5 Alternatives to the Audi Q5

The Audi Q5 has a target on its back. Several other performance-oriented luxury SUVs are aiming to steal its substantial sales.

by Dan Mayfield

Published on July 31, 2022 9:19 am

3 min read

There are many reasons to consider an Audi Q5. It has space, pace, grace, and a nameplate that attracts attention. For many, it’s in the sweet spot for an entry-level luxury five-passenger SUV. For others, that could be a BMW or a Volvo. What are the alternatives to the well-rounded Audi Q5?

In many ways, the Q5 found the sweet spot

The 2023 Audi Q5 set the compact SUV luxury standard in some ways. — 2023 Audi Q5 | Audi

At a base price of $43,500 the Q5 skirts both the upper echelon of leather-clad basic SUVs like the Subaru Outback XT Touring and Mazda Cz-5, but also undercuts its prime luxury competition. The Q5 45 TFSI version comes well equipped with all-wheel drive, several driver’s aids, and a large touchscreen. But there are alternatives to the Q5.

The Tesla Model Y technically competes with the Q5 on size, but because it’s electric it has an entirely different performance curve and it’s more likely you’ll be cross-shopping the Y With the new Blazer EV and Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Jaguar E-Pace

The 2023 Jaguar E-Pace flies under the radar. Sure, it has the badge, but it is a bit more stealthy. That is until you put your foot in it, and you feel its 248-horsepower. The Jaguar has a cabin and an overall feel that is in line with the leather and satin chrome than the carbon fiber look of the Audi. The Q5 does hold a bit more stuff, and it has slightly more interior room. The Jag starts at $48,000.

Lincoln Corsair

Lincoln has come a long way from its Continental roots with the $36,580 Corsair. It is Lincoln’s entry-level luxury five-seat SUV and it offers a lot of value for the money. It’s designed to waft down the highway and eat up miles, while you sit in leather-swathed comfort, whether you pick the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder, the hotrod with 295 horsepower, or the plug-in hybrid version. It also offers the Lincoln Co-Pilot250 1.5 Plus, which has a 260-degree camera, and several aids like evasive steering assist and adaptive cruise.

Acura RDX

The Acura RDX, at $40,600, is a bit less than the Audi but combines a lot of the sporty feel of the Q5 with a powerful 272-horsepower VTEC turbo motor. The Acura can be ordered in A-Spec trim, which adds an even more performance feel with the adaptive suspension. Like the others on this list, the RDX is designed around on-road performance, and more than the others, it wears its performance on its sleeve with bold intake ducts and large wheels, and a cabin with gauges that look like they came out of an R-Spec Honda.

Mercedes-Benz GLC

The 2023 Mercedes GLC off road — 2023 Mercedes GLC | Mercedes

The GLC is the natural competitor for the Q5. It’s a bit larger, and for 2023 it’s getting a total refresh that will make it feel a lot newer. The interior has been spruced up with a new, sleek, two-cockpit feel split by a large center screen. The big news is that it’s packed with technology inside, and in the engine bay, with a new hybrid version and four gas versions.

BMW X3

The 2022BMW X3 holds about two feet more of cargo, has a similar sporty feel and directly competes with the Q5. The big update for the X3 was for 2022. The X3 was made a bit bigger all around and the wheelbase was expanded. The big news was the addition of a 48-volt mild hybrid system in the X3 M40i version. The X3 comes in X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, and X3 M40i trims, and starts at $45,400.

Writer - Sedans & Coupes

Dan Mayfield

Dan joined MotorBiscuit in 2022 with over 20 years of experience in journalism and a lifelong passion for anything related to the automotive industry. He grew up wrenching a 1949 Ford pickup truck and an MGB with his dad, learning how not to wire a fuel pump (he inadvertently set the MGB on fire).

After earning a bachelor’s degree in photojournalism from the University of New Mexico, Dan has contributed his expertise to a range of local outlets, including the City of Albuquerque, US Eagle, and the Alliance for Local Economic Prosperity.

On weekends, Dan spends Saturdays enjoying “cars and coffee” chats and, on Sundays, he’s watching the Route 66 Cruise roll through town. He also races motorcycles, and it’s not unusual to find him elbows-deep in his latest cafe racer build.

Taking advantage of the local desert terrain, Dan also enjoys exploring and driving off-road in his trusty Ram Rebel pickup truck, which provides personal insights into his contributions to our Trucks, SUVs, & Crossovers coverage. Dan strives to give our readers unique information about the dynamic automotive market, reading anything that has to do with cars, trucks, bikes, 4X4s, and, in his words, “everything with a motor.”

Dan has earned a number of accolades from the Public Relations Society of America, and is a University of Southern California, Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism Fellow.