2021 Audi Q5 vs 2021 BMW X5

In 2021, the Audi Q5 was a sharp-looking crossover SUV that effectively carried the Audi design language. It flaunted a distinctive character within the lineup. The Q5's expressive front had LED headlights squinting beside the iconic Audi Singleframe grille, featuring horizontal elements that emphasized the vehicle’s width. The body displayed crisp character lines while the greenhouse acted like a protective shell. At the rear, the bold and large taillights further enhanced its classy and modern appearance that extended from front to back. The plug-in Q5 (PHEV) included S-Line trim pieces that added to its visual appeal. It rode on standard 19-inch wheels, with optional 20-inch wheels for an even better stance.

Inside, the Audi Q5 continued its classy, modern theme with an uncluttered and technology-packed interior. Buttons, switches, and knobs were smartly grouped by function, presenting a unified and pleasing design. High-quality materials like real wood, real metal, and honed surfaces joined seamlessly together, providing a sense of authenticity. The 10.1-inch touchscreen was strategically positioned at the top of the center stack, ensuring it fell within the driver’s line of sight. The second row was well-appointed with standard leather seating surfaces, ensuring comfort for all passengers.

The 2021 BMW X5 maintained the brand’s reputation for high-quality craftsmanship within its SUV range, which also included models like the X1, X3, and X7. The X5’s design was unmistakably BMW, from the kidney grille to its body shape. While this provided consistency, it also meant the X5 could blend in amongst other BMWs in a busy parking lot.

The X5 boasted full adaptive LED headlights at its corners. The standard xLine models featured matte aluminum grilles, underbody protection, roof rails, and side window surrounds in satin aluminum, offering an upscale appearance. For a sportier look, the M Sport models had body-color trim and matte aluminum kidney grille bars, with roof rails and side window surrounds in high-gloss black. This made the M Sport models as sporty as an X5 could get.

On the inside, the X5 continued the BMW tradition. Although nearly every switch, dial, and display seemed pulled from the BMW parts bin, leading to a uniform look across the brand’s lineup, it was still high-quality. The interior featured plenty of leather and soft-touch materials, though an abundance of black plastic meant dust and spots from liquids were easily noticeable. The M Sport models came with unique, more aggressive styling, including an M sports steering wheel, M-specific pedals, driver’s footrest, seat piping, and exclusive interior trim strips.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV took the standard Q5 and added an extra layer of excitement. The Q5 45, with its gasoline-only powertrain, was already fun to drive. The PHEV version boosted the fun by adding 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque via a 14.1-kWh battery. This resulted in a total combined output of 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque, matching well with the vehicle’s 4,665-lb curb weight. It achieved 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds, according to Audi, which was impressive for a crossover.

The Q5 PHEV incorporated a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor. The hybrid system provided strong acceleration and a fuel economy rating of 65 MPGe combined. In gas-only mode, the Q5 PHEV reached 27 mpg combined. Charging the battery pack was convenient, taking overnight with a 120-volt household current or 2.4 hours using a 240-volt Level 2 charger.

Handling in the Q5 was precise, thanks to its speed-sensitive electromechanical power steering and four-wheel independent suspension. The sporty, slightly stiff suspension setup balanced comfort and road feel, while body roll was minimal and braking remained powerful and predictable.

BMW offered a variety of powertrain options for the 2021 X5, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The base model, the sDrive40i/xDrive40i, featured a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 335 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque. The sDrive model was RWD, while the xDrive was AWD.

The range-topping X5 M50i delivered a thrilling 523 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque from a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine. The even more powerful X5 M reached 600 hp, with an increase to 617 hp when equipped with the Competition Package. For eco-conscious drivers, BMW introduced the X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid, featuring a 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine paired with a 24-kWh battery. This combination delivered 389 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque and could achieve up to 30 miles of all-electric range.

The X5 xDrive 45e offered a seamless transition between all-electric power, hybrid mode, and gasoline-only driving. It handled daily tasks smoothly with a quiet cabin that filtered out road and engine noise. However, driving dynamics were less engaging than typical BMWs, especially at high speeds. Handling felt more akin to a traditional full-size truck, with significant wheel play at low speeds, and the steering struggled to match the throttle’s responsiveness in faster-driving scenarios.

