Cargazing
By Derek Price
The 2025 Audi Q5 arrives with the weight of expectation. This is Audi’s bestselling model, its bread-and-butter luxury crossover, and it needs to satisfy everyone from suburban commuters to style-minded downsizers.
After a week behind the wheel, it feels like Audi understood that assignment and delivered something carefully judged for daily life.
The biggest surprise is how well it drives. The Q5 has always leaned toward the comfortable side of the segment, but this new generation finds an extra layer of athleticism. My tester rode on optional 20-inch wheels, which usually stiffen things, yet the suspension kept rough pavement at bay.
It feels planted in corners without beating you up on a commute. Acoustic glass and solid insulation help it stay quiet on the highway, which reinforces its luxury credentials.
Power from the turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder lands in a sweet spot. The numbers don’t sound wild on paper, but the engine feels stronger than expected thanks to a well-sorted turbocharger that sends torque early and confidently.
The dual-clutch transmission deserves praise, too. Audi has refined this design enough that it no longer feels quirky, and shifts come quickly when you want them while staying smooth in traffic. Buyers wanting more punch can still opt for the SQ5, though the standard Q5’s performance feels genuinely satisfying.
Clean, modern styling gives the 2025 Q5 an understated premium look that fits comfortably in upscale neighborhoods.
Styling might be the one area where I’m torn. The new Q5 looks upscale and clean, with the kind of gently sculpted bodywork that fits its segment well. It avoids the overdone aesthetic some competitors lean into.
That restraint is smart for sales, even if the enthusiast in me wishes for a bit more flair. Cars like the old TT and R8 prove Audi can do drama, although that isn’t what most crossover buyers want.
Lighting, however, is where the Q5 absolutely flexes its personality. The Prestige package unlocks some of the most distinctive lighting elements in the class.
Inside, sweeping LED strips wrap around the dash and doors to create a welcoming cabin glow. Outside, the digital lighting signatures add a level of individualization you rarely see at this price point. Being able to tweak the daytime running light patterns feels delightfully unnecessary in the best way, giving the car a little character without going over the top.
The interior follows the modern Audi template of clean lines and expansive screens.
It feels spacious and well arranged, with the curved central display angled slightly toward the driver. Audi’s software runs smoothly and the available passenger-side screen adds a touch of theater.
Storage space is generous, and the adjustable rear seat makes the cargo area more flexible than you might expect for this size class.
A wide digital display array and sweeping ambient lighting create a spacious, contemporary cabin.
Value is also part of the Q5’s story this year. With mainstream crossovers routinely cresting the $50,000 mark, a luxury crossover starting just above that figure is no longer shocking.
My test vehicle, optioned heavily with the Prestige package, landed at $63,290. In today’s market, that number feels rational, especially considering the fit and finish, generous tech and standard all-wheel drive. Even the destination fee seems honest compared with some rivals.
After a full week with it, the Q5 comes across as a thoughtful evolution rather than a radical reinvention.
It checks all the boxes luxury buyers expect, then adds a few unexpected flourishes like customizable lighting and a genuinely polished driving feel.
If Audi’s goal was to build a crossover that appeals broadly without feeling generic, it succeeded.
At A Glance
WHAT WAS TESTED?
2025 Audi Q5 TFSI quattro ($52,200). Options: Premium paint ($595), Prestige package ($8,400), 20-inch wheels ($800). Price as tested (including $1,295 destination charge): $63,290
BY THE NUMBERS
Wheelbase: 110.9 in.
Length: 185.7 in.
Width: 84.8 in.
Height: 65.7 in.
Engine: Turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder (268 hp, 295 ft. lbs.)
Transmission: Seven-speed dual clutch
MPG: 22 city, 30 highway
RATINGS
Style: 8
Performance: 8
Price: 7
Handling: 9
Ride: 8
Comfort: 8
Quality: 8
Overall: 8
WHY BUY IT?
The all-new Q5 blends quiet comfort, crisp handling, sharp technology, and real value in a segment where prices keep rising.