The refreshed 2026 Audi Q5 sits smack in the middle of Audi’s SUV lineup. It’s not the biggest, it’s definitely not the cheapest, but arguably it is the most important. Because for many consumers, this could be the Audi, the one that needs to nail performance, space, and value all at once.
Performance
Engine – The previous generation Q5 had an anemic engine. It felt underpowered, especially compared to the rivals from BMW & Mercedes-Benz. But now, the Q5 gains some much needed power. It’s a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder which pumps out 268 hp & 295 lb-ft of torque (200 kW & 400 Nm). Power delivery is smooth without any fuss. It’s also a bit more responsive now thanks to the addition of a mild-hybrid system.
Later in 2026 or 2027, Audi will introduce a plug-in hybrid variant with around 38 km of electric driving range. But if you have a need for speed, there’s the SQ5 available right now. Its turbocharged V6 engine pumps out 362 hp & 406 lb-ft of torque (270 kW & 550 Nm).
Fuel Economy – With the addition of the mild-hybrid system, you’d expect the fuel economy to be greatly improved. Well, you’re half right. To my surprise, the city fuel economy remains relatively unchanged from the 45 TFSI model of the previous generation at 11 L/100km (21.3 MPG). It’s the highway fuel economy that has improved to 8.1 L/100km (29 MPG). Unfortunately, I did not get to drive this car for longer than a day so I don’t have any observed fuel economy figures.
Transmission – Paired with this engine is a slick-shifting 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. It seamlessly goes through the gears like a well oiled machine. But for a dual-clutch, it’s a little slow to react to a stab of the throttle in the normal drive mode. In Dynamic, it wakes up a bit but it’s far from being a Porsche PDK.
Braking – The Q5’s brakes are strong if a bit overly assisted. In emergency situations or under heavy braking applications, it takes little effort from your right foot to bring the SUV to a controlled stop. But in everyday driving, the brake pedal can feel too sensitive for some that have a heavy foot. It could induce a bit of head bobbing when arriving at a complete stop.
Handling – Whether you opt for the base trim or the Technik trim, the 2026 Q5 comes standard with Quattro AWD. With the addition of the adaptive dampers, the Q5 feels planted around turns. It also received recalibrated steering for a more precise feel and response. On the Technik trim, the Q5 can be optioned with air suspension for a more comfortable ride.
Comfort
Ride Comfort – This particular demo vehicle that I had the opportunity to test drive did not have the optional air suspension. Despite that, the ride quality is very good. The adaptive dampers effectively absorb road bumps without translating the shunt into the cabin. Additionally, I found the seats to be supportive with just the right amount of adjustments.
Interior Space – The Q5 doesn’t see any major changes in its interior volume compared to the previous generation. Front occupants are treated to the most amount of space with plenty of legroom and headroom for taller individuals. Visibility around the car is equally good. In the back seats, legroom for my above average height of 6’4” is good but not excellent with my knees slightly touching the back of the front seats behind my tall driving position. But shorter individuals should be just fine. Additionally, the Q5 has sliding and reclining rear seats, something the X3 and GLC don’t have.
In the trunk, the Q5 can accommodate up to 757 L (26.7 cu-ft) of cargo behind the rear seats and up to 1,710 L (60.3 cu-ft) with the rear seats folded. Just like other luxury SUVs, you won’t find a spare wheel under the trunk floor, just a tire repair kit.
Noise, Vibration, & Harshness – The cabin of the Audi Q5 is a quiet place to be in. On highways, there’s no wind noise, very little engine noise, and a small hint of road noise from the tires. Additionally, the auto start/stop system is much smoother than the previous gasoline-only version.
Odds and Ends
Pricing – How much will the Audi Q5 cost you? It starts at $58,700 CAD ($52,800 USD) which is less than the X3 and GLC. Whereas the performance oriented SQ5 starts at $78,700 CAD ($65,400 USD).
Gadgets – The 2026 Q5 can be equipped like any other German luxury SUV. It has a 3-zone climate control system, Bang & Olufsen audio system, panoramic sunroof, heated & optional ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, wireless phone charging pad, a plethora of power functions such as memory seats, and a slick but subtle ambient lighting system to name a few. There’s also a clever new head-up display which uses augmented reality to display turn-by-turn navigation directions and key driving parameters such as the distance to the vehicle ahead.
As for technology, front and center is the 14.9-inch infotainment screen which displays the new Android Automotive system. It’s slick, snappy and supports wireless Apple CarPlay & wireless Android Auto. This system also integrates Audi’s latest version of Audi Assistant which now uses AI to learn and assist the driver.
Interior Design – Inside, the Q5 looks almost identical to the all-electric Q6. It has a wraparound virtual cockpit which consists of the driver display and the infotainment touchscreen that is slightly cantered towards the driver. You can also get an optional touchscreen for the passenger if they don’t want to watch the real world in front of them.
Visually, this interior looks good but it is irritating to use while on the move. Firstly, there are almost no physical controls. Everything is capacitive touch or integrated into the touchscreen. Secondly, this panel on the driver’s side door is way too cluttered. The power locks, power mirrors, headlights, child locks… they’re all on this panel.
Exterior Design – On the outside, the car looks a bit more grown up. It has a larger grille with more intricate designs, the headlights and taillights are sleeker, and when applying the brake pedal, a “Quattro” logo appears on the rear window. There’s also new wheel designs that range from 19 to 20 inches but even with the 20-inch wheels, they look a bit small on the Q5. But most importantly, the Q5 has real exhaust pipes again!
Getting back to the headlights, they allow for a few different designs to be displayed when locking or unlocking the car. One for each day of the day plus an extra for February 29th I guess.
Safety – The 2026 Audi Q5 is equipped with every safety & driver aid feature as standard. Everything from adaptive cruise control, to automatic emergency braking, to lane departure warning with emergency assist, it’s all there even if you opt for the standard version of the Q5.
Warranty – The 2026 Audi Q5 is covered by a 4 year / 80,000 km new vehicle warranty but like many other luxury brands, there is no separate powertrain warranty that extends to 5 or more years. However, extended warranty is available at an additional cost. For more information on Canadian warranty, click here. For information on American warranty, click here.
Conclusion – In the end, the Audi Q5 is not the wildest luxury SUV you can buy, but it’s probably one of the most complete SUVs. It delivers all-season confidence, everyday comfort, and quiet efficiency in a package that still makes you feel a little smug every time you close that solid‑feeling door. I just wish it had a few more physical controls on the inside and a bit better fuel economy but overall, this feels like the grown up choice.
Thank you to OpenRoad Audi for providing the Q5. https://www.openroadaudi.com/en/
2026 Audi Q5 Gallery
