2025 Volkswagen Atlas vs 2025 Audi Q5

The 2025 Audi Q5 presented a robust SUV demeanor with its third-generation design. It featured a large, textured grille, prominent side air intakes, and high-mounted headlights, creating an imposing front-end appearance. The body sides were adorned with well-defined lines, adding a muscular touch. Despite these updates, the styling felt more like an evolution rather than a complete redesign, giving the impression of a facelift. The Q5 offered various trim levels, including Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige, with advanced lighting options like LED Headlights Plus and programmable OLED taillights. The model was available in both standard crossover SUV and coupe-like Q5 Sportback body styles, with the latter offering a sleeker profile at the expense of cargo space and rear-seat headroom. The SQ5 performance variant stood out with increased power, sport suspension, and distinctive design elements, including matte chrome trim and quad exhaust tips. Inside, the Q5's interior was a mix of top-notch materials and a somewhat discordant design, with a focus on piling on details for a distinctive look. The dashboard and door panels featured opposing curves, accommodating a main touchscreen and chunky armrests with haptic controls. Leather seating surfaces were standard, and the SQ5 offered a sportier interior with Alcantara trim, although some design choices, like the piano-black plastic around the cupholders, were less practical.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas was available in five trim levels, including SE, SE with Technology, Peak Edition, SEL, and SEL Premium R-Line. The Atlas Peak Edition had an off-road-ready appearance, while the SEL Premium R-Line boasted a sporty look with the most standard equipment. A five-passenger version, the Atlas Cross Sport, offered a more rakish design but shared similarities with the three-row Atlas. Base prices ranged from $38,200 to $53,205, excluding the destination charge. The Atlas SEL Premium R-Line, tested in Mountain Lake Blue with a Shetland Beige leather interior, featured VW's 4Motion AWD system as standard. The Atlas impressed with its polished aluminum detailing, front and rear light bars, and sizable 21-inch wheels, giving it a chiseled, upscale appearance. Inside, the Atlas continued the premium feel with diamond-stitched leather, metallic accents, and artificial wood, creating a warm and inviting environment. The digital instrumentation and large infotainment touchscreen promised a high-tech experience. However, the touch-sensitive temperature and stereo volume controls were less satisfying to use, especially without gloves, and the lack of traditional knobs was a drawback.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro AWD across all models. The base Q5 featured a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine producing 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the SQ5 boasted a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The standard output was competitive for a compact crossover, with slightly less horsepower than an Acura RDX but more torque. The SQ5 nearly matched the output of a Mercedes-AMG GLC43 and had a manufacturer-estimated zero to 60 mph time of 4.6 seconds, while the standard Q5 achieved it in 5.8 seconds. However, both models experienced turbo lag and rough shifts from the dual-clutch transmission, affecting acceleration. The air suspension, standard on the SQ5 and available on the Q5 Prestige, provided capable handling but didn't encourage aggressive driving. The Q5 offered Off-Road and Off-Road Plus driving modes, but it was more suited for dirt roads than technical trails.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, replacing the previous V6 option. With 269 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, the engine initially seemed underpowered for the large SUV, but it proved refined and satisfying for daily driving tasks. The Atlas' engine shared similarities with the base engine in the Audi Q7. The eight-speed automatic transmission was standard, with FWD or 4Motion AWD. The Atlas returned 15.5 mpg in urban conditions and 19.2 mpg over a 70+ mile drive, slightly below the EPA ratings of 18 mpg city and 21 mpg combined. The ride quality was a concern, with the suspension feeling brittle over smaller road imperfections and excessive body motions at highway speeds. However, the Atlas handled predictably on mountain roads, with the Bridgestone Alenza all-season tires being the weakest link. The brakes performed well, and Sport mode added heft to the steering, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar exterior dimensions and interior space to the 2024 model, offering adequate headroom and legroom in both rows. The sliding and reclining 40/20/40 split-folding second-row bench seat was standard, with cargo-area buttons for easy adjustment. The Q5 provided 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 56.9 cubic feet behind the first row, surpassing the Lexus NX and Mercedes-Benz GLC but falling short of the Acura RDX and BMW X3. A power tailgate and heated front seats were standard, with additional features like a heated steering wheel and panoramic sunroof available on higher trims. The Q5 offered up to 4,400 pounds of towing capacity, exceeding the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4Matic and Lexus NX.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas excelled in form and function, offering a spacious and comfortable interior. The third-row seat was among the most comfortable in its class, and the cargo area was cavernous. The SEL Premium R-Line model featured heated, ventilated, and massaging front seats, although the leather felt slightly stiff. Visibility was excellent, aided by large side mirrors and a surround-view camera system. The second-row bench seat comfortably accommodated three adults, with ample leg-, foot-, and headroom. The third-row seat provided adequate leg support and easy access. Storage space was commendable in all three rows, with practical compartments and cupholders. The Atlas offered 20.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 55.5 cubic feet with the third row folded and 96.6 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, with a 10.9-inch touchscreen for the front passenger on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a cooled wireless charging pad. Premium Plus models added four USB-C ports and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, was user-friendly, with a built-in voice assistant for some vehicle functions. The digital instrument cluster had less functionality than previous versions, and the Dynamic Interaction Light provided additional cues to the driver. Other features included digital key connectivity and a built-in toll transponder.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas used the VW Group's MIB3 operating system, accessible through a 12-inch touchscreen display. The lack of traditional knobs and buttons was a drawback, with touch-sensing temperature buttons and a touch-and-slide volume control. The Atlas lacked a reliable native digital voice assistant, making the MIB3 system less user-friendly. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provided a better experience, with the Harman Kardon audio system delivering excellent sound quality. The MIB3 system had user-experience glitches, such as incorrect song titles on SiriusXM radio and confusing navigation screens. Overall, the Atlas's infotainment system was not intuitive, and the voice recognition system was inadequate.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came with standard driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, active front assist, lane departure warning, parking sensors, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. An exit alert feature used interior ambient lighting to warn occupants of oncoming vehicles or cyclists. Premium Plus models added a 360-degree camera system and adaptive cruise assist. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at press time, but Audi aimed to match the previous generation's five-star NHTSA rating.

The 2025 Volkswagen Atlas featured standard driver-assistance features under the IQ.Drive umbrella, including Front Assist, Active Side Assist, Lane Assist, Emergency Assist, and Travel Assist. Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and a rear cross-traffic alert system were also standard. The Atlas earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was a 2024 IIHS "Top Safety Pick," with updated ratings pending.