2026 Audi Q5/SQ5 Review

The 2026 Audi Q5 and SQ5 have landed in Australia, ready to take on the premium mid-size SUV segment with mild-hybrid power across the range.  

Historically, the Q5 is an important car for the brand in Australia as a key volume mover, accounting for around 20 per cent of its local sales. 

But can the third-generation Audi Q5 and SQ5 match the high standards set by its predecessors? And how does it stack up against its key rivals from the likes of BMW, Mercedes, Genesis and Lexus? 

How much do the Audi Q5 and SQ5 Cost? 

Prices for the Audi Q5 start at $81,000 before on-road costs for the entry-level TFSI variant. While outpriced by other competitors in the segment, such as the Lexus NX and the Genesis GV70, the Q5 undercuts its key rivals from the remainder of the German three, priced $5,800 cheaper than the BMW X3 and $8,000 cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz GLC. 

The variants in the middle of the range are difficult to compare directly as prices and specifications vary considerably, but this trend also rings true for the performance models, with the SQ5 outpricing both the X3 M50 xDrive and the GLC 43 AMG. 

While not the cheapest premium mid-size SUV on the market, the Q5 finds itself positioned very competitively compared to its key rivals.  

2026 Audi Q5 Pricing

• Audi Q5 TFSI: $81,000
• Audi Q5 TDI Quattro: $87,600
• Audi Q5 TDI Quattro Sport: $94,100
• Audi SQ5 edition one: $106,400
• Audi SQ5: $122,400 

Note: pricing is exclusive of on-road costs.

Modernised but Not as Strong as Its Predecessor

The latest Q5 and SQ5 are easy on the eye and translate Audi’s latest styling language in mid-size SUV form. 

It’s a design language that embodies sleekness and modernity, and these elements are evident on the Q5 and SQ5. It’s certainly contemporary, but I can’t help but feel that the previous model was aesthetically more effective. 

The muscular lines and angular headlight and grille design gave the outgoing Q5 strength, presence, and a unique visual signature that was unmistakably Audi. 

This can also be said for the rear-end design. While the rear lightbar on the new Q5 contributes to its modern aesthetic, it doesn’t yield the same visual prominence and recognition as the outgoing rear lights. 

Having said that, I could see this design growing on me over time, particularly as the outgoing Q5 grows dated with the years. As a modern, premium mid-size SUV, its styling is a satisfactory effort. But in my eyes, at least right now, it can’t quite match what came before it.  

Screens Everywhere

The most immediately salient features of the Audi Q5 and SQ5’s front row are the screens. While the 14.5-inch infotainment screen and the 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster aren’t big by themselves, the bezel of black plastic surrounding them makes them seem enormous. Coupled with the sheer number of visuals and the amount of information displayed on them, it becomes almost overwhelming.

However, once you get used to it, it's actually pretty intuitive. The displays are crisp and responsive, and while they display a lot at once, sub-menus and key information are very accessible as a result. 

While having the air conditioning controls contained within the infotainment system is usually a pet peeve of mine, this system displays them along the bottom of the screen at all times, causing little of the usual frantic finger waving. 

In fact, if you decide that two displays aren’t enough, the Tech pro package – a $5,700 option available for the Q5 TDI Sport and SQ5 – adds a third display in front of the passenger, allowing them to play games, change the music and – something that I find particularly useful – even program the navigation. 

The rest of the front row is what you’d expect from a premium mid-size SUV, boasting high-quality materials and comfortable seats. Most of the touch points are pleasant to interact with, although the plastic paddle shifters and the cheap-sounding clicks of the steering wheel controls didn’t wow me. 

Overall, the 2025 Audi Q5 and SQ5 sport a comfortable, tech-filled front row, fulfilling the brief of a modern luxury car. 

Solid Seating…for Two at Least 

For outboard passengers, the Q5 and SQ5 boast solid headroom and shoulder room, and while knee room can get slightly tight depending on the position of the front seat, it is by no means uncomfortable. 

The rear seats are also adjustable, able to slide backwards and forwards, and partially recline, which is a welcome feature for additional passenger comfort.  

The usual amenities are present as you’d expect, with two USB-C ports, rear air vents and a folding centre armrest with cupholders. 

