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By Jonathan Crouch

Audi's third generation Q5 is a premium larger SUV that's really improved. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 49

Audi's third generation Q5 mid-to-large-sized premium SUV offers a hybrid-led solution for customers in this segment still not quite ready for a full-EV. The understated high quality feel of previous models is retained and the cabin really is state-of-the-art. If you can afford this Audi, you'd probably like one.

Backgroundword count: 205

Three models dominate the executive mid-to-large section of the premium-badged SUV sector and this is one of them, Audi's Q5. It's long faced stiff competition from its two arch-rivals, the BMW X3 and the Mercedes GLC, but looks stronger against them in this third generation form. The Q5 has been a success story for Audi and even at the end of its life, the second generation version accounted for 17% of the brand's global sales in 2023. That Mexican-built 'Type 80A' model was first launched in 2017 to replace the original 'Type8R' Q5 introduced in 2008 that shared much of its design with the first Porsche Macan. This third generation model was announced in Autumn 2024 and is tasked with transitioning customers up to the 2035 Euro ban on combustion engines. There's no EV version (that option's covered by the Q6 e-tron). Electrification is dealt with instead by a range of mild hybrids (that still include a diesel) and PHEVs. And it's all mounted on the new 'Premium Platform Combustion' chassis that undergirds the new A5. With the new BMW X3 to contend with and a continuing strong challenge from the Mercedes GLC, the end result needs to be good. Let's take a closer look.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 352

Customers of premium upper mid-sized SUVs don't typically tend to prioritise an involving driving experience - and if they do, they don't tend to choose this one. Yet if for you, driving enjoyment lies with a lowering, rather than a raising of the heartbeat, you might really appreciate what Audi has tried to do with this Q5. The engines on offer here are pretty familiar and as before, all versions come with quattro 4WD and 7-speed dual clutch S tronic auto transmission. What's new is that it all sits on completely new underpinnings, the 'PPC' 'Premium Platform Combustion' chassis we've already seen in the new A5. Development of new combustion-based fundamentals here tells you everything about how long Audi thinks the EV revolution will take to get into full swing. As for those engines, well perhaps the most surprising news is that one of the mainstream ones is still a diesel. The EA288 evo generation 2.0 TDI unit develops the same 204PS output as the alternative 2.0 TFSI petrol powerplant, but quite a lot more torque (400Nm, as opposed to 340Nm) - which will be of interest to towers. The continuing top SQ5 sporty model now isn't a diesel, the old 3.0 TDI V6 unit now swapped for 3.0 TFSI petrol V6 that produces 367PS and a gutsy 550Nm of torque. All the engines are aided by the brand's 'MHEV plus' mild hybrid system, which is different from the old MHEV set-up in that in addition to the usual system-integrated starter-generator, there's also a second centrally-mounted powertrain generator. The result is dramatically increased levels of regenerative braking - and consequently, a bit more of a positive impact on efficiency. Audi says that drive dynamics have been improved with this third generation model courtesy of a more noticeable spread between drive modes and an 'optimised' steering and suspension set-up. The steering features the brand's 'Progressive' system, whilst the standard passive suspension arrangement now features Frequency Selective Damping, which adapts automatically to different surfaces. Adaptive damping comes only if you stretch to the air suspension that features at the very top of the range.

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