2025 Audi Q5 first drive review: Better in every way

The Audi Q5 has always been a solid all-rounder—comfortable, practical, and enjoyable to drive. However, with rivals like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC stepping up their game, the folks at Ingolstadt needed to bring something fresh to the table. Enter the 2025 Audi Q5. Based on the brand new PPC platform, it gets sharper styling, a modern interior, and a new mild-hybrid system that adds efficiency and a few EV-inspired tricks. Full disclaimer: the Audi Q5 is still some time away from an India launch. But that isn’t stopping us from getting under the skin of this new luxury SUV and understanding what it's all about!

2025 Audi Q5 styling

There’s no questioning the fact that this new Q5 is a handsome car. Heck, Audi has been on a roll with their designs of late, putting out banger after banger. They’re not going for the shock-and-awe route their rivals from Munich are taking, but instead doing conventionally handsome designs. Sure, the Singleframe grille is still oversized but it is not divisive. A big differentiator between the ICE and EV cars is the headlamps: the EVs have a split headlamp design while the ICE cars have a traditional cluster. I’m partial to how it looks on the Q5 versus the Q6 e-tron. Being an Audi, lighting tech is insane: it gets Matrix LEDs up front, while the rear gets a light bar with communication lights. This means the LEDs can make shapes to communicate with the driver in the car following it. For example: get too close and they form a triangle, like a warning sign.

This car here features the aggressive S Line kit with sporty bumpers and cool wheels. 20 inches in the case of this car, though there’s a range from 18s to 21s on offer. The India spec isn’t set in stone yet. There are plenty of aero-elements in the form of air curtains, deflectors and cladding on the underbody to improve efficiency and emissions. In terms of dimensions, the Q5 has grown ever so slightly but what matters is that it looks more imposing in the flesh. A lot of the surfacing has been softened up, but the face and shoulders give the sense that this car is bulky, lending it a commanding presence on the road.

2025 Audi Q5 interior and features

The interior is a big update from the older Q5 but is in line with the interiors that the A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron get. Front and centre is an 11.9-inch Virtual Cockpit screen, with a larger 14.5-inch MMI infotainment screen sitting next to it. They’re curved and focused on the driver, so Audi is offering an optional 10.9-inch passenger display for the passenger. There’s also a head-up display for the driver, though it doesn’t get augmented reality features plus the communication light sitting as a strip along the width of the top of the dashboard is also present.

Materials are of high quality with wood, and soft-touch materials across. Being an S Line car, it also features a sportier flat-bottomed steering wheel and stainless steel pedals. Features are as expected: a cooled wireless charging tray, B&O audio, 60W USB ports and while this car doesn’t have it, a panoramic sunroof can be optioned as well. Storage areas are well throughout and practical with large bins in the centre console and sizeable door pockets.

The rear seat is interesting. The seat is on rails so it can be moved forward and backwards to prioritise knee room or boot space as required. Space is more than adequate for a full-sized adult, with knee room and headroom being plenty. This car had three-zone climate control and heated seats, though these are features unlikely to make it to India spec cars. Boot space is generous too and Audi has thoughtfully designed a holder for the parcel tray underneath the boot floor so it doesn’t get in the way of big luggage. Overall, the interiors are a blend of tech and practicality, with the only real criticism I can level at them being that the AC controls which were previously hard buttons have not been integrated into the screen.

2025 Audi Q5 engine

The Q5 will be available with two engines: a 2-litre TDI and a 2-litre TFSI. The latter is more relevant to us here in India and that is what we sampled. FWD is available, but all the press cars had quattro. The engine is a familiar one, with outputs standing at 201bhp and 340Nm. The big news is that now comes with a comprehensive mild-hybrid system. It features a 1.7kWh LFP battery and a starter motor generator. This system adds 24bhp and 230Nm when needed.

