2020 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of its fifth generation, remained true to Honda’s distinctive, curvy, and car-like design approach. This crossover exhibited a family resemblance to Honda’s sedans, especially in its front and rear fascias. Its design leaned more towards a station wagon than a traditional SUV, making it a modern paradigm for family transportation. Inside, the CR-V presented a mix of textures and materials. Higher trims showcased wood-look trim and leather upholstery, but these touches often clashed with lower-quality plastics, highlighting its commodity car origins. The CR-V was available in four trims—LX, EX, EX-L, and Touring—with MSRPs starting at $26,270. Each trim came with Honda’s standard three-year or 36,000-mile warranty, with AWD as a $1,500 option. Alloy wheels ranged from 17-inch in the base model to 19-inch in the Touring. The interior layout was practical but lacked the high-end feel expected from premium models.

In contrast, the 2021 Audi Q5 boasted a sharp, modern design imbued with Audi’s design language and individual character. Its expressive front featured LED headlights and a prominent Singleframe grille, while bold character lines and large taillights added to its classy, modern, and cohesive look from every angle. Inside, the Q5’s interior was equally elegant and organized. Thoughtfully placed buttons, switches, and a floating 10.1-inch touchscreen contributed to a high-tech yet uncluttered cabin. High-quality materials, including real wood and metal, underscored the Q5's premium status. Leather seating came standard, with options for enhancements like heating and ventilation in upper trims, ensuring comfort and luxury.

For the 2020 Honda CR-V, the powertrain featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. Despite common criticisms of CVT transmissions, Honda’s implementation provided a smooth driving experience with minimal lag and convincing automatic imitation. The CR-V excelled on the road, boasting excellent handling comparable to a small sedan. Its lightweight (3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model) contributed to agile driving dynamics and prime fuel efficiency, with FWD models achieving 30 mpg combined, and AWD versions 29 mpg.

The 2021 Audi Q5 presented an elevated performance experience, particularly in its plug-in hybrid variant (PHEV). The Q5 PHEV's powertrain combined a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, producing a total of 362 horsepower and 373 pound-feet of torque. This setup offered impressive acceleration, with a 0-60 mph time of 5.0 seconds. The PHEV managed 65 MPGe combined and 27 mpg on gasoline alone. It featured a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with Quattro all-wheel drive, and modes for electric-only, hybrid, and battery reserve driving. The Q5's handling was characterized by precision and controlled body roll, facilitated by its four-wheel independent suspension and speed-sensitive steering.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in packaging efficiency. It had spacious head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. Clever storage solutions, such as a deep center console bin and sizable door pockets, enhanced practicality. The cargo area was substantial, offering 75.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and a versatile two-position load floor for additional storage options.

The 2021 Audi Q5 also leveraged smart packaging, with a battery pack neatly tucked under the luggage compartment floor. This arrangement preserved cargo space, providing 25.1 cubic feet behind the second row and 53.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. Rear passengers enjoyed ample legroom (37.8 inches) and headroom (37.7 inches), while front occupants benefited from Audi’s adjustable, comfortable seats. The cabin's numerous storage nooks and practical cupholders added to the user-friendly design.

The 2020 Honda CR-V lagged in technology, particularly in its base LX trim, which featured a mere 5-inch screen with limited functionality. Higher trims’ 7-inch touchscreen felt undersized compared to rivals. The lack of hard buttons made system navigation cumbersome, even with the inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in higher trims. USB ports were plentiful in the EX trim and above, but overall, the infotainment system seemed dated.

Conversely, the 2021 Audi Q5 was equipped with a state-of-the-art 10.1-inch touchscreen, part of the MMI infotainment system. The Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster provided an intuitive and customizable user interface. Additional tech features, such as a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system and wireless Apple CarPlay, enhanced the driving experience. The Q5 also benefited from integrated toll modules and optional navigation packages that optimized fuel usage in hybrid mode.

The 2020 Honda CR-V included the comprehensive “Honda Sensing” suite as standard, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control. EX trims and above added blind-spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert. The CR-V earned high safety ratings from both NHTSA and IIHS, with the latter's caveat on headlight performance in non-Touring trims due to halogen headlights.

The 2021 Audi Q5 offered an array of safety features, though ratings for the PHEV model were not yet available. The gasoline model received high safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS. Standard features included six airbags, Audi Pre Sense, electronic stability control, and a rearview camera. Options extended to advanced driver-assistance systems such as Audi Side Assist, adaptive cruise control, and a top-view camera system.