However, I suspect the particularly pronounced hump in the centre of the floor may leave middle seat passengers feeling somewhat short-changed. It’s certainly not somewhere that you’d want to spend a long journey.

In short, the second row of the Audi Q5 will seat at least two of its passengers in comfort, but probably not three.

Usable but not Quite as Practical as its Rivals 

The Audi Q5 has 520 litres of boot space with the seats up and 1,473 litres with the rear seats folded. The space is ample and competitive by the standards of most mid-size SUVs, but when compared to its premium rivals, it falls short. 

While its capacity behind the second row matches that of the Lexus NX and beats its total luggage space with the seats folded, it falls short of the BMW X3, Mercedes GLC and Genesis GV70.

The SQ5 also sees a reduction in space compared to 475 litres and 1,446 litres with the rear seats folded, a drop in space that neither the Mercedes GLC 43 AMG or the BMW  X3 M50 xDrive suffer when compared with their non-performance counterparts. 

The Q5 and SQ5 are by no means impractical cars, with the space on offer more than suitable for daily use cases. However, they can’t quite match their immediate competitors. 

Potent When They Pick Up

Three powertrains are on offer across the 2026 Audi Q5 and SQ5 range, all of which feature Audi’s new 48v Mild Hybrid Plus system – producing 18kW and 230Nm – capable of operating on pure electric power at low speeds. 

You can hear the mild hybrid system operating with a subtle whirr, but it works so harmoniously with the internal combustion engine, with an incredibly seamless transition between the two at slow speeds. 

All Q5 and SQ5 variants feature a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. 

The entry-level front-wheel drive TFSI is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, producing 150kW and 340Nm, and achieves 0-100km/h in 8.6 seconds. Audi claims fuel economy of 5.7 litres per 100km for the TFSI, although as tested it achieved 8.7 litres per 100km.

The TFSI surpasses the outputs of the equivalent BMW X3, and while the entry-level GLC matches its power, it's shy on torque. However, it produces less power than some similarly priced variants of the Lexus NX, and falls short of the performance figures laid down by the Genesis GV70. 

The TDI Quattro and TDI Quattro Sport variants add all-wheel drive along with diesel power. The power output remains the same as its petrol stablemate at 150kW, although torque is bumped up to 400Nm. 

The diesel also sees an improvement in the run from 0-100km/h over the petrol, with a time of 7.4 seconds. The claimed fuel economy for the TDI is 5.7 litres per 100km, although I tested it at 7.8 litres per 100km. 

The 2.0-litre petrol and the 2.0-litre diesel are surprisingly similar to interact with and even sound similar, although the diesel does have noticeably more grunt. 

However, I found that both powertrains could be a little unresponsive at times, particularly at lower speeds, with a noticeable delay between planting your foot and power being delivered in full. It’s less of a problem when initially setting off, perhaps due to the hybrid system intervention, but stab the throttle on the move, and it takes a while to think about it. 

While the shifts were smooth, I found the transmission occasionally slow to respond. This became particularly obvious when shifting in manual mode, with some upshifts being slow on the uptake.

However, I suspect for those less lead-footed than myself, the responsiveness and the outputs of both powertrains will be adequate for regular daily driving. 

The SQ5 and SQ5 Edition One feature a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 producing 270kW and 340Nm, and clock a 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds. Claimed fuel economy is 7.6 litres per 100km, although after being driven on a twisting backroad, its trip computer read 9.3 litres per 100km. 

It’s an evidently potent engine when it picks up, and the distinctive six-cylinder sound is a sweet addition to the performance experience. 

However, the same unresponsiveness that the Q5 models suffer from is also present in SQ5, making you feel somewhat disconnected from its V6 centrepiece.

Expect Nothing Less

The driving experience of the Q5 and SQ5 is par for the course for a premium mid-size SUV, balancing solid dynamics for a vehicle of this size and decent levels of comfort. 

My drive time was split between urban driving and twisting backroads across one example each of the Q5 TFSI, TDI and SQ5 Edition One. 

There are four driving modes to choose from in the Q5 and SQ5: Balanced, Efficiency, Comfort, and Dynamic, with an off-road mode offered as an option in SQ5s specced with air suspension.  

