The Audi Q5 SUV* has been one of the most popular SUVs in the midsize-segment for more than 15 years. Audi is now presenting the latest generation of the bestseller: the Q5*, which is even more modern and dynamic.
It is the first SUV based on the PPC and is powered by efficient petrol and diesel engines that have become even more economical thanks to MHEV plus technology. The Q5* impresses with a modern infotainment system and operation concept, customisable digital light signatures and modern driver assistance systems. The sporty Audi SQ5* complements the new model series at its premiere. In future, models with plug-in hybrid technology will expand the model family.
The Audi Q5* sets new standards in the midsize-segment of premium SUVs: sporty, technology-oriented design language meets unrivalled variability and proven suitability for everyday use. Efficient and powerful engines with MHEV plus technology, and later plug-in hybrids, represent Audi’s path to becoming a provider of future-proof premium mobility. With the E³ 1.2 electronics architecture, Audi is integrating modern and future-proof connectivity and digitalisation features into all new models.
As the second model in the portfolio, the Q5 SUV is based – like the new Audi A5 models – on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC). The platform allows Audi to launch high-volume models with high technical standards in different segments. The flexibility of the PPC helps Audi give future models a unique character.
More practical than ever: space concept and variability
The latest generation of the new Audi Q5* has gained significantly in key product attributes – and occupants can feel this from the very first time they experience it. In combination with the new interior concept, the result is a comfortable feeling of space with excellent head and legroom.
A particularly practical feature of the Audi Q5 SUV* is the fully adjustable rear seat. It can be moved lengthways and tilted, thus increasing the trunk volume or comfort for rear passengers as required. At the same time, three people can be comfortably seated on the rear bench. With the rear seats folded down, the transport volume increases to up to 1,473 litres, depending on the model variant. The luggage compartment cover can be stowed in a specially designed compartment under the luggage compartment floor. This provides even more space for luggage and a secure place for the cover.
Other practical features include an even larger storage compartment under the center armrest compared to the previous model, numerous smaller storage areas for sunglasses, keys and other everyday items, an inductive and cooled charging tray with 15 watts of charging power in the front center console, two USB-C ports in the front, and two in the rear. As an option, the USB ports at the front can support charging capacities of up to 60 watts; the rear ports can even support charging capacities of up to 100 watts. This means larger devices such as laptops can be safely supplied with power while driving.
Purism and dynamism: the exterior design
The third generation of Q5 models are even sportier and perfectly proportioned. The high shoulder line creates a powerful silhouette connecting the front and rear lights. The strongly filed and sculpturally shaped headlights create a sharp, focused look, manifesting the agile and self-confident character of the car right from the front. A large air intake with sensors sits under the Singleframe, giving the Q5* a visually full and wide stance on the road. The exterior S line impresses with striking and sporty body components, such as the Air Curtain Tubes with matt anthracite chrome-look accents. On the S model, these elements have a matt silver chrome look.
From the rear, a sleek design minimizes lines, with a smooth surface from the window to the sharp light strip. The diffuser is integrated into the raised bumpers as an island. The positioning and shape of the functional tailpipes depends on the engine: a double square tailpipe under the diffuser on the left-hand side for diesel engines, or rectangular tailpipes on the right and left for all petrol engines. The S model features the four iconic twin round tailpipes in a new, sharpened design.
Two conformation characteristics and eleven colours
Two versions are available: SE and S line. In addition, the S model is given an independent exterior appearance. In the S line and S model, the front air intakes are larger and designed as aero tubes in an L-wing shape. The diffuser at the rear is significantly sportier. The black exterior package is also available for the S line and the S model.
There is a choice of eleven colours for the new Audi Q5, including the Arkona White solid paint finish. Glacier White, Mythos Black, Floret Silver, Navarra Blue, Grenadine Red, District Green and the new colour Tambora Grey are available as metallic paint finishes. Ultra Blue metallic, Daytona Grey pearl effect and the new Sakhir Gold metallic are available exclusively for the S line and S models. Particularly high-quality and, depending on the customer’s wishes, personally configurable individual paint finishes from Audi exclusive are also available for the Q5 models.
The new Audi Q5 SUV models on the Irish market are equipped with alloy wheels in sizes from 17 to 21 inches, depending on the exterior and engine. Aerodynamically optimised wheels are available as an option for sizes between 17 and 19 inches. The S line and the S model come with 19-inch wheels as standard. Forged 21-inch wheels in S design, which are familiar to other S vehicles, are available as an option. The optional 21-inch tricolour wheel is the extravagant highlight of the wheel range.
