The upcoming 2025 Audi Q5—a compact luxury SUV—and the performance-oriented SQ5 will not use any form of electrification like in previous years—or its competition. Instead, they will source power from a turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 in the SQ5. Compact luxury SUVs from BMW, Genesis, Porsche, and Volvo all offer some form of electrification, if not full battery-electric options. Audi could offer some form of hybrid Q5 sometime soon, but when the new Q5 arrives in early 2025, it will only have gas-powered offerings.
Audi offers the 2025 Q5 in two configurations: one is an everyday small luxury SUV, and the other, well, it's the same thing but with a little more oomph. The standard Q5 has a turbo four, all-wheel drive (AWD), and smaller wheels, while the SQ5 gets a turbo V6 with over 350 horsepower and the option of summer tires. Both the Q5 and SQ5 ride on Audi's Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) platform, which will likely be the automaker's last gas-powered architecture, and use a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT).
Audi isn't messing much with the success of the Q5, so the design isn't radically different; it just looks wildly more aggressive in a significantly great way. A large honeycomb grille covers the front end, while a thin, split light bar that gives the small SUV a sharp presence complements the headlights. A set of 18-inch wheels is standard, with 19s and 20s optional, wrapped with all-season rubber. The SQ5 has 20-inch wheels and offers 21s with all-season or summer performance tires.
Almost all the new Q5's interior controls are of the haptic or touchscreen variety. I get tired of saying this, but screens cover the dashboard. It's a trend nowadays. The digital gauge cluster is 11.9 inches, and the center touchscreen measures 14.5 inches across and controls the HVAC and other vehicle functions. However, thankfully, there is a physical volume knob.
A huge head-up display is also available to convey more information ahead of the driver. Buyers can also choose a 10.9-inch screen for the front passenger to control entertainment and watch videos.
The 2025 Audi Q5's turbocharged engine produces significantly more power than the previous model year. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder, also found in the Porsche Macan, now makes 268 hp in the Audi, and a seven-speed DCT replaces the prior model's 7-speed S tronic transmission.
Upgrade to the SQ5 and get a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that makes 362 hp and is more potent than the previous model. Like the standard Q5, the SQ5 replaces the old eight-speed automatic with the new, quicker, seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. According to Audi, the DCT and the extra horsepower will help the SQ5 be even quicker than before.
Out back, the horizontal OLED lightbar, using hundreds of individual lighting elements, can change looks and animate warnings for other drivers, like heavy braking or accidents. The third brake light mounted beneath the spoiler on the hatch shines a light pattern on the rear window to increase brake-light visibility.
Most of the competition is moving toward plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) or fully electric compact luxury SUVs. Not Audi. The 2025 Q5 is the only model in the segment that offers no electric assist. That said, a hybrid variant should be coming soon. But if you want a hybrid or electric compact luxury SUV, you'll have to look at Genesis, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, or Volvo.
Porsche's best-seller, the Macan, is going fully electric, though the German automaker will continue to sell the gas version alongside it for a bit. Mercedes-Benz's compact offering, the GLC, now has plug-in-hybrid assist in the form of a turbo four, electric motor, and a 24.8-kilowatt-hour battery that provides up to 54 miles of electric-only driving. Volvo also offers PHEV versions of its popular SUVs, and Genesis has electric-vehicle options.
Audi is the source of information in this article. It was accurate as of September 3, 2024, but it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
Connor Hoffman has worked in the automotive industry since 2018 in both editorial and public relations. He has tested and written about hundreds of cars and helped lead the media launches of the 2024 Toyota Tacoma and Land Cruiser. Connor started his career at Car and Driver after a summer internship and has contributed to Edmunds, U.S. News & World Report, and Capital One Autos.
Although both the 2026 Toyota Corolla and Toyota Camry share Toyota engineering and many standard features, they target different buyers. To see how they compare in value, reliability, performance, ...See More
Read the Full Article
Both the 2026 Toyota Corolla and the 2026 Mazda Mazda3 come with comprehensive safety features and connected services, along with large infotainment screens and premium audio. To see how their ...See More
Read the Full Article
Touchscreens are almost universal in modern cars. However, not all display types are the same. An increasing number of the latest cars use something called an OLED display. But what exactly is OLED, ...See More
Read the Full Article
Although the 2026 Toyota Corolla and the 2026 Nissan Sentra target buyers with similar goals, they take different routes. To see how those approaches translate into real world value, reliability, ...See More
Read the Full Article