All-new Audi Q5: petrol, diesel and SQ5 models to rival the BMW X3

• All-new third generation Q5 SUV
• Choice of petrol and diesel engines
• On sale from early next year

The all-new Audi Q5 has been revealed, taking over from the second-generation model that first went on sale seven years ago. As a top contender in the premium mid-size SUV segment, competing with the likes of the BMW X3 and Mercedes GLC, the Q5 has been a European favourite since its introduction in 2008. With an all-new BMW X3 set to hit the UK market later this year, the new Q5 faces the challenge of maintaining its stronghold in this competitive premium SUV market.

The new Q5 arrives at the end of a busy summer for Audi. The German marque has unveiled no less than seven new or updated models since April this year, from petrol hatchbacks to electric SUVs. In line with its revised naming strategy, the new Q5 will only be available with petrol or diesel power – Audi’s EVs get an even-numbered name, like the new A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron. We’re still waiting for official UK pricing, but European models will start from €52,300 (around £44,000) when they go on sale at the start of 2025.

What does the new Audi Q5 look like?

It’s not a drastic new look for the new Q5, but Audi has nipped and tucked in the right places to give the new model a more modern appearance compared to the outgoing car. It wears a similar face to the new Audi A5 saloon, with the brand’s trademark ‘Singleframe’ grille and a pair of more angular headlights. ‘Air curtains’ either side of the bumper help to guide air around the car and are finished in a contrasting silver colour to match the grille surround.

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It’s a similar story of evolution not revolution from side-on; the new Q5 has kept its shoulder line running from the headlights to the tail-lights, although it’s not quite as pronounced as before. At the rear, you’ll find a full-width light-bar connecting the tail-lights – a styling cue found on nearly every new Audi. Beneath the bumper, a set of functional exhaust pipes have replaced the outgoing car’s faux items. Diesel cars get a single-side exhaust, petrol models get twin exhausts, while the top-spec SQ5 gets four, round tailpipes.

The SQ5 gets several extra styling tweaks to stand out from regular models, including larger front air intakes, a more pronounced rear diffuser, bigger alloy wheels and an optional black exterior package. 

What about the new Audi Q5’s interior?

Things have taken a big leap forward inside the new Audi Q5. The old Q5’s interior had remained practically unchanged since its introduction in 2017, so Audi has started from scratch for the new model. It adopts Audi’s new dashboard layout, shared across its latest models, which combines a ‘Digital Stage’ with ‘Material Driven Design’.

The digital component consists of a large, curved display panel that floats above the dashboard. It houses an 11.9-inch screen used for Audi’s Virtual Cockpit and a 14.5-inch touchscreen for controlling the infotainment and cabin climate. There are no physical controls for the latter unfortunately, but there is a separate dial for controlling media volume. If that doesn’t sound like enough digital real estate for you, there’s an optional 10.1-inch display for the passenger, complete with an ‘Active Privacy Mode’ so the driver can’t be distracted.

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The material part refers to the new ‘soft wrap’ fabric that stretches across the entire width of the dashboard. Audi claims that these soft materials are designed to contrast the gloss black controls and create a “homely ambience”. 

What engines does the new Audi Q5 have?

Just like the new Audi A5, the Q5 will be combustion-engined only – for an electric SUV, you’ll have to pick between the Q4 e-tron and the Q6 e-tron. So far, three engines have been confirmed, all of which use mild hybrid assistance and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.

The range starts with the 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine. It puts out 201bhp through the front wheels, while a ‘quattro’ four-wheel drive model will be offered at extra cost. Motorway drivers will be pleased to know that a diesel engine remains in the brochure – the 2.0-litre unit delivers an identical 201bhp, but is only available with four-wheel drive.

The Audi SQ5 sits as the performance-focused option of the trio. The old SQ5’s diesel engine has been replaced by a 362bhp 3.0-litre petrol V6 – that’s an uplift of 26bhp, although torque has decreased by 150Nm. There are no confirmed performance figures yet, but a 0-62mph time of around five seconds wouldn’t be a surprise.

There won’t be an electric Q5, but Audi has confirmed that a plug-in hybrid model will join the lineup at a later date.

How much does the new Audi Q5 cost and when can I buy one?

UK pricing for the new Audi Q5 is still to be confirmed. We do know that it’ll start from €52,300 (around £44,000) for the petrol Q5 in its home market, rising to €54,650 (around £46,000) for the diesel, and topping out at €82,900 (around £70,000) for the SQ5. It’s scheduled to go on sale in Europe at the start of next year.

Read about some of Audi’s new models, including the updated A3 and RS 3, plus the new A6 e-tron and Q6 e-tron…