Audi Q5 vs Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The Audi Q5's exterior styling showcased a blend of subtle curves and angular accents, creating an appearance that was both classy and sporty. It was available in two body styles: the standard Q5 SUV and the Q5 Sportback, which featured a sloping rear roofline for a sleeker silhouette. Despite typically not favoring "coupelike" styling, the Q5 Sportback stood out, thanks to a spoiler-like element above the taillights, providing a definite transition from hatch to the more upright tail. This design decision differentiated it from rivals that often had awkward rear ends.

Inside, the Q5 exuded refinement with a fairly straightforward layout, though it was beginning to show its age since its last redesign in 2018. Leather seating and heated front seats were standard, with a heated steering wheel and rear seats available as options. A 10-inch touchscreen sat atop the dash, maintaining a more traditional approach rather than opting for a large tablet-like display. Materials quality was generally good for the class, but with non-luxury manufacturers improving their interiors, the Q5 no longer felt as special compared to earlier years. Rear-seat passengers had a more rugged experience, surrounded by harder plastic elements designed to endure the wear and tear from children and pets.

The Q5's build quality was solid, offering a sturdy and appropriately German feel. Driving over rough surfaces revealed no squeaks or creaks, adding to its robust appeal. Overall, it remained a strong choice among competitors like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Porsche.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, redesigned in 2019, adopted a more substantial and blocky appearance, pivoting away from its earlier softer crossover styling. The trapezoidal grille, adapted from Toyota's truck line, added heft, and the surrounding bevels and angles framed the headlights effectively. Initially a striking change, this design approach became more common across brands, with similar influences evident in models like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50.

The angular theme extended to the RAV4's interior, featuring a multi-tiered dashboard with beveled cutouts, adding visual interest to an otherwise plain surface. The layout was typical for vehicles at the time, with the infotainment touchscreen mounted atop the dash and plenty of physical buttons and knobs for main features.

Material quality was average for its class and price, with many hard plastic surfaces, though most contact points were lightly padded. Both the base model and the new Woodland trim had a less appealing urethane steering wheel and center armrest, which felt rubbery and cheap. Fortunately, higher trims offered a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Build quality was robust, with no noticeable creaks or squeaks over rough pavement.

The Audi Q5 offered multiple engine options. 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 and was the sole engine for the Q5 Sportback. The 55 TFSI was a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) offering 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated 23 miles of electric-only range. Charging the PHEV on a 7.4 kW home charger took approximately 2.5 hours. All Q5 models featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD).

Driving the Q5 Sportback with the 45 TFSI engine revealed a noticeable delay in power delivery, likely due to the transmission's slow response. This delay made initial acceleration feel sluggish, contrasting with the 5.7-second 0-60 mph estimate. Once moving, power was sufficient, but drivers needed to plan ahead for passing maneuvers.

Handling met typical Audi expectations, providing a sporty feel that exceeded most drivers' needs. Steering was precise, and the Q5 inspired confidence on curvy roads. For those seeking more spirited driving, the SQ5 with a firmer suspension was recommended, though it affected ride comfort.

The Q5 struck a good balance between compliance and cornering, managing side-to-side jostling and road bumps well, without harsh impacts. The engine and exhaust maintained a quiet demeanor unless driven aggressively, and road and wind noise were minimal, keeping the cabin calm and up to luxury SUV standards.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor/generator, connected to a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that drove the front wheels. An additional electric motor on the rear axle provided AWD. Together, they produced 219 horsepower, accelerating the RAV4 to 60 mph in around 7.5 seconds. Most drivers found the power sufficient for typical driving scenarios, only needing full throttle for steep highway merges.

Compared to other RAV4 models, the Hybrid offered quicker acceleration, about half a second faster than the standard RAV4, while the plug-in hybrid RAV4 Prime achieved an impressive 5.5 seconds for 0-60 mph. Within the compact hybrid SUV class, the Kia Sportage Hybrid was slightly faster, while the Honda CR-V Hybrid reached 60 mph in roughly 8 seconds, placing them on a level playing field.

The RAV4 Hybrid's brakes operated much like traditional systems, with an initial pedal stroke usually engaging regenerative braking to charge the hybrid battery. Under more aggressive braking or complete stops, physical brakes were activated seamlessly.

The suspension provided a smooth ride over moderate bumps and potholes, with confident cornering. While not sporty, the RAV4 Hybrid prioritized fundamental ride comfort and ease of driving, matching similar characteristics in its rivals.

The Audi Q5's interior design, unchanged since 2018, remained functional and stood the test of time well. The infotainment touchscreen was placed atop the dash for optimal driver sightline, reducing distraction. Traditional dials and buttons controlled the climate system, along with physical buttons for secondary vehicle functions, minimizing the need to navigate on-screen menus for commonly used features.

