with the accelerator pedal – but it does make the Q5 something of a halfway house between the even milder hybrid set-up in the BMW X3 and a full hybrid, such as the Lexus NX 350h.

The petrol engine is smooth, punchy and suits the Q5 well. It just needs working harder than the diesel and is more vocal because of it – although thankfully the noise it makes is quite tuneful and even a little sporty. It dovetails well with the standard seven-speed S tronic automatic gearbox, which shifts smoothly.  Alternatively, if you want a petrol SUV that’s properly rapid, there’s the Audi SQ5 with its bigger 3.0litre V6 engine, which we review separately. 

The e-Hybrid version is a recent addition and it’s a PHEV that combines a 2.0-litre petrol engine with an electric motor to send power to all four wheels. In hybrid mode, it’s nippy around town and can swiftly sprint up to motorway speeds. A Volvo XC60 feels a bit more eager to accelerate, but the differences are small.

Is it agile and is the ride comfortable?

The Q5 is available with air suspension – something that’s common in high-end luxury SUVs but is offered in relatively few premium SUVs. Yes, it costs extra but it delivers a really smooth, controlled ride at all speeds – even with the biggest 21in alloys available fitted.

Otherwise, we’ve only driven the e-Hybrid with the "sports" suspension you get as standard on S line and Edition 1 versions, or the "comfort" set-up fitted to entry-level Sport models (which are not available with the air suspension). It’s slightly firmer than an equivalent Volvo XC60, but you still get a comfortably controlled ride that only elicits a mild thump over harsh potholes. The Q5 also feels a bit more tied down over undulating roads.

When it comes to handling, don’t expect to relish every winding country lane, but the Q5 is competent and confidence-inspiring. There’s loads of grip and little body lean - there’s even less of the latter when you switch the optional air suspension Dynamic mode to stiffen up the suspension. The steering is reassuringly accurate although some may find its weight build up a little unnatural at first. 

That said, the petrol Porsche Macan is a little more playful when you drive it hard, while the BMW X3’s faster and more feelsome steering means it’s also more rewarding to drive quickly.

Is it quiet and how easy is it to drive smoothly?

Other than a little engine noise when accelerating, the Q5 is relaxingly quiet in everyday driving, with lower levels of wind and road noise at all speeds than the BMW X3 and Mazda CX-60. It’s only on coarse surfaces when you might hear a hint of noise filtering through the doors.

In the e-hybrid, you can feel a hint of vibration from the engine through to the steering wheel, but that’s about it. The brake pedal responds in a predictable, linear way, making it easy to modulate your inputs to come to a smooth stop.

The e-hybrid also has regenerative braking to recover electric energy during deceleration. In pure electric mode, you can choose between two levels of regen via the paddles on the back of the steering wheel (these are also used to perform manual gearchanges when driving in hybrid mode). It also has an automatic setting that adjusts the regen depending on the driving conditions and sat-nav data, or you can turn it off altogether and let the car coast.

What’s the range and efficiency like and how quickly can it charge?

With an official battery range of around 60 miles from its 20.7kWh battery, the Q5 e-hybrid is one of the better options in the premium SUV class. It’s not as impressive as the Mercedes GLC 300e’s range of around 78 miles, but it beats the Volvo XC60 T6 (48 miles).

In our real-range test, we managed to travel 45 miles from a fully charged battery, which is a long way short of its official figure. The XC60 T6 we tested on the same day managed 35 miles.

"With the previous-generation Q5, the only way you could get air suspension was by going for hugely pricey Vorsprung trim. I think it’s great you can now add it as an option to cheaper trims." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

What does the interior look like and is it well made?

A few years ago Audi made the best interiors in the business. No question. The previous-generation Q5 was a prime example, with superb build quality and lavish, upmarket materials everywhere you looked or touched. In short, it put rivals such as the BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC to shame.

Sadly, that’s no longer the case. There are still some soft-touch materials inside the new Q5, but also plenty of hard plastics, and some bits – such as the steering wheel buttons – feel rather wobbly. In short, interior quality is no longer a reason to choose the Q5 over a number of other family SUVs, let alone premium ones.

It must be said that Audi is by no means the only premium car brand reducing the quality of its interiors (have a quick poke around inside the latest BMW X3 and you’ll realise that). Nevertheless, the Volvo XC60 comes with a far more appealing choice of materials and feels better screwed together. The Genesis GV70 and Mazda CX-60 feel more upmarket inside too.

Is the driving position comfortable and is it easy to see out?

More positively, the driving position is tough to fault. The Q5 isn’t an enormous SUV but you still feel higher up than in most cars. The seat – which is super-comfy and supportive – lines up neatly with the steering wheel and pedals, although some will find that the top corners of the digital driver's display is partly obscured by the steering wheel if it’s set low.

The fairly chunky front pillars are angled in a way that makes it easy to look around them at junctions, while the large side windows provide a clearer over-the-shoulder view than the BMW X3 and Mazda CX-60. Only the Volvo XC60 with its taller rear screen provides a clearer view out back. All Q5s come with front and rear parking sensors, and a rear-view camera to help guide you in and out of parking spaces. Top-level Edition 1 trim gets an upgraded 360-degree camera.

Is the dashboard and infotainment system easy to use?

It’s a pity Audi has ditched the physical air-conditioning controls that featured in the previous Q5 because you now have to press small icons on the main infotainment touchscreen (or use the voice-control function) to adjust the interior temperature. It’s the same story in the BMW X3 but the Lexus NX has much less distracting physical dials and the Mazda CX-60 has proper switches.

