2026 Audi Q5

The 2026 Audi Q5 is a compact luxury SUV with a two-row, five-passenger body style that provides cargo space up to 57 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Common competitors include the BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, and Volvo XC60. The 2026 model receives mid-cycle updates that carry over the existing platform and powertrain with revisions to exterior styling, interior arrangement, and digital systems. Standard equipment includes a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive on every trim.

Audi's MMI infotainment operates through an 11.9-inch Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster and a 14.5-inch curved central touchscreen that controls navigation, media, and vehicle functions, with support for wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Audi connect for traffic data and remote access. For 2026, the MMI receives software revisions featuring enhanced graphics, improved voice assistant animations, and a new multifunction steering wheel with a physical scroll wheel combined with haptic touch controls to facilitate menu access. The myAudi app enables remote engine start, climate preconditioning, location services, and maintenance scheduling, while over-the-air updates provide software enhancements and additional capabilities throughout the ownership period.

What You're Really Signing Up For

• Infotainment bugs and erratic dashboard warnings disrupt daily driving.
• Capacitive steering buttons feel unreliable and frustrating to use.
• Intrusive lane alerts and persistent warning lights nag constantly.
• Extensive data collection raises serious privacy concerns.
• Key connected services require ongoing subscriptions.