2025 Audi Q5 and SQ5 V6 Review: When Luxury Goes Loud (and Fast)
Explore the all-new 2025 Audi Q5 and SQ5 V6 in this detailed review. From pricing, performance, hybrid options to tech features, Specs & Verdict — here’s why it’s still Audi’s best luxury SUV yet.
“If comfort wed performance and their honeymoon took place in Ingolstadt, the baby would be named the 2025 Audi Q5 — or if it deadlifted, the SQ5 V6.”
The luxury compact SUV market is more crowded than a Tokyo subway at 9 a.m. — but Audi still manages to make the Q5 and SQ5 feel like first class. With the 2025 update, Audi isn’t revolutionizing the car. Rather, it’s fine-tuning the engine, streamlining the trim, and sneaking past competition such as the BMW X3, Volvo XC60, and Mercedes GLC where it really counts.
But why is the 2025 Audi Q5 and SQ5 V6 more than a luxury SUVs? Let’s delve beyond the spec sheet and into the heart of these four-ring wonders.
A Legacy Reinvented: The Audi Q5/SQ5 Story
Since debuting in 2008, the Q5 has grown into Audi’s global bestseller. Graceful, capable, and seamlessly premium, it quickly became the “just right” SUV in Audi’s optimal lineup. Fast forward to 2025, and the Q5 isn’t just older — it’s wiser. With cleaner lines, sharper tech, and a drivetrain lineup that includes plug-in hybrids and a brawny V6, the Q5 story is evolving.
And the SQ5? That’s the hot twin — the one who arrives at the dinner party in leather and leaves scorch marks in your heart.
Interior, Build Quality and Features: Like Sitting in a Tech Boutique
Slide into the 2025 Q5 or SQ5 and you’re welcomed by an interior that whispers “yes, you’ve made it.” The dashboard is clean, the Virtual Cockpit is sharp, and Audi’s materials game is top-tier — stitched leather, real brushed aluminum, and soft-touch plastics so nice you’ll question your furniture choices at home.
Key Features Across the Range:
• 10.1” MMI Touch Display w/ haptic feedback
• Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
• Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus (all-digital)
• Bang & Olufsen 3D Sound (optional)
• Ventilated seats, panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting
• Advanced safety: Lane assist, adaptive cruise, 360º cameras
Need sportier flair? The SQ5 takes it up a slit with S embossing, carbon inlays, red brake calipers, and a flat-bottom steering wheel that almost demands apex-dominance.
Design: Subtle Swagger, Sculpted for Sophistication
Audi doesn’t yell — it smirks. The 2025 Q5 adopts a refined design language: LED matrix headlights more angular in appearance, a more chiseled hexagonal grille, and dynamic side lines. The rear is upgraded with a more streamlined light bar with dynamic turn signals, because even departing should be handsome.
The Sportback model includes coupe-like styling with a ramping roofline, for those who need SUV practicality with a dash of fashion model.
The SQ5, on the other hand, flexes just so: quad exhausts, 20–21″ alloy wheels, honeycomb grille inserts, and that telltale ‘S’ badge — discreet enough for corporate parking, spicy enough for canyon carving.
Performance: Deceived on the Surface, Storm Under the Hood
• Q5 45 TFSI: 2.0L turbocharged inline-4, 261 hp
• Q5 55 TFSI e (PHEV): Total 362 hp (electric + petrol)
• SQ5 3.0L V6 TFSI: 349 hp, 0–100 km/h in less then 5 seconds
Quattro AWD is standard fare — because what’s an Audi without quattro? Ride is confident and composed, but the SQ5 is where the music happens. That V6 turbocharged engine growls like it didn’t go to therapy. With adaptive dampers and optional air suspension, it feels like a sports sedan masquerading as an SUV.
Capabilities: Audi’s Secret Superpower
It’s not all about speed. The Q5/SQ5 brings real-world luxury you can actually live with:
All-weather AWD
Up to 4,400 lbs towing capacity (with tow package)
Air suspension available as an option for adjustable ride height
Plug-in Hybrid for guilt-free urban commuting
Traffic assist + lane centering = stress-free cruise
Whether cruising KL traffic or weekend-getawaying to the Cameron Highlands, the Q5 and SQ5 adapt like pros.
Price and Availability
Q5 Starting Price & SQ5 Starting Price
USA $46,000\$60,500
UK £45,000\£61,000
Germany €52,000\€72,000
Singapore ~SGD 300,000\~SGD 380,000
Malaysia ~RM 380,000\~RM 470,000
Australia ~AUD 90,000\~AUD 115,000
Launch Timeline:
Europe & USA: June–July 2025
SEA (SG, MY, TH): Q3 2025
India, UAE, AUS: Q3–Q4 2025
Pros and Cons: Should You Say Yes to the Q5?
Pros
Smooth yet dynamic engine lineup
World-class interior and infotainment
Plug-in hybrid available
High resale value and reliability
SQ5 = stealth performance weapon
Cons
Gets pricey with options
PHEV only in selected markets
No full EV model
Rear space tight in Sportback
Final Verdict: Audi’s Best SUV. Is Still Getting Better
The 2025 Audi Q5 and SQ5 V6 don’t simply check boxes — they reimagine them. In an age consumed by extremes, Audi strikes the sweet spot: understated beauty, potent performance, and real-world usability.
Are you an executive, a family man with a lead foot, or a design aficionado with taste? The Q5 family feels like home — with a dash of Autobahn added.
Seeking balance? Opt for the Q5.
Need fireworks? Say hello to the SQ5.
FAQ
Q: Is the 2025 Audi SQ5 quick?
A: Yes, 0–100 km/h in ~5 seconds with 349 hp V6.
Q: Is the 2025 Q5 available in hybrid?
A: Yes, the 55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid has 362 hp.
Q: How much is the 2025 Audi Q5 in Malaysia costs?
A: Estimated between RM 380,000 to RM 500,000 based on trim.
