The Audi Q5 TFSI 204 Quattro 2025: impressive technology at the expense of driving pleasure

When we talk about Audi, we often think of cars that combine elegance, performance, and technological innovation. But with the Q5 TFSI 204 Quattro 2025, it feels a bit like replacing a wonderful theatrical performance with a music school recital by candlelight – it’s very beautiful, but where is the thrill?

The numbers that speak for themselves

This Q5 proudly sports a hybrid petrol engine of 204 hp, perfectly maximized with a torque of 340 Nm. It all sounds promising on paper, doesn’t it? But reality clashes with the demands of true driving enthusiasts. The claimed consumption of 6.8 l/100 km and 156 g of CO2 per kilometer might impress a certain audience satisfied with lab figures. However, on the road, this mild hybrid struggles to offer the liveliness of a Porsche or even a BMW – let’s just say it.

A competitor in search of its soul

Attention aficionados of SUVs, the Audi Q5 may not be the number one choice today. Despite a global panorama with nearly 3 million units sold since its first iteration, this model risks facing increasingly formidable competition, especially from the latest Mercedes-Benz GLC which is on the rise. In fact, the Q5 is now the banker who arrives at the party a little too late – elegant, but no one wants to dance with it.

A design that is going nowhere

In terms of style, the Audi Q5 2025 does not dare to risk beyond its familiar borders. The front end with thinner headlights and an enlarged grille simply affirms that technology has taken precedence over boldness. An increase of 4 cm in length (4.72 m) does little to elevate a silhouette that evokes more reheated than anything else. Even the light strip at the rear, which would be a real showstopper on any model, struggles to eclipse the large beans of the competition.

Pioneer or copier?

The 520 liters of trunk space are barely down compared to its predecessor, but at whose expense? The BMW X3, for example, offers more suitable spaces. The interior layout is quite good. Regarding technology kits, Audi presents a dashboard that could make a geek proud – yes, there are screens everywhere. But at what cost? Gone are the buttons, hello voice control, which, let’s be honest, can sometimes miss the point... Uh, its remarks.

Behind the wheel: comfort, but where is the pleasure?

Once settled behind the wheel, one is welcomed by a 2.0 TFSI. Smoothness is the key word. Too smooth, perhaps. The steering does not deliver the sensations one awaits, as if the Q5 is content to stay in its traffic lane without striving for emotions. In playing with the DSG7 gearbox, it is enough to see that a little push on the accelerator won’t reveal a wallet of wild horses.

The attempt to excuse a drift...

With a weight of nearly 2 tons on the scale, the Q5 is hardly the refined ballerina one might hope for in this category. This respectable performance of 7.2 seconds for 0 to 100 is misleading, as it hides a rather lazy essence, lost in the smoothness of driving. In "Dynamic" mode, it awakens sluggishly, but it’s like trying to enthuse a bulldozer about going to a rock concert.

A price that matches its ambitions

Starting at €57,550, the Q5 is an investment that could be justified for those seeking comfort rather than an authentic driving experience. But for nearly €68,000 with options, isn’t it a bit too much for an SUV that offers more screens than relief in the corners? Not so sure, when many rivals like Lexus, Volvo, and Tesla promise not to choose between technology and pleasure.

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