When Mark first took the 2025 Audi Q5 out for a spin on the highways of California’s Bay Area, the first thing that caught his attention wasn’t the sleek, redesigned exterior, but the vibe inside the cabin. The new Q5’s interior feels livelier and more detailed compared to its predecessor. After all, this is a luxury SUV, and comfort and practicality remain top priorities.
What stands out most in this new Q5 are its three digital screens. Mark, used to highly customizable digital dashboards, found himself a bit disappointed by the driver’s display this time around. The 11.9-inch screen is split into three zones: the left shows fuel economy or trip info, the right displays media or navigation prompts, and the circular center shows speed and driver-assist status. It all felt a bit too basic, especially compared to some competitors he’s driven, where dashboards show AWD torque split, tire pressure, fluid temps—you name it—with plenty of layout options.
The real kicker? The 2025 Q5’s driver display dropped the beloved full-screen navigation map that the outgoing model had. Mark, who relies heavily on large, clear nav screens, found this a step back. During a drive through the winding mountain roads near San Francisco, he sorely missed the immersive full-map view that used to keep him confidently on track.
Thankfully, the 14.5-inch central infotainment touchscreen is a bright spot. Mark quickly warmed up to its crispness and intuitive interface. The left-side panel lets him drag and rearrange apps however he wants, while the climate control bar below is customizable too. Adjusting the temperature or switching songs usually takes just a couple of taps. And the “Hey Audi” voice assistant, which understands over 800 commands, made things even easier—like when Mark whispered “turn down the AC” mid-drive and the car responded instantly, sparing him the distraction.
Audi did keep some physical controls, thankfully. There’s a genuine volume knob and manually adjustable air vents, which Mark appreciates. As much as touchscreen dominance is the trend, he still finds knobs comforting—sometimes more intuitive than hunting through menus when you’re on the move.
Then there’s the passenger touchscreen, a 10.9-inch display sitting in front of the front seat co-pilot. Mark’s girlfriend, Lisa, gave it a try, fiddling with navigation and media controls. But she quickly gave up, realizing she could just reach over and use the main screen herself. For her, the passenger screen felt redundant—especially since she prefers using her own smartphone for streaming videos or games. “It’s like a screen meant for kids,” she joked. “Adults already have tablets and phones that do this better.”
Only the high-end Prestige trim gets that passenger screen. On the lower Premium and Premium Plus trims, that spot is just a glossy black plastic panel that looks like a screen but is permanently off. Mark thought, “If Audi had put some nice wood or metal trim there instead, it would’ve added more luxury to the interior’s vibe.”
Material-wise, the Q5 keeps its solid, premium feel. Mark especially likes the stitched leather on the dashboard and doors—it feels genuine and high quality. Satin silver accents on the doors and center console add a nice touch. There is some hard plastic, mainly on the door handles, but it’s sturdy and placed where you don’t notice it much.
Night drives showed off the Q5’s ambient lighting to great effect. Mark remembers a late-night trip home after a friend’s party—the warm, colorful lighting made the cabin feel cozy and inviting, far from cold tech gadgetry. Plus, clever touches like light strips at the base of the A-pillars doubling as blind spot indicators and turn signal repeaters were both smart and stylish.
The rear seats didn’t disappoint either. While space isn’t exactly generous compared to other luxury compact SUVs, it’s perfectly adequate. Mark’s friend Jack, a 5’9” engineer from Germany, found it comfortable enough—though the large center floor hump makes the middle seat less ideal. Rear passengers get their own climate zone and USB ports, which are nice modern conveniences.
Audi also made practical improvements in storage. Mark was happy to find that the door pockets easily held his 500ml water bottle. The glove box and center armrest bin grew noticeably larger, and cargo space increased a bit despite nearly unchanged exterior dimensions.
The center console layout feels thoughtful too—two cup holders sit beside a simple drive selector toggle, with a wireless charging pad just ahead. The pad tilts toward the passenger, which Mark found awkward for quick glances at his phone while driving. But maybe that’s safer—fewer distractions on the road.
In all, Mark and Lisa agree the 2025 Audi Q5 cabin strikes a nice balance between style and function. The impressive infotainment screen makes up for some shortcomings in the driver display. The passenger screen feels a bit unnecessary and maybe even wasteful, but it’s not a dealbreaker. For daily driving in a luxury SUV, the Q5’s materials, craftsmanship, and user-friendly touches demonstrate Audi’s signature attention to detail.
It does make you wonder though: in this age of touchscreens and digital everything, have we lost something by ditching traditional buttons and knobs? Mark thinks technology should enhance, not complicate. The tactile feedback from a physical knob or button still offers comfort and confidence that touchscreens sometimes lack—like the satisfying twist of an old-school stereo dial.
Perhaps Audi’s next challenge is finding a better balance between cutting-edge tech and human-centered design. After all, luxury isn’t just about having the latest gadgets—it’s about feeling truly comfortable and connected behind the wheel.