The New Audi Q5 Gets Smarter, Smoother, and Still Feels Like an Audi

The Audi Q5 remains the brand’s bestselling model, yet within the crowded luxury compact SUV segment, it hasn’t quite matched the dynamic edge of rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GLC or BMW X3. Rather than chasing outright sportiness, Audi has long prioritized refinement, focusing on a premium cabin, high-quality materials, and a smooth, composed ride.

Now, with the arrival of the redesigned 2025 Q5, the automaker is doubling down on the qualities that made it a success in the first place. True to its lineage, the new Q5 is quiet, refined, and comfortable, offering ample space to seat five adults with ease.

But First, the Screens

Like many automakers today, Audi has expanded the digital real estate inside the Q5’s cabin, perhaps a bit too enthusiastically. The driver gets an 11.9-inch digital display, while the central infotainment system is housed in a 14.5-inch touchscreen that already dominates much of the dashboard. Together, these two screens cover roughly two-thirds of the front dashboard, creating a high-tech but visually busy environment.

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On top of that, Audi now offers an optional 10.9-inch screen for the front passenger, turning the dashboard into a wall of displays. It’s an impressive showcase of technology, though perhaps a little excessive for those who value simplicity and design harmony.

The bad news is that the front passenger screen comes standard on the top-of-the-line Prestige trim, so you can’t opt out of it if you prefer a cleaner dashboard. The good news, however, is that if you like the tech-heavy look, you won’t have to pay extra, as it’s included at no additional cost.

If you can get past the abundance of screens, the Q5’s cabin is a genuinely pleasant place to spend time. The quilted leather seats feel supple, and soft-touch materials line the areas where your arms naturally rest. Still, a few details could have been executed better. For example, the door handle trim includes a cutout meant for the European model’s lock and unlock buttons, but in North American versions this space is simply filled with hard plastic.

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That’s because our models integrate those controls—along with the seating position and headlight switches—into a small capacitive touch panel located near the lower grab handle. Why Audi chose to cram more than a dozen capacitive buttons into such a tight space is anyone’s guess, but it’s one design decision we hope gets revisited in a future update.

The rest of the interior feels top-notch. Audi has redesigned the shifter into its smallest version yet, freeing up valuable space in the center console, which now houses two cupholders and a dedicated spot for your phone. While the liberal use of piano-black trim remains questionable given how easily it attracts dust and fingerprints, the console’s overall layout lends the front cabin an open, airy feel that enhances the sense of modern sophistication.

Second-row passengers won’t have much to complain about when it comes to space. The Q5 offers generous leg- and headroom, allowing two adults to sit comfortably in the back. Fitting a third passenger is possible, but shoulder- and legroom become noticeably tighter, making it better suited for shorter trips.

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How Does the Q5 Drive?

The 2025 Audi Q5 rides on a new architecture called the Premium Platform Combustion, which gave engineers the opportunity to rework the suspension for greater comfort and serenity. And that’s immediately noticeable from behind the wheel. This is the most composed and polished Q5 yet.

The suspension absorbs bumps and rough pavement with ease, delivering a quiet, composed ride. Our test vehicle, a 2025 Q5 Prestige, came equipped with Audi’s available air suspension, a feature that’s relatively uncommon among SUVs in this class but one we truly appreciated for the noticeable improvement it brings to ride quality.

All versions of the 2025 Audi Q5 are now powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 268 hp, a modest 7-hp increase over the outgoing model. Power is sent through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission to Audi’s signature Quattro all-wheel-drive system, which remains standard across the lineup.

While the added power gives the Q5 a bit more urgency, it’s still not a sporty SUV by nature. That role continues to belong to the SQ5, with its V-6 engine and more than 350 hp. For most buyers, though, the standard Q5 strikes the right balance, prioritizing comfort and composure over outright performance.

Steering feel is on the lighter side, and while the available drive modes can add a touch of sportiness, the Q5’s overall character still leans firmly toward comfort.

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Is the Q5 Worth It?

The luxury compact SUV segment is fiercely competitive, long dominated by German automakers, and the pressure has only grown as new rivals enter the field. Audi continues to stand out by emphasizing comfort and refinement in a package that feels genuinely luxurious.

The 2026 Q5 represents a meaningful step forward in several areas, offering improved ride quality, technology, and overall polish. Still, its cabin could benefit from a few tweaks, namely less piano-black trim, fewer hard plastics, and a rethink of the capacitive touch controls that detract from an otherwise well-executed interior.

Are these drawbacks deal breakers? Not at all. The Audi Q5 is still an appealing package, and most buyers will quickly overlook—or simply get used to—its minor quirks. This is the best Q5 yet, and it’s sure to satisfy plenty of luxury SUV shoppers.