Porsche Cayenne vs 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 that contributed to its imposing front end. The body sides were accentuated 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 higher trims boasting LED Headlights Plus and programmable OLED taillights. The model was available in both standard SUV and coupe-like 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 like matte chrome trim and quad exhaust tips.

Inside, the Q5's interior design was a mix of intricate details, with a dashboard and door panels featuring opposing curves to accommodate the main touchscreen and bulging doors. While the design might have seemed discordant, the materials used were top-notch, with sturdy plastics and a mix of silver and black trim pieces contrasting nicely with lighter upholstery colors. Leather seating surfaces were standard, and the SQ5 offered a red interior with Alcantara trim and sportier front seats. However, the SQ5 seats lacked adequate bolstering for enthusiastic driving, and the piano-black plastic surrounding the cupholders and shifter was prone to getting dirty quickly.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne was available in both standard SUV and sporty Coupe forms, with trim levels ranging from the base Cayenne to the high-performance Cayenne Turbo GT. The GTS trim, which was the focus of this review, featured high gloss black trim, bronze exhaust tips, and a unique front fascia with larger air intakes and tinted headlights. The GTS rode on 21-inch wheels with red brake calipers and offered an adaptive rear spoiler for the Coupe version. Inside, the Cayenne allowed for extensive customization, from color choices to trim and seat belts. While the base model had standard eight-way power-adjustable seats, higher trims offered more luxurious options like Race-Tex headliners and leather interiors. The Cayenne's cabin was well-organized, with mechanical controls for essential features and a shifter toggle mounted on the dashboard for added storage space.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The base model 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. Despite these figures, the Q5 and SQ5 didn't feel as quick as expected, with noticeable turbo lag and rough shifts from the dual-clutch transmission. 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 Porsche Cayenne offered a range of engines, starting with a base 3.0-liter V6 producing 348 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. The Cayenne S featured a V8 with 468 hp, while the Turbo GT, available only as a coupe, delivered 650 hp. Plug-in hybrid options offered up to 729 hp for peak performance. The GTS trim, with its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 producing 493 hp and 486 lb-ft of torque, provided a thrilling driving experience. The Cayenne GTS could accelerate to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 171 mph. The GTS's steering, borrowed from the Turbo GT, offered precise turn-in, and the active suspension kept the SUV agile despite its weight. The Cayenne's driving modes allowed for a balance between sporty performance and comfortable commuting.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar exterior dimensions and interior space to the 2024 model, offering adequate headroom and legroom. The sliding and reclining second-row bench seat provided flexibility, and the Q5 offered 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 56.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Q5's towing capacity of 4,400 pounds surpassed some rivals, and standard features included a power tailgate and heated front seats. Higher trims added features like a heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, and ventilated front seats.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered a la carte customization, with the base model featuring standard eight-way power-adjustable seats and two-zone climate control. Higher trims added options like Race-Tex headliners and leather interiors. The Cayenne could tow over 7,700 pounds and accommodate over 1,400 pounds of payload. Cargo space was slightly smaller than competitors, with the standard Cayenne offering 27.3 cubic feet behind the second row and 60 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Coupe version had less cargo space, and the plug-in hybrid models further reduced utility.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, with a 10.9-inch passenger screen available on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a cooled wireless charging pad. The Premium Plus trim added USB-C ports and a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Q5's infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, was user-friendly, and a built-in voice assistant handled some vehicle functions. The available head-up display provided clear information, and the Dynamic Interaction Light offered additional cues to the driver.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne boasted a curved 12.6-inch digital gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An optional 10.9-inch passenger screen allowed for navigation and media control. The Cayenne's screens were well-organized and responsive, with voice control available for many functions. A head-up display provided pertinent information, although it appeared dim with polarized sunglasses. The Cayenne also featured night-vision assist and HD-Matrix Design LED headlamps.

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. Premium Plus models added a 360-degree camera system and adaptive cruise assist. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of review, but Audi aimed to match the previous generation's five-star rating.

The 2025 Porsche Cayenne offered standard parking sensors, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring, but adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist were optional. Porsche's InnoDrive adaptive cruise control system was not tested, and the Cayenne lacked hands-off/eyes-up driving assist features. Safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS were not available for the 2025 model.