The engine itself is a pleasant one. It is refined, punchy and nice to rev out — 0-100kmph taking a little over 7 seconds. Responses are actually rather good and that is down to the 48V MHEV Plus system. This system gives the drivetrain a whole load of cool tricks. For example, the larger-than-usual battery allows the car to start up, and roll off in EV mode. The engine only kicks in when harder acceleration is demanded. You actually drive in EV-only mode while parking the car, or manoeuvring at slow speed. It’s quite unnerving the first time because you simply expect an ICE car to fire up like it usually does but this one stays deathly silent, like an EV. The system also cuts the engine under coasting, or very light acceleration while cruising. You can actually maintain speed without the engine on, even on slight inclines, only using the e-motor. But again, demand more and the engine fires up, through that switch over is absolutely imperceptible. The system also regenerates energy up to 25kW and does so using the braking system from the PPE cars — Audi’s EVs. The whole thing is integrated really seamlessly and works very well. It doesn’t feel rough around the edges, or annoying in stop-go conditions. In fact, a side benefit of a better battery and strong regen means that the AC compressor is now hooked up to the battery directly, and can run even when the engine is off. No more having to choose between using the start-stop system and roasting at signals, then.

2025 Audi Q5 ride and handling

The Q5 is based on the new PPC platform and is actually the first car that we’re driving based on this platform. You get steel springs as standard but you can option air suspension, which this car had. Once again, what India gets is a big question mark. Though going by what the competition has, air suspension is unlikely to make it.

The overarching sense while driving the Q5 is that it is comfortable and refined. Our car was running 20-inch wheels, and despite that, it felt plush and cosseting. It may have had a slight edge over some bumps, but that may have been to do with the big wheels more than anything else. It also managed to give me an overarching sense of stability and sure-footedness. It rode with plenty of compose at speed on the motorways, but then also felt very assured on tighter, twisty sections. The steering felt direct and precise. You could place the corners of the car easily, and dialling up the drive modes made the steering feel quicker. It isn’t the most sporting SUV in its standard Q5 form, but it feels very well-rounded in balancing comfort and handling. There is a sportier option though…

Meet the 2025 SQ5 Sportback

While Audi will surely bring the standard Q5 to India, the SQ5 Sportback is “under evaluation”. Let’s break this down: SQ5? It’s the Q5 with the sportier V6 TFSI engine. Sportback? It's the SUV-Coupe version of the Q5. Outputs? A solid 365bhp and 550Nm, plus the whole MHEV jazz. 0-100kmph takes just 4.5 seconds so performance is not something this car is lacking. The V6 pulls strong and hard, plus it sounds really tuneful and is quite fun to wring out. Handling is improved here as well: the suspension has a sportier tune, the steering is sharper and the whole thing feels a lot more put together. But typical of Audi, it feels rather comfortable all the same. The SQ5 Sportback appealed to me: as a quick SUV to sit underneath the RS Q8 in Audi’s India line-up, I think it makes good sense. Just look at its rival: the GLC 43 AMG used to be a best-seller for Mercedes. More recently, the new-gen brought with it a 4-pot compared to the previous V6 and also made it a lot more hard-edged than before. That leaves a big gaping V6-sized hole for this SQ5 to come in and occupy, and Audi should capitalise on it. Make enough noise about it, and they might just hear you.

2025 Audi Q5 rivals and verdict

What do I make of the Audi Q5? I think it's an SUV that has built on its strengths of being a comfortable, refined, practical all-round SUV. Updates to the interior were much-needed and brought this car up to date to compete with its rivals. The new MHEV Plus tech is very impressive and adds another layer of refinement to the already impressive TFSI drivetrain. And the new PPC platform feels very sophisticated and competent. A true test though, would be dealing with Indian conditions.

The Q5’s rivals include the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Volvo XC60. Both the German rivals have gotten updates recently and feel fresh. This Q5 can’t come soon enough to take them on. An India launch is confirmed, but not before 2026. That’s a long way off, but it should be worth the wait. In the meantime, pray hard that the SQ5 Sportback also makes it here!