Toyota Land Cruiser vs Audi Q5

Audi's 2026 Q5 maintained a distinct aesthetic compared to its siblings, with a design that featured thinner headlights and a wider grille, giving it a unique Audi identity. The District Green paint paired with the S Line Black Optic Package was visually striking, although the grille's honeycomb design appeared less appealing up close. The rear bumper's honeycomb texture looked better but still seemed cheap, despite having real exhaust tips. The interior was a mix of offensive and tasteful elements, with well-sculpted seats and a four-spoke steering wheel reminiscent of the 1990s. However, the abundance of shiny black plastic and disjointed screens detracted from the overall experience.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser offered two distinct versions: the basic 1958 model and a higher trim level. The 1958 featured round headlights and cloth seats, while the higher trim had rectangular lamps and artificial leather upholstery. The test vehicle, equipped with the Premium Package, boasted soft leather upholstery and generous padding, emphasizing function over form. The Land Cruiser's cabin was not as upscale as its Lexus counterpart, but it exuded quality in construction and materials. Despite a thin metallic echo when doors slammed, the Land Cruiser felt robust and capable, with a focus on practicality and off-road prowess.

The 2026 Audi Q5 was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, producing 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It featured Audi's quattro all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. While the dual-clutch design was more suited for performance vehicles, the Q5 exhibited some delay and lurching at low speeds. The Q5 offered rock-solid stability, a hushed cabin, and a comfortable ride, with air springs available on the Prestige trim. The Q5's fuel economy was competitive, with an EPA rating of 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser was equipped with the i-Force Max hybrid powertrain, combining a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to deliver 326 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive, with a towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. The Land Cruiser's fuel economy was rated at 23 mpg combined, but real-world testing showed lower figures. The Land Cruiser excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select modes. It handled daily driving well, though it exhibited some drivetrain clunk and a touchy brake pedal.

The 2026 Audi Q5 offered average headroom and legroom for a compact SUV, with cargo space measuring 27.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 56.9 cubic feet when folded. The Q5's standard panoramic sunroof was expansive and didn't impede headroom. Standard features included heated power front seats, leather upholstery, and a range of tech and convenience features. However, the Q5 had some daily inconveniences, such as touchscreen climate controls and an unimpressive instrument panel.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser's interior was spacious, with comfortable front and rear seats for up to five people. The test vehicle's Premium Package added genuine leather, heated and ventilated seats, and a power sunroof. Cargo space was generous, with 46.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 82.2 cubic feet with them folded. However, the high liftover height and lack of a flat cargo floor made loading bulky items challenging. The Land Cruiser's storage options were limited, with small cupholders and a compact center console cool box.

The 2026 Audi Q5 came with a 14.5-inch touchscreen and an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster, with a third 10.9-inch touchscreen on Prestige trims. It supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and featured a Bang & Olufsen stereo with 755 watts and 19 speakers. The Q5's technology impressed with real-time road and traffic depictions and Park Assist Pro, which allowed remote control of the car using the key fob.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser's higher trim level featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It offered wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, along with Toyota Connected Services. The Premium Package added a 14-speaker JBL audio system and a head-up display. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though it lacked a home screen with different data panels.

The 2026 Audi Q5 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA for the 2025 model, with a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. It featured standard driver-assistance technologies like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Q5 also offered advanced features like forward cross-traffic alert and rear emergency braking on higher trims.

The 2027 Toyota Land Cruiser came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. It also offered Proactive Driving Assist and additional safety features like blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alert. The Land Cruiser received a four-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and mostly Good ratings from the IIHS, with some Acceptable and Marginal scores.