2025 Audi Q5 & SQ5 First Drive Review: BMW And Mercedes Should Be Scared

The Q5 is Audi’s best-selling mannequin in the USA, and by a fairly huge margin. The German automaker bought 17,551 items of its compact crossover in 2024, whereas the subsequent closest mannequin, the Q3, solely moved 10,347 items. An all-new third-generation 2025 Audi Q5 is at the moment hitting dealerships, and it’s arriving at a vital time. The fourth-generation BMW X3 was simply refreshed final 12 months, sparking an enormous controversy related to its cheap interior, and the second-generation Mercedes-Benz GLC suffers from the same challenge and a backlash from dropping its V6 and V8 engines. This may very well be the proper second for Audi to pounce.

This can be a Q-branded crossover, however Audi actually introduced its A-game with the newest Q5. It is extra highly effective than earlier than, each in Q5 and SQ5 guise, extra spacious, and extra technologically superior. Inside, the large information is the addition of an obtainable Digital Stage, which incorporates three separate screens: a digital gauge cluster, touchscreen infotainment system, and a passenger display. DrivingOnRoad spent ample time driving the Q5 and SQ5 fashions exterior of Aspen, Colorado, to seek out out if Audi has managed to leapfrogg its German rivals.

First Drive occasions present our preliminary impressions of a automobile in a restricted setting underneath sure time constraints. Regulate DrivingOnRoad for our complete Check Drive overview which can comply with quickly.

What’s Modified For 2025?

The 2025 Q5 and SQ5 are new fashions for 2025, now of their third technology. It rides on an all-new Premium Platform Combustion structure, which additionally underpins the brand new Audi A5 and S5. The brand new Q5 is taller, wider, and longer than the earlier technology, yielding extra passenger and cargo area inside. It additionally will get recent know-how, powered by an all-new infotainment system with as much as three obtainable screens.

Each the Q5 and SQ5 acquire energy and torque from their predecessors, enhancing efficiency. The SQ5 additionally ditches its eight-speed torque converter automated in favor of a dual-clutch gearbox that’s shared with the Q5.

Exterior Design: Rounder And Extra Customizable

Audi moved away from its sharp creases and arduous edges to create a rounder, friendlier-looking Q5 with decreased physique traces. The headlights and taillights provide eight completely different lighting signatures you’ll be able to choose, however federal laws require a full energy cycle earlier than they modify. If we’re trustworthy, the Q5’s design appears to be like a bit bland, particularly within the decrease trims with a colour from the German “rainbow” chosen, however it may look sharper and extra elegant in one of many bolder colours or in SQ5 guise. It isn’t the prettiest automobile in its section, but it surely’s removed from the least enticing. Talking of colours, solely Arkona White comes without charge, with any of the metallic or pearl impact finishes including $595. We take pleasure in a number of the brighter hues, comparable to Extremely Blue Metallic, Grenadine Pink Metallic, and District Inexperienced Metallic. Audi additionally listened to clients, and the Q5 and SQ5 now have actual seen exhaust pipes, not pretend ones.

The Q5 Status rides on moderately uninteresting 18-inch wheels, however the usual 19-inch five-double-spoke wheels on the Premium Plus and Status are far more enticing. We even favor them to the optionally available 20-inch five-arm design wheels (pictured) that price $800. The SQ5 will get cooler 20-inch double-spoke-twist wheels or bigger 21-inch five-arm cut up wheels for $1,000. This newest Q5 is taller, wider, and longer than the mannequin it replaces, yielding more room inside. There will even be a Q5 Sportback for the 2026 model year, which immediately competes towards the Mercedes GLC Coupe with a extra coupe-like roofline.

Inside: Upping The Premium

Even the bottom trim Q5 is a well-equipped, premium place to spend time. Heated leather-based seats come normal in beige or black with contrasting wooden trim on the dashboard. The Premium Plus may be geared up with ventilated sport seats as a part of a $950 Heat Climate Package deal that additionally provides handbook sunshades on the rear home windows, and these seats come normal on the Status wrapped in black, brown, or beige leather-based. The SQ5 will get Lamborghini-like Effective Nappa leather-based seats in black or Arras Pink, with therapeutic massage operate and heated rear seats on the Status trim stage. The therapeutic massage feels fairly good, however the brand new Volkswagen Tiguan truly has a extra superior system with extra modules that ship deeper leisure. Elsewhere within the cabin, Audi’s materials high quality is pretty spectacular, with only some arduous touchpoints that exist in spots you probably will not contact usually.

The Q5’s elevated dimension makes it extra spacious for passengers with a large 38 inches of rear legroom and 37.8 inches of rear headroom. That is 1.7 inches extra legroom than you get in a BMW X3, however the headroom is 0.4 inches much less. Chalk that distinction as much as the BMW’s panomaric roof, which does not open just like the one within the Q5. The Q5 additionally has sliding rear seats, a characteristic that you simply will not discover within the X3 or the Mercedes-Benz GLC. Cargo area within the Q5 will increase to 27.6 cubic toes behind the second row and 56.9 cubes with the seats folded, up from 25.9 and 54 cubes, beforehand. The X3 is extra spacious in each measurements, whereas the GLC has extra cargo area with the seats down.

Infotainment: Screens, Screens, Screens

Audi’s most vital change to the Q5 occurs on the dashboard, the place the outgoing 10.1-inch touchscreen MMI system has been changed by what the corporate calls the “Digital Stage.” It is comprised of a brand new 14.5-inch touchscreen and 11.9-inch digital cockpit that come normal on all trims. The touchscreen is straightforward to make use of and responsive with a devoted space for local weather controls that just about makes us okay with the elimination of bodily buttons – if solely you possibly can regulate the fan pace with out clicking on a separate menu.

