The 2025 Audi Q5 and SQ5 get more power, better fuel economy and razor sharp handling
What’s new with the Audi Q5 and SQ5 for 2025?
- Both models get new matrix headlights, digital OLED taillights and customizable daytime driving lights
- A two-motor 48-volt mild-hybrid system
Perhaps the better question is what’s not new such is the extent of the rework. Both the Q5 and SQ5 have fresh looks with the matrix headlights, digital OLED taillights and customizable daytime driving lights adding some real visual zing day or night. It also rides on a new platform, has two significantly reworked engines and a two-motor 48-volt mild-hybrid system. Of course, the cabin has been dressed in the finery demanded of a luxurious ride and it gets the demanded tech in the form of three new OLED screens. They are faster, brighter and, well, just about pixel perfect. The driving dynamics have also been honed to make the Q5 and, in particular, the SQ5 a more engaging drive.
What powers the 2025 Audi Q5 and SQ5?
- Q5 features a 2.0L turbo-four making 268 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque
- SQ5 gets a 3.0L turbo-V6 making 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque
- Both engines work with a seven-speed twin-clutch transmission and quattro AWD
Both engines are 80% new and work with a totally revamped mild-hybrid system. The rethink brings more power and better fuel economy. Along with the internal tweaks, it’s the turbochargers and mild-hybrid system that are key to improving both the power and fuel economy. As before, the Q5 features a 2.0L turbo-four. It now makes 268 hp (up 7 hp) and 295 lb-ft of torque, which is up 22 lb-ft. The uplevel SQ5 gets a 3.0L turbo-V6 that now pumps out 362 hp (up from 349 hp) and 406 lb-ft of torque, which is an increase of 37 lb-ft. Both engines now work with a seven-speed twin-clutch transmission and quattro all-wheel-drive. In both cases, the transmission is quick to shift and the quattro system lays the power down in a seamless fashion.
The new part of the powertrain equation is the twin electric motor 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The first electric motor is mounted to the back-end of the transmission. It’s used to improve efficiency, as well as the initial response and low-end performance by adding up to 24 electric horses to the gas-powered stallions. More importantly, this electric motor adds 170 lb-ft of torque from Rev One. The second electric motor is belt driven and is used for the idle-stop function. This makes it faster and more seamless in operation. This motor also charges the battery and works in conjunction with the transmission-mounted motor and the regenerative braking it produces whenever the gas pedal is lifted — it can contribute up to 25-kW of power. It’s such that regen is the first level of braking with the mechanical brakes only kicking in when the driver demands more stopping power. The two-motor system works with a 1.7-kWh lithium-ion battery. It not only supplies the power to the hybrid side; it also runs the electric air conditioning compressor.
How does the Audi 2025 Q5 and SQ5 perform?
While the horsepower increases are modest, the early entry of the electric torque brings a speedier launch and helps the pulling power until the turbo spools up to speed. This makes an appreciable difference in how both engines drive. The early electric torque and sharper low-end shows up in the acceleration times. The SQ5 drops the run to the metric ton by 0.2 seconds to a speedy 4.8 seconds while returning better fuel economy. It also sounds the part when forced to work at its peak!
How are the road manners of the 2025 Audi Q5 and SQ5?
As with the new A5, both the Q5 and SQ5 ride on the Audi’s Premium Platform Combustion (PPC). It gave the tester’s adaptive air suspension and electromechanical steering a solid base of operations. On the serpentine drive route, the Q5 felt planted and delivered enough performance to keep this driver entertained — while the performance is best described as acceptably responsive, the handling is properly dialed-in. The steering is millimetre precise and the suspension, based on the drive mode selected, either delivers a comfortable ride or hunkers down and gets on with the business of staying flat through a corner. Adding the S Line option brings the S adaptive suspension. Tick this box, as the crossover really does dance a pretty two-step when pushed.
For the inner driver, however, there’s really only one choice and that’s the SQ5. In Balance driving mode things do what they’re supposed to do — it wafts along until you put your foot into it. At this point it begins to react as though it’s been switched to Dynamic mode. Here, the performance becomes the equal of the handling. Two main things happen. First, the ride firms and the response to input becomes even sharper. Second, the SQ5’s engine begins to produce a delightful burbling from the quad exhaust pipes whenever the transmission drops a cog or two when pushed into a corner. The resulting drive really is enormously entertaining — the harder you push, the more the SQ5 seems to come back for more.
The 2025 Audi Q5 and SQ5 have swanky new cabins
The interior is all-new with three large OLED screens taking pride of place — this is the so-called Digital Stage. It starts with the 11.9-inch reconfigurable instrumentation cluster that works with an available reconfigurable head-up display. The latter can show everything from speed and radio station information to the navigation instructions. Next up is the 14.9-inch touch screen for the multi-media interface. It now uses the Android Automotive operating system. It’s a cracking setup that’s faster and more intuitive than the previous setup, and it was ranked as one of the better systems. Beyond the speed and precision, it is the clarity of everything that impresses. The infotainment system works with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and, in the tester, a superb 675-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system with 16 strategically placed speakers. Move further right and there’s now an optional 10.9-inch screen for the passenger. It has a privacy mode that prevents the driver from seeing what’s on the screen, so it’s not a distraction. The other plus is the Audi assistant, which now has an avatar that pops up in the central screen and head-up display. It uses AI to learn, so it is smarter than your average assistant. It controls vehicle functions and can input the destination for your favourite café. Hardware aside, it’s the new soft-touch materials that give the cabin such an upscale feel.
The lone nit is the cluster of controls that sits beside the driver’s door pull. In the past this was where you accessed the mirror and door lock functions. Simple. Now it houses the lock/unlock controls, three light functions, eight mirror functions, three memory functions for the seat and the two touch points for the rear childproof locks. It sounds busy reading it; using it requires altogether too much concentration and dexterity. Yes, time is a great healer, but the various controls are packed tightly together and fiddly at the best of times. At speed, well, you get my drift.
Is the 2025 Q5 and SQ5 family friendly?
Move rearward and the back seat has enough width for three adults to sit in reasonable comfort — two is the preferred setup because of the hump called a middle seat! The one place where, looks aside, the crossover and Sportback differ is cargo volume. The crossover has 1,473L of space when the rear seat is folded flat. The Sportback models drop to 1,415L for the Q5 and 1,388L for the SQ5 because of that delightfully swoopy rear roofline. A move for the better is there’s now a proper place to stow the privacy cover when the seats are folded. It now sits neatly in a recess below the load floor, so it’s not left collecting dust in the garage. All Q5 and SQ5 models can tow up to 2,400-kg.
Canadian Pricing for the 2025 Audi Q5 and SQ5
The 2025 Q5 starts at $58,700 and moves through the Progressiv at $63,900 to the top Technik at $65,400. The SQ5 Progressiv starts at $78,700 and tops out with the Technik at $81,200. The new Q5 will be available this spring with the SQ5 arriving this summer.
Final thoughts on the 2025 Q5 and SQ5
The total rework of the 2025 Q5 and SQ5 does make a world of difference to what has been one of Audi’s most popular models. The cabin is first class all the way with the new screens adding some serious tech to go along with the comfort. Likewise, the driving dynamics are first rate, especially when pushing the SQ5 hard and fast down a ribbon of twisty tarmac. Finally, the new two-motor hybrid system brings better performance and improved efficiency. That’s a win/win in my book!
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