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Audi has made no secret concerning the significance of the Q5 mid-size SUV to its lineup, each right here in Australia and around the globe.
Because the authentic was launched in 2009, the Audi Q5 has discovered round 1.6 million houses globally over its first two generations, and a few 25,000 clients in Australia.
Audi’s native managing director, Jeff Mannering, says the Q5 is “crucial to [its] success” within the Australian market, a lot in order that the third-generation mannequin’s Australian media launch was held alongside the German model’s nationwide supplier and investor convention on the Gold Coast just lately.
This new Q5 is maybe probably the most vital change to the nameplate since its inception. It’s the primary Audi SUV to trip on the corporate’s closely revised Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) structure, which is shared with the brand new A5 Sedan and Avant, bringing the marque’s newest design language and on-board applied sciences.
It’s additionally all-electrified, with the launch vary comprising solely of 48V mild-hybrid ‘MHEV plus’ drivetrains that let you drive in EV mode at low speeds, from the entry-level Q5 four-cylinder TFSI 150kW to the flagship SQ5 TFSI. A brand new e-hybrid (plug-in hybrid) powertrain will be a part of the lineup in a while, boasting as much as 100km of WLTP-certified electrical vary.
We attended the Australian press launch in Queensland to get a primary drive of the model’s “crucial” new mid-size SUV on native roads, the place we had comparatively quick stints behind the wheel of all three engine variants.
Does the brand new 2026 Audi Q5 vary have what it takes to reclaim its high spot on the gross sales charts forward of rivals just like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC, amongst others?
How a lot does the Audi Q5 value?
Base pricing for the brand new Audi Q5 has risen by nearly $8000 over its predecessor, with the entry-level TFSI 150kW kicking issues off at $81,000 plus on-road prices.
| Mannequin | Value earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2025 Audi Q5 TFSI | $81,000 |
| 2025 Audi Q5 TDI quattro | $87,600 |
| 2025 Audi Q5 TDI quattro sport | $94,100 |
| 2025 Audi SQ5 version one | $106,400 |
| 2025 Audi SQ5 | $122,400 |
Whereas costs are up throughout the board, Audi Australia says normal tools is up considerably from base stage, claiming round $10,000 price of additional worth along with the brand new engines with extra subtle 48V MHEV tech.
The Q5 additionally nonetheless undercuts the BMW X3 (priced from $86,000) and Mercedes-Benz GLC (from $89,000) by 1000’s of {dollars}, although the Volvo XC60 could be had from $74,990 earlier than on-road prices.
Later this 12 months the brand new Audi Q5 Sportback may even be a part of the lineup, whereas plug-in e-hybrid variations will seemingly launch someday in 2026.
To see how the Audi Q5 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
What’s the Audi Q5 like on the within?
The brand new Q5 attracts heavy inspiration from the lower-slung A5 vary in addition to the similarly-sized Q6 e-tron SUV.
Audi’s newest show tech is entrance and centre, dubbed the ‘Digital Stage’ and working the model’s newest consumer interface, all housed in shiny black bezeling.
The driving force is confronted with a brand new four-spoke steering wheel which sits forward of the brand new 11.9-inch ‘digital cockpit’ digital instrument cluster, which is housed in the identical free-standing panoramic show unit because the central 14.5-inch MMI touchscreen infotainment system.
Each screens characteristic OLED expertise for higher brightness, depth and readability, and on first impressions are fairly enticing and pretty simple to get your head round, even should you’re used to Audi’s far less complicated previous-gen interface.
I personally am not enamoured by the brand new digital cockpit structure, which throws out the earlier typical speedo and tacho dials in favour of a brand new videogame-esque adaptive central show with stay help tech view within the center. One good addition, nevertheless, is the combination of smartphone maps into the sidebar widgets.
As skilled within the A5 in addition to the Q6 e-tron, the brand new interface largely presents properly with swish graphics and animations, and whereas the local weather controls are actually digital they’re completely on the bottom of the show.
Whereas I lament Audi giving into the digital A/C development, the excellent news is that it’s nonetheless one of many higher implementations on the market. The ledge under the display helps as a relaxation in your hand once you’re making an attempt to make contact inputs on the transfer, and there’s a satisfying haptic suggestions.
Similar goes for the steering wheel controls, which appear to be shiny touch-capacitive items however the haptic suggestions makes them really feel like actual buttons. That mentioned, I do miss the clickiness of Audi’s previous-gen buttons.
