2024 Land Rover Defender vs 2023 Audi Q5

The 2023 Audi Q5 presented a sophisticated blend of elegance and sportiness with its exterior design, characterized by subtle curves and angular accents. It was available in two body styles: the standard Q5 SUV and the Q5 Sportback, which featured a sloping rear roofline for a sleeker look. Despite the typical reservations about "coupelike" styling, the Q5 Sportback stood out with a spoiler-like element above the taillights, providing a more defined transition from hatch to tail section. Inside, the Q5 offered a refined yet straightforward layout, though its age was beginning to show. Standard features included leather seating and heated front seats, with options for a heated steering wheel and rear seats. The 10-inch touchscreen was a nod to traditional design amidst a trend of larger screens, and while materials were of good quality, the Q5 no longer felt as exclusive as it once did. The build quality was robust, with no squeaks or creaks, making it a solid choice among luxury SUVs.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender combined a classic, boxy profile with modern features like angular headlights, linking it visually to other Land Rover models. However, its interior was more rugged and adventure-ready, akin to a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, but with more soft-touch materials. Offered in three body styles—two-door 90, four-door 110, and extended-wheelbase 130—the Defender catered to various preferences. The Defender 110 S, the most popular configuration, came with the County visual package, featuring white wheels and vintage graphics. Standard features included 19-inch alloy wheels, power-adjustable heated front seats, partial leather upholstery, and a panoramic glass roof. The Defender's trims offered a range of features, from ventilated seats and digital rearview mirrors to a center console refrigerator in the V8 trim. The Carpathian Edition and Outbound trim provided unique styling and functionality, making the Defender a versatile choice for both modern and traditional tastes.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine choices. The base 40 TFSI was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The midrange 45 TFSI increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, exclusively available with the Q5 Sportback. The 55 TFSI was a plug-in hybrid powertrain delivering 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated 23 miles of electric-only range. All Q5s featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive. The Q5 Sportback with the 45 TFSI engine experienced a delay in power delivery, likely due to the transmission, making initial acceleration feel sluggish. However, once underway, power was adequate, and handling was sporty, with precise steering. The Q5 balanced compliance and cornering well, with a quiet engine and minimal road noise, providing a calm cabin experience.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered several powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Two supercharged 5.0-liter V8 options, the P500 and P525, produced 493 hp and 450 lb-ft, and 518 hp and 461 lb-ft, respectively. All engines used an eight-speed automatic transmission with full-time active four-wheel drive. The Defender's towing capacity reached up to 7,716 pounds with the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder powertrains. The most powerful V8 in the Defender 110 Carpathian Edition accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. The Defender excelled off-road, with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 system. The P400 test model provided ample power for highway speeds, though it experienced a slight lurch at low speeds, likely due to off-road gearing.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design remained largely unchanged since 2018, maintaining a timeless appeal. The infotainment touchscreen was strategically placed atop the dash for reduced distraction, with traditional dials and buttons for climate controls. Physical buttons for secondary controls minimized the need to navigate on-screen menus. Visibility was commendable, aided by a narrow front roof pillar, and the rear view was better than average. The front seats offered ample space for taller passengers, and the rear seats accommodated six-footers comfortably, even in the Sportback model. Storage options were plentiful but oddly shaped, with a wireless phone charger on a sliding tray covering the cupholders. Cargo space was competitive, with 25.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, slightly reduced in the Sportback to 24.7 cubic feet.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender blended luxury and functionality, featuring soft-touch materials, grip handles, rubberized floors, and numerous cargo compartments. The multifunctional climate control dials required an extra button press, but the grip shifter and supportive seats enhanced the driving experience. Seating capacity varied from five to eight passengers, with the Defender 110 offering an optional third row for children. The Defender 130 provided more space, but still limited for adults. Cargo capacity varied by model, with the Defender 130 offering up to 76.1 cubic feet with seats folded. The Defender 110 provided 78.8 cubic feet in the two-row version, while the two-door Defender 90 offered up to 58.3 cubic feet. The cargo area featured practical hard plastic surfaces, making it easy to clean.

The 2023 Audi Q5 came standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, offering sharp graphics and quick responses, though it took time to boot up and activate Apple CarPlay. Both CarPlay and Android Auto were available wirelessly across all trims. A Bang & Olufsen audio system was standard on higher trims. The on-screen buttons in Audi's system were large and easy to read, but Apple CarPlay's app buttons were smaller and closer together. The Q5 could be monitored remotely via a smartphone app, with features like unlocking and temperature pre-conditioning available through Audi Connect Care. Mid-range trims featured a customizable digital instrument panel.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender featured a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen. While smaller than some competitors, the touchscreen was simple and aligned with the Defender's utilitarian persona. It came standard with navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The straightforward setup provided a blend of refinement and utility, with home buttons on the left and right rails for easy navigation.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received five out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for overall, frontal, and side protection, and four stars in rollover tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the Q5 its highest score of "Good" in all crashworthiness tests and named it a Top Safety Pick+. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitor, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors. Higher trims added features like lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera system, and matrix-design LED headlights.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came with a comprehensive list of standard driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional safety tech included traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a 360-degree parking camera system. The lane-departure and lane-keeping assist were noted to be overly sensitive, but could be deactivated. As of this writing, the Defender had not been crash-tested by the IIHS or NHTSA.