Audi’s latest creation, the 2025 Q5, is a fresh blend of familiar elegance and modern flair. With two new engine options, a revamped interior, and a sleek design overhaul, this third-generation Q5 aims to keep its place at the top of Audi’s SUV game, especially for those wanting the brand’s signature style but with that elevated driving position. While the all-electric Q6 covers the EV crowd, the Q5 sticks to its guns with petrol power and a bucket load of tech to keep everyone entertained.

The Q5 is Audi’s golden child, having sold over 1.6 million units of the first-gen model and another million from the second-gen. The brief for this new one? Keep the loyalists happy while staying ahead of the competition. No pressure, then.

At launch, the Q5 comes in two flavours: the base model packs a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine pushing out 200 kW, while the hotter SQ5 gets a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 delivering 270 kW and a healthy 550 Nm of torque. Both versions promise brisk acceleration, ensuring you won’t be left hanging when the lights turn green. On the efficiency front, the V6 claims around 8.0 to 8.6 L/100 km on the WLTP cycle, though EPA ratings are still pending. Power is channelled through a seven-speed dual-clutch S Tronic gearbox, with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive keeping things sure-footed.

Underneath, the Q5 rides on a combination of steel springs or optional air suspension with adaptive dampers, allowing a broader spread between comfort and sport modes. Audi’s Frequency Selective Damping tech adjusts the shock absorbers based on road surface conditions, enhancing comfort over rough terrain while sharpening up on smooth stretches. Progressive steering is standard across the range, ensuring precise and responsive handling, whether you’re weaving through urban traffic or carving up a twisty road.

Audi’s new design language is in full effect here. The Q5’s exterior has been smoothed out compared to its predecessor, though the strong character lines remain to guide the eye and add a sense of purpose. It’s softer, sure, but still unmistakably Q5, with crisp detailing around the body that disguises its size beautifully. Real exhaust pipes have made a comeback—no fake bits here—and the full-width rear light graphic adds a touch of modern sophistication.

There’s plenty of attention to detail too. The creases along the doors cleverly mask the car’s bulk, while the rear end exudes confidence, helped by second-generation OLED tail lights and some neat design tweaks that Audi loves to show off in Europe but sadly won’t make it stateside. The Q5 will be available in 11 colours, with the standout being an electrifying Ultra Blue, and wheels ranging from 18 to 21 inches, depending on spec.

Up front, the new grille is described as ‘sporty,’ and while that might be a stretch, the higher-set headlamps and distinct daytime running lights give the Q5 a sharper face. Dynamic light patterns—adjustable via the MMI system—offer a bit of theatre when you start the car, though in the US, they’re mostly for show rather than function.

Inside, the Q5 feels more aggressive and angular, a nod to Audi’s design-forward cabins of yesteryear but with a distinctly modern twist. It’s well-built and feels like it’ll last several lifetimes, outliving its first owner’s attention span. The cabin is littered with USB-C ports, wireless charging pads, and Audi’s latest Digital Stage infotainment system, comprising a sharp 11.9-inch virtual cockpit and a larger 14.5-inch MMI touch display. There’s even a third optional 10.9-inch screen for passengers to fiddle with, ensuring everyone’s entertained on the move.

For the driver, there’s a configurable heads-up display that doesn’t just show the usual speed and navigation info but allows you to scroll through various entertainment options while on the go. The Dynamic Interaction Light stretching across the cockpit adds some visual drama, reacting to the car’s movements and providing a neat light show when you start up or exit.

Being an SUV, practicality is a given. There’s ample space for adults front and back, and with 1,472 litres of boot space when the rear seats are folded, you’ve got enough room for the family’s gear—or at least enough to convince yourself that you don’t need a van.

Overall, the 2025 Audi Q5 continues to refine what it means to be a mid-size luxury SUV, balancing performance, style, and technology in a way that keeps it ahead of the pack. It’s the same Q5 you’ve always known, just better—and that’s precisely what Audi needs it to be.