2026 Audi Q5 and SQ5: A Comprehensive Look at the Redesign
If there was any model that’s critically important for Audi to get right—or, at least, not screw up—it’s the Q5 and SQ5 SUVs. The compact luxury ute (and its sportier SQ5 offshoot) makes up the backbone of the automaker’s SUV lineup and is one of its most popular models overall, selling over 74,000 units last year. Based on our first impressions of the newly introduced third-generation 2026-model-year Q5 and SQ5, Audi has seemed to hit the mark with the SUV’s first total redesign since the 2018 model year.
The New Q5’s Visual Changes
Underneath fresh sheet metal, the 2026 Audi Q5 gets the automaker’s Premium Platform Combustion architecture, which it shares with the new A5 liftback. The new styling invokes the raked silhouette of the bigger Q7, albeit in a compact-sized package. Notable styling cues include a specific visual ratio between the greenhouse to the rest of the body, giving the Q5 a clear SUV shoulder with a clean beltline that runs from the front to the rear. Up front, the hood extends to nearly touch the grille, a premium touch. The headlights, shoulders, and rear were lifted just over an inch and a half in another bid to enhance the design’s SUV-like character. All models receive a new Audi badge, In S-Line or SQ5 guise, the grille receives a 3D honeycomb treatment with the surrounding frame.
Audi, known for its lighting innovations and intent on maintaining that reputation, equips the Q5 range with a new headlight design with the upper part serving as a signature running lamp and the lower portion housing the high and low beams. The daytime running lamp (DRL) is configurable to eight patterns, a trait shared with the other models that have been introduced as part of Audi’s latest onslaught of new products. What won’t be coming to the United States is adaptive matrix LED headlights, Audi’s taillight warning and communications technology, or animated digital lighting signatures.
Audi has taken lengths to ensure form follows function on the exterior of the Q5. One of the notable examples is functional side air inlets on either side of the lower bumper. Fake exhaust tips are also a thing of the past, with Audi opting to equip its SUV with functional, all-metal outlets for both Q5 and SQ5 models. The Q5 receives dual rectangular tips while the SQ5 receives the automaker’s well-known quad-tip design.
Along the side of the SUV, the bodywork sculpting has been reduced to a more subdued and smooth look with large surfaces. Still, the Q5 and SQ5 make use of Audi’s signature “Quattro bulge,” the name the automaker has given to the muscular sculpting for each fender. Underneath, the Audi Q5 rolls on 18- to 20-inch wheels while the SQ5 receives 20- or 21-inch wheels.
The Q5 and SQ5 will be easily identifiable at night with a new taillight treatment. Sculpted housings are connected through a lightbar that stretches across the SUV’s rear. Following the headlights, the rear lamps match with one of the eight lighting signatures available. There’s a brake light positioned under the spoiler, which reflects a Quattro logo off the rear glass as a cheeky design accent.
What Engines Does the 2026 Audi Q5 Offer?
The version of Audi’s compact SUV coming to the United States comes equipped with a pair of engine choices. The base Q5 receives a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine developing 268 hp, a bump of 7 hp over the previous generation model’s upgraded 45 TFSI powertrain. All-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission are standard. The existing model hits 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, so expect the new model to match or just barely beat that.
Upgrading to the SQ5 equips a 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 engine developing 368 hp, a heady gain over the outgoing SQ5’s 349 hp. Like the regular Q5, all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic are standard. We bet the new SQ5 will beat the old version’s 0-60 mph sprint of 4.7 seconds by a few tenths. Internationally, there are mild hybrid versions of Q5 and SQ5 available, but Audi won’t be bringing that technology to the United States. A plug-in hybrid could be offered down the road.
As for suspension, the Q5 makes use of passive frequency selective adaptive dampers while the SQ5 receives a standard sport suspension, which is also available as an upgrade for the regular Q5. An optional air suspension setup is offered with active adaptive dampers with configurability via the Audi Drive Select modes. Audi says the suspension’s sport and comfort modes are tuned with a greater difference between the two settings. All Q5 models receive an enhanced version of Audi’s progressive steering.
Inside the 2026 Audi Q5’s Cabin
Audi emphasizes its “soft wrap” design philosophy with the interior of the Q5. There’s a layer of luxurious materials that extends from one door, across the dash, and to the other door to provide the cabin with a sense of coziness. Then, there’s the “digital stage,” which supports an 11.9-inch version of Audi’s Digital Cockpit and a 14.5-inch touchscreen. A third 10.9-inch passenger display provides entertainment and can assist your friends and family in their shotgun-riding duties. From this display, a passenger can input new navigation for the driver to confirm or change the music. If they elect to watch videos or play games, the Dynamic Privacy mode digitally blacks out the screen from the driver’s vision. Instead, the driver can use the optional head-up display, which is configurable and provides information such as speed, navigation, media, and more. Audi’s infotainment utilities Android Automotive OS, enabling apps such as YouTube to be downloaded and installed. This tech supports voice commands with AI support, allowing for more conversational inputs.
There’s also a wireless phone tray, and a total of four USB-C ports in the cabin. The pair of rear ports can supply 100 watts of power, enough to power a laptop or a handheld gaming device. The armrest storage compartment is larger than the outgoing model, with cubbies for sunglasses, keys, and other small items. Audi equips the 2026 Q5 with an available Bang & Olufsen audio system with 16 speakers and noise-canceling technology. Interior light design is another focal point for the Q5. Audi’s Dynamic Interaction Light spans the width of the cabin and shows welcome, locking, and unlocking animations. It also flashes with the turn signals or hazard lights.
How Safe is the 2026 Audi Q5?
Audi offers the third-generation Q5 with all of the expected active safety features. Standard equipment hasn’t been finalized, but the automaker has indicated that global models will receive standard rear parking sensors, cruise control, lane departure warning, and driver attention monitoring as standard. Some of the features that will be optional in other markets could be available in the United States. This includes Adaptive Driving Plus, which informs the Q5’s semi-autonomous swarm data and traffic to assist with acceleration, speed maintenance, following distance, and lane keeping. Audi also offers Active Front Assist, which bundles front emergency braking, evasion assist, turn assist, and front cross traffic assist.
How Much Does a 2026 Audi Q5 or SQ5 Cost?
If what Audi offers with the third-generation Q5 or SQ5 sounds appealing, you’ll have to wait for the luxury compact SUV to arrive for our market mid-2025. Expect pricing to start just above the current-generation Q5 Premium 45 TFSI, which should place it right around the $50,000 mark. At present, Audi won’t bring a lower-power model equivalent to the 40 TFSI variant, which starts about $3,000 less. Stepping up to the SQ5 should bring the price up to approximately $60,000. Audi appears to have considered every detail when redesigning the Q5 and SQ5, which only makes us more excited to get behind the wheel next year.
