2021 INFINITI QX50 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 showcased 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 an even better look. Inside, the Q5 was classy and modern, packed with technology yet maintaining an uncluttered appearance. The 10.1-inch touchscreen floated at the top of the center stack, and the second row was nicely appointed with standard leather seating surfaces.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 stood out in a crowded luxury compact crossover segment with its distinctive design and engineering. Its large honeycomb grille and athletic-looking hood bulges gave it a sporty impression. The rear featured a unique crooked chrome strip, adding character. The panoramic moonroof brightened the cabin and offered magnificent views. However, thick B-pillars and a short rear window opening slightly hindered visibility. Inside, the QX50 had an attractive cabin with soft-touch materials, aluminum trim accents, and a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel. The front seats offered heating and cooling, and the interior controls were easy to use. The QX50 also featured attractive 20-inch alloy wheels and all-season run-flat tires.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV took an already fun crossover and made it better. The Q5 45 gasoline-only model was enjoyable to drive, but the PHEV added an extra 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque with a 14.1-kWh battery, bringing the total combined output to 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque. This setup allowed for convincing acceleration (0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds) and impressive fuel economy figures of 65 MPGe combined. The Q5 PHEV used a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro all-wheel drive and offered various driving modes, including battery-only and hybrid modes. Handling was good, with a slightly stiff, sporty setting that balanced comfort with road feel.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with paddle shifters and downshift rev-matching. The engine produced 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The QX50's VC-Turbo engine constantly adjusted the compression ratio for power and efficiency. The CVT provided a smooth and quiet operation, with simulated shift points for a more familiar driving experience. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The QX50 also had a drive mode selector with Standard, Sport, Eco, and Personal modes, allowing for adjustments in engine torque output, transmission shift points, and steering effort. Sport mode offered brisk acceleration, while Eco mode was more fuel-efficient but sluggish.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV managed to carry its battery pack under the luggage compartment floor, preserving cargo space. It offered 25.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row and up to 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded. The second row provided 37.8 inches of legroom, 37.7 inches of headroom, and 56.5 inches of shoulder room, accommodating two adults comfortably. The front seats were super-comfortable and supportive, with a wide range of adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The interior featured smartly laid-out storage options, including cupholders, cubbies, and a center-console storage bin.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 felt spacious inside, with plenty of hip and shoulder room in both the front and rear seats. Headroom was ample, even with the panoramic moonroof. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed 38.7 inches of legroom, and the sliding second-row seats allowed for maximizing legroom or cargo space. The cargo area offered 31.1 cubic feet of space behind the second-row seats and up to 64.4 cubic feet with the seats folded. The QX50 also featured numerous storage options, including cupholders, storage bins, and charging ports. The optional Cargo package added a reversible cargo area protector, cargo blocks, and nets for added convenience.

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 Q5 also had color/mood-adjustable LED ambient interior cabin lights. 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 level. Wireless Apple CarPlay was included and worked seamlessly.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 came with Infiniti's InTouch infotainment system, featuring dual vehicle information display screens—an 8-inch upper LCD/VGA and a 7-inch lower color unit. The system included voice recognition and Infiniti InTouch Services, offering navigation, entertainment, communications, convenience, and safety features. Pairing a smartphone via Bluetooth was easy, and Apple CarPlay integration worked without glitches. The 16-speaker Bose Performance Series premium audio system delivered crisp audio. The QX50 also featured Infiniti's Around View Monitor with front and rear sonar system and moving-object detection. ProPilot Assist, an advanced driving assistance system, was available on all but the base Pure trim level.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV had not been rated by the IIHS, but the 2020 Q5 gasoline-only model received top “good” ratings in every category except headlights, which received a “marginal” rating. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 Audi Q5 gasoline model five stars but had not yet rated the PHEV. 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, electronic vehicle immobilization, anti-theft alarm, interior motion sensor, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, LATCH connectors, a rearview camera, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Available driver-assistance features included Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist with rear cross-traffic alert, Parking System Plus, adaptive cruise control, park steering assist, traffic-sign recognition, and a top-view camera system.

The 2021 INFINITI QX50 offered a strong level of standard safety equipment, including blind-spot warning, predictive forward-collision warning, forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, automatic collision notification, emergency call, rearview monitor, hill-start assist, and high-beam assist. The QX50 also featured an Easy-fill tire alert and, on all but the base Pure trim level, lane-departure prevention and blind-spot intervention. Traffic sign recognition was standard on Essential and higher trim levels. The NHTSA gave the 2021 QX50 four out of five stars for rollover resistance, and the structurally similar 2020 model received five-star ratings for overall, front, and side crash protection. The IIHS gave the QX50 Good ratings for moderate overlap front and side crash protection and a Superior rating for vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention.