2022 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 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 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 by function, and the material selection was high-quality, with real wood, metal, and honed surfaces. The 10.1-inch touchscreen was positioned perfectly in the driver’s line of sight, and the second row was nicely appointed with standard leather seating surfaces throughout.

Ford made several changes to the 2022 Expedition, including exterior styling revisions and updated infotainment tech. The front featured a new grille, headlights, and bumper, while the rear got revised taillights, tailgate trim, and a new bumper. Redesigned wheels debuted across the model lineup. The Expedition came in various trims, including a new Timberline trim for off-road enthusiasts, and the Stealth Edition packages added black 22-inch wheels and other unique exterior elements.

Inside, the Expedition had a redesigned dashboard housing the new Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems, with the latter featuring a huge 15.5-inch touchscreen display. The SUV offered an available 12.4-inch digital instrumentation display. The test model’s MSRP was $80,155, including options like 4WD, the Stealth Package, and the larger Sync 4A infotainment touchscreen. Despite some F-150 pickup-grade plastic trim, the Expedition Limited Stealth Edition made up for it with leather seats, soft padding, and impressive tech.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV took an already fun crossover and made it better. The Q5 45, in its standard gasoline-only form, was enjoyable to drive, but the PHEV added an additional 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque with a 14.1-kWh battery. The total combined output for the PHEV was 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque, matching well with the crossover’s 4,665-lb curb weight. The innovative setup delivered convincing acceleration (0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds) and impressive fuel economy figures of 65 MPGe combined. In gasoline-only mode, it was rated at 27 mpg combined. The Q5 PHEV used a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro all-wheel drive and could be switched into various driving modes for efficiency and performance.

The 2022 Ford Expedition used a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, producing 380 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque (400 hp and 480 lb-ft on 93-octane fuel). The V6 engine drove the SUV’s rear wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission, with 4WD as an option. Fuel economy ranged from 17 mpg to 19 mpg in combined driving, and the Expedition could tow between 9,000 and 9,300 pounds. The twin-turbo V6’s power was addictive, and Ford tuned the engine and exhaust to deliver a pleasing sound. However, the Stealth Edition Package’s sport-tuned suspension contributed to a sometimes harsh ride quality. The Expedition was surprisingly easy to park and shined on the highway, making it perfect for long road trips.

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 reasonable legroom (37.8 inches), headroom (37.7 inches), and shoulder room (56.5 inches). The front seats were super-comfortable and supportive, with a wide range of adjustments, heating, and ventilation on the Prestige trim. The interior was smartly laid out, with several storage options and an uncluttered design.

The 2022 Ford Expedition offered comfort levels that few vehicles could match. It was easy to get in and out of, thanks to available power running boards. The front seats were power-adjustable, leather-wrapped, heated, and ventilated, with a heated steering wheel. The second-row captain’s chairs provided plenty of legroom and their own climate controls. The third-row seat was easy to access and offered outstanding leg support, though headroom could be tight for taller passengers. Cargo room behind the third row measured 19.3 cubic feet, expanding to 57.5 cubic feet with the third row folded and 104.6 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The Expedition Max offered even more cargo space.

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 views and elevated the cabin’s tech level. 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 was available on Premium Plus models and standard on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay was included and worked seamlessly.

The 2022 Ford Expedition got Ford’s next-generation Sync 4 and Sync 4A infotainment systems. The standard Sync 4 system included a 12-inch touchscreen, while Sync 4A featured a larger 15.5-inch touchscreen. Both systems included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect, natural voice recognition, and a connected navigation system. Higher trims added features like SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and Bang & Olufsen premium sound systems. Sync 4A had an upgraded voice-recognition system and an adaptive dashcard user interface. The Expedition also offered an upgraded dual-touchscreen rear-seat entertainment system with Amazon Fire TV.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV hadn’t 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. Safety features included six airbags, an anti-lock braking system with brake assist, Audi Pre Sense basic, 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, adaptive cruise control, and a top-view camera system.

The 2022 Ford Expedition grouped its driving-assistance systems into three Ford Co-Pilot360 collections. The standard package included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, a driver monitoring system, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Co-Pilot360 Assist+ package added adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, speed-limit-sign recognition, intersection assist, and evasive steering assist. The Co-Pilot Assist 2.0 package included a surround-view camera system, rear automatic emergency braking, and Active Park Assist 2.0. Ford also introduced Road Edge Detection and BlueCruise hands-free driving technology.