Should you buy an Audi Q5?

If you’re looking for a premium mid-size SUV, the new Audi Q5 certainly deserves your attention. It’s a refined, classy and comfortable family car that offers more than enough space and some excellent mild-hybrid engines. Things will only improve when the plug-in hybrid arrives later in 2025.

As you’d expect, the BMW X3 steers better and the Mercedes-Benz GLC has a nicer interior – but the Q5 carves a niche somewhere between the two. It’s only the interior that lets the side down. While it looks fantastic, it’s not as easy to use as we expect an Audi interior to be, with fiddly controls and odd ergonomics.

While the old Q5’s cabin was really starting to look old, we reckon Audi could have learnt a few lessons from looking at the previous model and its impressive usability. We’d argue the build quality also hasn’t improved and the Volkswagen Group’s ongoing software issues could take the shine off ownership.

What we like

The Q5 feels solid to drive. It’s refined and comfortable – albeit with the caveat we’ve only tried it so far on air suspension and not the standard setup. The new mild-hybrid engines are highly impressive and the rear space has been improved and those in the back have more amenities, too.

What we don’t like

The interior doesn’t feel as well built as before and the screen-focused cabin is harder to get used to. The boot is also slightly smaller than the previous Q5 and ongoing software issues let the side down.