I drove the Audi Q5 e-hybrid review, a smart and refined plug-in hybrid SUV

The Q5 is Audi’s best-selling model globally, making it a car the company had to build. All eyes were therefore on the third-generation model due to be launched in early 2025 – and sure enough, the German giant did not suffer setbacks. The new Q5 doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but rather builds well on the strengths its two predecessors have masterfully demonstrated.

Visually, it has the striking front end seen on many modern Audis. An oversized grille, bold air intakes and slim LED headlights. Some people find it a little busy, but it’s really unique. There are bright LED lights at the rear too, plus nice premium brake lights projected onto the rear window – it sounds strange, but when you see it in action it’s pretty unique.

There’s a digital-first interior, designed around two screens mounted beneath a pane of glass. It replaces most of the buttons on the dashboard – including the controversial physical climate control buttons – but the stylish setup is designed to be easy to use.

Space and practicality have been improved, with a useful rear seat and a well-designed luggage compartment, and Audi also offers the Q5 Sportback e-hybrid, which has a sleeker, coupe-like rear end.

Electric hybrid technology combines a smooth gasoline engine with an electric motor. Plug-in hybrid batteries are now available with larger capacities, EV range is over 60 miles, and the Q5 e-hybrid can operate at speeds of up to 87 mph in electric mode.

There are a few minor quibbles; surprisingly, it doesn’t have any DC fast charging capabilities, and some of the interior plastics aren’t as high-end as you’d expect from an Audi. Of course, it also comes with a hefty price tag, putting it out of reach for many real-world buyers. But overall, the new Q5 e-hybrid is worth it; Audi seems to have suffered another blow.

How we test

I’ve seemingly driven the Audi Q5 all over the world, from its initial launch in Malaga, to driving it in the UK, to a test drive in Los Angeles as part of the evaluation for the 2026 World Car Awards – and yes, the latest Audi Q5 is a serious contender for the automotive world’s top prize.

Independent Rating: 8/10

Audi Q5 specifications

Battery, range, charging, performance and drive

The Audi Q5 e-hybrid is powered by a 251-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo-petrol engine and a 129-horsepower electric motor, for a combined system output of 299 horsepower. That’s a lot of power, and performance will improve accordingly; 0-62 mph in just 6.2 seconds, and a top speed of 155 mph. Quattro all-wheel drive is standard, ensuring adequate traction and enhanced muddy terrain and winter weather capabilities. A seven-speed automatic transmission is also standard.

You can choose between two driving modes: EV or hybrid. Audi says the former will stay in electric mode as long as the battery has charge, while the latter takes into account both gasoline and electric modes, which is the most efficient way. It’s especially smart if you set your satnav up – it analyzes your route and selects the most efficient driving mode at each leg.

Even with a depleted battery, the Audi Q5 e-hybrid offers quite a bit of pure electric driving at low speeds, which really adds to its refinement. I found it to be a complex drive and the plug-in hybrid technology works seamlessly – it’s probably the best of all the Q5’s engine options.

I also like the way the Q5 drives. It’s complex, precise, accurate, and powerful with depth. It’s particularly nice with the optional air suspension, but even the standard model offers a decent ride and sharp handling. The BMW will provide more excitement, but for relaxed long-distance driving, the Audi will fall short.

Interior, practicality, trunk space

The Audi Q5 electric hybrid features a modern interior designed around the company’s “Digital Stage” infotainment system. This gives it a clean look, which is further enhanced by multi-color ambient lighting at night. The interior isn’t entirely button-free, though, with Audi installing a touch-sensitive console on the driver’s door panel to control functions like lights and mirrors. I’ve grown to really like it.

There are a variety of upholstery options, including a lovely suede-style fabric called Dinamica that stretches across the dashboard. It’s beautiful to the touch. The seats in the Q5 are great too, especially the special seats in the S line model. Combined with a fully adjustable high driving position, the Q5 is a long-distance dream.

Everyone in the back is doing well too. The seats are comfortable, spacious and ergonomically correct. A new feature is the sliding rear seat – which features a 60/40 split with the two sections sliding independently – so you can combine boot space with rear passenger comfort. The backrest can also be tilted for even greater comfort.

The boot capacity of the Audi Q5 e-hybrid is 438 liters, which is reduced from the standard model’s 526 liters due to the plug-in hybrid battery. With the rear seats folded, it expands to 1,358 liters. The cargo area is carefully designed, the layout is super practical, and even the materials used are high-end. If you choose a Q5 with air suspension, the body can be lowered at the touch of a button for easier access to the trunk.

Technology, stereo and infotainment

The Audi Q5 electric hybrid has an advanced infotainment system. The curved free-standing panoramic OLED display is paired with a 14.5-inch Audi MMI touchscreen and an 11.9-inch driver display. Clarity is excellent, with the depth and clarity of a high-end laptop, backed up by the comprehensive features of a powerful system. There’s even an Audi app store for installing third-party apps.

You can also opt for an additional 10.9-inch passenger display (which is standard on Edition 1 models) so your co-pilot can set up navigation and stream content independently of the driver. It’s a bit gimmicky and makes the dashboard look a bit busy.

As standard, the Q5 comes with a pretty decent 10-speaker stereo. If you can, it’s worth upgrading to the Bang & Olufsen 3D premium sound system, which is excellent. It’s part of the Sound and Vision package, which also includes a head-up display – which is also very impressive, with a wide range of features and detailed sat-nav instructions.

Even the USB technology is impressive. The front socket can deliver up to 60W, while the rear socket can deliver 100W, which Audi says is enough to power large devices such as laptops. Oh, and I love how the ambient light strip on the dash adds a safety feature – part of it flashes green when you direct it, and part of it flashes red if you’re opening a door in the path of a car or cyclist approaching from behind.

Price and running costs

The Audi Q5 electric hybrid is priced higher, but so are its main competitors. In fact, it’s actually slightly cheaper than the plug-in hybrid BMW X3, and significantly cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz GLC. The S line is my favorite trim; fully loaded Edition 1 costs over £63,500.

Strong retained value will help offset the high price, helping to make the monthly PCP or lease cost more affordable. The Audi Q5 Electric Hybrid also has the potential to deliver excellent fuel economy, especially if you charge it every night and take advantage of its long 62 miles of electric range. That’s the real benefit of such a large battery – it also helps reduce CO2 emissions and provides beneficial in-kind benefits for company car drivers.

Audi Q5 rivals

FAQ

How long does it take to charge?

The Audi Q5 e-hybrid has a charging speed of up to 11kW. If you have a powerful enough wall box, it will go from zero to 100% in about two and a half hours.

How much does it cost – and is it worth it?

The Audi Q5 electric hybrid costs around £6,000 more than the standard 2.0-litre petrol model. This seems reasonable given the potential fuel economy savings, and it will save company car drivers significant amounts of tax in kind.

Does Audi replace batteries for free?

The Audi Q5 electric hybrid’s hybrid battery is covered by an eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty.

Why trust us

Our team of automotive experts has decades of experience driving, reviewing and reporting on the latest electric vehicles, and our conclusions are drawn with a variety of driver scenarios in mind. We thoroughly test drive every vehicle we recommend, so you can be confident that our conclusions are honest, unbiased, and factual.

Judgment

I’m a big fan of the Audi Q5. It doesn’t aim to be the flashiest or most exciting SUV, but rather aims to deliver plenty of overall capability in a cool, cool and collected manner. The Q5 e-hybrid is also probably the most well-rounded of the lot.