Audi is one of the leading luxury automakers in the industry, boasting millions of happy customers worldwide. Over the years, the German giant also established itself as a significant player in the luxury SUV market. And behind all of that success are two of its best-selling SUVs — the Audi Q7 and Q5. Both come with Audi’s signature state-of-the-art, all-wheel-drive system and pack a wide range of safety and driver assistance features.
Still, it is essential to remember that no SUV is 100% reliable and is always prone to failures, especially if not maintained correctly. In that case, an Audi Q7 manual is your best bet to keep repair bills on the lower side. After all, performing regular inspections can significantly reduce the chance of breakdowns and lower the possibility of being left stranded somewhere, waiting for the tow truck.
That being said, let’s see which model would give more bang for your bucks between the Q5 and Q7 — and I won’t lie; it’s not an easy pick!
Engine and Performance
Engine and power output are among the main factors differentiating the two vehicles. The 2022 Q5 is available with two different powertrain layouts. The entry-level 45 TFSI comes with a 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo engine producing 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, while the Q5 55 TFSI gets the same engine, but plug-in hybrid assistance increases power output to 362 hp; this model also provides a 19-mile electric-only range.
However, if you are not a fan of hybrids and the potentially higher maintenance costs, the SQ5 packs a V6 producing 349 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque.
On the other hand, the base Q7 45 TFSI gets a similar 2.0-liter inline-4 turbo engine making 248 hp, while the hybrid Q7 55 TFSI churns out 335 horses.
Sure, the Q5 is a bit more powerful than its cousin, and if you are a performance enthusiast, it should be right up your alley. The Q5 45 TFSI can hit 0-60 in 5.9 seconds and run a quarter-mile in 14.4 seconds at 96 mph, while the Q7 45 TFSI pales in comparison, doing the 0-60mph sprint in 7.8 seconds and the quarter-mile in 16 seconds at 85 mph.
However, while the Q5 is faster, the Q7 is more comfort-oriented, a true premium cruiser that looks as good and it’s practical. The Q7 can also tow more (7,700 pounds vs. the Q5 at only 4,400 pounds), making it the perfect vehicle for a weekend in the woods.
On the other hand, both have a limited roof support capacity and may not be the best to install a heavy roof rack (make sure to check in your Q5 or Q7 owners manual for more details). Still, the Q7 can carry a slightly heavier roof rack than the Q5.
Dimensions and Interior Space
The Audi Q7 is a mid-size luxury SUV, while the Q5 competes in the compact class. Hence, the former is the bigger of the two (199.6” X 77.5” vs. the Q5 at 184.3” X 74.5”), and as such, can comfortably seat seven passengers.
Furthermore, the Q7 features an impressive cargo space of 71.6 cubic feet with the second and third-row seats folded, 37.6 cubic feet behind the second row, and 14.8 cubic feet behind the third row. Legroom is also excellent, keeping passenger comfort as a priority.
For instance, the front row gets over 41.7 inches of legroom, while the second row has 38.8 inches — enough to easily stretch your legs when going on a long trip. And although things get a little tight in the third row, the 29.2 inches of legroom is still better than most of its rivals.
On the contrary, the Q5 doesn’t even have a third row and can only seat five people. Cargo space is also not as abundant as the Q7, but 54.1 cubic feet of space behind the first row is entirely satisfactory. Despite being a compact SUV, the Q5 still provides 40.9 inches of legroom at the front and 38 inches in the second row — both outstanding numbers for the category.
Overall, if you want a quick and compact ride for your daily commute to the office, the Q5 would be an ideal choice. Meanwhile, the Q7 offers more space for passengers and is a better choice for larger families.
Fuel Consumption
It’s no surprise that the Q7 has a bigger appetite than the Q5, as it is the heavier of the two. The Q7 55 TFSI comes with an EPA fuel economy rating of 19 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined. Meanwhile, the Q5 55 TFSI achieves 23 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined — pretty impressive and some of the best figures in the segment.
Of course, if you buy a used Q5 or Q7, the fuel efficiency might be lower than a brand new model. One of the main culprits is a dirty air filter, causing the engine to work harder than it should. Hence, always make sure the air filter is clean and free of debris and replace it if needed.
Luckily, this is a straightforward procedure to do at home. If you aren’t sure, I suggest using a trusted Audi Q7 service manual — it will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to do the job quickly. Not so sure where to find one? Head over to eManualOnline; they’ve got you covered!
And since German cars tend to be a little more “high-maintenance” than others, being able to rely on a trustworthy Audi Q7 repair manual is always your best bet to keep mechanics at bay (and yes, the same is also true for the Q5 too).
Last Words
Audi offers the Q7 and Q5 in different variants, bringing a wide range of price tags, with the Q7 being the more expensive and luxurious of the two. Today, a brand new Q7 starts at around $58,000 and goes all the way up to $73,995 for the Prestige 55 model.
In contrast, the more affordable Q5 starts at $45,195. If you want more power under the hood, you can get the Premium Plus 55. And if that’s still not enough, Audi also offers a similar Prestige 55 version of the Q5, which is still $11,000 cheaper than the Q7.
So, in the end, it all comes down to personal preference. Most buyers will be delighted with the Q5 — it offers decent legroom and cargo space, practicality, and refinement for a small family. However, if you have a larger family or just want the best of the best (and you have deep enough pockets), the Q7 is an excellent choice.
Still, make sure to also check the competition; the BMW X3, Genesis GV70, Lexus NX, and Mercedes-Benz GLC are all great alternatives to the Q5, while the BMW X7, Lexus RX, Genesis GV80, and Mercedes-Benz GLE are comparable to the Q7.
