2024 Audi Q5 Hybrid: Everything we know in May 2023 [Update]

Update: ‘Sales’ section updated.

The Audi Q5, the German automaker’s best-selling model worldwide, is undergoing an overhaul to enter its third generation. As part of the company’s push to electrify its vehicle lines, the 2024 Audi Q5 Hybrid should be a big part of the new family. Here’s everything we know about the next-gen Q5 so far.

Design & Interior

The third generation of the Audi Q5 will bring much greater design changes than the second generation model. The proportions would be quite similar, but the front and rear look more striking in the redesigned SUV.

A shorter octagonal Singleframe, slimmer and more technical-looking headlamps, taller lower air intake, and side air inlets give the 2024 Audi Q5 a new and confident character at the front. At the rear, the all-new Q5 is likely to get a more striking appearance with much sleeker rear combination lamps and a full-width narrow light band running between them, accentuating the SUV’s width just like the redesigned grille.

Video Source: YouTube/CarSpyMedia

In the video above, CarSpyMedia shows the next-generation Q5 coping with the brutal winter near the Arctic Circle. Although the body is mostly camouflaged, some parts remain exposed. Its signature Singleframe grille is clearly visible, as are its vertical air intakes. The prototype has regular turn signals both in the headlamps and taillamps, but the production version will likely have dynamic turn signals.

Audi is testing the next-generation Q5, including the next-generation Q5 Hybrid, with the final exterior, including production-intent headlights and taillights, as seen in recent spy pictures. These pictures show test mules with different exhaust systems, suggesting the company is testing the various configurations it plans to offer at launch.

Inside, Audi designers may further trim the number of physical controls and increase digitalization. Expect a new touchscreen infotainment system with many new/improved connectivity functions.

An interior spy shot (view on motor.es) has revealed the 2024 Audi Q5 sporting the new-generation steering wheel of the Audi Q4 e-tron. It has a flattened top and bottom, and its design and positioning look adapted to those of the instrument cluster. The new spokes give the steering wheel a more contemporary and upscale appearance compared to that of the current model. The standard steering wheel could be a round unit, though. The same spy shot shows a large free-standing touchscreen mounted on the dashboard, which will also be observed in the upcoming Audi Q6 e-tron SUV.

Level 2/Level 2+ autonomous driving

According to Autocar’s May 19, 2022 report, the enhanced version of the MLB platform would enable Audi Q5 to support Level 2 autonomous driving features. Our guess is that the list will possibly include advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like lane keep assist, radar-assisted dynamic cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, traffic sign recognition, satellite navigation-based cornering speed control, etc. However, L2 autonomous driving requires hands to be on the steering with full driver attention and should not be misinterpreted as complete autonomous driving.

2024 Audi Q5 Sportback

Shortly after the 2024 Audi Q5, a fully redesigned, 2024 Audi Q5 Sportback should go on sale. The Sportback model should boast of the same new dynamic and refreshed exterior design, which could make it a stand-out among compact luxury SUV-Coupes on the market.

The Sportback version is designed to appeal to younger customers, with its sleek, coupe-like styling. We imagine that the back glass would slope sharply downwards, giving the car a dynamic look. The 2024 Q5 Sportback should sport exclusive bumpers and wheels as well to set itself apart from the regular 2024 Q5. Expect it to come in only higher-end trims that offer plenty of equipment as standard.

Platform & Specifications

MLB-Evo

The 2024 Audi Q5 should sit on an improved version of the current model’s MLB-evo platform. Among other enhancements, the updated platform should offer support for all-wheel steering (rear-axle steering), suggests an Autocar report. At low speeds, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction and reduce the turning radius, while at high speeds, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels and provide more stability.

Space

Based on high-resolution spy photos of a prototype, Auto Express reported on July 14, 2022, that Audi is planning to extend the wheelbase of the Q5. As a result, rear-seat passengers should have more legroom. Currently, the Q5 measures 184.3/184.6 inches in length and has a wheelbase of 111.0 inches. It offers 38.0 inches of legroom in the rear.

Best-ever Audi engine?

As part of its Vorsprung 2030 strategy, Audi is working on introducing its final combustion-engine generation. In June 2021, CEO Markus Duesmann announced at the Berlin climate conference that “Audi’s last internal combustion engine will be the best we’ve ever built.” The next-gen Q5 will likely get engines from the final generation.

