Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs 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 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 no longer felt as 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 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, priced from $41,995, offered minimal appearance changes for the year, with a new Cypress Green paint and standard power-folding mirrors on higher trims. The design was over-styled, with exaggerated forms and a lack of subtlety, leading to a visual overload. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid continued this theme with oversized elements and mismatched textures, creating a visually jarring experience. The quality of materials was questionable, with controls and storage areas feeling inexpensive. Despite these drawbacks, the Highlander Hybrid excelled in quietness on the road, thanks to acoustic front window glass in higher trims. However, the interior's overall look, feel, and sound quality were underwhelming, detracting from its appeal as a family SUV.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine choices. The base 40 TFSI featured 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, 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 Q5 models came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive. The Q5 Sportback with the 45 TFSI engine experienced a noticeable delay in power delivery due to the slow-reacting transmission, making initial acceleration feel sluggish. However, once underway, power was adequate, and handling was sporty, instilling confidence on curvy roads. The Q5 balanced compliance and cornering well, with a quiet engine and minimal road noise, meeting luxury SUV standards.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, producing 243 combined horsepower. The electric motors assisted in acceleration and allowed for electric-only driving at low speeds. However, the gas engine's 175 pound-feet of torque limited high-speed passing power, and towing 3,500 pounds seemed impractical. The Highlander Hybrid offered Eco, Normal, and Sport driving modes, with an optimistic Trail mode for light off-road use. The Predictive Efficient Drive system aimed to maximize fuel efficiency, but the test vehicle averaged 28.7 mpg, below the EPA's 35 mpg estimate. The driving experience was uninspiring, with soft suspension, a groaning CVT, and disengaging steering. The Highlander Hybrid excelled in city and suburban driving, offering a compliant ride and quiet highway experience, but lacked excitement.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design remained largely unchanged since 2018 but continued to impress with its timeless appeal. The infotainment touchscreen was strategically placed atop the dash for easy visibility, complemented by traditional dials and buttons for climate controls. Outward visibility was commendable, aided by a narrow front roof pillar. The Q5 offered ample space for taller passengers, with rear seats accommodating six-footers comfortably. Storage options were available, though some were oddly sized. The Q5 provided 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly reduced in the Sportback model. While competitors offered more cargo space, the Q5's practicality remained competitive.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid prioritized family functionality, seating seven or eight people depending on the configuration. Most models featured second-row captain’s chairs, with the third row best suited for occasional use. Standard equipment included three-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row captain’s chairs. The front seats offered power adjustment, though additional thigh support was desired. Second-row passengers enjoyed comfort and sunshade protection, while third-row access was tight and uncomfortable for adults. The Highlander Hybrid featured a useful dashboard shelf and wireless smartphone charger, but storage areas were unlined, affecting cabin quietness. Cargo space measured 16 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 84.3 cubic feet with seats folded. However, the optional all-weather cargo mat compromised utility.

The 2023 Audi Q5 came standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring sharp graphics and quick responses. However, system boot-up and Apple CarPlay activation were slow. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available across all trims. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Audi Connect Care service allowed remote monitoring and feature control via a smartphone app, with a limited-time subscription. Mid-range trims benefited from a customizable digital instrument panel, providing ample information.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced fresh technology, with upper trims featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display. However, the controls were not intuitive. The new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system offered an 8.0-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 12.3-inch display on higher trims. Features included over-the-air updates, dual-device Bluetooth pairing, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Connected service plans varied in subscription lengths, with Wi-Fi Connect providing 4G internet connectivity. The Drive Connect service plan offered advanced features like Intelligent Assistant voice recognition and cloud-based navigation. The test vehicle included a head-up display and an 11-speaker JBL sound system, delivering decent sound quality. Overall, the Toyota Audio Multimedia platform was user-friendly, though graphics could be improved.

The 2023 Audi Q5 excelled in safety, earning five out of five stars from the NHTSA for overall, frontal, and side protection, and four stars in rollover tests. The 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 monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors. Higher trims added lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera system, and traffic jam assist. The top Prestige trim featured matrix-design LED headlights, a head-up display, a semi-automated parking system, and a traffic sign reader.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid prioritized safety with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), a standard suite of advanced driving assistance systems. TSS 2.5+ included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign assist. Hybrids also featured blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Limited and Platinum trims added parking sensors with automatic braking and a surround-view camera. The ADAS performed well, though occasional confusion occurred with lane changes and rural roads. Safety Connect provided emergency assistance and vehicle location services. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA.