Cars

2025 Audi Q5 Review: Technology, Interior Quality, & Price

JH
John H
Senior Cars Expert
8 min read

2025 Audi Q5 Review: Technology, Interior Quality, & Price

The 2025 Audi Q5 continues to set the standard in the luxury compact SUV segment, blending refined engineering, cutting-edge technology, and premium interior craftsmanship. As Audi’s best-selling model in the U.S. for several years, the Q5 has evolved into a sophisticated crossover that balances daily comfort with spirited driving dynamics. With the 2025 update, Audi has sharpened its focus on digital integration, sustainable materials, and driver assistance features, making this the most advanced Q5 yet. In this comprehensive review, we dive deep into the 2025 Audi Q5’s technology, interior quality, pricing, and overall value proposition.

Exterior Design: Evolution Over Revolution

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintains its sleek, understated elegance with subtle refinements rather than radical redesigns. The single-frame grille remains prominent, now flanked by slimmer, more angular LED headlights that integrate dynamic turn signals. Matrix LED technology is optional and delivers adaptive high beams that illuminate the road without blinding oncoming traffic.

Signature Audi design cues include the pronounced shoulder line, wheel arch flares, and a gently sloping roofline that enhances aerodynamics. New alloy wheel designs, ranging from 18 to 21 inches, provide a fresh visual identity. Rear lighting has been updated with OLED taillights that offer customizable light signatures—a feature previously reserved for higher-end models like the Q8.

Available in 12 exterior colors—including new metallic options like Glacier White and Quantum Grey—the 2025 Q5 allows personalization while maintaining a cohesive, premium aesthetic. For those seeking an aggressive look, the S line exterior package adds larger air intakes, a sportier front bumper, and black exterior trim.

2025 Audi Q5 Review: Technology, Interior Quality, & Price

Interior Quality: A Sanctuary of Craftsmanship

Step inside the 2025 Audi Q5, and the first thing you notice is the exceptional craftsmanship. Audi has elevated interior materials across the board, using soft-touch surfaces, open-pore wood inlays, and optional Valcona leather upholstery. The redesigned dashboard features a more driver-centric layout, with high-quality stitching and seamless integration of digital displays.

The front seats are both supportive and luxurious, with available 18-way power adjustment, massage function, and ventilation. Rear passengers benefit from increased legroom and a slightly repositioned seatback angle, enhancing long-distance comfort. The Q5 comfortably accommodates five adults, and the rear bench slides and reclines for added versatility.

Audi has placed a strong emphasis on sustainability in the 2025 model. Recycled microfiber upholstery, eco-conscious carpeting made from ocean plastics, and responsibly sourced wood trims are available across higher trims. These efforts reflect Audi’s broader commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050.

The cabin is impressively quiet, thanks to enhanced sound-deadening materials and standard acoustic glass. Noise levels at highway speeds are among the lowest in the class, allowing occupants to enjoy the standard 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system without distractions. Ambient lighting with 30 color options adds to the sense of occasion, especially when driving at night.

Infotainment and Technology: Fully Digital Cockpit

The centerpiece of the 2025 Audi Q5’s technology suite is the new MIB4 (Modular Infotainment Platform), which powers a dual-screen setup in the center console. The upper 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen handles navigation, media, and vehicle settings, while the lower 8.6-inch screen is dedicated to climate controls and quick-access functions.

The system runs on the Android Automotive OS, enabling native integration of Google services such as Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, but with native apps built-in, many users may find less need for smartphone mirroring. Over-the-air (OTA) updates ensure the infotainment system stays current with new features and security patches.

Voice control has been significantly improved. Saying “Hey Audi” activates the assistant, which can now understand natural language commands—like “I’m cold” to raise the cabin temperature or “Find gas stations with charging points” for EV-ready drivers. The voice system also learns user preferences over time, adapting to routines such as commute routes and preferred audio content.

Standard on all trims is the 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit, a fully digital instrument cluster that offers multiple display modes: Classic, Sport, and Navigation-focused. Drivers can customize gauges, trip data, and media information directly through the steering wheel controls or voice commands.

Wireless charging, four USB-C ports (including rear passengers), and a Wi-Fi hotspot are standard. The available head-up display projects speed, navigation arrows, and active safety alerts directly onto the windshield, minimizing driver distraction.