On the subject of the touchscreen, it measures 14.5in and is curved towards the driver to make the right-hand side easier to see and reach. It has slick graphics and responds quickly enough when you prod it. There are quite a few small icons that are difficult to aim for while driving, but you can at least customise it with widgets for your favourite functions.

If you go for Edition 1 trim, you also get a 10.9in touchscreen on the passenger side of the dashboard. It allows whoever’s riding shotgun to play DJ, or watch Netflix or YouTube. Thanks to polarising tech, the driver can't see what's on that second screen.

"I think it’s a pity Audi has ditched physical buttons and knobs for controlling the air-conditioning, although it’s far from the only manufacturer guilty of this." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

How much space does it have for people?

When a new-generation model is launched, it’s a pretty safe bet that it'll be bigger than the car it replaces, and sure enough the Audi Q5 has grown – although not by that much. It's now 35mm longer and the distance between its front and rear wheel has increased by 9mm.

It's not noticeably roomier inside but there’s enough space for four six footers to get comfortable. Head room is plentiful (especially if you don’t add the optional panoramic sunroof) and while most rivals offer even more rear leg room for you to stretch out, there should be few complaints. 

Fitting three adults in the back of the Q5 is a bit of a squeeze, and whoever sits in the middle will be straddling a chunky hump in the floor, although that’s also the case with the Volvo XC60. The Mazda CX-60 has a lower transmission tunnel that frees up space for feet. Note that – unlike the Audi Q7 – the Q5 is not available as a seven-seater.

In S line and Edition 1 trims, the Q5 gets sliding rear seats, which you don’t get in the BMW X3 or Lexus NX. Even with the rear bench slid forward, there’s still an adequate amount of leg room for an adult to sit comfortably on a short journey.

You can also recline the backrest by a useful amount for a slightly more laidback seating position. That said, because the e-hybrid has a big battery stored behind the rear seats underneath the boot floor, it can only recline by a smaller amount. 

How much room does it have for luggage?

With the back seats slid back as far as they go, the Q5 has 520 litres of boot space below the load cover. On paper, that's 50 litres less than the BMW X3 and Mazda CX-60, but thanks to its longer load bay the Q5 took nine carry-on suitcases against eight in those two rivals. Because of its battery, the e-hybrid’s boot has a raised floor that makes it shallower than the regular version, which reduces its load capacity to 438-litres. Even so, we managed to fit seven cases in here, matching the Volvo XC60 T6.

The Q5's back seats split and fold down in a 40/20/40 setup and you can drop the seatbacks by pulling handles on the walls of the boot. There is a step from the boot floor to the fold backrests in the e-Hybrid, which makes sliding in bulkier items a bit trickier. You get a powered tailgate on all versions, while the load cover can be stowed under the boot floor when not in use.

"I’m just over 6ft tall and there’s plenty of rear head room in the Audi Q5, especially in the versions we’ve tried without the optional panoramic roof." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

The Audi Q5 is a fairly big SUV with a posh badge on its nose so it’s hardly going to be a cheap choice. It’s priced in line with the rival BMW X3 and Volvo XC60, while costing slightly less than a Mercedes GLC.

The Q5's mild-hybrid tech means fuel economy should be better than you might expect: the TFSI petrol can officially do more than 40mpg on smaller wheels. That’s a bit better than the GLC 300, although still nowhere near as frugal as the full hybrid Lexus NX 350h.

That said, we managed a real-world figure of 43.8mpg in the diesel version, which is significantly less than the 50.2mpg we achieved in the BMW X3 20d and 52.8mpg from the Mazda CX-60 3.3D 254 on the same day. The e-hybrid, meanwhile, managed a similar fuel economy figure of around 35mpg with a depleted battery as the Volvo XC60 T6.

If you're looking for a company car and want to keep BIK tax down, the plug-in hybrid Q5 is the one to go for. To save even more on tax, consider an electric SUV such as the Audi Q6 e-tron (which is a similar size to the Q5).

The Q5's entry-level Sport trim comes with plenty of kit, including three-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control, heated front seats and a 360-degree parking camera. We suspect it's all you need, but so far we’ve only tried versions with the optional air suspension, which is solely offered with one of the higher trims.

The main reason to upgrade to S line grade is probably the bigger (20in) alloys and sportier bodykit it brings, but it also adds sliding rear seats and tinted rear windows, plus it’s the cheapest trim available with the air suspension.

Edition 1 trim adds plenty of desirable extras, including a second infotainment touchscreen for the front passenger, electric front seats, 21in alloys, matrix LED headlights and some additional active safety aids.

The Q5 achieved the full five-star rating when crash-tested by Euro NCAP in 2025 and provided strong protection for adult and child occupants. All versions come with automatic emergency braking (AEB), traffic-sign recognition, lane-keeping assistance and blind-spot monitoring.

The Q5 didn't feature in the latest What Car? Reliability Survey but Audi as a whole finished in a disappointing 22nd place out of 30 car brands. BMW, Lexus and Mazda all did better.

Audi gives you a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty, which is typical for the class. Volvo gives you the same level of cover, while BMW gives you the same term but with unlimited mileage.

"You’d have to do many miles to earn back the cost in fuel savings by choosing the diesel engine over the cheaper petrol unit, but its combination of performance and refinement makes it our engine of choice." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor

Buy it if…

- You want a premium SUV that has a great ride and handling balance

- You’re willing to spend the extra on air suspension

- You seek an SUV with a sliding rear bench

Don’t buy it if…

- You’re expecting a particularly high quality interior

- You don’t want to spend money on any options

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