A decade has passed since BMW surpassed Audi in the race for laser headlights. Despite losing that contest, Audi's Ingolstadt brand has remained committed to lighting innovation. Today, advanced matrix LEDs with adaptive high beams are standard on vehicles adorned with the Four Rings emblem. Changes have also been made to the rear lighting. Configurable OLED taillights are now quite prevalent. On the newly unveiled Q5, an intriguing feature has been added. Indeed, it's an additional brake light. In addition to the conventional third brake light mounted on the roof spoiler, the Q5 features another one on the tailgate's glass. A projector light is integrated into the underside of the rear spoiler. The interrupted bar is wider than the standard brake light above it, enhancing visibility for following vehicles and prompting them to maintain distance when they see the Q5 braking.
These press images depict the European version of the Audi SQ5, but its American counterpart will feature a different setup. Instead of the multiple red panels, the US-spec luxury crossover will project the word 'Quattro' onto the rear glass. This is not permissible in Europe, as regulators view it as an illegal form of advertising. As observed in other recent high-end Audi models, the 2025 Q5 offers configurable light patterns both front and rear. The matrix LED headlights come with up to eight digital light signatures, depending on the equipment level. The rear features an evolution of digital OLED taillight technology, which can also be personalized. Additionally, the rear lights can alert following drivers to accidents and breakdowns by displaying warning symbols.
We have mixed opinions about these lighting innovations. Some seem gimmicky, while others could prove useful in specific situations. At least Audi isn't placing rear turn signals dangerously low, unlike Hyundai and Kia. The Koreans adhere to regulations requiring fixed brake lights for cars sold in the US. If this is the case, a separate set of lights must be mounted on non-moving bodywork. This was true for the old Q5, which had its main taillights integrated into the clamshell tailgate. The extra set of lights was located in the rear bumper. A Kia spokesperson explained to The Drive that the decision to place the lights in the bumper was a styling choice, aiming to emphasize the slim design of the rear combination lamp and create a sense of unity with the front bumper's fog lamp design.
Apart from the lighting, the new Audi Q5 is a stylish crossover, though some might argue it closely resembles the fully electric Q6 E-Tron. It now features genuine exhaust tips, and unlike the Q6, it doesn't have the controversial split lights.
