2024 Mazda CX-90 vs 2023 Audi Q5

The 2023 Audi Q5 presented a blend of elegance and sportiness with its exterior design, featuring subtle curves and angular accents. It was available in two body styles: the standard SUV and the Q5 Sportback, which boasted 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 simple 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. While materials were of good quality, the Q5 felt less special compared to newer non-luxury competitors. The build quality was robust, with no squeaks or creaks, making it a solid choice among luxury SUVs.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90, on the other hand, marked a significant leap for Mazda, positioning itself closer to luxury brands. Its exterior design was an upscale version of the smaller CX-30 and CX-5, with a commanding presence thanks to its large grille, wide-set front end, and sizable wheels. Inside, the CX-90 impressed with high-quality materials, especially in top trims, featuring brown suede upholstery, wood inlays, and matte black plastic. The interior design was stylish and comfortable, with 11 trim levels offering various configurations. The CX-90 Turbo S, in particular, offered a performance-oriented experience with a luxurious feel, making it a strong contender against traditional luxury SUVs.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine choices. The base 40 TFSI was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The midrange 45 TFSI increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, and was the sole engine for the Q5 Sportback. The 55 TFSI was a plug-in hybrid powertrain delivering 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an electric-only range of 23 miles. 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 due to the transmission, affecting initial acceleration. However, once underway, the power was adequate, and the handling was sporty, instilling confidence on curvy roads. The Q5 balanced compliance and cornering well, with a quiet engine and minimal road noise.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid option. The base turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine delivered 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, while the upgraded Turbo S version offered 340 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. All CX-90 models came with standard all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The CX-90 Turbo S featured three driving modes: Normal, Sport, and Off-Road, with noticeable differences in behavior. The PHEV model combined a 2.5-liter engine with a 17.8-kWh battery and a 68-kW electric motor, producing 323 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with a 26-mile electric range. Both models excelled in handling, with a double-wishbone front suspension and agile steering, making the CX-90 feel nimble despite its size.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design remained largely unchanged since 2018, with a well-placed infotainment touchscreen and traditional controls for climate and secondary functions. Visibility was good, aided by a narrow front roof pillar. The Q5 offered ample space for front and rear passengers, with minimal headroom reduction in the Sportback model. Storage options were available, though some were oddly sized. The Q5 provided 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly less in the Sportback, but still competitive within its class.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offered various seating configurations across its trims, with the ability to seat up to eight passengers. The Turbo S featured a two-seat third row, while other trims offered a 2-3-2 configuration. Cargo space varied slightly depending on the seating arrangement, with a maximum of 75.2 cubic feet available. The CX-90 included numerous storage options, such as a large center console and spacious door pockets. Despite not being the most spacious in its segment, the CX-90 provided a comfortable and well-appointed interior with high-quality materials and a panoramic sunroof.

The 2023 Audi Q5 came standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, offering sharp graphics and quick responses. However, the system took time to boot up, and Apple CarPlay activation was slow. Both CarPlay and Android Auto were available wirelessly. Higher trims featured a Bang & Olufsen audio system and a customizable digital instrument panel. The Q5 also offered remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app, with a limited-time subscription to Audi Connect Care.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 focused on reducing distractions with its Mazda Connect infotainment system, which used a rotary control knob and hard buttons instead of a touchscreen. While the intention was to enhance safety, the system's quirks could be distracting. The CX-90 offered personalization software with facial recognition for driver settings, and standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with touchscreen controls for these systems. The rotary controller worked with these projection systems, but the touchscreen was more intuitive.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received top safety ratings, earning five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors. Higher trims added lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera, and traffic jam assist. The Prestige trim offered advanced headlights, a head-up display, and a semi-automated parking system.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 came standard with i-Activsense, Mazda's suite of advanced driver assistance systems. This included blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping assist. The top-spec Turbo S Premium Plus model featured cruising and traffic support, combining lane-centering with adaptive cruise control. While crash test ratings were not yet available, the CX-90 was expected to perform well, given the accolades of its predecessor, the CX-9.