New Audi Q5 and SQ5 first NZ drive review

There’s something quite magical about launching a premium SUV in the heart of winter, especially when the sun decides to show up. That’s exactly what Audi did recently at the stunning Kauri Bay venue in Clevedon, unveiling the all-new Q5 and SQ5. The setting was as refined and composed as the cars themselves, making for a launch that felt more like a well-scripted film than a press event.

But then again, Audi has always known how to do premium. And with over 3,500 Q5s sold since its debut in New Zealand – including 1,400 SQ5s – it’s no surprise the Kiwi market continues to lead the world per capita as the top Audi Sport market.

Audi Q5 – The Backbone of the Brand

The Q5 is Audi’s bread and butter, no question about it. For 2025, it gets more than just a facelift. This is a fully reimagined premium SUV built on Audi’s new Premium Platform Combustion (PPC). It’s now 35mm longer, 7mm wider, and slightly lower, giving it a sleeker stance without sacrificing its upright SUV confidence. It now fits squarely in the “Sporty SUV” segment…and the SQ5? That’s where Audi flexes a little.

Marking 45 years of quattro, Audi couldn’t have timed this launch any better. That iconic AWD tech was not only celebrated through the drive but quite literally, thanks to the limited-edition Huffer x Audi heritage jacket. Steve Dunstan, Audi ambassador and Huffer founder, made an appearance to keep it all on-brand and effortlessly cool.

Lighting the Way. Literally

If there’s one area where Audi continues to lead, it’s lighting. Matrix LED headlights are now standard across the entire Q5 range, and the SQ5 steps it up with second-generation OLED tail lights, complete with rear proximity warning and up to eight customisable light signatures. Want your brake lights to flash a custom goodbye as you leave the driveway? Sorted.

Then there’s the truly clever lighting tech: ambient interior lighting that reacts to driver actions.

Indicate left? The cabin lights do too. It’s a level of attention to detail that feels both luxurious and quietly futuristic. Rear projection lights in the spoiler increase visibility for those behind, something you’ll never see as the driver, but everyone else will thank you for.

Cabin Goals

Slide into the Q5’s cabin and it becomes instantly clear that this isn’t just an update; it’s a total rethink. Audi calls it human-centric, and you feel that from the moment you settle in. The layout is focused on the driver without ignoring your passenger, who now gets their own 10.9-inch MMI display to play with. Tech isn’t just sprinkled throughout; it’s soaked into every surface.

Charging gets a serious upgrade too: USB-C ports in the rear now support up to 100W, meaning even laptops and iPads are comfortably catered for. Small touch, big win.

The biggest glow-up? The head-up display. It’s now faster (65Hz refresh rate), bigger (85% larger) and fully adjustable via steering wheel controls. And as someone who’s not exactly towering, I appreciate that it finally suits us shorter drivers, too.

Only minor gripe? The relocation of headlight and mirror controls to where you’d typically expect your window switches. Muscle memory caught me out more than once, but give it time, and it’ll make sense.

The Drive: Comfort Meets Confidence

We hit the back roads of Clevedon to get a feel for the refreshed range, with the Q5 TFSI S Line (MHEV+) and the SQ5 TFSI (MHEV+) both available to sample. The difference between the two was immediate.

The Q5, with its 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder, delivers 150kW and 340Nm, reaching 0-100 km/h in 7.2 seconds. It’s confident, quiet, and comfortable, the kind of SUV you’d happily drive daily without ever needing to apologise for loving tech or comfort.

Then there’s the SQ5. Powered by a 3.0-litre V6 turbo, it throws down 270kW and 550Nm through quattro all-wheel drive and a 7-speed S tronic. The 0-100 km/h sprint is done in 4.5 seconds, and it feels every bit as quick. It’s no RS model, but it doesn’t try to be, it’s refined aggression, delivered smoothly.

Both use a 48V mild-hybrid system, allowing for electric-only driving under low load and improved fuel efficiency. In the SQ5 especially, the switch from mild-electric coast to full petrol pull is noticeable at times, slightly laggy but never sluggish. In Dynamic mode, the SQ5 still offers an exhaust note that’s properly satisfying.

Bonus points for the steering wheel. It’s thin, grippy, and sculpted just right. That flat-top design might trick your eye into thinking you’re parked on a slope; but really, it just takes some getting used to.

Off-Road, On-Point

Audi didn’t stop at the tarmac. After lunch, we hit the hills with an off-road loop that put both the Q5 & SQ5 through their paces – I elected for the task in the SQ5. Riding on standard adaptive air suspension and, incredibly, Pirelli P Zeros, the SQ5 held its own through loose gravel, steep inclines, and three-wheel articulation moments.

Quattro remained composed throughout, reminding us that Audi’s AWD system isn’t just a badge, it’s heritage. Grip was unshakable, and even when the road ended, the confidence didn’t. Most owners will never attempt this sort of terrain, but knowing the SQ5 can handle it adds just a bit more magic to the badge.

Final Impressions

The 2025 Audi Q5 and SQ5 aren’t just upgrades, they’re proper evolutions. A fresh platform, a driver-focused cabin, and lighting tech that leads the segment make this one of the most thoughtfully executed SUVs in its class.

For me, the highlight wasn’t just the performance, it was the balance. The Q5 range feels confident in its purpose, whether you’re looking for relaxed luxury or something that pushes a little harder.

Minor disappointment? That front grille on the SQ5 is now badge-less, which feels like a quiet farewell to what was once a proud identifier. But look past that, and you’ll find a product that doesn’t need to shout. Because it already knows it belongs at the front.

And 45 years on from quattro’s debut, Audi continues to prove one thing: evolution never looked so sharp.

Audi Q5 specifications and NZ pricing 

Audi SQ5 TFSI Sportback
Price $153,990
Engine 2994cc, V6/T, 270kW/550Nm
Transmission 7-speed dual clutch, AWD
Vitals 0-100km/h 4.5sec, 8.2L/100km, 186g/km
Luggage capacity 470 / 1388L
Tow rating 2400kg braked
Warranty 5yrs/150,000km
Scheduled servicing 3yrs/150,000km

Audi Q5 TFSI S-line
Price $111,990
Engine 1984cc, IL4/T, 250kW/340Nm
Transmission 7-speed dual-clutch, AWD
Vitals 0-100km/h 7.2sec, 7.1L/100km, 162g/km
Luggage capacity 520 / 1473L
Tow rating 2400kg braked
Warranty 5yrs/150,000km
Scheduled servicing 3yrs/150,000km