In the very crowded compact luxury Sport Utility Vehicle segment, the all-new Audi Q5/SQ5 are among the best available.
The first generation of the Audi Q5 was launched in the U.S. as a 2009 model, and the new Q5 and higher performance SQ5 deliver comfort, convenience, performance and very high levels of safety.
Q5/SQ5 Exteriors
The new “Q’s” profile features a high shoulder line connecting the front and rear lights, making the vehicle appear longer.
At the rear, the design is much cleaner thanks to a reduction of body lines. Also, the rear diffuser is integrated into the raised bumper. Both trims offer a pair tailpipes, with SQ5 models featuring iconic quad tailpipes.
Up front, a key exterior design feature is Q5/SQ5’s advanced lighting design and technology. Depending on trim, drivers can personalize their Q’s with up to eight digital light signatures within the available Matrix-Design LED headlights and digital OLED taillights.
Q5/SQ5 exterior colors include: Arkona White, Glacier White, Mythos Black, Grenadine Red, District Green, and Tambora Gray. Florett Silver and Navarra Blue are exclusively on the Q5, while Ultra Blue metallic and Daytona Gray pearl effect are available exclusively Q5 Sportback and SQ5 models.
Q5 is available with 18-inch to 20-inch alloy wheels with all-season run-flat tires (19-inch and 20-inch on the Q5 Sportback), and SQ5 models are available with 20-inch alloy wheels with all-season run-flat tires, or 21-inch alloy wheels with all-season or summer tires.
Q5/SQ5 Interiors
The new Q5/SQ5 interiors are equipped with a free-standing Multi Media Interface (MMI) curved OLED technology panoramic display. The display houses a 11.9-inch Audi driver virtual cockpit and 14.5-inch center dash MMI touch display. A 10.9-inch MMI Passenger Display is available as part of the Prestige trim. For safety, the display offers “Dynamic Privacy” mode with shutter technology, so passengers can view content on the display without driver distraction, as only a black screen is visible to the driver the vehicle is in motion.
Cargo capacity has been thoughtfully considered by Audi engineers when designing the interior. A particularly useful feature is the fully adjustable rear seat. The three passenger bench seat can slide back and forth and tilt, increasing cargo volume or passenger space as required.
Other new practical features include a larger storage compartment under the center armrest, numerous smaller storage areas, an inductive and cooled wireless phone charging tray in the front center console, and two USB-C ports up front and two in the rear. As an option, the front USB ports can support charging capacities of up to 60 watts; the rear ports up to a combined total of 200 watts. This means larger devices such as laptops can be powered.
Also, a host of vehicle functions can be controlled through the new self-learning voice control, Audi Assistant. The digital assistant is integrated into the vehicle and is depicted by an avatar in the central touch display of the MMI and in the Head-Up display. Simply say “Hey Audi” for system control.
The available Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System features 685 watts of power driving 16 speakers, and delivers great sound.
Depending on trim, leather/Dinamica interior fabrics, power front seats with driver memory, and three-zone automatic climate control provide upscale comfort and personalization; while a panoramic sunroof brightens the cabin during daylight, and ambient LED lighting enhances the nighttime cabin.
Q5/SQ5 Performance & Drivetrain
Audi Q5 models feature a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine producing 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. SQ5 models are equipped with a 3.0-liter V6 outputting 362 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Both utilize a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission tied to quattro all-wheel drive. The SQ5 is equipped with a standard sport rear differential, and the sport adaptive air suspension improves handling and ride comfort.
My drive partner Karl Brauer and I drove Audi’s A5 and S5 sedan models the day before our drive the next day of the Q5/SQ5.
During the A5/S5 drive we travelled on Rocky Mountain passes that at some stretches reached an elevation over 12,000 feet. Unfortunately, the elevation took its toll on me, and I dealt with altitude sickness.
Audi’s team, including drive logistics firm TNT Drives, sprang into action and provided portable oxygen canisters and electrolyte drinks to help offset the symptoms (THANK YOU TNT!), but even with the help, I was not in good shape to drive the Q5/SQ5.
With that, please watch the video produced by my drive partner Karl Brauer for his YouTube channel, Karl Brauer Cars, to get the “411” on the Q5/SQ5 drive experience, including an hour-long drive on a rugged trail. You can watch the video here. Watch Karl’s video review of the A5/S5 here.
Safety and Driver Assistance Systems
Audi provides a wide range of safety and driver assistance systems in the new Q5/SQ5 models, including: A rear parking aid with distance display, traffic-sign-based adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, efficiency assistant, Traffic sign recognition, and attention and drowsiness assistant are all standard, along with Park Assist plus, Rear Turn Assist, and Active Front Assist, which combines four functions: Front Emergency Brake Assist; Evasion Assist; Turn Assist; and Front Cross Traffic Assist. Adaptive cruise assist is available as an option to optimize traffic sign recognition and assist with acceleration, maintaining speed and distance, as well as lane guidance.
2025 Q5/SQ5 Trims and Pricing
Our test-drive Q5 carried a base price of $52,200, with the top-trim Prestige package adding $8,400; while our test-drive SQ5 a carried base price of $64,800, with the top-trim Prestige package adding $6,400.
Destination & Delivery for all models $1,295.
See more about the new Q5/SQ5, and models at AudiUSA.com
See Pursuitist coverage of the A5/S5 here.