The brand new digital cockpit looks like a downgrade, now not containing the power to indicate the built-in Google map, although it may now show Apple Maps and Waze through CarPlay. Stepping as much as the Status trim on a Q5 or SQ5 provides a ten.9-inch passenger show, which can be utilized to play video games, watch YouTube, or management varied features of the automobile. Whereas not vital characteristic, we discovered it pretty helpful to rapidly management our music choice throughout our drive. The 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system on the Premium Plus and Status trim delivers clear sound that packs a pleasant punch.

Powertrain & Driving: Coming In Clutch

Each Audi Q5 is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which will get a seven-horsepower and 22-pound-foot bump over the earlier technology. The SQ5 upgrades to a turbo-V6 that beneficial properties 13 hp and 37 lb-ft in comparison with the outgoing mannequin. Each engines ship energy to a typical quattro all-wheel-drive system through a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission that has been up to date to deal with the additional torque from the SQ5. The plug-in hybrid mannequin will not be obtainable at launch, however may very well be introduced again at a later date.

The Q5 and SQ5 are moderately distinctive within the compact luxurious crossover section on account of their dual-clutch transmission. Solely the Porsche Macan nonetheless makes use of any such transmission, whereas different opponents all use torque converters. The S tronic transmission permits a 4,000-rpm clutch dump launch management, which propels the Q5 to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and the SQ5 to the identical pace in 4.6 seconds. Which means the Q5 is two-tenths faster than the comparable X3 30 xDrive however the SQ5 is two-tenths slower than the X3 M50 xDrive. The GLC 300 4MATIC can be two-tenths behind the Q5, whereas the GLC 43 is three-tenths forward. Our solely try and measure the real-world 0-60 time within the SQ5 yielded a 5.42-second run, however that was carried out at altitude, hurting the time considerably.

In our expertise, the Q5’s four-pot delivers ample however not extreme energy. The twin-clutch shifts easily and rapidly, however can act ferociously throughout a launch management with extra violent shifts. The SQ5 could also be slower than its rivals on paper, but it surely has extra character. Downshifts are met with a delicate however intoxicating exhaust crackle, and the V6 emits a pleasant bark with every speedy shift from the DCT. This V6 is definitely utilized in Porsche automobiles such because the Cayenne, so it delivers a throaty roar that feels surprising on this utility. In comparison with the GLC 43’s four-cylinder or the X3 M50’s neutered inline-six with pretend speaker noises, the SQ5 might now have the best-sounding engine in its class.

In our final overview of the SQ5, we criticized it for being a straight-line brute with out thrilling dealing with to match. This new mannequin feels extra sporty in character, a lot of which is as a result of new dual-clutch transmission, which feels extra in-line with the automobile’s mission. Audi’s usually mild steering has been improved, now delivering suggestions and precision that’s similar to its German rivals. The SQ5 has an adaptive air suspension normal, and this setup can be discovered on the Q5 Status. That suspension is firmer on the SQ5, however nonetheless extra snug than the comparable X3 or GLC. Neither of these automobiles is offered with air suspension, giving the Q5 and SQ5 a bonus in consolation. In Dynamic mode, the suspension corporations up whereas nonetheless leaving a little bit of physique roll. Each Audi fashions include an Off-Highway Plus mode, which we had the prospect to pattern within the Q5 on a protracted grime street in Colorado. This mode helped the Q5 act like certainly one of Audi’s well-known rally vehicles, absorbing bumps and permitting simply sufficient slip from the wheels to have a enjoyable time. We doubt most house owners will make the most of Off-Highway Plus mode the best way we did, but it surely’s good to know the Q5 can stand as much as abuse.

Verdict & Pricing: A New Class Chief?

We had a sense Audi may are available swinging with the brand new Q5 and usurp the BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC. As we discovered in our day with the Q5 and SQ5, these suspicions have been legitimate. The bottom Q5 Premium begins at $52,200, not together with $1,295 for vacation spot and supply, which is greater than the X3 ($49,950) and the GLC 300 4MATIC ($51,250), but it surely comes with a slew of consolation and security options which might be optionally available from BMW and Mercedes. The Premium Plus ($56,700) provides Bang & Olufsen sound, a head-up show, heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, 360-degree digital camera, and extra, whereas the Status ($60,600) rolls within the adaptive air suspension, acoustic entrance door glass, heated rear seats, and the passenger display. The trim lineup is similar for the SQ5, which begins at $67,600 for the Premium, $70,100 for the Premium Plus, and $73,000 for the Status. It is dearer than the X3 M50 and GLC 43 on paper, however these automobiles are comparably priced with related gear added.

After what felt like missteps with the X3’s awkward styling and the GLC’s plain inside, the 2025 Q5 and SQ5 step in to ship what’s now probably the most well-rounded package deal within the section. We would like to see Audi provide a extra environment friendly hybrid and a few better-looking wheels, however every other complaints are minor and would not cease us from shopping for one. Actually, if we had a alternative between the large three German luxurious manufacturers on this section, the Q5 is now our high choice. BMW and Mercedes could also be faster with their optionally available engines, however the improved dual-clutch transmission would make us comfortable to personal the SQ5 as properly. In case you mourn the lack of the gas-powered Porsche Macan, the SQ5 is a compelling various. Audi took what was beforehand a bestseller for the model and turned it right into a section chief.