Clean lines and a welcoming ambience: the interior design
The interior design of the new Audi Q5 SUV* focuses on four core characteristic features of Audi philosophy. Firstly, it’s “human-centric” ensuring all aspects are geared towards the needs of its users.
The second feature, “visual clarity“, functionality and aesthetics are evident in the horizontal structure of the control panel, which extends across the dashboard and integrates seamlessly with the doors.
The centerpiece of the interior is the “Digital Stage,” which is set up in front of the driver and front passenger in the form of the Audi MMI displays. The slim, free-standing Audi MMI panoramic display has a curved design and OLED technology and houses the 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit and the 14.5-inch MMI touch display.
The 10.9-inch MMI Passenger Display can be ordered specially for front passengers. Thanks to Active Privacy Mode with shutter technology, passengers can use the infotainment system undisturbed without the driver being visually distracted. At the same time, it offers the option of assisting the driver with navigation tasks, for example.
The Audi “Material Driven Design” philosophy enhances the spacious feel and comfort, with a soft wrap element running across the dashboard. Materials are chosen to balance digital and comfort-oriented areas. Seats in the S line version feature sustainable materials like Kaskade and Dinamica, made from recycled materials, ensuring both luxury and sustainability.
Dynamic interaction light
The interior design of the Q5 SUV* stands out even in the dark. Contour lighting in the dashboard and doors emphasises the width, while the indirect light below the Curved Audi MMI Panoramic Display and in the center console creates a visual floating effect.
The dynamic interaction light (IAL), spans the interior as an LED light strip and enhances the user interaction with functions like a welcome sequence and safety indicators. The IAL always remains an additional display and does not replace the turn signals in the Virtual Cockpit. The dynamic interaction light is part of the Ambient Lighting Package Plus.
Impressive by day and night: the lighting design
In the new Audi Q5*, Audi advances its lighting design with three-dimensional rear light design, merging the physical and digital worlds in combination with the light strip, which spans the width of the vehicle. The second-generation digital OLED rear lights and the projection light in the spoiler above the rear window, used for the first time in Europe, enhance safety by projecting a graphic into the upper rear window area, thereby enlarging the brake light area. It is also integrated into the Coming Home and Leaving Home scene when leaving and unlocking the vehicle.
The active digital light signature showcases the future of Audi lighting technology. The front digital light signature is created by an algorithm with fifteen segments that dim up and down, to produce a consistent light intensity.
With the digital OLED combination rear lights 2.0, the Q5* raises the lighting design, range of functions and therefore safety in its class to a new level. For the first time, the second-generation digital OLED combination rear lights can communicate with the vehicle’s immediate surroundings (Car-to-X) in a targeted manner.
Proximity detection, which was first introduced in 2020, has been expanded in the new Q5* to include the communication light. It warns other road users of accidents and breakdowns. In addition to the regular tail light graphic, it displays a specific static tail light signature with integrated warning symbols in the digital OLED combination rear light in critical driving or traffic situations.
The technology also sets new standards in terms of individualisation. With up to eight digital light signatures in the redesigned daytime running lights of the Matrix LED headlights and in the digital OLED tail lights 2.0, drivers can personalise their Q5* in a completely new way. A specially designed Coming Home and Leaving Home scene is available for each digital light signature when leaving and unlocking the vehicle.
Ultra-modern combustion engines with MHEV plus
The new Audi Q5 SUV family is based on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), a platform architecture for conventionally powered vehicles with longitudinally installed combustion engines. All models in the Q5 series at market launch are equipped with the highly efficient MHEV plus technology.
The new MHEV plus system with 48-volt electrical system supports the combustion engine, reduces CO2 emissions and increases performance and driving comfort. Purely electric manoeuvering and parking are also possible to a limited extent. The powertrain generator generates an additional drive torque of up to 230 newton-metres and up to 18 kW (24 hp) of power.
The 48-volt system also enables the use of an electrically driven air conditioning compressor. This offers the advantage that even when the engine is switched off – for example when coasting or at a red light – the air conditioning system continues to operate at full power and keeps the interior at a comfortable temperature.
The lithium-ion battery of the vehicles with MHEV plus is based on lithium iron phosphate chemistry (LFP) and has a storage capacity of 1.7 kilowatt hours. The main tasks of the belt starter generator are to start the engine and supply electrical energy to the battery.
