2022 Mazda CX-5 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 some 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 similarly classy and modern, packed with technology yet maintaining an uncluttered appearance. Buttons, switches, and knobs were smartly grouped and segregated by function, with a unity of design that was very pleasing. Material selection was at a high level, with real wood, real metal, and honed surfaces. 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 throughout.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 featured new LED headlights and taillights with more distinctive illumination, new bumpers, a revised grille, a redesigned rear liftgate, and fresh alloy wheel designs. The top-of-the-line Signature trim also got body-color lower exterior trim to underscore Mazda’s bid to become a premium brand.

Inside, the CX-5’s Signature trim was convincingly luxurious with premium Nappa leather upholstery, real wood trim, and polished metallic accents. The seats were new for 2022, offering improved comfort. Mazda also revised the trim levels, introducing the CX-5 2.5 S and the CX-5 2.5 Turbo, with the latter offering a turbocharged engine. The 2.5 Turbo came in base and Signature trims, with prices ranging from $36,400 to $38,650. Our test vehicle was the 2.5 Turbo with optional Soul Red paint, a navigation system, and a package including roof rails and crossbars, totaling $39,445.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV took a good thing and made it better. The Q5 was already fun to drive in its standard gasoline-only form (badged as Q5 45), but adding an additional 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque with a 14.1-kWh battery made it genuine adult entertainment. The total combined output for the PHEV was 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque, a good match with the crossover’s 4,665-lb curb weight. The Q5 PHEV could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds and achieved impressive fuel-economy figures of 65 MPGe combined. In gasoline-only mode, it was rated at 27 mpg combined. The 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 to drive for a limited range on battery power only, to reserve battery power for later, or to automatically drive in hybrid mode. It had speed-sensitive electromechanical power steering and a wider-than-expected turning radius of 38.4 feet. Handling was good, with a slightly stiff, sporty setting that balanced comfort with road feel. Body roll was minimal and controlled, and braking was powerful and predictable.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 2.5 S had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 187 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. For 2022, Mazda revised the six-speed automatic transmission for more responsive performance, and all CX-5s had standard all-wheel drive. The EPA rated this powertrain at 26 mpg in combined driving. The CX-5 2.5 Turbo, running on premium gas, provided 256 hp and 320 pound-feet of torque, or 227 hp and 310 lb-ft on regular gas. The EPA rated it at 24 mpg in combined driving, but real-world testing showed 21.1 mpg.

Both 2.5 Turbo trims and the 2.5 S Premium and Premium Plus got the new Mazda Intelligent Drive Select (Mi-Drive) drive modes with Normal, Sport, and Off-Road settings. All CX-5s benefited from increased structural rigidity and reworked suspension tuning for a quieter and smoother yet still sporty ride. The 2022 CX-5’s ride and handling nearly eliminated body roll, ride chop, and weight toss, offering sure-footed grip and a blend of compliance and composure that instilled trust in the driver.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV managed to carry its battery pack under the luggage compartment floor, so it didn’t eat up cargo space. There were 25.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row, and folding down the second row allowed for up to 53.1 cubic feet of cargo space. The second row offered 37.8 inches of legroom, 37.7 inches of headroom, and 56.5 inches of shoulder room. The driver and front-seat passenger enjoyed super-comfortable and supportive seats with a wide range of adjustment, heating, and ventilation on the Prestige trim. The front row had a pair of cupholders, several cubbies and nooks, and a small storage bin under the center-console armrest.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5’s new seats offered improved comfort and a sportier driving position. All CX-5 models except the 2.5 S base trim included a height-adjustable front passenger’s seat. The 2.5 Turbo test vehicle had dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seat cushions, and a heated steering wheel. The back seat remained snug but had heated outboard cushions and air conditioning vents. The control layout was a source of frustration due to the non-touchscreen Mazda Connect infotainment system. Storage space was adequate, with a small bin under the center armrest and wireless smartphone charging in a tray forward of the transmission shifter. The CX-5 offered 30.9 cubic feet of luggage volume behind the rear seats and 59.3 cubic feet with the back seat folded down.

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: classic, sport, and dynamic. The Prestige Package included the Navigation Package, which optimized fuel consumption and battery usage based on route data. The Integrated Toll Module (ITM) was standard on all Q5 models. A Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 19 speakers and a 16-channel/755-watt amplifier was available on Premium Plus models and standard on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay was included.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 retained the Mazda Connect infotainment system with a 10.25-inch display, which was not touch-sensitive. The system required using controls on the center console and steering wheel. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with text-messaging support, E911 automatic emergency notification, and Mazda Connected Services. The 2.5 S Premium trim and above included a 10-speaker Bose premium sound system and SiriusXM satellite radio.

The 2021 Q5 PHEV hadn’t been rated by the IIHS, but the 2020 Q5 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 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, Parking System Plus, adaptive cruise control, park steering assist, traffic-sign recognition, and a top-view camera system.

The 2022 Mazda CX-5 included the standard i-Activsense package with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The 2.5 S Premium added adaptive headlights, and the 2.5 Turbo Signature included a surround-view camera system, front and rear parking sensors, automatic rear braking, and a driver monitoring system. The IIHS gave the 2022 Mazda CX-5 a “Top Safety Pick+” rating.