Charging the X5 was straightforward thanks to its driver’s side A-pillar charging port. Fully charging on a Level 2 charger took about five hours. The X5 xDrive45e provided about 400 miles of driving range, which could be extended with intermediate charges.

The 2021 Audi Q5 excelled at offering a well-balanced interior space, fitting within the popular compact crossover segment. It featured smart packaging that allowed the battery pack to reside under the luggage compartment floor, preserving cargo space. There were 25.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. Folding down the second row expanded this capacity to 53.1 cubic feet.

The second row provided decent legroom at 37.8 inches, with ample headroom (37.7 inches) and shoulder room (56.5 inches). Two adults could comfortably fit in the back, and a third could squeeze in for shorter journeys. The front row offered Audi’s characteristic super-comfortable, supportive seats with extensive adjustments, heating, and optional ventilation in the Prestige trim. The Q5’s thoughtful design continued with multiple cupholders, cubbies, and a center-console storage bin for smaller items.

The interior of the 2021 BMW X5 also made excellent use of its space. Front seat cupholders were conveniently placed, though the center console's myriad buttons and dials could be challenging to differentiate, especially at night. The X5’s wireless phone charging pad kept technology neatly out of sight.

Seating was spacious and comfortable, suitable for kids and adults alike. The heated seats and armrests of the front row were effective, although longer trips revealed the front seats to be a bit too firm. BMW also offered the X5 with an optional third row, not tested in this review, which added seating flexibility.

The split liftgate was a notable feature, easy to operate with full power functionality. The vehicle height adjustment button on the lower liftgate was particularly useful for loading awkward or heavy cargo. Cargo space was ample without the third row, and though the X5 xDrive45e provided slightly less cargo space than non-hybrid models, the difference was minor. Moving children and cargo in and out of the second row was a bit challenging due to the doors not opening wider.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV came equipped with the latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, impressing with its ease of use and functionality. The centerpiece touchpad was user-friendly. The Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster provided three customizable views: classic, sport, and dynamic, giving a futuristic feel to the cabin. LED ambient interior lights further allowed for personalized mood settings.

The Prestige Package included the Navigation package, which worked seamlessly with the hybrid system to optimize fuel efficiency based on route information. The Integrated Toll Module (ITM), standard on all Q5 models, offered a smooth toll payment experience. The available Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 19 speakers added an immersive auditory experience.

The BMW X5 offered an impressive array of standard features, starting with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Although the wireless Apple CarPlay had connectivity quirks where it would take over audio functions unpredictably, the system also supported wireless Android Auto without issues. Other standard features included a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, 10-speaker sound system, voice recognition, Bluetooth, five USB ports, navigation, HD Radio, satellite radio, automatic climate control, keyless entry, and a panoramic moonroof.

Optional upgrades allowed buyers to add conveniences like remote start, a head-up display, quad-zone climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, massaging seats, and premium audio systems from Harman Kardon or Bowers & Wilkins. The BMW iDrive system, though requiring a learning curve, proved to be efficient once mastered.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at the time of review, but its gasoline counterpart received a full five stars from NHTSA and top ratings in IIHS crash tests except for a “marginal” rating in headlights. Safety features included six airbags, an anti-lock braking system with brake assist, Audi Pre Sense basic, power child safety locks, electronic stability control with off-road mode, electronic immobilization, anti-theft alarm, interior motion sensor, LED lights, LATCH connectors, a rearview camera, and TPMS. Available features included Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist, rear cross-traffic alert, Parking System Plus, adaptive cruise control, park steering assist, traffic-sign recognition, and a top-view camera system.

The BMW X5 came with a comprehensive list of standard safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fatigue alert, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and a rearview camera. However, the Driving Assistance Professional Package, offering higher-level adaptive cruise control, showed inconsistencies during tests. Lane-keeping assist struggled with lane markings under varied light conditions, causing safety concerns necessitating manual intervention.

The 2021 BMW X5 earned mostly Good ratings from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA despite multiple recalls.