The new powertrain generator (PTG) enables electric driving, relieves the combustion engine, and helps reduce fuel consumption. When decelerating, the powertrain generator (TSG) feeds up to 25 kW of energy back into the battery (recuperation). The PPC enables gradual electrification in the form of mild hybrids. Later in the lifecycle of the new Audi Q5*, plug-in hybrids with a large battery and external charging option will also follow.
Three engine versions at market launch
In Ireland, the Audi Q5 SUV models will be launched with three engine versions, with further drive variants to follow. At market launch, all variants will be equipped with MHEV plus technology, which can provide up to 18 kW (24 PS) of additional power for short periods. All models use the 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission.
The entry-level engine is the 2.0 TFSI. It delivers 150 kW (204 PS), 340 newton-metres of maximum torque and is equipped with front-wheel drive.
The Audi Q5 is available with the 2.0 TDI in the EA288 evo generation. It delivers 150 kW (204 PS) and 400 newton-metres of torque and is only available with quattro all-wheel drive.
Audi is offering the Audi SQ5* as the top model in the series at market launch. The V6 TFSI with a displacement of three litres produces 270 kW (367 PS) and has a maximum torque of 550 newton-metres.
The latest generation of driver assistance systems
Audi provides a wide range of driver assistance systems in the new Q5 models, whose functions significantly improve everyday life and road safety for all road users. A rear parking aid with distance display, cruise control and speed limiter, lane departure warning, efficiency assistant and attention and drowsiness assistant are standard from market launch.
Additional assistance packages with numerous features can be configured as an option. These include, for example, the Adaptive Driving Assistant plus, which uses high-resolution map data and swarm data from other vehicles calculated in the cloud to optimise traffic sign recognition and assist with acceleration, maintaining speed and distance as well as lane guidance.
Active Front Assist combines four assistance functions: Front Emergency Brake Assist, Evasion Assist, Turn Assist, and Front Cross Traffic Assist. Other assistance systems available include traffic sign-based cruise control, Park Assist Plus and Rear Turn Assist.
Display and operating concept
The Audi Q5 model series has a fully networked digital interior based on the new electronics architecture. With the Audi MMI panoramic display and the MMI passenger display, the Digital Stage is a key feature of the interior. This also includes the 10.9-inch MMI passenger display with Active Privacy Mode which prevents drivers from being distracted by only showing the contents of the display to the front passenger. Only a black screen is visible to the driver.
The learning voice assistant, the Audi assistant, can be used to control numerous vehicle functions. The digital assistant with AI support is deeply integrated into the vehicle and is depicted for the first time by an avatar in the central touch display of the MMI and in the head-up display. An icon in the instrument display shows the status of the Audi assistant.
Smart infotainment system
The infotainment system of the Audi Q5 SUV* uses Android Automotive OS as its operating system, with content updated via over-the-air ensuring the latest Audi connect services are always up to date. Apps like YouTube can be accessed directly through the integrated app store, eliminating the need for a smartphone.
The heart of the Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System is a highly efficient amplifier. It drives 16 loudspeakers with 685 watts of power. The A-pillar and mid-range speakers produce an incomparable 3D surround sound.
Compared to the Audi sound system, the Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System works with Vehicle Noise Compensation, which compensates for interior noise. Customers also have the option of expanding their sound experience at any time with features that can be added accordingly via Functions on Demand.
Market launch and prices
The new Audi Q5 SUV* and Audi SQ5 SUV* is due to launch in Ireland in the first quarter 2025. The Audi Q5 family will be available to order from September 2024. Prices for the new models start at €71,115 for the Audi Q5 SUV TFSI 150 kW.
The diesel-powered Audi Q5 TDI quattro 150 kW starts at €75,600.
The Audi SQ5 SUV* starts at €111,850.
Commenting on the arrival of the new Audi Q5 range, Audi Ireland Brand Director Damien O’Sullivan: “The Audi Q5 is the perfect model in the mid-size SUV market, it gives the power, space and innovation drivers want. This model has always been a successful for us and will continue to do so in it’s next generation. This launch marks another important milestone for the rejuvenation of the Audi portfolio. I look forward to seeing the Audi Q5 on Irish roads early next year.”
Consumption and emissions values of the models named above: final values will be available at a later date.
Audi closed 2023 with around 1.9 million global sales, approximately 178,000 of which were fully electric vehicles. 5,258 new cars were delivered to Irish customers, securing a 4.4% market share for the brand in Ireland. Audi leads the way in the premium automotive market in Ireland, with a market share of 25.2%.