You can even go for the MMI passenger-side show within the Q5 sport as a part of the $5700 Tech professional bundle. It successfully extends the central interface with app and streaming performance, and a privateness filter to keep away from distracting the motive force, although like I’ve mentioned beforehand the ten.9-inch show appears a bit naff.
Construct high quality feels fairly good, particularly in comparison with the last-gen Q5 which was a bit exhausting and scratchy in areas. It’s not a patch on the overall atmosphere of the Q8, however feels good in comparison with one thing like an X3 or GLC…
The rear seats aren’t as massive as you may count on, regardless of the Q5’s acquire in total size (+35mm). It’s price noting the wheelbase is close to unchanged at 2820mm (+1mm).
Behind a taller driver like 6’1″ me, there’s sufficient room for a equally sized grownup however it’s not stand-out. There’s respectable leg and foot room, however your knees can be pretty near the seat in entrance – even when it has scalloped backs.
Rear facilities are stable although, with a 3rd zone of local weather management and directional vents fitted as normal, as are a pair of USB-C cost ports which could be upgraded to 100W with the Premium bundle to cost laptops.
You additionally get net-type map pockets, respectable door bins, a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders, and the requisite ISOFIX and top-tether little one seat anchor factors to cater to the kiddies.
Above: Abroad mannequin proven
Audi quotes 520 litres of cargo capability with the rear seats in use, increasing to 1473L with them folded. It seems to have retained its five-seat capability, however misplaced some two-seat quantity in response to official dimensions (1473L v 1520L).
Australian autos get the ‘Storage and compartment bundle’, which brings issues like netting and straps to carry free objects in. The Q5 additionally lacks any type of spare wheel underneath the boot flooring, as a substitute that includes solely a tyre restore equipment.
| Dimensions | Audi Q5 |
|---|---|
| Size | 4717mm |
| Width | 1900mm |
| Top | 1647mm |
| Wheelbase | 2820mm |
| Cargo capability | 520-1473L |
To see how the Audi Q5 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
What’s underneath the bonnet?
A pair of four-cylinder engines with 48V mild-hybrid help kind the core Q5 vary in Australia – one petrol, one diesel. The previous is front-wheel drive solely, whereas the diesel is solely supplied with quattro all-wheel drive.
| Specs | Q5 TFSI | Q5 TDI quattro |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L 4cyl turbo-petrol 48V MHEV | 2.0L 4cyl turbo-diesel 48V MHEV |
| Engine outputs | 150kW + 340Nm | 150kW + 400Nm |
| Electrical motor outputs | As much as 18kW + 230Nm | As much as 18kW + 230Nm |
| Battery | 1.7kWh LFP | 1.7kWh LFP |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch | 7-speed dual-clutch |
| Drive sort | Entrance-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1910kg | 2030kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 8.6s | 7.4s |
| Gasoline financial system (claimed) | 5.7L/100km | 5.4L/100km |
| Gasoline tank capability | 65L | 65L |
| Gasoline requirement | 95 RON | Diesel |
| CO2 emissions | 129g/km | 141g/km |
| Emissions normal | Euro 6 | Euro 6 |
| Braked tow capability | 2000kg | 2000kg |
Audi Australia has confirmed a plug-in e-hybrid model of the Q5 will be a part of the ranks sooner or later, seemingly in 2026. Two variations are supplied globally, one outputting 220kW and the opposite 270kW – each incorporating a 2.0L turbo-petrol engine.
Paired with a 105kW electrical motor and 25.9kWh (gross) battery, the brand new Q5 e-hybrid vary affords as much as 100km of EV vary in response to WLTP testing. The extra highly effective model can sprint from 0-100km/h in a claimed 5.1 seconds and hit a high pace of 250km/h.
The one different accessible powertrain in Europe is the quattro model of the TFSI 150kW engine, although it’s unclear if that’s on the playing cards for Australia. Time will inform if a V6 TDI can be added to the combo, and Audi Australia says it is going to put its hand up for a six-cylinder diesel-powered Q5 if it involves fruition.
To see how the Audi Q5 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
How does the Audi Q5 drive?
We had temporary stints behind the wheel of each the TFSI and the TDI quattro variations of the brand new Q5, on a mixture of highways and B-roads in and across the Gold Coast.
First up was the TDI quattro, which was completed within the very eye-catching Sakhir gold paint and fitted with bigger 20-inch alloy wheels as a part of the elective $4900 Type bundle.
