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The bottom line: Audi completely redesigned their best-selling SUV for 2025. You get four versions starting at $52,200, with the top SQ5 Sportback reaching over $70,000 when fully loaded.
The new Q5 fixes the main complaints about the old one: outdated tech, tight rear seats, and limited cargo flexibility.
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What Changed for 2025?
This isn’t just a refresh. Audi built the 2025 Q5 on their new Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) architecture, replacing the MLB Evo platform used since 2017.
The new platform allows for the updated electrical system running Android Automotive OS, better crash protection, and more interior space flexibility.
Most importantly, it supports the sliding rear seat feature that lets you adjust between passenger legroom and cargo space.
Both engines received power increases. The Q5 gained 7 horsepower while the SQ5 added 13 horsepower. The bigger change is improved torque delivery across the rev range.
The infotainment system is completely new, moving from Audi’s proprietary MMI to Google’s Android Automotive OS with wireless phone connectivity standard.
Your Four Options
Q5 SUV: The Base Model
$52,200 starting price
The 268-horsepower engine gets you 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds. The Q5 gets 25 mpg combined fuel economy.
You get all-wheel drive standard, wireless phone connectivity, automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and an 11.9-inch digital gauge cluster with 14.5-inch touchscreen.
Trim levels: Premium ($52,200) includes basic luxury features. Premium Plus ($56,700) adds panoramic sunroof, power liftgate, premium audio, and head-up display.
Prestige ($60,600) gets adaptive cruise control, Bang & Olufsen sound system, and optional passenger display screen.
Available passenger display: Prestige models can get a 10.9-inch passenger screen with privacy filter that prevents the driver from seeing video content while driving.
SQ5 SUV: The Performance Option
$64,800 starting price
The V6 engine makes 362 horsepower with 0-60 acceleration in 4.6 seconds. You also get adaptive air suspension that adjusts between comfort and sport settings.
Fuel economy drops to 22 mpg combined. You also get 20-inch wheels, sport seats, and aluminum interior trim.
Q5 Sportback: Pay More for Style
$55,900 starting price
Same 268-horsepower engine as the regular Q5, but with a sportier roofline. You lose about 4 cubic feet of cargo space for the styling.
SQ5 Sportback: The Full Package
$67,600 starting price
You get the 362-horsepower engine plus the sleeker styling. This is the most expensive and most distinctive Q5.
What’s Actually Good?
The interior space is impressive. The Q5 offers 41.3 inches of rear legroom compared to 36-38 inches in most competitors.
The curved display spans almost 24 inches across the dashboard and combines the speedometer, navigation, and entertainment in one seamless interface. The OLED technology provides sharp graphics and quick response times.
Digital display limitations: The new driver display is less customizable than the previous Q5. You can’t show a full-screen navigation map, which was a popular feature in the old model.
Voice assistant capability: Audi’s voice assistant recognizes over 800 commands, making it useful when you need to adjust settings without taking hands off the wheel.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connect automatically without cables.
With the rear seats folded, you get 56.9 cubic feet of cargo space in SUV models (enough for eight large suitcases) or 53.1 cubic feet in Sportback versions. That’s competitive with other luxury SUVs in this size class.
Cargo cover improvement: The cargo cover can now be stored under the cargo floor when not needed, solving the common problem of leaving covers in garages.
Storage improvements: Audi increased storage space in the center console, glove compartment, and door pockets. The door pockets can now fit tall water bottles easily.
What to Watch Out For?
This is a first-year redesign, so expect some software updates as Audi works out any minor issues.
Previous Audi reliability concerns: Earlier Q5 models (2009-2017) had issues with timing chain tensioners, oil consumption problems with 2.0T engines, and electrical problems with MMI infotainment systems. The 2018-2024 generation improved reliability significantly.
New potential trouble spots: The completely redesigned infotainment system running Android Automotive OS is unproven in Audis and relies heavily on internet connectivity.
What’s likely improved: The 2025 Q5’s 2.0T engine is a more mature design that should avoid earlier oil consumption issues. The new electrical architecture should eliminate previous MMI freezing problems.
Quirky design choices: Reviewers consistently mention the new door handle-mounted controls for lights, mirrors, and seat memory as unnecessarily large and complicated. The haptic touch panel on the door can be frustrating for daily use.
Interior materials: Some reviewers noted more hard plastic than expected for a luxury SUV at this price point, especially below belt level.
Ongoing considerations: Air suspension on SQ5 models can be expensive to repair out of warranty, similar to previous generations.
Other considerations: Many dealers are adding markups on new luxury SUVs. Expect to pay $1,000-$3,000 over MSRP in most markets. The infotainment system works best with good cell coverage for online features. Higher trim levels get expensive quickly once you add options. A loaded SQ5 Prestige can easily hit $75,000+.
How It Stacks Up?
- BMW X3: Similar pricing. X3 gets 26 mpg combined vs Q5’s 25 mpg. BMW has sportier handling, Audi has more interior space.
- Mercedes GLC: Close competitor. GLC gets 24 mpg combined. Mercedes feels more upscale inside, Audi is more practical for families.
- Lexus NX: Gets 28 mpg combined, or 39 mpg in hybrid form. More reliable reputation but less interior space and older technology. Warranty: 4-year/50,000-mile basic coverage vs Audi’s identical coverage.
- Genesis GV70: Costs about $5,000 less. Gets 25 mpg combined. Similar features but Genesis offers 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty vs Audi’s 4-year/50,000-mile coverage.
Fuel economy context: The Q5’s 25 mpg isn’t best-in-class. If gas mileage is your priority, the Lexus NX Hybrid’s 39 mpg or even the BMW X3’s 26 mpg might be better choices.
Final Overview
Most families will find the regular Q5 SUV in Premium Plus trim hits the sweet spot.
You get essential luxury features like panoramic sunroof, power liftgate, and premium audio without paying for performance you might not use.
The SQ5 makes sense if you want quicker acceleration for mountain driving or highway merging, or if you value the improved ride quality from air suspension.
Skip the Sportback unless you prefer how it looks. The regular SUV is more practical for daily use.
Whatever you choose, you get Audi’s 4-year/50,000-mile warranty and their reputation for solid build quality. Just remember that maintenance and repairs cost more than on mainstream brands.
Source – Audi Brand
Learn more: How to Sell a Used Audi Q5?
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