Compare the2023 Audi Q5VS 2023 Mazda CX-50

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

Safety

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The Q5’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The CX-50 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the Q5 and CX-50 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Q5 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The CX-50’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Q5 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 CX-50 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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Q5’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The CX-50 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Q5 and the CX-50 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.

Warranty

The Q5 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-50’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Q5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the CX-50’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

The Audi Q5’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the CX-50’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

Engine

The Q5 has more powerful engines than the CX-50:

	Horsepower	Torque
Q5 40 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	201 HP	236 lbs.-ft.
Q5 45 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	261 HP	273 lbs.-ft.
Q5 55 TFSI e 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	362 HP	369 lbs.-ft.
CX-50 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	187 HP	186 lbs.-ft.
CX-50 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder	256 HP	320 lbs.-ft.

As tested in Car and Driver the Q5 55 TFSI e is faster than the Mazda CX-50 turbo 4 cyl.:

	Q5	CX-50
Zero to 60 MPH	4.5 sec	6.6 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	12.2 sec	18.8 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	4.9 sec	7.2 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	3 sec	3.6 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	3.9 sec	5 sec
Quarter Mile	13.2 sec	15.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	104 MPH	91 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Q5 running on electricity gets better mileage than the CX-50:

			MPGe
Q5
	AWD	55 TFSI e Electric Motor	60 city/61 hwy
CX-50
			MPG
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/29 hwy

The Q5 55 TFSI e can travel with zero emissions for 22 miles. The CX-50 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Q5’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Regardless of its engine, the Q5’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Mazda only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the CX-50 Turbo.

The Q5’s standard fuel tank has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-50 (18.5 vs. 15.8 gallons).

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi Q5 higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-50 (3 to 7). This means the Q5 produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-50 every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

A seven-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Audi Q5, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-50.

The Q5 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The CX-50 doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Q5’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 CX-50 doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Q5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-50:

	Q5 45 TFSI	Q5 55 TFSI e	CX-50
Front Rotors	13.3 inches	13.8 inches	12.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13 inches	12.8 inches

The Q5’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CX-50 are solid, not vented.

The Q5 stops shorter than the CX-50:

	Q5	CX-50
60 to 0 MPH	130 feet	131 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Q5 has larger standard tires than the CX-50 (235/60R18 vs. 225/65R17). The Q5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-50 (255/45R20 vs. 245/45R20).

The Q5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the CX-50’s standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q5 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CX-50.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Audi Q5 has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mazda CX-50 has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Q5 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Q5 flat and controlled during cornering. The CX-50’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Q5 offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The CX-50’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Q5 55 TFSI e has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Q5’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

The Q5 45 TFSI Prestige executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the CX-50 2.5 S (27.2 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The Q5 has .5 inches more front headroom, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear headroom and 2.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the CX-50.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the Q5’s rear seats recline. The CX-50’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Q5. The CX-50 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Q5’s available liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-50 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Towing

The Q5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the CX-50’s (4400 vs. 2000 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The engine in the Q5 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the CX-50. 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 Mazda. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 9% lower rating, Mazda is ranked 11th.

Ergonomics

The Q5’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The CX-50 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The power windows standard on both the Q5 and the CX-50 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Q5 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-50 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the Q5 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 CX-50 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Q5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The CX-50 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 Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The CX-50 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Q5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The CX-50 doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Q5’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-50 Preferred/Premium/Turbo.

The Q5 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 CX-50 Select/Preferred/Premium/Turbo.

Both the Q5 and the CX-50 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Q5 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The CX-50 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The Q5 Prestige’s Park Steering Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The CX-50 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Audi Q5 and the Mazda CX-50, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Audi Q5/SQ5 outsold the Mazda CX-50 by almost three to one during 2022.