2025 Q5 PHEV returns, remains Audi's lone plug-in hybrid

The 2025 Audi Q5 S line TFSI e carries over largely unchanged from the previous model year, with notable updates including the addition of an advanced active lane management system and a heated steering wheel introduced in the last refresh. The Audi PHEV Q5’s prices are segmented across three trim levels, ranging from $59,795 to $67,995, including a destination charge of $1,295. The plug-in hybrid powertrain combines a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a 17.9-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack to deliver a total output of 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.

 

The company also purchases one of the scarce few plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) available.

 

The German automaker Audi claims its plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) crossover SUV can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.0 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to 130 mph.

Our 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV review highlighted Audi’s plan to offer up to three plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in the US market. What’s this lineup—and that, even again, the Q5 wants to go higher? Almost four years later, the industry landscape has shifted: whereas electric vehicles with unique designs dominate the market, lower-cost plug-in hybrids are now targeting an even more impressive feat – approximately 70 miles of all-electric range – thanks to a new era of batteries that could benefit plug-in hybrids just as much as electric vehicles.

 

With EPA guidelines for emissions having been relaxed to facilitate a slower ramp-up in battery-electric vehicle production and sales, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are poised to fill voids in certain manufacturers’ product portfolios. Hyundai’s Genesis brand has planned a range of battery-electric vehicles for launch in the coming years, following the introduction of the GV60 hatchback and electric variants of the G80 sedan and GV70 SUV. According to recent reports, Genesis, a luxury brand, is seeking to expand its presence in the US market by introducing hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, building on the success of their parent vehicles. A final determination has not been made.

 

The PHEV household’s enhancements are poised to fuel growth, having already exceeded 250,000 units sold in 2023, a staggering 20% share of plug-in auto sales, according to the Department of Energy? 

As some manufacturers look ahead, they may miss the opportunity to capitalise on the popularity of plug-in hybrids in the near future. Automotive companies that have committed heavily to electrification may struggle to reverse course, while those that are holding back may need temporary solutions until they can reboot their product lines. The Audi Q5 PHEV’s position in its class serves as a testament to the brand’s ability to adapt and innovate, yet it also raises questions about the viability of plug-in hybrids.