Compare the2023 Audi Q5 SportbackVS 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Q5 Sportback’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Santa Fe doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Q5 Sportback has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Santa Fe doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Q5 Sportback. But it costs extra on the Santa Fe.

Both the Q5 Sportback and the Santa Fe 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, 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Audi Q5 Sportback is safer than the Hyundai Santa Fe:

	Q5 Sportback	Santa Fe
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	187	244
Neck Compression	30 lbs.	89 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	90/55 lbs.	222/167 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Audi Q5 Sportback is safer than the Hyundai Santa Fe:

	Q5 Sportback	Santa Fe
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	60	61
Chest Movement	.6 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	98 lbs.	164 lbs.
Hip Force	279 lbs.	415 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	53 G’s	54 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	219	376
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	44 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The Q5 Sportback’s corrosion warranty is 5 years longer than the Santa Fe’s (12 vs. 7 years).

Reliability

The Audi Q5 Sportback’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Santa Fe’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Q5 Sportback’s reliability 38 points higher than the Santa Fe.

Engine

The Q5 Sportback’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 70 more horsepower (261 vs. 191) and 92 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 181) than the Santa Fe’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Q5 Sportback gets better mileage than the Santa Fe:

			MPG
Q5 Sportback
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	22 city/29 hwy
Santa Fe
	FWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/28 hwy
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/28 hwy
		2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	22 city/25 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Q5 Sportback’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Santa Fe doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Transmission

The Q5 Sportback’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Santa Fe doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Q5 Sportback’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Santa Fe:

	Q5 Sportback	Santa Fe
Front Rotors	13.3 inches	12.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	12 inches

The Q5 Sportback’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Santa Fe are solid, not vented.

Tires and Wheels

The Q5 Sportback’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Santa Fe’s standard 60 series tires. The Q5 Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Santa Fe Calligraphy’s 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q5 Sportback has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Santa Fe. The Q5 Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Santa Fe Calligraphy.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q5 Sportback’s wheelbase is 2.1 inches longer than on the Santa Fe (111 inches vs. 108.9 inches).

Chassis

The Q5 Sportback is 4.5 inches shorter than the Santa Fe, making the Q5 Sportback easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Cargo Capacity

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Q5 Sportback. The Santa Fe doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Towing

The Q5 Sportback’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Santa Fe’s (4400 vs. 2000 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Q5 Sportback is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Santa Fe. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Audi service is better than Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 34% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 29th.

Ergonomics

The Q5 Sportback’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Santa Fe’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Q5 Sportback the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Santa Fe can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Q5 Sportback’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Santa Fe SE/XRT/SEL’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Q5 Sportback to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The Santa Fe doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Q5 Sportback Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Santa Fe doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The Q5 Sportback’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Hyundai only offers heated mirrors on the Santa Fe SEL/XRT/Limited/Calligraphy.

The Q5 Sportback’s standard rear view mirror and optional side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Santa Fe offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Q5 Sportback has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Santa Fe SEL/XRT/Limited/Calligraphy.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi Q5 Sportback, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Hyundai Santa Fe isn't recommended.