10 Audi Q5 Competitors to Consider

2018 Audi Q5 on road ・ Photo by Audi

Here are 10 Audi Q5 competitors to consider, because everyone has their tastes. Some buyers might not take to the Q5’s super-modern styling. Or maybe they find the 252 hp from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine a little underwhelming. The hot SQ5 version enlists a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 for an entertaining 354 hp, but that’s far more expensive. Regardless of your specific tastes, it's worth checking out other premium compact crossovers before making a final decision.

For context, this Q5 generation is all-new for 2018. At the time of compiling this list, 2019 pricing hadn’t been announced, but figures shouldn’t stray too far from the 2018 model, which starts at $42,475 (Premium trim). Enjoy the search — sometimes the journey is more fun than the destination.

2019 Acura RDX

For anyone seeking fantastic reliability, lofty build quality and many features that would be options in other rivals but are standard here — yet still at an accessible price — the Acura RDX has to be on the list of possibles. To sweeten the deal, it even mixes in a generous dash of driving fun, achieved by the combination of a pugnacious 272 hp developed by a fresh turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with selectable drive settings having “Sport” mode as their default.

The RDX is completely new for 2019, so forget all the old “nice, but dull” descriptions. Instead, start enjoying the traction-enhancing torque vectoring of the optional all-wheel drive system and the super-composed ride quality.

Photo by Acura

2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

There’s a certain romance to Alfa Romeo designs, a kind of look that says “this was designed by passionate humans with excellent taste.” Such an approach even works on a contemporary premium crossover. Park a German or Japanese rival next to a Stelvio and it will come across as cold-blooded and mechanistic.

Fortunately, the Stelvio's suspension also seems to have been set up by passionate humans with crazy tuning skills, since the Stelvio has a panache to its handling and ride quality equal to its visual impact. This applies to versions with the 280-hp 2.0-liter drivetrain as much as the fiercely powerful Quadrifoglio version. Having a powered tailgate and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto as standard also help with everyday requirements.

Photo by Alfa Romeo

2019 BMW X3

There are some people who are seemingly perfect. They’re smart, athletic, artistic, engaging and entertaining while still being responsible, and generally great to have around. If there’s an equivalent among premium compact crossovers, it’s the BMW X3. It’s so good at everything it needs to do — space, comfort, refinement, prestige, quality, driving ability, and even a chunk of fun.

The base 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder is said to make 248 hp, but it feels more energetic than that. The M40i version faces up to the SQ5 with 355 hp. Total cargo area of 62.7 cubic feet is not class-leading but still respectable, and the rear seats fold to form a flat load floor. Forward collision mitigation and parking sensors are newly standard for 2019.

Photo by BMW

2019 Cadillac XT5

A few years ago, there wouldn’t have been a Cadillac entry in a compilation of 10 Audi Q5 competitors to consider. Sure, the erstwhile SRX was technically in the same arena, but it wasn’t in the same league. The XT5 debuted in 2017 and comes with a more confident, more impactful attitude.

Cadillac also goes straight for the good stuff in the engine department, packing a 310-hp 3.6-liter V6. It does, however, have a cylinder deactivation feature to help with fuel economy under light loads. There’s plenty of room (63 cubic feet) for large loads as well, or the second-row passengers can enjoy sliding/reclining seats. Standard technology includes wi-fi, four USB ports, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

Photo by General Motors

2019 Jaguar F-Pace

To drive an F-Pace is to wonder at how Jaguar managed to make something with a raised seating position feel so sporty. But here’s the other wonder, the F-Pace doesn’t feel jarring either. Some of it can be explained by an aluminum-intensive construction that holds weight in check and brings an advantageously low center of gravity. The rest of it is down to excellent suspension engineers.

Jaguar appears to have top people in many departments, because the F-Pace is simultaneously spacious on the inside (63 cubic feet of cargo area) while looking streamlined on the outside. Extra safety equipment becomes standard for 2019 and buyers don’t have to stretch to the topmost trim levels to obtain advanced driver aids.

Photo by Jaguar Land Rover

2019 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The Velar brings some of that ultra-exclusive Range Rover cachet to the premium compact crossover scene. That means high style, fantastic technology — the twin touchscreens look stunning and reduce the number of buttons — and more off-road ability than most drivers will ever use.

The standard engine is the now-commonplace 2.0-liter turbo-four configuration, making 247 hp in this instance. There’s also the option of a diesel for a rich 317 lb-ft of torque, or a muscular 380-hp supercharged V6. And just to remind people that Audi doesn’t have things all its own way in the styling stakes, the Velar was named “Most Beautiful” in the 2018 World car awards. It's kind of pricey, though.

Photo by Jaguar Land Rover

2019 Lexus NX

Like its larger sibling the RX, the Lexus NX is a big seller. People appreciate the dealership experience, top-notch build quality, absolute reliability, generous standard equipment levels, and traditionally strong Lexus resale values.

The NX is less expensive than the Q5, so buyers don’t mind having less power in the entry-level NX 300 version (235 hp), any convincing degree of sportiness, or not having that taut Teutonic styling philosophy. And they can choose a hybrid version if they want, which averages out at 31 mpg while still costing less than the “basic” Q5. The NX offers plenty of passenger space as well (cargo space, at 54.6 cubic feet, is average), and has earned top safety scores.

Photo by Lexus

2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

If the title of this list wasn’t 10 Audi Q5 competitors to consider, but only featured five alternatives, then the Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class still would be included. Refinement, engineering and practicality are three good reasons, along with arguably good looks inside and out.

The 2019 model year brings more standard equipment, like heated front seats and a 115-volt power outlet, while the current inventory includes a powered tailgate, heated wipers and keyless entry/ignition. There’s a plug-in hybrid version (the 350e), and the 362-hp AMG GLC 43 variant challenges the Audi SQ5. The ride quality of the regular GLC 300 is so smooth it feels like you could drive over a huge washboard and not wake a sleeping baby.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

2019 Porsche Macan

Like the Range Rover Velar, the Macan exists in the higher-priced levels of the premium compact crossover universe. It's also based on the same architecture as the Q5. But it’s still a Porsche, which entails a lot of incredible attention to detail regarding the driving experience, like how the throttle and brakes react to driver inputs.

In a word, the Macan feels polished. It says a lot that Jaguar benchmarked the Macan when developing its excellent F-Pace, and not the Q5. The Macan's lines, sleeker than those of the Q5, result in less cargo space — 53 cubic feet, compared with 60.4 — but the enthusiastic driver would rather carry less bulk anyway. The interior also feels more special than the Q5’s.

Photo by Porsche

2019 Volvo XC60

Entering the second generation’s second model year, the 2019 Volvo XC60 enjoys many attributes in common with its larger XC90 stablemate. From the distinctive headlights to the elegant interior to the many reassuring safety features, the XC60 has a plethora of aspects in its favor.

The entry level even has leather upholstery, satellite radio and a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen. A plug-in hybrid version also is available, but don’t for a second think the XC60 is a boring drive. It’s subtly athletic. Anyone who ever has spent a long time in a Volvo seat will appreciate that they’re some of the most comfortable from any manufacturer, while the maximum cargo space of 63.3 cubic feet beats the Q5.

Photo by Volvo