Driver Assistance and Safety Features

Safety and driver assistance have been upgraded in the 2025 Q5, with a comprehensive package now included as standard. The base level includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, traffic-sign recognition, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

Optional packages expand functionality with features like:

Audi’s Pre Sense suite now includes predictive emergency braking, which uses navigation data to anticipate sharp curves or slow zones and prepare the braking system. Night Vision Assist, available on higher trims, uses thermal imaging to detect pedestrians and animals beyond headlight range.

The 2025 Q5 also introduces a “Driver State Detection” system that monitors eye movement and head position to detect signs of drowsiness or distraction. If the system senses inattention, it issues visual and haptic warnings and can suggest nearby rest stops.

Powertrain and Performance: Efficiency Meets Refinement

The 2025 Audi Q5 offers a range of powertrain options, catering to different driving preferences and environmental considerations.

Q5 45 TFSI (Gasoline)

The standard engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 261 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive, the Q5 45 TFSI accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. Fuel economy is rated at 23 mpg city and 30 mpg highway—an improvement over the 2024 model thanks to revised engine mapping and reduced friction.

Q5 55 TFSI e (Plug-in Hybrid)

For eco-conscious drivers, the plug-in hybrid variant combines the 2.0T engine with a 14.1 kWh battery and electric motor, delivering a total system output of 362 horsepower. All-electric range has been boosted to 38 miles on a full charge (up from 26 in 2024), making it viable for short commutes without using gasoline. Charging from a 240V outlet takes about 2.5 hours. Combined fuel efficiency reaches 70 MPGe, with a total driving range of over 500 miles.

Q5 Sportback 50 TDI (Diesel – Limited Markets)

In select international markets, Audi continues to offer a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 with 282 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. This version prioritizes towing capacity (up to 4,400 lbs) and highway efficiency, achieving up to 35 mpg on long drives. However, due to declining diesel demand in North America, this model is not available in the U.S.

All versions feature adaptive dampers and precise steering, delivering a balanced ride that’s firm enough for cornering stability yet supple over rough roads. The S line package adds sport suspension, larger brakes, and a torque-vectoring rear differential for enhanced handling.

Ride Comfort and Driving Dynamics

The 2025 Q5 excels in ride comfort, with a well-tuned suspension that absorbs bumps and road imperfections without sacrificing control. Standard steel springs provide a compliant ride, while optional adaptive air suspension allows drivers to adjust ride height and damping characteristics based on terrain and driving style.

On winding roads, the Q5 feels agile for its size, with minimal body roll and responsive turn-in. The Quattro all-wheel-drive system distributes torque between the front and rear axles as needed, providing confident traction in rain, snow, or gravel. Off-road capability is limited but improved with the optional Off-Road package, which includes hill descent control and additional ground clearance.

Driving modes—Auto, Comfort, Dynamic, Efficiency, and Individual—alter throttle response, transmission shifts, steering weight, and suspension firmness. Dynamic mode sharpens all systems for a sportier feel, while Efficiency mode maximizes fuel economy by coasting with the engine off at highway speeds.

Cargo Space and Practicality

The 2025 Audi Q5 offers 25.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and expands to 53.1 cubic feet with the 40/20/40-split rear bench folded. While not the largest in its class, the space is well-shaped and accessible thanks to a wide liftgate opening and low load floor.

A hands-free power tailgate is standard, activated by kicking under the rear bumper. Inside, the cabin features ample storage: dual cupholders, a center console bin, door pockets, and a cooled glove compartment on higher trims.

Towing capacity is rated at 4,400 pounds for the 55 TFSI e and 45 TFSI models—sufficient for small trailers, jet skis, or campers. The diesel version matches this capacity but delivers better real-world towing economy.

Pricing and Trim Levels

The 2025 Audi Q5 is available in three primary trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige. Each adds more features and luxury, allowing buyers to tailor the vehicle to their needs and budget.

Q5 Premium – Starting at $47,900

The base Premium trim includes:

Q5 Premium Plus – Starting at $51,900

Upgrading to Premium Plus adds:

Q5 Prestige – Starting at $57,500

The top-tier Prestige model includes:

The plug-in hybrid Q5 55 TFSI e starts at $55,900 for the Premium trim and tops out at $65,500 for the Prestige. Buyers may qualify for federal tax credits up to $4,502, depending on battery size and final assembly location.

Competitors in the Luxury Compact SUV Segment

The 2025 Audi Q5 faces stiff competition from several established rivals: