The second generation Q5 (Typ 80A) debuted in 2018 and shares the Audi MLB Evo platform with the corresponding B9 versions of the A4 and A5.

A concept vehicle for the then upcoming Q5, this was a 2-door convertible with a 3.0 TDI engine rated at 240 PS (177 kW; 237 hp) and 500 N⋅m (369 lbf⋅ft) torque, quattro permanent four wheel drive, 8-speed automatic transmission, Copper Sunset body, LED headlights, 21-inch wheels with 265/35R21 tyres, seats with White Stone leather upholstery, MMI, 505W Bang & Olufsen sound system and internet radio, CDC (continuous damping control) shock absorbers, electric ride height adjustment (40 mm), 380/356 mm front/rear ceramic brake discs with 6-piston monobloc aluminium front, and floating rear callipers, Audi Drive Select.

Other features include ceramic brakes, active sound exhaust system, 90 millimetre wider track, 60 millimetre lower ride height, 21-inch Daytona Gray colour wheels of 7 twin-spoke design, modified air intake, cooling water strut brace in engine compartment, stainless steel-plated pedals, S line sport seats, panorama roof system, "Wörthersee 09" adhesive film, textile floor mats with "Wörthersee 09" print application, Audi drive select vehicle dynamics system, parking aid with rearview camera, voice control, Audi lane assist (lane departure warning), headlight range control with cornering lights.

[15] The Audi Q5 FCEV (2009) is a fuel cell based concept car that was demonstrated on 19 October 2009 at CEP Berlin.

Harman/Becker Automotive Systems produced Audi's new updated Multi Media Interface (MMI) technology for Q5.

A three-dimensional orientation view with true-to-scale terrain and photo realistic depictions of key landmarks will also be generated.

Included features in this new system are USB storage media (iPod or MP3), satellite radio, and an integral four-band GSM mobile/cell phone (SIM card ready) with Bluetooth connectivity.

The Audi Q5 is capable of towing up to 2.0 tonnes; the standard hill descent control system makes it safe to navigate down steep inclines by regulating the preselected speed when driving at under 30 km/h (19 mph).

Ergonomics changes include 4-button MMI navigation plus system, additional skip function for volume dial.

Large fabric-upholstered surfaces are standard on the door trim panels; inlay options include three wood veneers and one aluminium version.

It also features Audi's signature quattro permanent all-wheel drive system with torque vectoring transfer.

[32][33][34][35][36] These listed rivals are all larger and heavier, falling into the mid-size SUV class, and, as such, command significantly higher asking prices.

[38][39][40] It is a limited (50 units) version of the Audi SQ5 TDI with Aral Blue crystal effect body colour, black Fine Nappa leather upholstery with contrasting stitching in snow white, black sport seats covered in Fine Nappa leather, woven leather in the centre section of the seats, snow white Alcantara headlining, sunroof blind, inlays and applications shimmer.

[41][42] In 2015 Audi introduced a 'plus' tdi model, with 340 PS (250 kW) and 700 N⋅m (516 lbf⋅ft), quilted nappa leather seats, external black details and 21-inch wheels as standard equipment.

It is a petrol version of the SQ5 with 3.0 TFSI engine rated 354 PS (260 kW; 349 hp) at 6,000–6,500 rpm and 470 N⋅m (346.65 lbf⋅ft) at 4,000–4,500 rpm, eight-speed tiptronic transmission, quattro permanent all-wheel drive with torque vectoring, 20-inch wheels with 255/45-series tires (optional 21-inch wheels), platinum grey radiator grille with horizontal double bars in aluminium look, choice of 2 crystal-effect body colours (Estoril Blue, Panther Black), instruments feature grey dials and white numerals, pedals and shift paddles in shiny aluminium-look finish, black interior with headlining optionally available in Moon Silver, power-adjustable sport seats upholstered in Pearl Nappa leather and Alcantara (option four different colours of leather), standard brushed aluminium inlays (optional Carbon Atlas, Piano finish or layered aluminium and wood in Beaufort black).

Euro NCAP tested a 2009 Audi Q5, 5-door SUV with front airbags, side airbags, seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters as standard and scored it accordingly: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety also crash-tested the Q5, and presented the following results (ratings from 'poor' to 'good'):[47] On the 19th of August 2020 tagesschau.de[48] reported that "turning the steering wheel changes exhaust emissions" significantly under test conditions.

[50] A long wheelbase version was unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show, with 88 mm (3.5 in) added to the car, resulting in 23 percent more legroom.

The Q5 was launched in Malaysia in March 2019, where a sole Sport trim line powered by a 2.0 TFSI engine with a Quattro all wheel drive system is available.

According to Audi, Ultra technology improves efficiency by decoupling the driveshaft to the rear wheels when all-wheel drive is not needed.

Bucking an industry-wide trend of moving away from dual clutch transmissions for the latest generation of conventional torque converter automatics, Audi actually replaced the previous generation's ZF 8HP 8-speed automatic transmission for their own 7-speed S-Tronic dual clutch gearbox.

In North American spec, it uses a 3.0L DOHC direct-injected Miller Cycle-capable 90° V6 with a single twin-scroll turbocharger.

Unlike the lesser powered Q5 ‘45 TFSI’ 2.0T, Audi retained ZF's 8HP transmission for the SQ5, and it also utilizes the full-time rear-biased quattro AWD system.

For the 2019 model year, heated front seats, rear electric child locks, 7-inch infotainment screen, and roof crossbars became standard equipment.

This includes a digital marketplace in the myAudi app to add Audi Connect plans and SiriusXM with 360L.

[65] Audi has officially unveiled the third generation of its Q5 SUV on September 2024, introducing significant updates in design, technology, and performance.