{"id":3860,"date":"2026-01-06T04:02:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T12:02:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/max2voyages.com\/?p=3860"},"modified":"2026-01-06T04:02:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T12:02:13","slug":"2025-audi-q5-interior-review-too-much-touchscreen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/max2voyages.com\/?p=3860","title":{"rendered":"2025 Audi Q5 Interior Review: Too Much Touchscreen?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Like its redesigned exterior, the new 2025 Audi Q5\u2019s<\/u> interior evolves from the chiseled yet austere appearance of the outgoing model. There\u2019s a bit more flourish inside, enlivening the space. Still, practicality and ease of use remain areas of focus\u2014this is a luxury SUV, after all.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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But the most prominent change in the new Q5\u2019s cabin is its digital displays, so let\u2019s use them\u2014all three\u2014as a starting point for our 2025 Audi Q5 interior review.<\/p>\n

Driver Display: Needs More <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Digital driver displays are ordinary in new cars and beneficial for how they can provide near-endless customization. But Audi\u2019s implementation stands out for its relatively few abilities. Actually, this 11.9-inch display seems to show less than the previous Q5\u2019s could.<\/p>\n

In the 2025 Q5, the driver display is split into three zones. The left panel shows fuel efficiency or a trip odometer, the right panel shows what media is playing or navigation prompts, and the circular center panel shows the vehicle\u2019s speed and driver assist feature status. A minimalistic view option expands the center and hides what\u2019s on the sides.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s pretty much all the new Q5\u2019s driver display offers. Some competitor equivalents are far more reconfigurable, able to show the AWD torque split, tire pressure monitoring, fluid temperatures, and more. In some cars, that information can then be arranged to suit individual preferences, in different layouts, design themes, and colors, unlike in the Q5.<\/p>\n

Especially odd is that the new Q5\u2019s driver display can\u2019t show a full-screen navigation map, a celebrated feature in the outgoing model.<\/p>\n

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Infotainment: Good <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Fortunately, the big, sharp 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen can do much more. It\u2019s reconfigurable, in both the left-side panel of compact tiles, which can be rearranged by dragging apps from the main display, and in the climate control bar at the bottom, where preferred functions can be placed.<\/p>\n

This user interface is easy to navigate. A large grid of apps related to different settings and features puts it all on display. Responsiveness is near instant, and the screen is positioned so there’s no awkward reach. Making changes rarely takes more than two taps, and for those that remain elusive, the \u201cHey Audi\u201d voice assistant can recognize more than 800 commands.<\/p>\n

Many automakers have rejected physical buttons and knobs in favor of touchscreen equivalents, and we can\u2019t think of an instance where that approach is an improvement. However, Audi\u2019s implementation is fairly innocuous. Fortunately, the climate vents remain manually adjustable.<\/p>\n

Additionally, a genuine volume knob remains, a welcome redundant control to the capacitive volume buttons on the steering wheel.<\/p>\n

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Passenger Display: Why? <\/strong><\/h2>\n

As if there weren\u2019t enough screens in new cars already, some automakers now offer a touchscreen ahead of the front passenger. In the Q5, that display measures 10.9 inches and mirrors many of the primary touchscreen functions, allowing the passenger to serve as a co-pilot who can adjust the navigation route, media, or climate settings.<\/p>\n

We just don\u2019t really see the point. With an iota more effort, the passenger could reach over and do all those things from the primary touchscreen. Sure, the passenger display also has video streaming and gaming apps, which are blocked from the driver\u2019s view by a special coating. But we\u2019ll bet any Q5 passenger will already also have their own smartphone or tablet that can do those things and isn’t locked into the vehicle\u2019s dashboard.<\/p>\n

The passenger display is included in the high-end Q5 Prestige trim. In the lower Premium and Premium Plus trims, the area where that would go is occupied by a panel of glossy black plastic that basically looks like the display, only permanently powered off. Had Audi instead put in an attractive piece of decorative wood or metal trim, it\u2019d better advance the luxurious impression this interior is trying to make.<\/p>\n

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Materials: Quite Nice<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Something that hasn\u2019t changed from the outgoing Q5 is the high-quality feel that pervades throughout the new version\u2019s cabin. Everything feels solid and well assembled, with all touchpoints enjoying engineered tactility.<\/p>\n

Stitched leather on the dashboard and doors adds to the upscale vibe, as does the satin silver trim on the doors and center console. More decor aside from the single wood strip spanning the dashboard would nicely elevate the ambiance.<\/p>\n

Speaking of ambiance, the multicolor interior ambient lighting helps the space still feel special in night driving. Furthermore, the light strips at the base of the A-pillars can work as blind-spot monitoring indicators and turn signal repeaters, a touch of smart and stylish functionality.<\/p>\n

There is some hard black plastic, most tangibly on the door pulls, but it all feels robust and is placed in a way so that premium materials are seen and felt most often.<\/p>\n

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Back Seats: Little Compromise <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Moving to the back seats, there’s no significant reduction in material quality or finishing; Audi didn\u2019t cheap out in making rear passengers feel special like those up front. The rear seats tilt and slide, though spaciousness seems comparable to other luxury compact SUVs, which is fine but not abundant. At least the back seat gets its own climate control zone and USB ports.<\/p>\n

One concern is the gigantic hump bisecting the floor between the seats, which would limit space for passengers to stretch their legs, particularly for anyone sitting in the middle.<\/p>\n

Practicality: Solid<\/p>\n

Audi claims gains in storage space inside the glove compartment, armrest bin, and door pockets; a tall cylindrical water bottle fit perfectly in the doors during our drive of the new 2025 Q5 and SQ5<\/u>. Overall cargo capacity slightly increases, too, despite the nearly unchanged exterior dimensions.<\/p>\n

In the center console, two cupholders are positioned alongside the small and simple drive selector toggle. Ahead of those is a wireless charging pad, which angles a device away from the driver. That makes it tricky to take a glance while driving, but maybe that\u2019s safer.<\/p>\n

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<\/h2>\n

New Audi Q5 Interior: Verdict<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Audi succeeded in making the 2025 Q5\u2019s interior a stylish and functional place. Meanwhile, the impressive infotainment touchscreen mostly makes up for the shortcomings of the driver\u2019s display. We\u2019d like to see a different approach to the misguided passenger display, especially to the cheap-looking panel in vehicles without that feature.<\/p>\n

Otherwise, though, there\u2019s not much we\u2019d change about the new Q5\u2019s insides. It\u2019s equipped and trimmed in a way that will catch appeal while working how a well-thought-out daily driver should.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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