2021 Ford Expedition vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2021 Audi Q5 was a sharp-looking crossover SUV that carried the Audi design language well while maintaining its individual character within the lineup. It had an expressive face with LED headlights beside the big Audi Singleframe grille, emphasizing width. The body featured crisp character lines, and the rear had bold, large taillights. The plug-in Q5 wore S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, including standard 19-inch wheels or optional 20-inch wheels, giving it a classy, modern appearance with exceptional fit and finish.

Inside, the Q5 was equally classy and modern. It was packed with technology but maintained an uncluttered appearance. Buttons, switches, and knobs were smartly grouped, and the material selection was high-quality, with real wood, metal, and honed surfaces. The 10.1-inch touchscreen was positioned at the top of the center stack, and the second row featured standard leather seating surfaces throughout.

The 2021 Ford Expedition Platinum was a sight for sore eyes after a restless redeye flight. The Platinum trim denoted the most luxurious version of the Expedition, capping a lineup that started with the XL STX and included the XLT, Limited, and King Ranch. The test vehicle had Magnetic gray paint, 4WD, a Heavy Duty Trailer Tow Package, and second-row captain’s chairs, totaling $80,510. Power-deploying running boards and a powered rear liftgate were welcoming features, but the Expedition struggled to accommodate all the luggage, highlighting the utility of minivans.

The Expedition Platinum had an intricately detailed chrome grille, massive 22-inch machined-face aluminum wheels, and tastefully applied brightwork, giving it a bold presence. The extended-length MAX version would have easily carried up to eight people and their luggage. The leather-lined cabin served well, but acres of hard plastic reminded of its origins. For a more luxurious interior, the Lincoln Navigator was a better option.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV took the standard gasoline-only Q5 and made it better by adding an additional 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque with a 14.1-kWh battery. The total combined output was 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque, matching well with the crossover’s 4,665-lb curb weight. The electric motor worked with the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine, providing convincing acceleration (0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds) and impressive fuel economy figures of 65 MPGe combined. The Q5 PHEV’s battery pack could be recharged overnight with household current or in 2.4 hours with Level 2 service.

The Q5 PHEV used a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro all-wheel drive and could be switched into modes for driving on battery power only, reserving battery power, or automatically driving in hybrid mode. The speed-sensitive electromechanical power steering had a wider-than-expected turning radius of 38.4 feet. The four-wheel independent suspension provided good handling with minimal body roll and powerful, predictable braking.

Every 2021 Ford Expedition had a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and RWD or 4WD. The engine made 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, with the Platinum trim getting a boost to 400 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. Towing capacity ranged from 9,000 to 9,300 pounds, and Ford’s Pro Trailer Backup Assist technology made maneuvering trailers easier.

Acceleration was impressive, even with a full load of passengers and cargo. The twin-turbo V6 emitted a pleasant engine note, and the transmission, steering, and brakes performed well. The Platinum’s 22-inch wheels affected ride quality, but the four-wheel independent suspension kept the SUV stable. The FX4 Off-Road Package added off-road capabilities, but the test vehicle did not have this option, averaging 17.1 mpg on the evaluation loop.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV managed to carry its battery pack under the luggage compartment floor, preserving cargo space. There were 25.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row, expanding to 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded down. The second row offered reasonable legroom (37.8 inches), headroom (37.7 inches), and shoulder room (56.5 inches). The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with a wide range of adjustments, heating, and ventilation on the Prestige trim. The interior featured smartly laid-out storage options and an uncluttered design.

The 2021 Ford Expedition excelled in comfort and utility, with large, wide seats for every passenger, including adults in the third row. The independent rear suspension ensured comfort, and storage for odds and ends was plentiful. Cargo volume expanded from 19.3 cubic feet to 57.5 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded down, and the maximum volume behind the front seats was 104.6 cubic feet. The Expedition MAX offered even more cargo space, with 34.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 73.3 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 121.5 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV featured Audi’s latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which was impressive and easy to use. The Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster offered three customizable views. The Prestige Package included the Navigation Package, which optimized fuel consumption and battery usage in hybrid mode. The Integrated Toll Module (ITM) was standard on all Q5 models, and a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 19 speakers was available on Premium Plus models and standard on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay was included and worked seamlessly.

The 2021 Ford Expedition’s Sync 3 infotainment system had a user-friendly interface but a small 8-inch touchscreen display. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, FordPass Connect services, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and a navigation system. Amazon Alexa compatibility and enhanced voice recognition were also part of Sync 3. The test vehicle had a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system and wireless smartphone charging. An available dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system offered additional entertainment options.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV hadn’t been rated by the IIHS, but the 2020 Q5 received top “good” ratings in every category except headlights. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 Audi Q5 gasoline model five stars. Safety features included six airbags, an anti-lock braking system with brake assist, Audi Pre Sense basic preventative occupant protection, low-speed collision assist, power child safety locks, electronic stability control, and more. Available driver-assistance features included Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist with rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a top-view camera system.

The 2021 Ford Expedition had a safety advantage with its minimum 5,368-pound curb weight. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall crash-test rating, but the RWD model had a three-star rollover-resistance rating, while the 4WD model had a four-star rating. Standard safety features included Ford Co-Pilot360, which offered forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, a semi-autonomous parking assistance system, and a 360-degree surround-view camera system.