This article contains independent illustrations penned by CarScoops’ artist Josh Byrnes based on our spy photographs of recent prototypes and our own intel. The renders are neither related to nor endorsed by Audi.
Audi’s Q5 has been a smash hit for the German automaker, with the high-riding crossover consistently outselling everything else in Ingolstadt’s line-up. However, to keep things fresh, the next-generation Q5 has been spotted in prototype testing with a handsome new look that aims to maintain the current car’s success.
Also Read: Everything We Know About The Next-Gen 2024 Audi A4
Like its A4 showroom stablemate, it’ll also be the last Q5 powered by an internal combustion engine before the brand delves wholly into battery-electric propulsion towards the end of the decade. As for the Q5’s styling, technology and powertrains, well, let’s get sleuthing and explore everything we know to date.
Easy On the Eye
In a ploy to keep getting traffic in its showrooms, Audi has kept the recipe for the Q5 simple with inoffensive yet attractive styling. A muscular new front end sports a wider single-frame grille flanked by bold vertical side intakes and wedge-effect LED headlights (no bizarre-looking split headlamps here).
The side profile exudes a pleasing aesthetic with a sportier roofline and athletic sheet metal surfacing. The lower door scallops and cladding have been heavily inspired by the A6 e-tron series of concept cars. Nice! Rear-end styling features a full-width tail lamp cluster with animated welcome lighting, dual exhausts, and steeply raked rear glass.
Interior Smarts
An all-new cabin will feature bigger screens and more technology than ever before. It’ll also sport similar interior styling to the upcoming A4 and e-tron GT and possibly even the new Chinese-market only Q5 e-tron (pictured above) with futuristic lines, flush-mount touch displays and a large emphasis on luxury craftsmanship.
See: New Audi Q5 e-tron Revealed In China As The Q4 e-tron’s Big Brother
Primary tech highlights include a large digital instrument cluster, Audi’s third-generation infotainment platform (MIB 3), heads-up display and Amazon Alexa voice assist. Driver aids will include Level 2 semi-autonomous driving with dynamic lane steering, full-range adaptive cruise with speed-sign control and adaptive suspension.
Hybrid To the Core
As the Q5 sits on a revised MLB Evo platform shared with the upcoming B10 A4, it’ll also share the same range of 48-volt mild-hybrid petrol and diesel engines, plus a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The mild hybridized petrol is based on an updated 2.0-litre TFSI mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, sending power to all four wheels.
The plug-in hybrid combines a 2.0-litre inline-4 with a 141 hp electric motor and an 11.3-kWh lithium-ion battery for a total system output of 362 hp (266 kW). Unfortunately, water cooler conjecture suggests there won’t be a BMW X3 M-rivaling RS Q5 variant, with performance duties once again held by the warmed up SQ5.
Rivals and Reveal
Alternatives to the upcoming Q5 include BMW’s X3, the Mercedes-Benz GLC, Porsche Macan, Volvo XC60, Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Jaguar F-Pace, Lincoln Corsair, Lexus RX and, to some extent, even the new and more premium contender from Mazda the CX-60 in Europe, Japan and other markets, a wider-body version of which will come to North America as the CX-70.
The general consensus is that third generation Q5 will be introduced in 2024 as a 2025MY, though we’ve also heard some sources claiming it could make it into the market at the end of next year.
What do you think of the all-new Q5’s new look? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
