What a year for Audi! The brand is launching its first vehicles built on its new Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture. The all-new, third-generation 2025 Q5 is one of the first models to benefit, and does it ever. Audi's long-time best-seller, it follows that the third-generation Q5 and sportier SQ5 are vital to Audi's lineup. Along with its new looks, the new, smarter, Q5 benefits from exciting updates that include the incredible new technology Audi's been rolling out with its next-gen models like the Q6 etron and S6 Sportback etron. Other features that continue to set Audi apart include state-of-the-art exterior lighting, its driver assistance features, and an impressive parking assist system that backs you into a parking space in a breeze.
Exterior
The all-new Q5 takes Audi's new design language and runs with it. It's clean, streamlined and modern. There is no polarization here with its good looks not up for debate. My test vehicle - the SUV not the Sportback - looks distinguished in a new-for-2025 Tambora Gray metallic paint hue.
Standard 18-inch wheels are upgraded to bold 20-inch wheels with a package. The wider grille with a completely different and smaller pattern is certainly more refined. It's flanked by slimmer and sleeker LED headlights and redesigned Daytime Running Lights and the Prestige adds 8 digital DRL signatures driver's can select from.
The tail end sports digital OLED tail lights, along with a new 3D light strip. A rear diffuser is integrated in the raised bumper with functional tail pipes on both sides.
The Q5 features a 2.0-liter inline four mated to a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission with standard Quattro all-wheel drive. The powertrain delivers 268 horsepower ( +7 over last year) and 295 pound-feet of torque. (The SQ5 is equipped with a 3.0 liter V6 that produces 362 hp and 406 lb.-ft. of torque.) In Car and Driver testing, it clocked the Q5's 0-60 time at 5.8 seconds vs the SQ5's 4.3.
The new Q5's roomier cabin features an incredible transformation with its new curved "Digital Display" and horizontal dash. The soft-touch dash itself features a LED contour lighting and the Prestige integrates a new available dynamic LED interaction light strip at the top of the dash that provides a welcome function and also communicates other functions.
A Pearl Beige two-tone interior with soft-touch materials, quality hardware and natural wood inlays is appealing in its understated and refined luxury. I'm a fan of Audi's quilted-leather seats but those are reserved for the SQ5. The Q5 is outfitted with front heated and ventilated leather Sport seats that are well-designed and comfortable. The Prestige's redesigned steering wheel with hands-on detection looks more upscale in this generation, and its heating element is excellent. That goes for the heated seats, too. Both are benefits of the Prestige package.
The medium sized glossy black center console fits the space and houses a shift-by-wire gear shifter, two nicely-sized cupholders, a wireless charger and USB-C ports. Leather on both sides on the console is a thoughtful touch and provides knee support should it be needed.
Back to the scene-stealing Digital Stage with its two stunning OLED displays. One is a 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit with excellent, colorful graphics and read quality though it seems you can no longer make the navigation map go full view, one of my favorite things about the previous system. The second screen is a 14.5-inch MMI touchscreen which runs an Android Automotive operation system that's very user-friendly, intuitive and responsive. It can be split into three sections and display graphics are also exceptional. It's where you'll control the climate function and access features like AccuWeather, Beach Buggy Racing 2, YouTube, and the Audi Application Store. The Prestige's 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen Sound System sounds fantastic. The Prestige trim also adds a 10.9-inch MMI passenger side screen with a privacy mode.
Other all-new technology includes the new AI-powered voice control Audi Assistant which can help control various vehicle functions, some of which require an Audi Connect subscription.
The fold-flat second row features reclining cushiony seats- which I daresay could have more cushion than those in front. Headroom is impressive even with stadium seating. Legroom is ok if you're not too tall. The Prestige adds rear heated seats and manual rear sunshades. It lacks digital A/C controls but you do get air vents and USB-C ports along with heated seat controls. A stubby drop-down center console offers up two cupholders. The front seat backs are both soft-touch and plastic with mesh pockets.
The Prestige adds a panoramic sunroof with a sunshade along with an interior lighting pro package.
Cargo space is really impressive and includes a large under-storage area. A power height adjustable liftgate is certain to come in handy.
Other standard Q5 features are three-zone climate, illuminated door sills, and an integrated toll module.
The new Q5's offers terrific driver assistance features that perform impressively. They include a rear parking aid with distance display, traffic-sign-based adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, efficiency assistant, Traffic sign recognition, and attention and drowsiness assistant. Also standard: Audi Side Assist (blind spot monitoring), Rear-cross traffic assist, Rear Turn Assist, and Active Front Assist, which combines four functions: Front Emergency Brake Assist; Evasion Assist; Turn Assist; and Front Cross Traffic Assist. You can also enable Fatigue and Distraction warning in the MMI. The Prestige adds Adaptive Cruise Assist.
What a Head-Up Display! One of the best ones out there! It's larger than the previous generation and shows you moving lane traffic around you. It's also connected to the virtual cockpit display so you see it there, too. Also new for 2025, drivers can adjust vehicle and infotainment functions via the head-up display.
I also could not have been more wow'd with the standard Park Assist Plus - it backed the Q5 into a parking space perfectly!
Audi vehicles are at their heart driver-centric vehicles, as in they are engineered to deliver great driving dynamics and responsive handling, all the while being refined. That is certainly the case here. The Q5 delivers confident acceleration and a seamlessly smooth and composed ride - with sportiness left to the higher-powered V6 SQ5. Audi's also dialed up the overall comfort factor with an optimized front suspension and steering set-up.
The Q5's "sportiest" drive mode is labeled "Dynamic" which increases throttle response and lowers the adaptive air suspension for the most engaging driving dynamics. A new Balance mode or returning Comfort mode will no doubt be your go to's for long commutes or road trips. The ride settings are highly customizable as well.
The highway ride is everything you want in a compact luxury SUV and it's fairly quiet, too. Acoustic front glass is standard, and the Prestige adds it to the front side windows.
Options on my test model include a 20-inch wheel package with all-season run-flat tires ($800) and the Prestige Package ($8400) which includes a lengthy list of features that include: panoramic sunroof with cover, top view camera system, 10.9-inch passenger screen, ventilated front sport seats, heated rear seats, manual rear seat sunshades, 3D Bang & Olufsen sound system, USB power delivery, adaptive air suspension, adaptive cruise assist, acoustic front glass, headlight and taillight animation, dynamic interaction light, head-up display, headlight washers, LED headlights with 8 digital DRL signatures, digital OLED lights, LED Pro interior lighting and heated steering wheel. MSRP as equipped is $63,290.
There's just something about being behind the wheel of an Audi - it's luxury without the need to scream luxury. The 2025 Q5's refined updates to its exterior, interior, and driving dynamics along with its advanced lighting and cabin tech make the Q5 an powerhouse luxury compact SUV in the segment.
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