During my drive time, I primarily made use of Comfort, Dynamic and Balanced, although I didn’t feel a drastic change in the experience between the three, save for slightly heavier steering in Dynamic. 

While I hardly reached particularly high speeds driving any of the three variants, when the roads got twisty, the handling across the range felt neutral and predictable. 

While lacking slightly in road texture and feedback, the well-weighted and direct progressive steering complements the driving experience, making the Q5 and SQ5 feel certain of themselves and easy to place. 

Around town, the rest of its attributes make it reasonably pleasant and comfortable to interact with.

None of the cars I drove were equipped with air suspension, which is a $3,800 option on the SQ5 only. The standard suspension makes use of frequency-selective dampers, with an S-sport version applied to the SQ5 Edition One and SQ5. The Q5 variants and the SQ5 Edition One that I drove rode on 19-inch and 20-inch alloy wheels respectively. 

The Q5 and SQ5’s ride reveals the road surface quality, with bumps and inconsistencies evident, but it was holistically inoffensive, and I by no means found it particularly uncomfortable. 

I also found wind and tyre noise to be impressively minimal in all variants of the Q5 and the SQ5 Edition One that I drove. 

If you’ve driven a premium mid-size SUV before, the Q5 and SQ5 will feel relatively familiar, offering a dynamically sure-footed experience while also remaining suitably comfortable. 

Strong Scores out of Europe

ANCAP testing scores for the Audi Q5 and SQ5 are yet to be released, but it’s safe to expect its five-star Euro NCAP score will be mirrored in Australia. The Q5 scored 85 per cent in adult occupant protection, 86 per cent in child occupant protection, 79 per cent in vulnerable road user protection and 77 per cent in safety assist in European testing. 

The Q5 and SQ5’s infotainment system features a customisable safety suite menu, and save for a few features such as fatigue and distraction warning, autonomous emergency braking and lane departure warning, most systems will remain off until the owner switches them on again. 

Even still, the ADAS systems never felt particularly intrusive during my time with the Q5 and SQ5. The presence of lane keep assist was felt a couple of times, but the level of intervention felt appropriate. 

Safety features on the Q5 and SQ5 include: 

• Active Front Assist
• Adaptive cruise control w/ stop and go function
• Lane departure warning w/Emergency Assist
• Proactive occupant protection
• Side Assist
• Speed Sign Recognition
• 360-degree camera w/ curb view
• Park Assist 
• Driver attention and fatigue monitor
• Hold Assist
• First aid kit
• Seatbelt reminders
• Tyre pressure loss indicator
• Airbags (front driver and passenger, front and rear side, head-level curtain, front centre)  

Competitive but Slightly Outdone

The Audi Q5 and SQ5 come with a five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, five years of roadside assist, and a 12-year factory warranty for bodywork against corrosion perforation. 

Audi also offers five-year servicing plans, priced at $3,250 for the TFSI and TDI and $3,560 for the SQ5. While slightly undercut on price by the servicing plans offered for the BMW X3 and the Lexus NX, and while Genesis offers a complimentary five-year, 50,000km plan for the GV70, the Q5 and SQ5’s plans are significantly cheaper than the $7,350 plan offered for the Mercedes GLC. 

The unlimited kilometre warranty, scheduled servicing plan, and roadside assist can be extended for two additional years with an Audi Advantage package, priced at $4,150 across the range. 

Standard Equipment and Features: 

What do you get with the Audi Q5 and SQ5? 

Standard equipment on the Audi Q5 TFSI and TDI includes: 

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• Progressive steering
• Matrix LED headlights, tail lights, DRLs
• Electric tailgate w/ gesture control
• Heated, folding, auto-dimming exterior mirrors w/ memory
• Aluminium roof rails 
• Leather-appointed upholstery
• Heated front seats
• 3-zone climate control
• Rear bench w/ sliding & reclining function
• Auto-dimming interior mirror
• Keyless entry & start
• 11.9-inch Digital instrument cluster 
• 14.5-inch infotainment screen
• Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
• Wireless smartphone charging
• 8-speaker sound system 
• Ambient lighting

