What’s New? This Q5 sits on a fresh architecture called PPC (Premium Platform Combustion). Translation? Petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid options are in – but full EV isn’t. That job belongs to the Q6 e-tron.
Two body styles at launch: the practical Q5 SUV and the swoopier Q5 Sportback. Both share the same bold face, but the Sportback gets a curvier rear end for those who fancy a bit more style over boxy utility.
Engines & Tech At launch, you’ve got two engines – a 2.0-litre TFSI petrol and a 2.0-litre TDI diesel. Both pump out 204PS, both get quattro all-wheel drive and a seven-speed S tronic gearbox. Oh, and both feature clever MHEV Plus mild-hybrid tech. This lets them creep around town in silent EV mode and even coast on motorways with the engine off.
Performance stats: • 2.0 TFSI: 0–62mph in 7.2s, 340Nm torque, up to 40.4mpg (Sport trim) • 2.0 TDI: 0–62mph in 7.4s, 400Nm torque, up to 47.1mpg (Sport trim) Later, a plug-in hybrid (Q5 TFSI e) joins the line up.
Design – Outside & In The Q5 looks sharper, meaner and more ‘Audi’ than ever. Big grille, fancy headlights, and those muscular ‘quattro blisters’ above the wheels. Sportback buyers get extra coupe cool points without sacrificing too much boot space.
Inside? Audi’s gone full ‘wow factor’ with a Digital Stage – a panoramic OLED setup combining a 14.5-inch centre touchscreen and 11.9-inch driver’s display. It looks lush, it feels premium, and in the showroom it’ll absolutely sell cars. There’s even a 10.9-inch passenger screen if you fancy annoying the driver with your own sat nav route.
Materials are top-notch, with everything from stitched leather-look trim to suede-effect Dynamica (eco-friendly and seriously classy). The only gripe? Gloss black plastic everywhere. It looks great… until you touch it. Fingerprint city.
Comfort & Practicality Audi’s nailed the everyday stuff here: • Front seats: superbly comfy, especially the S line sports seats. • Rear space: more legroom than before, reclining backrests, and a split-slide bench for juggling passengers and luggage. • Boot space: 520L in the SUV, 515L in the Sportback. Drop the seats and you’re looking at 1473L (SUV) or 1415L (Sportback). Clever touches like a stowable load cover and a low loading lip make it super usable.
On the Road The Q5 is calm, precise and very refined. Steering is light but accurate, making it easy to thread through towns despite its near 4.7m length. On twisty roads, it’s grippy and composed, if not as playful as a BMW X3.
We tested versions with optional air suspension – which is plush and adaptable (raise it for rough tracks, lower it for loading the boot). On standard suspension, we’ll have to wait for UK drives to give the final verdict.
Noise levels are impressively hushed – the diesel does clatter a bit outside, but inside it’s well insulated. The petrol is quieter day-to-day, though needs revs for punch.
Infotainment & Gadgets • Screens galore: 14.5-inch touchscreen, 11.9-inch digital cockpit, optional 10.9-inch passenger screen. • Voice assistant: now smarter with AI, recognising 800+ commands. • Audi app store: Netflix in your car? Nearly. • Sound systems: 10-speaker standard, or upgrade to Bang & Olufsen 3D audio (proper goosebump stuff). Minor gripes? Too many touch-sensitive controls (steering wheel buttons and door panel light cluster are fiddly) and climate controls hidden in the screen.
UK Prices Q5 SUV TFSI quattro 204 PS S tronic • Sport: £52,310 • S line: £54,910 • Edition 1: £59,110 Q5 Sportback TFSI quattro 204 PS S tronic • Sport: £54,810 • S line: £57,410 • Edition 1: £61,610 Yes, it’s nudging £50k as a starting point, but even the base Sport trim gets LED headlights, heated leather seats, three-zone climate, and that impressive digital dashboard. The Good • Stunning new interior with loads of tech • Practical and comfy – SUV and Sportback both spacious • MHEV Plus mild-hybrid system is genuinely clever • Refined and confidence-inspiring on the road • Strong standard equipment The Not-So-Good • Gloss black trim = fingerprint nightmare • Touch controls can be fiddly • Petrol needs revs, diesel sounds grumbly outside • Prices creeping ever higher So what’s the overall verdict? The 2025 Audi Q5 hasn’t reinvented the SUV, but it didn’t need to. Instead, it’s polished, poshed-up and tech’d to the nines – exactly what buyers expect. Comfortable, classy and packed with gadgets, it’s the sort of premium SUV that justifies its popularity. Is it perfect? Not quite. Some usability niggles and a hefty price tag stop it short of brilliance. But as an all-rounder with proper Audi feel-good factor, the Q5 remains one of the best premium family SUVs you can buy in the UK.
Thank you all, and enjoy!
Annabelle :)