2025 Audi Q5: A Full Review of the Redesigned Luxury SUV

The Audi Q5 has long been a benchmark in the highly competitive luxury compact SUV segment, and for 2025, Audi has delivered a comprehensive redesign that aims to solidify its position at the top. Moving to the new Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture, the all-new 2025 Audi Q5 arrives in the U.S. with a fresh look, an overhauled interior, and a more powerful engine. With deliveries beginning in the Spring of 2025, the new Q5 is a significant step forward, promising more technology, enhanced performance, and a refined driving experience.

A Fresh Face: The Exterior Design

Audi's design language has always been about understated elegance, and the 2025 Q5 continues this trend with a more assertive and modern aesthetic. The new model features a wider, more prominent Singleframe grille that gives the front end a more aggressive stance. Sleeker LED headlights are standard, and higher trims offer the stunning LED Headlights Plus, which include customizable welcome and farewell animations. At the rear, the Q5 borrows design cues from its larger siblings, with full-width taillights that can be equipped with advanced OLED technology on Prestige trims, allowing for selectable light signatures that make the car stand out.

The Q5 has also grown slightly in size. It's 1.4 inches longer than the outgoing model, which translates to a bit more interior space. The overall proportions remain familiar, but the sharper lines and more sculpted body panels give it a more dynamic and less rounded appearance. The Sportback version, with its coupe-like roofline, also returns, offering a sportier silhouette for those who want to sacrifice a bit of rear headroom and cargo capacity for style.

The Digital Stage: Interior and Technology

Step inside the 2025 Q5, and the most dramatic changes are immediately apparent. Audi has replaced the previous MMI infotainment system with a new "Digital Stage" cockpit. The centerpiece is a curved display system that combines a 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a massive 14.5-inch central touchscreen. The passenger also gets an optional dedicated display, which is curved toward them for easier access and features an active privacy filter that prevents the driver from being distracted by the content.

While some might find the sheer number of screens overwhelming, Audi has worked to make the interface intuitive and user-friendly. The system runs on the new Android Automotive OS, which is fast and responsive. However, as with many new infotainment systems, there can be a learning curve. Critics have noted that while the new digital cockpit is visually stunning, some physical controls are missed, and the haptic feedback on some buttons can be a bit awkward. The interior quality remains top-notch, with premium materials, well-executed ambient lighting, and supportive seats. Standard features on the base Premium trim are impressive, including heated power front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a tri-zone climate control system.

Cargo space sees a slight increase thanks to the larger dimensions. The 2025 Q5 offers 27.6 cubic feet of space with all seats in place, which expands to a maximum of 56.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. The rear seats can also be slid fore and aft, a practical feature that allows for a trade-off between rear legroom and cargo capacity.

Performance and Driving Dynamics

Under the hood, the 2025 Audi Q5 for the U.S. market is powered by a refined version of Audi's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This single engine option is a notable change from the previous generation, which offered multiple powertrain choices. The new engine produces a healthy 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, a significant gain over the previous 45 TFSI engine. It’s paired with a quick-shifting 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and Audi's legendary quattro all-wheel drive system, which is standard across all trims. This setup allows the Q5 to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in a swift 5.8 seconds.

For those seeking more performance, the sporty SQ5 returns with a more powerful turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, producing 362 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Both models benefit from a more direct steering rack and an updated chassis. The new Q5's ride is comfortable and composed, especially when equipped with the optional adaptive air suspension, which is standard on the SQ5 and upper trims of the Q5. The suspension system offers a wide range of adjustability, from a plush ride in Comfort mode to a more dynamic feel in Sport.

The new engine, while powerful, has been noted by some reviewers as lacking the character of a V6, particularly at higher RPMs. However, its performance is more than sufficient for daily driving and highway cruising. The Q5 also achieves impressive fuel economy ratings with an EPA-estimated 25 mpg combined (22 city, 30 highway), making it an efficient choice in the segment.

U.S. Pricing and Trims

The 2025 Audi Q5 is available in a few different trims in the U.S., each offering an increasing level of luxury and technology. The starting price for the base Premium trim is around $52,200. The mid-range Premium Plus trim starts around $56,700, and the top-of-the-line Prestige trim begins at approximately $60,600. The more powerful SQ5 is priced higher, with a starting MSRP of around $66,095.

The Q5 competes directly with rivals like the BMW X3 and the Mercedes-Benz GLC. While the BMW X3 may offer a slightly sportier driving experience and the Mercedes-Benz GLC a more overtly luxurious feel, the Q5 strikes an excellent balance between the two. Its standard quattro all-wheel drive, refined new powertrain, and cutting-edge interior technology make it a compelling and well-rounded choice.

Conclusion

The 2025 Audi Q5 is a testament to Audi's commitment to continuous improvement. It takes everything that made the previous generation a best-seller and enhances it with a modern design, a tech-forward interior, and a more potent engine. While the reliance on screens and a single engine option might not be for everyone, the Q5's core strengths—its comfortable and quiet cabin, confident handling, and strong list of standard features—remain intact. It's a vehicle that feels as at home on a cross-country road trip as it does navigating city traffic. For those in the market for a luxury compact SUV that balances style, substance, and technology, the 2025 Audi Q5 is a top contender and a worthy successor to its segment-defining predecessor.