The TDI Sport adds:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Sports seats
• Panoramic sunroof
• Aluminium inlays w/ linear embossing, anthracite
• Sport 3-spoke, flat-bottom steering wheel 
• Front aluminium door sill trims w/ S logo
• Black headlining
• Stainless steel pedals
• Illuminated door sills w/ S logo

The SQ5 Edition One adds or replaces: 

• 20-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels
• Red brake callipers
• Edition One black exterior styling
• Rear privacy glass

The SQ5 adds or replaces: 

• 21-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels
• 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound System
• Higher capacity USB interfaces (x2 front, x2 rear)
• Heads-up display
• Interior ambient lighting
• Ventilated front seats
• Microfibre upper and lower interior elements
• Pneumatically adjustable lumbar support 
• Front driver and passenger seat massage
• Premium leather upholstery with rhombus pattern
• Acoustic glazing (front windows)
• Carbon exterior mirrors

Option Packs

Pricing below is inclusive of Luxury Car Tax (LCT).

Premium package -  TFSI, TDI, TDI Sport: $5,400 

• Heads-up display
• Bang & Olufsen 3D premium sound system
• Interior ambient lighting w/ dynamic interaction light
• USB interfaces w/ higher charging capacity
• Acoustic glazing (front door windows)

Style package - TFSI, TDI: $4,900, TDI Sport: $3,400

• 20-inch Audi 5-twin-spoke twist design wheels in silk matt grey, gloss turned finish 
• Black exterior package
• Privacy glass

Tech pro package - TDI, SQ5: $5,700

• Electric steering column
• Heated steering wheel
• Heated rear outboard seats
• Front passenger display
• OLED tail lights 

Carbon style package - SQ5 Edition One, SQ5: $9,200

• Carbon exterior mirrors
• Carbon door inlays
• Carbon roof spoiler

Metallic paint - TFSI, TDI, TDI Sport, SQ5 Edition One: $2,000, SQ5: NCO 

• Mythos black
• Navarra blue
• Glacier white
• Ultra blue
• District green
• Tambora grey
• Grenadine red
• Daytona grey 

Sakhir gold paint – TFSI, TDI, TDI Sport, SQ5 Edition One: $3,300, SQ5: $1,300 

Adaptive S air suspension - SQ5: $3,800

20-inch Audi 5-twin-spoke twist design wheels in silk matt grey, gloss turned finish -  TFSI, TDI: Included in Style Pack, TDI Sport: $1,800

21-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels in 5-arm-split design, black metallic, gloss turned finish - SQ5: No cost

21-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels in 5-twin-spoke-Y design, silk matt grey, gloss turned finish - SQ5 Edition One: $2,600, SQ5: No cost

Black exterior package - TFSI, TDI, SQ5: $2,150

• Black front and rear bumper inserts
• Black grille highlights
• Black side window trim
• Black exterior mirror housing
• Black roof rails
• Dark tail pipe trims
• Grey Audi rings

Carbon roof edge spoiler - SQ5 Edition One, SQ5: $4,600

Panoramic sunroof - TFSI, TDI: $3,500

Ventilated front seats - TDI Sport: $2,200

Pearl beige upholstery package - TFSI, TDI: No cost

Murillo brown upholstery package w/ black headlining - TFSI, TDI: $600

Arras red upholstery package - SQ5: No cost

Lime sediment inlays - TFSI, TDI: $600

Walnut trunk inlays - TFSI, TDI: $600 

Carbon inlays - SQ5: $1,200

Sunblinds for rear doors - TFSI, TDI, TDI Sport, SQ5: $420

Luggage partition net - TFSI, TDI, TDI Sport: $300

Final Thoughts:

The 2026 Audi Q5 and SQ5 are dynamically capable, reasonably comfortable, decently equipped, priced competitively against its key rivals from BMW and Mercedes, and ultimately meet the quality expectations of a premium mid-size SUV. 

They’re not without their drawbacks of course, for instance, the occasional lack of immediate powertrain responsiveness, the boot space on offer compared to their immediate competitors and the arguably less effective styling compared to the outgoing Q5. 

However, the new Q5 and SQ5 certainly have their merits, and I suspect this generation’s model lineup will only grow more appealing as it presumably expands in the months and years to come.