New Audi Q5 Hybrid (2024 launch): Everything we know [Update]

Update: ‘Price & Release Date’ and ‘Sales’ sections 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 variant should be a big part of the new family. Here’s everything we know about the next-gen Q5, which is expected to hit the U.S. as a 2025 model.

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.

New Audi Q5 Sportback

Shortly after the new Audi Q5, a fully redesigned 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 new Q5 Sportback should sport exclusive bumpers and wheels as well to set itself apart from the regular 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.

2024 Audi SQ5

Speculation in the German media is that the new SQ5 will downsize and lose its V6 when it moves to the next generation. At least in Europe, where it’s diesel-powered, it’s expected to switch from the 3.0-liter V6 TDI to a four-cylinder TDI. However, with a bigger electric motor, the peak power is expected to be higher at 272 kW (365 hp). A 0-62 mph sprint should take around 4.7 seconds, which would be a considerable upgrade over the 251 kW (336hp) SQ5 V6 TDI’s 5.1 seconds.

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 an EV-mode range of 62 km/39 miles on the WLTP cycle, and 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. Audi engineers could 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, as a 2025 model. 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.

The second-gen Q5 that’s currently on sale received its final MY update to become a 2024 model in June 2023. Audi of America has introduced new standard features like Active lane assist, heated steering wheel with Hands-on Detection, and—with the exception of the plug-in hybrid variant—remote engine start via myAudi app to make the outgoing Q5 more appealing.

As for RHD markets, Audi could take its time to introduce the new Q5. Audi Australia’s Director, has told CarSales.com.au that the next-gen Q5 will arrive in the next “12 to 24 months” down under.

Prototypes spotted in the U.S.

Youtube channel TFLNow recently spotted three camouflaged combustion-powered Audi prototypes testing in the Colorado mountains. Alongside the two Avants (presumed as A6s), the next-gen Audi SQ5 was part of the pack, clocking miles in the dry air and altitude of the high country, sporting Michigan registration plates. The next-gen SQ5 is characterized by four exhaust outlets, as opposed to a single-side exhaust on the regular models.

Sales

The Q5 was Audi’s highest-selling model worldwide in 2022. Audi sold 319,657 units of the Q5 globally, 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 SUV at the top of the sales chart.

In the first nine months of 2023, the Q5 showed a 27% improvement in sales in the U.S. compared to the same period in 2022. Audi sold 54,706 units of the mid-size SUV between January and September 2023.

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 since mid-2022, 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, which is an important launch for the four-ringed brand in the region.

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 internal combustion 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.

New Audi Q5 FAQs

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