Background
Three models dominate the executive mid-to-large section of the premium-badged SUV sector and this is one of them, Audi's Q5. It's long faced stiff competition from its two arch-rivals, the BMW X3 and the Mercedes GLC, but looks stronger against them in this third generation form. The Q5 has been a success story for Audi and even at the end of its life, the second generation version accounted for 17% of the brand's global sales in 2023. That Mexican-built 'Type 80A' model was first launched in 2017 to replace the original 'Type8R' Q5 introduced in 2008 that shared much of its design with the first Porsche Macan.
This third generation model was announced in Autumn 2024 and is tasked with transitioning customers up to the 2035 Euro ban on combustion engines. There's no EV version (that option's covered by the Q6 e-tron). Electrification is dealt with instead by a range of mild hybrids (that still include a diesel) and PHEVs. And it's all mounted on the new 'Premium Platform Combustion' chassis that undergirds the new A5. With the new BMW X3 to contend with and a continuing strong challenge from the Mercedes GLC, the end result needs to be good. Let's take a closer look.
Driving Experience
Customers of premium upper mid-sized SUVs don't typically tend to prioritise an involving driving experience - and if they do, they don't tend to choose this one. Yet if for you, driving enjoyment lies with a lowering, rather than a raising of the heartbeat, you might really appreciate what Audi has tried to do with this Q5. The engines on offer here are pretty familiar and as before, all versions come with quattro 4WD and 7-speed dual clutch S tronic auto transmission. What's new is that it all sits on completely new underpinnings, the 'PPC' 'Premium Platform Combustion' chassis we've already seen in the new A5. Development of new combustion-based fundamentals here tells you everything about how long Audi thinks the EV revolution will take to get into full swing.
As for those engines, well perhaps the most surprising news is that one of the mainstream ones is still a diesel. The EA288 evo generation 2.0 TDI unit develops the same 204PS output as the alternative 2.0 TFSI petrol powerplant, but quite a lot more torque (400Nm, as opposed to 340Nm) - which will be of interest to towers. The continuing top SQ5 sporty model now isn't a diesel, the old 3.0 TDI V6 unit now swapped for 3.0 TFSI petrol V6 that produces 367PS and a gutsy 550Nm of torque. All the engines are aided by the brand's 'MHEV plus' mild hybrid system, which is different from the old MHEV set-up in that in addition to the usual system-integrated starter-generator, there's also a second centrally-mounted powertrain generator. The result is dramatically increased levels of regenerative braking - and consequently, a bit more of a positive impact on efficiency.
Audi says that drive dynamics have been improved with this third generation model courtesy of a more noticeable spread between drive modes and an 'optimised' steering and suspension set-up. The steering features the brand's 'Progressive' system, whilst the standard passive suspension arrangement now features Frequency Selective Damping, which adapts automatically to different surfaces. Adaptive damping comes only if you stretch to the air suspension that features at the very top of the range.
Design and Build
Audi says this third generation Q5 has become 'even sportier'. You might perhaps think that of the alternative SUV-Coupe Sportback version of this car, but the standard SUV model remains, like its predecessor, a conservative but confident piece of penmanship. A taut, high shoulder line aims to make the car look larger. While at the front, the wide Singleframe grille is flanked by vertical air curtains and more focused-looking LED headlights. On pricier models, the rear can feature the brand's latest OLED lighting tech, with entry animations and proactive features to warn following motorists. And the positioning and shape of the tailpipes is determined by the engines fitted up-front.
Inside the 'human centric' cabin, Audi's set out to establish a new class standard for interior tech and quality. As in the A5, a so-called 'soft wrap' element runs from door to door across the entire width of the dashboard. Together with fabric panels on the doors and armrests, this aims to create what Audi calls a 'homely ambience'. And of course screens are everywhere, primarily the 11.9-inch digital gauge cluster in front of the driver and the 14.5-inch infotainment screen in the centre of the dash. These together forming the basis for what Audi calls a 'digital stage', mounted under one huge slab of curved glass.
If that's not enough, there's the option to order an extra 10.9-inch MMI passenger-side display, fitted with a polarising filter so that use of it (for video streaming apps or to send nav instructions and media to the central screen) won't distract the driver. A 'dynamic interaction light' can be specified, which spans the interior as an LED light strip and not only provides comfort features (like a welcome function) but also interacts with the safety and communication systems to more quickly alert the driver.
Like its predecessors, this MK3 Q5 is supremely practical. From 'S line' spec, there's a fully adjustable tilting/sliding rear seat and three adults could fit on the second row bench. Boot capacity is increased - now up to 520-litres, and 1,473-litres with the backrest folded. Usefully, the luggage compartment can be stowed in a specially designed compartment under the boot floor.
Market and Model
Budget around £50,000 as a starting price for this third generation Q5. If you've your eye on the top SQ5, you'll need around £75,000. Even entry-level Q5 variants will be well equipped, with features like navigation, a powered tailgate and a wireless smartphone charger. As usual with an Audi model launch, sales start with a choice of 'Sport', 'S line' or 'Edition 1' trim levels. For those wanting to spend more, various option packs will bundle together key extra features. You may be particularly attracted by the optional 'Sound and Vision pack' that includes the 16-speaker 685-watt Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System.
Only the priciest variants will get things like the digital OLED lights and air suspension with adaptive damping. Desirable options include a panoramic roof with Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystals, which can transform itself from translucent to opaque at the touch of a button. 'Edition 1'-spec will include the optional 10.9-inch MMI front passenger display. This new Q5 has an optional, configurable head-up display (also part of the 'Sound and Vision pack') that has been further developed compared to its predecessor (and is standard on the SQ5). For the first time, drivers now have the option of controlling vehicle and infotainment functions via the head-up display. All the usual camera driver assistance safety systems you'd expect are of course included.
Cost of Ownership
Let's get to the figures; Up to 40.9mpg on the combined cycle and up to 156g/km of CO2 for the 2.0 TFSI petrol. For the 2.0 TDI diesel, the figures are up to 47.9mpg and 156g/km; and for the SQ5, it's up to 34.9mpg and 185g/km. The key engineering efficiency development with this new Q5 is, as we told you in our 'Driving' section, the new 'MHEV plus' mild hybrid system that features on all versions. This is based on a 48-volt on-board electrical system that supports the combustion engine and reduces CO2 emissions while increasing performance. Its added powertrain generator (the 'PTG') enables electric driving components that contribute to a reduction in fuel consumption.
The 'MHEV plus' system offers advantages in CO2 emissions compared to the previous MHEV set-up. Over the WLTP driving cycle, these total up to 10g/km of CO2 in the 2.0 TDI and up to 17g/km of CO2 in the SQ5. The system's 'PTG' powertrain generator can also add up to 24PS of electric power to the output of the combustion engine. When decelerating, the PTG feeds energy back into the battery at up to 25kW. As a result, purely electric manoeuvring and parking are possible to a limited extent.
Thanks to the option of using an electric air conditioning compressor, the air conditioning system can also be operated when the vehicle is stopped at traffic lights and the combustion engine is switched off. With the integrated and blending-capable brake control system, the brake pedal and the brake hydraulics can be completely decoupled. In models with the 'MHEV plus' system, it achieves the necessary deceleration without using the friction brakes thanks to regenerative braking. This means that deceleration is initially achieved solely by recuperation. The friction brakes only kick in when the brake pedal is pressed harder. The brake feel remains unaffected by this.