A majority of the gasoline and diesel engines in the next-generation Q5 should be 48-volt mild hybrids. There is a possibility that even the SQ5 could be electrified in the new model, even if it is just a mild hybrid. Road-testing of the SQ5 is underway, with engineers recently seen putting the model through its paces at the Nürburgring circuit.

In recent years, Mercedes-Benz has introduced mild-hybrid technology to improve the performance of its mid-range performance models (AMG 43 and AMG 53). Audi, too, could incorporate mild-hybrid technology in the SQ5 to add short bursts of power and torque that enhance the sporty character of these vehicles. In the normal driving scenario, basic electrification marginally reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

2024 Audi Q5 Plug-in Hybrid

Audi will likely offer a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with a plug-in hybrid system, one that should be available in the U.S., too. The current model provides a range of only 62 km/39 miles on the WLTP cycle, and even lesser, only 23 miles as per EPA’s test method. For the next-gen Q5 PHEV, Audi may target a WLTP range closer to 100 km/62 miles and an EPA-est. range of 35-40 miles. The company may bring this significant improvement in the electric range with a larger battery pack.

The engines employed in the next-gen Audi Q5, including the mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants, will be more efficient and eco-friendly. The company will want to ensure that they are future-proof and ready to meet the Euro 7 emission norms. According to the Autocar report, the 2.0-liter EA888 engine, which we expect to be under the hood of the plug-in hybrid variant, will get an updated fuel injection system and a new particulate filter.

2025 Audi RS Q5 Plug-in Hybrid

RS Q5 variants were not introduced for the first two generations of the Q5, but it appears that the company is cooking up a variant for performance enthusiasts with the third generation. On September 14, 2022, Motor.es reported, based on a new prototype spotted in Southern Europe, that an RS Q5 is under development. The prototype had covers to hide the doors for fueling/charging, which indicated that it was a PHEV. Moreover, the Spanish publication claims that the test mule had an electrical danger warning sign (probably the yellow sticker on the driver’s window), which is a solid backing for that speculation.

Motor.es claims that the first (and possibly the last) RS Q5 PHEV will club a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 gas engine with an electric motor. It says that the high-performance SUV’s WLTP electric range will be just around 20 km. That would mean that the powertrain will direct most of the electric power to improve performance.

Price & Release Date

The new Audi Q5 could arrive at U.S. dealerships in the first half of 2024. The Audi Mexico plant, located in San José Chiapa, specializes in Q5 production and should manufacture the third generation SUV. Expect prices to start at around USD 45,000. The Audi RS Q5 and new Q5 Sportback may follow in the second half of 2024.

Sales

The Q5 was Audi’s highest-selling model worldwide in 2022. Audi sold 319,657 units of the Q5 worldwide, reflecting a 2.7 percent growth in sales compared to 2021 (319,657 units). In the U.S., it was yet again the top-performing Audi with sales of 62,912 units in 2022 (YoY sales up by 4 percent). Audi would hope that the upcoming full model change would continue to keep the vehicle at the top of the sales chart.

In Q1 2023, Audi delivered 17,085 units of the Q5 in America, marking a 65% improvement compared to Q1 2022 (10,368 units). Globally, the four-ringed brand sold 71,615 units of the mid-size SUV between January and March 2023, 9.9% more than in January-March 2022 (65,157 units).

No plans for an Audi Q5 Electric in Europe

In Europe, Audi will not introduce new conversion EVs. In the future, the company will launch EV models that are designed and engineered from the ground up. Several dedicated EVs will be launched in European markets using the PPE platform, which the company has invested significantly in.

An all-electric Audi Q5 e-tron is available in China, but it will likely remain a country-specific product for the foreseeable future. For European customers looking for an all-electric Q5, the Audi Q4 e-tron or Audi Q8 e-tron may have some of the attributes they desire. In 2024, the company will launch the Audi Q6 e-tron as well.

TopElectricSUV says

The new Q5, the third generation of Audi’s best-selling model in the U.S. and globally, is almost certainly the final Q5 with an IC engine under the hood. There are indicators that it will come with new engines — the best ones Audi has ever built, more extensive electrification, new hands-free driving tech, enhanced safety, and substantial design changes. We expect the redesigned SUV to offer more value for money. With compliance norms getting tougher, hybrids and plug-in hybrid electrification technologies aren’t disappearing anytime soon, and the next-gen Q5 will be a testament to that.

2024 Audi Q5 FAQs

Featured image: TopElectricSUV’s rendition of the 2024 Audi Q5.