Introducing the third generation of the popular Q5 model SUV from Audi, the prestige German car manufacturer. This mid-sized, family accommodating and practical car is recognisably from the same stable but with updates and design changes to carry it through 2025 and beyond. Most importantly, it retains both petrol and diesel engines but with all the advantages and emission saving that mild-hybrid electric technology brings. Read all about it:
The Exterior
The latest Audi Q5 models, standard (Q5) and a more performance-orientated version (SQ5) for now, have become even sportier and offer perfect proportions. Three trim levels are available: Sport, S line and Edition 1. In addition, the SQ5 Edition 1 model gets a unique exterior appearance. In the S line exterior and the S model, the front air intakes are larger and designed as aero tubes in an L-wing shape. The diffuser at the rear is significantly sportier. A black exterior package is also showcased on all Edition 1 models.
The taut, high shoulder line creates a chunky silhouette which connects the front and rear lights making the vehicle appear longer. Above the sill, a rising line runs over the wheel arches and into the rear bumper, giving the vehicle a strong appearance even when stationary.
The front end has a confident appearance, with all the defining design elements positioned one level higher than in the current model. The sporty, wide ‘Singleframe’ grille sits high and is flanked by vertical, functional air curtains. The sculpturally shaped headlights create a sharp, focused look, manifesting the agile and ‘self-confident’ character of the car. A large air intake with sensors sits under the ‘Singleframe’, giving the Q5 a visually full and wide stance on the road. The exterior S line impresses with striking and sporty body components, such as the Air Curtain Tubes with matt anthracite chrome-look accents.
At the back there’s an extremely clear design thanks to the maximum reduction of lines for that minimalist look. From the rear window to the lower edge of the artfully shaped light strip, there is a smooth surface, defined by the light strip with a sharp cut across the entire width of the vehicle. The area between the light strip and bumper is sleek and adds, again, to that sporting look. The diffuser is integrated into the raised bumpers as an ‘island’. The positioning and shape of the tailpipes depends on the engine: a functional double square tailpipe under the diffuser on the left-hand side (for all diesel engines), or functional rectangular tailpipes on the right and left (for all petrol engines). The S model features the iconic twin round tailpipes in a new, sharpened design.
The Interior
The design of the interior of the new Audi Q5 is designed to be, in manufacturer-speak, "human-centric", that is to say consistently geared towards the needs of its users. In typically Audi style, there’s a clear and functional layout within the premium cabin providing an overview in all situations and forming aesthetic visual clarity.
In fact, functionality and aesthetics are combined down to the last detail. This clear design approach is evident in the horizontal structure of the control panel: an application made of high-quality material extends like a wing across the entire width of the control panel and rises at the transitions to the doors. The control panel forms the basis for the ‘Digital Stage’ and for the form-fit integrated air vents. The consistent design of the centre console and doors complements the orchestration of the interior: components in aluminium look and C-clamp shape surround the controls in the doors and centre console. With their ascending alignment, they emphasize the robust and sporty SUV philosophy of the Audi Q5.
The central component of the interior is the aforementioned ‘Digital Stage’ which is set up in front of the driver and front passenger in the form of the Audi multi-media interface (MMI) displays. The clearly aligned displays are integrated into the interior with a perfect fit and finish. The slim, free-standing Audi MMI panoramic display has a curved design and OLED technology and houses the 11.9 inch Audi virtual cockpit and the 14.5 inch MMI touch display.
Optionally, the 10.9 inch MMI Passenger Display can be ordered specially for front passengers on Edition 1 and SQ5 Edition 1. Thanks to ‘Active Privacy Mode’, passengers can use the infotainment system undisturbed without the driver being visually distracted. At the same time, it offers the option of assisting the driver with navigation tasks, for example.
With its ‘Material Driven Design’, the new Audi Q5 meets the demand for a spacious feeling with a high level of comfort. As a counterbalance to the digital and technical areas, the so-called soft wrap element runs from door to door across the entire width of the dashboard. Together with the fabric panels in the door and the armrests, this creates a comfy ambience. This philosophy of material-driven design also offers the potential to individualize the interior according to your own ideas from the vast options catalogue.
The materials have been selected, we learn, from a functional point of view, while at the same time ensuring clear design differentiation between the various areas in the interior. Comfort-oriented areas are emphasized with generous surfaces and soft materials. In contrast, controls are precisely designed and optionally finished in high-quality high-gloss black.
The seats, with diamond quilting, the soft wrap, and the armrest in the sporty S line version are finished in the sustainable materials ‘Cascade’ and ‘Dinamica’, among others. The ‘Cascade’ textile upholstery is reminiscent of natural materials such as wool and is not additionally dyed. It is made from recycled materials and recycled polyester. Part of the cover is made from yet another high-tech fabric called ‘Impressum’, which consists partly of recycled plastic fibres. Meanwhile, ‘Dinamica’ looks and feels like suede, but almost half of it is made from recycled polyester, one of the sources of which is leftover textiles. Sustainability at work here.
The Engines
The new Audi Q5 family is apparently based on the ‘Premium Platform Combustion’ architecture for conventionally powered vehicles with longitudinally installed combustion engines. All models in the Q5 series at market launch are equipped with the highly efficient ‘Mild-Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) Plus’ technology.
The new ‘MHEV plus’ system with a 48-volt electrical system, supports the combustion engine, reduces CO² emissions and at the same time increases performance and driving comfort. Purely electric manoeuvring and parking are also possible to a limited extent. The power-train generator puts out an additional drive torque of up to 230Nm and up to an additional 23bhp (24PS) of power. The 48-volt system also enables the use of an electrically driven air conditioning compressor. This offers the advantage that even when the combustion engine is switched off – for example when coasting or at a red light – the air conditioning system continues to operate at full power and keeps the interior at a comfortable temperature.
The lithium-ion battery of the vehicles has a storage capacity of 1.7kWh. The main tasks of the belt starter generator are to start the engine and supply electrical energy to the battery. Further, the new power-train generator enables electric driving, relieves the combustion engine, and helps reduce fuel consumption. When decelerating, the system feeds up to 25 kW of energy back into the battery (recuperation). Later in the lifecycle of the new Audi Q5, plug-in hybrids with a large battery and external charging option will also follow.
There are three engine versions at market launch with further drive variants to follow. Initially, all variants will be equipped with ‘MHEV plus’ technology, and all models will use a seven-speed ‘S tronic’ dual-clutch transmission. The entry-level engine is the petrol-powered 2.0 litre TFSI which delivers 201bhp (204PS) and 340Nm of torque and is quattro all-wheel drive. The Audi Q5 is also available with the 2.0 litre turb0-diesel in a new generation. It delivers the same 201bhp (204PS) but with a solid 400Nm of torque. On the performance side, the Audi SQ5 features a 3.0 litre petrol TFSI V6 that produces a mighty 361bhp (367PS) and has a maximum torque of 550Nm. The seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission drives through quattro all-wheel drive as standard.
Audi & MHH International
The Q5 is one of this brand’s most popular vehicles but there’s a wide choice of cars on offer right up to the outstanding R8 sports car; please browse our listings for current Audi choices. Selecting your car is easy and the comprehensive MHH International export service from the UK to countries like New Zealand, Ireland, Kenya, the Caribbean and elsewhere takes care of everything. Some cars are VAT-free too, a great saving. Get in touch to find out more.
