Audi’s compact luxury bestseller has been fully redesigned for 2025. The New 2025 Audi SQ5 arrives as the performance-oriented variant of the all-new Q5 lineup, pairing a turbocharged V6 with roughly 360 hp, standard all-wheel drive and a fresh interior dominated by large, responsive screens and a suite of novel lighting features. With pricing starting in the low-$60,000s for the SQ5 (base Q5 from about $51,000), Audi aims to defend the Q5’s long-running segment leadership against rivals such as the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC.
New 2025 Audi SQ5 Key details
- Model: New 2025 Audi SQ5
- Powertrain: Turbo V6, ~360 horsepower (≈ +15 hp vs. outgoing model)
- Drivetrain: Standard all-wheel drive (Quattro)
- 0–60 mph: Mid-4-second range (manufacturer/real-world dependent)
- Price: SQ5 starts around $63,000; top models near $70,000 (manufacturer MSRP estimates)
- Body styles: Conventional SUV and sportback (sloping roof)
- Notable: Extensive ambient and exterior projection lighting; large central infotainment and passenger-side screen
What’s in New 2025 Audi SQ5 and why it matters
Audi has given its most important model family, the Q5 and its performance SQ5, a comprehensive redesign for 2025 after several years with an aging platform. The Q5 has historically been Audi’s best seller and a top performer in the compact luxury SUV segment; the 2025 redesign brings contemporary styling, upgraded materials and software, and significantly modernized interior technology aimed at maintaining the Q5’s market position.
The New 2025 Audi SQ5, positioned as the sporty choice in the range, receives a stronger V6 and performance tuning intended to balance everyday usability with occasional high-speed capability. Its combination of performance, technology and perceived value is positioned to appeal to buyers who want sport-oriented driving without the increased price of higher-tier rivals.
Exterior and lighting: showpiece technology
A standout element of the New 2025 Audi SQ5 is its theatrical lighting. Beyond conventional LED signatures, Audi has integrated projection-style effects and interactive ambient elements:
- A projection from the upper rear (near the third brake light) casts “Quattro” onto the rear glass, this projection also activates during braking, making Quattro visible to following traffic.
- Ground-projected arrows beneath the rear bumper indicate the precise spot to wave a foot for the hands-free tailgate.
- Headlights and taillights perform animated welcome sequences; taillight graphics use segmented triangular elements for a distinctive rear view.
- Inside, a full-width LED strip across the dashboard blinks directionally with turn-signal activation (left or right), offering a prominent visual reminder that the indicator is engaged.
These features emphasize Audi’s focus on experiential lighting as a brand differentiator, though some touches, such as the Quattro projection, are unusual and likely to provoke mixed reactions.
New 2025 Audi SQ5 Interior and technology
The cabin receives a major upgrade in materials and digital displays. Highlights include:
- High-quality trim and diamond-stitched leather across front and rear seats.
- A large, highly responsive central infotainment touchscreen that consolidates infotainment and HVAC controls.
- A secondary passenger-side touchscreen offering mirrored or independent functions (navigation, media, vehicle settings).
- A high-resolution, full-color head-up display that offsets a somewhat less flexible digital gauge cluster.
While the central display is praised for smooth performance and useful integrations (Apple CarPlay/Android Auto), the decision to migrate all climate controls into the touchscreen creates usability concerns, particularly for quick adjustments such as fan speed, which require menu navigation rather than dedicated physical buttons.
Passenger convenience is boosted by rear USB-C ports, rear heated seats and integrated sun shades, but the center rear seating position is cramped due to a pronounced drivetrain hump.
Practicality and cargo
The New 2025 Audi SQ5 offers a roomy cargo area for a compact luxury SUV, including under-floor storage and manually foldable rear seats for expanded capacity. However, the vehicle lacks a conventional household-style AC outlet; instead, occupants get USB-C and a 12-volt accessory socket, which may be less convenient for certain accessories.
New 2025 Audi SQ5 Driving impressions and performance
On the move, the SQ5 delivers a notable mid-range surge from its turbo V6, with competitive straight-line pace and a claimed 0–60 mph in the mid-4-second range. Steering and chassis tuning deliver a surprisingly sharp and planted feel for a compact crossover, minimizing body roll and offering confident handling when pushed.
Criticisms center on throttle tip-in: reviewers note a perceptible dead-zone at light throttle inputs, producing an inconsistent initial response that contrasts with the engine’s strong mid-range pull. Noise, vibration and harshness are acceptable for the segment but not class-leading, road and tire noise are still audible at times.
Controls and ergonomics
Several unconventional control choices stand out:
- A compact, vertical gear selector switch on the center console frees space but differs from more traditional shifters.
- Door panel control clusters, including mirror, seat memory, headlight and lock controls, are large and can make the mechanical door pull awkward to reach.
- Steering wheel touch pads support both quick taps and sliding gestures for volume and menu control, a well-executed tactile feature.
Drawbacks and competition
The SQ5’s chief drawbacks are the throttle dead-zone at tip-in, the climate controls’ deep integration into the touchscreen, limited rear middle-seat practicality and the absence of a household power outlet. Against the competition, the SQ5 trades some engagement and luxury cues for strong overall value; rivals such as the BMW X3 M50 and Porsche Macan may be more exciting or premium, but typically at higher price points.
New 2025 Audi SQ5 Verdict
The New 2025 Audi SQ5 updates a perennial best seller with contemporary styling, upgraded interior materials and a technology-forward cabin that should help preserve the Q5’s market dominance. Its 360-hp V6, confident handling and generous feature set make it one of the best value propositions in the sporty compact luxury SUV band, despite a few ergonomic and drivability quibbles.
A summarized review score from the original video reviewer placed the SQ5 at 60 out of 100, reflecting strong everyday utility and value, tempered by certain interface and drivability drawbacks compared with more expensive rivals.
Background: the Q5 lineage
Introduced in 2009, the Audi Q5 quickly became one of the bestselling small luxury SUVs globally and has consistently outsold key rivals in its segment. The previous full redesign for the Q5 arrived around 2018; competitors have received more frequent updates since then. The 2025 redesign thus represents Audi’s effort to modernize the Q5 family and sustain its leadership through improved interiors, updated powertrains and attention-grabbing technology features.
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