Compare the2022 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEVVS 2022 Audi Q5

The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Q5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Outlander PHEV and the Q5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The Outlander PHEV comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Q5’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Outlander PHEV 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Audi covers the Q5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Q5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 96 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi 13th in reliability, above the industry average. With 11 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

On the EPA test cycle the Outlander PHEV running on electricity gets better mileage than the Q5 55 TFSI e Electric Motor running on electricity (77 city/71 hwy vs. 60 city/61 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the Outlander PHEV running its gasoline engine gets better fuel mileage than the Q5 45 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder Hybrid with its standard engine running its gasoline engine (26 city/26 hwy vs. 23 city/28 hwy).

The Outlander PHEV’s maximum driving range in pure electric mode is 24 miles, 4% further than the Q5 55 TFSI e’s 23 mile range.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Q5 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV higher (7 out of 10) than the Audi Q5 (5 to 7). This means the Outlander PHEV produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Q5 every 15,000 miles.

The Outlander PHEV has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Q5 doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Outlander PHEV stops much shorter than the Q5:

The Outlander PHEV’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Q5 45 TFSI’s standard 60 series tires.

For better maneuverability, the Outlander PHEV’s turning circle is 3.1 feet tighter than the Q5 45 TFSI’s (35.6 feet vs. 38.7 feet). The Outlander PHEV’s turning circle is 3.8 feet tighter than the Q5 55 TFSI e’s (35.6 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The Outlander PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q5 with its rear seat up (30.4 vs. 25.8 cubic feet). The Outlander PHEV has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q5 with its rear seat folded (66.6 vs. 54 cubic feet).

The Outlander PHEV has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Q5 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Outlander PHEV GT has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Q5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.