2025 Audi Q5 First Drive Review: Evolution Done Right

The 2025 Audi Q5 improves on its strengths with a sharper design, new tech, and better dynamics.
The interior is typical Audi premium, but the new door controls and infotainment system may take getting used to.
The SQ5 remains a favourite, delivering strong performance with its turbocharged V6 and air suspension.

For over 50 years, Audi has been fighting for its place in the luxury car market against heavyweights like Mercedes-Benz and BMW. The brand’s real breakthrough came in the 1990s with the A4, but in the SUV era, it was the Q5 that truly put Audi on the map. Since its debut in 2008, the Q5 has been an undeniable success, with over 2.7 million units sold globally. And now, for 2025, Audi has unveiled the third-generation Q5—a model that doesn’t rewrite the script but refines it in all the right ways.

I had the opportunity to drive the latest Q5 on the stunning sun-drenched roads of southern Spain, and after a day behind the wheel, I can confidently say Audi has played it smart. The Q5 remains instantly recognizable, staying true to the design that has made it a hit. Instead of chasing radical reinvention, Audi focused on refining key areas: sharper styling, an updated interior, and a more sophisticated driving experience.

Subtle but Effective Design Changes

Audi has never been about wild design overhauls, and the new Q5 continues that trend. At a glance, it’s immediately identifiable as a Q5, but the details have been modernized. The front fascia features a reworked single-frame grille that gives the SUV a stronger presence. Standard LED headlights look sharp, and optional OLED and Matrix lighting add an extra touch of techy sophistication.

The model I drove was the Sportback, which has grown on me over time. The sloping roofline gives it a sleeker profile, but as always, it comes with a trade-off: cargo space. If practicality is a top priority, the regular Q5 remains the smarter choice. Wheel sizes range from 19 to 21 inches, and Audi has introduced a fresh set of designs to keep things stylish.

Inside: A Premium Space with a Few Quirks

Step inside the 2025 Q5, and it’s clear that Audi continues to excel in interior design. The fit and finish are excellent, with high-quality materials throughout. The seats are comfortable, and with the fitted Murillo brown leather colour in my tester, it looked fantastic. Rear-seat space remains generous, making it a comfortable place for two adults.

The cabin is dominated by screens. A new 11.9-inch digital instrument panel comes standard, with a massive 14.5-inch touchscreen that controls almost everything. While it looks impressive, the learning curve is real—especially when it comes to figuring out Audi’s latest driver-assist features, which are buried in menus that take some time to navigate. As tested too, our District Green unit featured the available 10.9-inch passenger display.

One design decision I could have done without? The new door handle-mounted controls for the lights, mirrors, and seat memory settings. They take up too much space and make the door handle itself unnecessarily large. Not a dealbreaker, but an example of Audi fixing something that wasn’t broken.

On the Road: Smooth, Predictable, and Just Sporty Enough

Under the bonnet, the Q5 sticks to what works. The base engine is a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 268 bhp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Performance is familiar and entirely satisfying. Thanks to the generous torque, passing manoeuvres are effortless, and, like the vehicles in the Volkswagen family fitted with multiple versions of this engine, fuel consumption is more than reasonable.

The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is smooth at higher speeds but can be a little hesitant in stop-and-go traffic under light throttle. That’s not unusual for a dual-clutch setup, but something to be aware of.

The real star of the show, however, is the optional air suspension. If it’s in your budget, I highly recommend ticking that box. Not only does it provide a more comfortable ride on rough roads, but it also adjusts the Q5’s height depending on the drive mode. In Dynamic mode, it hunkers down for sharper handling, while in Off-Road mode, it lifts for extra clearance.

The SQ5: The One Canadians Will Love

Let’s be real: Canadians love their performance SUVs, and the SQ5 has long been a crowd favourite. So naturally, I jumped at the chance to drive it.

Under the hood is a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 producing 362 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. It’s quick—0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds—and sounds great (thanks to some digital enhancement). It also feels noticeably more responsive than the standard Q5. More importantly, it comes with bigger brakes and that wonderful S adaptive air suspension as standard.

Steering remains typical Audi—sharp and precise but not particularly engaging. However, the SQ5’s appealing package is its overall balance between comfort, sportiness, and everyday usability.

Final Thoughts: More of the Same, in a Good Way

More of the same, but for a price. The base previous-gen 2025 Audi Q5 40 TFSI quattro was priced from $52,250, while the Q5 45 TFSI quattro started at $54,700. The base new generation Q5 now starts at $58,700 with an equivalent 45 TFSI power jump. The standard larger screens, extra tech, and today’s reality easily explain the cost increase.

The 2025 Audi Q5 doesn’t try to reinvent itself, and that’s exactly why it will continue to sell by the hundreds of thousands. Audi has taken a winning formula and fine-tuned it, making small but meaningful improvements where needed. It remains one of the most well-rounded luxury SUVs on the market in its segment, offering a blend of style, comfort, and just enough sportiness to keep things interesting.

Is it perfect? No. Some of the new interior controls are odd choices, and the infotainment system requires some learning. But those are small complaints in an otherwise excellent package.

With the third-generation Q5, Audi isn’t taking risks—it’s playing it smart. And in the fiercely competitive luxury SUV segment, that’s often the best move.