Visibility was commendable for its class, thanks to narrowly profiled front roof pillars that didn't obstruct views through sharp turns as much as some rivals. Rear visibility was also better than average, although parking cameras and proximity sensors were still useful for tight spots.

The front seats offered ample space for taller passengers, and the rear seats accommodated six-footers comfortably without headliner interference, even in the Sportback model where headroom was only marginally reduced. Legroom and space under the front seats were generous.

Storage options included several compartments for personal items, though some were oddly sized. A shallow pocket under the climate controls wasn't suitable for a phone, and nearby fist-sized pockets and narrow slots added limited utility. A wireless phone charger on a sliding tray covered the cupholders (which were heated and cooled in top trims), and a shallow center armrest bin was also provided. Door pockets offered the most storage, fitting larger drink bottles.

Cargo space behind the rear seats was substantial, with up to 25.8 cubic feet available in the standard Q5, slightly reduced to 24.7 cubic feet in the Sportback. Competitors like the BMW X3 and Genesis GV70 offered approximately 4 more cubic feet, whereas the Porsche Macan had a smaller capacity at 17.2 cubic feet.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid's front seats provided sufficient space for larger passengers, while the rear seats comfortably accommodated average-sized adults. On paper, rear headroom surpassed the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage slightly, but rear legroom was marginally less. These differences were negligible in practice, though rear-facing infant seats might require moving the front seats forward. Rear seat cushions were set low, potentially causing discomfort for taller passengers on long trips due to insufficient thigh support.

The RAV4 Hybrid boasted impressive cargo capacity, with up to 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, almost matching the non-hybrid RAV4. Unlike some hybrids, it didn't sacrifice cargo space for the battery pack. The Honda CR-V offered 39.5 cubic feet, and the Kia Sportage provided 39.3 cubic feet, presenting no clear advantage among these models. Rear seatbacks folded flat with the cargo floor, but accessing them might be challenging for shorter owners.

The RAV4 excelled in interior storage solutions. The front passenger benefited from a wide dashboard shelf and a phone tray in front of the center console. Although an optional wireless charging pad faced availability issues (likely due to chip shortages), large cupholders and a spacious center armrest bin remained. Door pockets were average in size.

The 2023 Audi Q5 came equipped with a standard 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, featuring sharp graphics and fairly quick responses. However, the system's boot-up time and the delay in activating Apple CarPlay were significant. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto could be used wirelessly across all trims. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen audio system. Audi's native infotainment system had large, easy-to-read on-screen buttons, but the Apple CarPlay app buttons were smaller and closer together, complicating usage while driving.

The Q5 could be monitored remotely via a smartphone app, enabling features like unlocking and temperature pre-conditioning through the Audi Connect Care service. This service was free for a limited time before requiring a paid subscription, which also included a Wi-Fi hotspot. Mid-range trims benefited from a customizable digital instrument panel, providing ample information as needed.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid saw the introduction of a significantly improved infotainment system compared to earlier models. The touchscreen graphics were modern and sharp, with logically arranged menus. The screen placement atop the dashboard helped minimize distractions while driving. Most trims came with an 8.0-inch display, with higher trims upgrading to a 10.5-inch touchscreen. However, the base display's on-screen buttons were small, demanding more precision for use.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all RAV4 models, with an optional wireless charging pad (subject to availability issues). The infotainment system's over-the-air software update capability ensured features remained current. Connectivity options included a Wi-Fi hotspot and remote monitoring and control over the vehicle. The top RAV4 Hybrid trims featured a fully digital instrument panel. The standard six-speaker audio system offered decent quality, while the top Limited trim included an 11-speaker JBL system for a more robust audio experience.

In crash tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2023 Audi Q5 earned five out of five stars 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, naming it a Top Safety Pick+, the Institute's highest honor.

Every Q5 model came with advanced safety features, including forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and front and rear parking sensors. Moving up to the Q5 Premium Plus trim added lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera system, and traffic jam assist, blending adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping to reduce driver fatigue in dense traffic.

The Prestige trim offered matrix-design LED headlights that adjusted high beams to avoid blinding oncoming traffic, a head-up display, semi-automated parking, and a traffic sign reader. Rear-seat side impact airbags were optional on all trims.

The NHTSA awarded the RAV4 Hybrid five out of five stars for overall and side crash protection, with four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS gave the RAV4 its highest "Good" rating in most tests, but "Acceptable" in newer moderate overlap frontal and side-impact tests, earning it a Top Safety Pick, the second-highest honor.

The 2023 RAV4 Hybrid featured Toyota's Safety Sense 2.5 suite, including forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and a traffic sign reader. The XLE trim added a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alerts, while the top Limited trim included front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking when reversing. A surround-view camera and digital rearview mirror were optional, aiding visibility even when the rear cargo area was full.

In practice, the RAV4's safety systems performed reliably, without false alarms. The adaptive cruise control smoothly managed throttle and braking, creating gentle stops.