Auto Buyers Guide rates the 2026 Q5 positively at 72.6/100, praising its exceptional technology and transmission quality as standout strengths—the dual clutch transmission delivers smooth performance even in low-speed crawl, while features like four-way lumbar support, rear climate zones, and USB-C charging ports enhance the cabin experience. However, comfort emerges as a notable weakness (56.2/100), with rear legroom constrained by a transmission hump and bulkhead, and the conservative exterior design doesn't match the all-new platform underneath. The Q5 is best suited for buyers prioritizing tech and transmission refinement who can accept middle-of-the-road positioning and rear-seat compromises in the compact luxury SUV segment.

The 2025 Audi Q5 earns an 85/100 OctaneScore, with Auto Buyers Guide praising it as a well-rounded luxury compact SUV. The Q5 excels in livability and reliability, featuring a quiet four-cylinder engine, adaptive air suspension with multiple drive modes, and a body that feels "carved out of a single block of steel" with minimal flex compared to rivals like the Lexus RX and Acura RDX; its cabin tech also impresses with twin OLED displays and a fantastic head-up display. The primary drawback is pricing—the Prestige trim starts at $60,600, which the reviewer noted is notably higher than the previous generation, and there's currently no plug-in hybrid option available. The 2025 Q5 is best suited for buyers prioritizing refined ride quality, advanced technology, and tight build quality who are willing to pay a premium for those features.

Redline Reviews gives the 2025 Audi Q5 Prestige a solid 70/100 score, praising its driving technology (100/100)—including advanced radar cruise control and a washer-equipped backup camera—alongside excellent livability (95/100) with class-leading 4,400-pound towing capacity and adaptive air suspension that raises the vehicle 1.5 inches in off-road mode. The redesigned exterior styling impresses in person with distinctive OLED headlights and customizable LED signatures, while the cabin feels modern and premium overall. However, the Q5's value proposition is significantly undermined by a $7,000 price jump to $52,000 base MSRP, and cost-cutting is evident in cheap door panel plastics and less satisfying window controls compared to the previous generation. The 2025 Q5 suits families and taller passengers seeking a capable, tech-forward luxury SUV who can justify its premium pricing.

Redline Reviews gives the 2025 Audi Q5 a solidly positive rating of 73/100, praising its cabin technology and livability as standout strengths—the Q5 features a new digital key function and standard panoramic sunroof while offering a perfectly proportioned 111-inch wheelbase for its class, plus the performance specs are excellent with 268 hp and a 5.8-second 0-60 time. The design has aged well with recognizable styling and innovative OLED headlights with customizable light signatures, though material quality doesn't feel quite as premium as before. The main drawback is pricing: the base model now starts at $52,000 due to eliminating the lower-powered engine option, and fuel economy lags behind hybrid competitors like the Lexus NX. The 2025 Q5 is ideal for buyers who prioritize tech features and driving dynamics over fuel efficiency and don't want to pay a premium for hybrid powertrains.

The 2025 Audi Q5 earned a highly positive 94/100 OctaneScore, with reviewers praising its spacious livability (97/100), impressive cabin technology like customizable OLED tail lights and LED matrix headlights, and strong performance from its 2L turbo (268 hp) and SQ5's 3L V6 (362 hp) engines. The refreshed design delivers a bolder grille and sexier rear end while ditching fake exhaust tips for real ones, though the driving technology dimension (81/100) received slightly less emphasis in this review. The Q5 is ideal for buyers seeking a practical luxury compact SUV with the latest lighting tech, generous cargo space, and Audi's proven reliability track record as their bestselling model since 2008.