It’s no secret that SUVs have exploded in popularity over the past few years, and one of the most notable sectors of the vehicle market is the luxury compact SUV. Within this sector, consumers have plenty of excellent choices of vehicles, though some are clearly better than others in particular aspects. Two of the most highly-rated luxury compact SUVs are the 2021 Audi Q5 and the 2021 Porsche Macan. 

Let’s take a closer look at each of these vehicles to determine whether the 2021 Audi Q5 can truly compete with the 2021 Porsche Macan. 

Is the 2021 Audi Q5 really worth buying?

On a scale of zero – 100, Consumer Reports gave the 2021 Audi Q5 a score of 78. This higher-than-average score is mostly due to its superior comfort features in the interior, smooth handling, and powerful engine that comes standard. 

On the outside, the 2021 Audi Q5 is undeniably gorgeous in any color. Its geometric grille with the signature Audi logo gives it a high-class, stylish appearance, and the rounded edges on the rear make it look modern and sleek.

The inside is equally, or perhaps more, striking especially when equipped with darker materials with contrasting stitching. The infotainment system is brilliant, coming standard with a 10.1-inch touch screen that is intuitive and easy-to-use.

It also comes with myriad infotainment features, such as a WiFi hotspot, wireless charging, power-adjustable and heated front seats, and so much more. 

Its safety features are also notable, coming standard with front and rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and forward-collision warning. 

Overall, the 2021 Audi Q5 makes a compelling case that is truly tough to beat. It starts at $43,300 and comes with plenty of customization options. 

The 2021 Porsche Macan is a powerful luxury SUV

On the same scale as the 2021 Audi Q5, Consumer Reports gave the 2021 Porsche Macan a solid 76. Its score also comes from its incredible engine and handling, beautiful interior, and dazzling exterior. 

Porsche has a reputation for making beautiful luxury vehicles, and the 2021 Porsche Macan is clearly no exception. One glance of the exterior is enough to take anyone’s breath away with its unique reaching, narrow grille, and rounded headlights.

The rear’s tail light bar looks elegant, especially with the Porsche label featured in the center. The interior is somehow even more remarkable to look at, as it was clearly designed and crafted with care.

The seats are made with high-quality materials, including leather, and the options are almost limitless when it comes to interior customization. The cabin is luxuriously quiet and comfortable. The 2021 Porsche Macan comes standard with a 10.9-inch touch screen infotainment system, satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and so much more.

One pertinent thing to note about the 2021 Macan’s infotainment system is that it has Apple CarPlay capabilities, but it lacks Android Auto. This may not bother some users, especially those with iPhones, but it may provide major annoyances for others. 

Which luxury SUV is the better choice?

Consumer Reports rated the 2021 Audi Q5 overall slightly higher than the 2021 Porsche Macan. This may come as a surprise to some, as the old adage goes, “You get what you pay for”.

In this case, a vehicle with a lower price tag impressed the reviewers at Consumer Reports a bit more than the more expensive option. The 2021 Audi Q5 outscored the 2021 Porsche Macan by just two points on Consumer Reports’ scale, mostly for its more reasonable price, better gas mileage, and more intuitive driving experience. 

Neither scored quite as high, however, as the 2021 Lexus NX, which actually comes in at a lower starting price than both the Audi Q5 and Porsche Macan. All in all, the decision about which luxury compact SUV to purchase comes down to personal preference and budget considerations.