The usual passive suspension setup options frequency-selective damping, with adaptive air suspension reserved for the flagship SQ5 as an choice – however I’m certain should you requested, Audi would look into providing you an air-suspended Q5.
As with many European – particularly premium-branded – autos on metal springs, the Q5 errs on the firmer facet in an effort to dial in some ‘sporty’ vibes by retaining physique motion tight over bumps and within the bends.
Our preliminary stint on the freeway encapsulated why diesel remains to be so nice in vehicles like this. The TDI quattro settles right into a relaxed hum, there’s heaps of torque at your disposal, and it’s a fantastically refined unit.
The 48V MHEV plus expertise irons out the everyday low-speed dual-clutch quibbles, due to its capacity to drive in EV mode at low speeds in addition to how shortly it fires the engine again up once you want it.
As soon as rolling, the seven-speed S tronic transmissions affords snappy and crisp upshifts which might be almost imperceptible given how properly insulated the cabin is from powertrain noise.
By comparability, the front-driven TFSI is much more refined when it comes to sound and can be happier to rev out, although the shortage of four-wheel traction means it may well simply chirp the entrance tyres should you’re trying to make a fast getaway.
It additionally lacks the easy low-down shove of the diesel, because it’s down 60Nm and peak torque is available in barely increased (2000rpm v 1750rpm).
Whereas we didn’t get sufficient time with both powertrain to document life like gasoline consumption figures, the diesel hovered across the 5.0L/100km mark after principally freeway driving, whereas the petrol was within the sevens on twistier, undulating B-roads.
As for help tech, the Q5 has simply about all the pieces bar a semi-autonomous freeway mode just like the mannequin it replaces, and numerous different autos each on this phase and others.
Apparently, Audi is engaged on a software program bundle for each PPC and PPE fashions to roll out this characteristic and others which might be accessible abroad, and can seemingly include a mannequin 12 months improve. It’ll doubtlessly be retrofittable to some present vehicles pending the fitment of requisite {hardware}, however the model’s native crew couldn’t affirm additional particulars.
It’s a disgrace that Audi has been compelled to depart options off the roster for the Australian market in its effort o guarantee a well timed launch, particularly as a result of the model’s adaptive cruise help operate is mostly superb.
The identical problem plagues the associated A5 in addition to the Q6 e-tron, and it seems the associated Porsche Macan Electrical is equally unavailable with a lane centring operate domestically in the intervening time. Hopefully that is addressed sooner somewhat than later.
The Q5 in any other case has a well-sorted set of help applied sciences, together with adaptive cruise management with cease and go, lane departure warning and lane-keep help, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic help.
Normal encompass cameras with entrance and rear parking sensors are a significant improve to the bottom spec, making it a lot simpler to put this 4.7m-long and 1.9m-wide household SUV in tight suburban carparks or college carpool lanes.
To see how the Audi Q5 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
What do you get?
The usual Q5 and Q5 ‘sport’ trim ranges sit under the SQ5 ‘version one’ and the SQ5 within the native hierarchy.
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2025 Audi Q5 tools highlights:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Matrix LED headlights
- LED tail-lights incl. dynamic indicators
- S line exterior styling
- Excessive-gloss aluminium exterior trim
- Keyless entry, begin
- Energy tailgate
- 11.9-inch Audi digital cockpit
- 14.5-inch MMI contact show
- 3D navigation
- Voice management incl. pure speech recognition
- MMI search
- Apple CarPlay – wi-fi
- Android Auto – wi-fi
- Leather-based-appointed upholstery
- 3-zone local weather management
- Heated entrance seats
- Energy entrance seat adjustment
- 4-spoke multifunction steering wheel
- Color ambient lighting
- Illuminated entrance door sill trims
- Matte brushed aluminium inlays
- Digital key
- Audi cellphone field mild – wi-fi charging
- Audi join plus companies
- On-line visitors information incl. hazard alert
- Vacation spot entry by way of myAudi app
- Parking data
- Automotive finder
- Distant lock & unlock
- Emergency name
- On-line roadside help
Q5 TDI quattro sport provides:
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Panoramic sunroof
- Sport entrance seats
- incl. built-in headrests
- incl. S embossing
- S line inside bundle
- Distinction stitching
- Steering wheel with flat high, backside
- Black headliner
- Matte brushed aluminium inlays with linear embossing
To see how the Audi Q5 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
Choices
Premium bundle: $5400 – Q5 + Q5 sport
- Head-up show
- Bang & Olufsen 3D premium sound system
- Color inside ambient lighting
- incl. dynamic intersection mild
- USB interfaces with increased charging capability
- Acoustic glazing for entrance door home windows
Type bundle: $3400 (Q5 sport) $4900 (Q5)
- 20-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels
- Black exterior bundle
- Privateness glass
Tech professional bundle: $5700 – Q5 sport
- Heated steering wheel
- MMI entrance passenger show
- Electrical steering column
- Heated outer rear seats
- Digital OLED tail lights
To see how the Audi Q5 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
Is the Audi Q5 secure?
