2025 Audi Q5

The initial concept for the Q5 originated in 2007 at the Los Angeles Motor Show, bizarrely as a two-door convertible SUV. Nissan would later regret a similar concept, the Murano Cross Cabriolet, manufactured between 2011-2014, which sold a meagre 6,000 units in the US.

Not to be outdone, Range Rover dipped their toe into similar topless waters with the Evoque Convertible, claiming ‘it as has space for four adults, a proper boot and even an innovative ski hatch for road trips to Courchevel or Aspen.’ However, their run of automotive gaudiness lasted only two years, from 2017-2018.

Unsurprisingly, it’s been rather quiet in the luxury convertible SUV segment ever since. 

Interior build quality is excellent. The ambient lighting has smart functionality, doubling as blind spot indicators, and breaking up the digital excess of the dashboard is a door-to-door soft wrap made from Dinamica material, an environmentally friendly micro fibre that looks and feels like suede.

The Quattro system delivers a balanced ride, on and off the road. Our drive included some ‘soft roading’ in the hills of Boomrock, Clevedon. While road tyres limited any serious four-wheel driving, the Q5 delivered admirably on slippery surfaces – at one point even with a rear wheel suspended in the air. The torque distribution kicked in to deliver power to the other three wheels.

On the highway, the standard Q5 2.0 litre delivered a smooth power band. Though it’s by no means an entry-level driving experience. Paired with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission the Q5 is capable of 0-100km in 7.2 seconds at 7.1L/100km. The SQ5 beefs up the experience in all departments. (Apart from your bank balance.)

Suspension damping, throttle response and steering dynamics are adjusted via selectable drive modes, but I’d wager that that Comfort Mode will be the set and forget for most city drivers.