The brand new-gen Audi Q5 is but to obtain an ANCAP security score, although it already has a five-star score from sister organisation Euro NCAP.
| Class | Audi Q5* |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 85 per cent |
| Baby occupant safety | 86 per cent |
| Weak highway consumer safety | 79 per cent |
| Security help | 77 per cent |
*Euro NCAP scores
Normal security options embrace:
- 9 airbags incl. front-centre
- Energetic entrance help – AEB
- Autonomous emergency braking – ahead
- Entrance cross-traffic help
- Entrance flip help
- Swerve help
- Adaptive cruise management with cease and go
- Driver consideration and fatigue monitor
- Emergency help – lane maintain
- Lane departure warning
- Facet help
- Blind-spot monitor
- Exit warning
- Rear cross -traffic help
- Rear flip help
- 360-degree cameras incl. kerb view
- Park help plus
- Parking sensors – entrance, rear
- Semi-autonomous parking
- Tyre stress loss indicator
Audi has additionally allowed for fast entry to sure help characteristic settings by the use of a favourites menu, permitting you to pick out as much as 5 options that you just may wish to shortly change on or off.
Additional, the German marque says it hung out calibrating the Q5’s driver help techniques domestically, because it does for many of its new fashions.
To see how the Audi Q5 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
How a lot does the Audi Q5 value to run?
As with the broader Audi lineup, the brand new Q5 is roofed by a 5 12 months, unlimited-kilometre new automobile guarantee with 5 years of roadside help.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Audi Q5 |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 5 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | 5 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000 kilometres |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 12 months Service Plan |
| Complete capped-price service value | $3520 |
To see how the Audi Q5 strains up towards the competitors, try our comparability software
CarExpert’s Tackle the Audi Q5
We’d like extra time behind the wheel to make a extra definitive verdict, however the brand new Q5 is a stable contender within the premium mid-size SUV phase, even when it doesn’t actually break any new floor.
Our first impressions of the brand new engine vary are optimistic, though there’s nothing exemplary right here both. I’m fairly a fan of the TDI quattro, which is refined and relaxed whereas additionally providing glorious gasoline financial system.
The shortage of the total driver help suite from launch and the not-insignificant improve in pricing stings a bit, although not less than the previous must be addressed sooner or later.
I’d additionally prefer to see adaptive damping and air suspension supplied extra extensively throughout the core vary, as the usual suspension is a contact on the agency facet for the type of on a regular basis duties the Q5 can be subjected to by Australian patrons.
Additional, whereas Audi’s touch-heavy inside isn’t as fiddly or gimmicky because the interfaces in fashions from different Volkswagen Group manufacturers, it nonetheless looks like a step backwards from the model’s fantastically constructed and extremely ergonomic interiors of outdated – however hey, it’s shiny!
Based mostly on my short-ish drive of the bottom fashions, I believe the usual TDI quattro is likely to be the choose when bundled with the $5400 Premium bundle, which provides niceties just like the Bang & Olufsen premium sound system and a head-up show.
The bottom automobile might lack the choice of a sunroof, however you do get the selection of three inside colors and two completely different wooden inlays as a substitute of the usual brushed aluminium, which is rather more old-school luxurious than the one black-on-metal inside of the dearer TDI quattro sport.
Whereas many are of the assumption that ‘diesel is useless’, the oiler affords torquey and relaxed efficiency regardless of gasoline effectivity that might make some full hybrids sweat a bit. In the event you’re spending numerous time on the open highway, or drive on the odd grime path, it’s the plain choose of the core engines.
Keep tuned for a extra definitive verdict on the brand new Q5 after we get a extra intensive week-long stint behind the wheel within the coming months.
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MORE: Discover the Audi Q5 showroom
