Compare the2023 Audi Q5VS 2023 Chevrolet Equinox

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
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 Equinox doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Audi Q5 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Chevrolet Equinox doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Both the Q5 and Equinox 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 Equinox’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 Equinox 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. But it costs extra on the Equinox.

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

The Q5 has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Equinox’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Q5 has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Equinox.

Both the Q5 and the Equinox have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available around view monitors.

The Audi Q5 weighs 567 to 1345 pounds more than the Chevrolet Equinox. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Audi Q5 is safer than the Chevrolet Equinox:

	Q5	Equinox
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Leg Forces (l/r)	80/49 lbs.	363/349 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	187	376
Neck Stress	134 lbs.	153 lbs.
Neck Compression	30 lbs.	51 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	90/55 lbs.	264/236 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 is safer than the Chevrolet Equinox:

	Q5	Equinox
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	60	109
Chest Movement	.6 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	98 lbs.	195 lbs.
Hip Force	279 lbs.	357 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	185	288
Spine Acceleration	53 G’s	55 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	219	377
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	40 G’s
Hip Force	600 lbs.	730 lbs.

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Q5 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 96 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Equinox has not been fully tested, yet.

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 Equinox’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Q5’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and unlimited miles longer than the Equinox’s (12/unlimited vs. 6/100,000).

Reliability

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

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Audi vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Audi 3 places higher in reliability than Chevrolet.

Engine

The Q5 40 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 26 more horsepower (201 vs. 175) and 33 lbs.-ft. more torque (236 vs. 203) than the Equinox’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Q5 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 86 more horsepower (261 vs. 175) and 70 lbs.-ft. more torque (273 vs. 203) than the Equinox’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Q5 55 TFSI e’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 187 more horsepower (362 vs. 175) and 166 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 203) than the Equinox’s 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Q5 55 TFSI e is faster than the Chevrolet Equinox:

	Q5	Equinox
Zero to 60 MPH	4.5 sec	8.9 sec
Zero to 100 MPH	12.2 sec	26.8 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	4.9 sec	9.6 sec
Quarter Mile	13.2 sec	16.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	104 MPH	83 MPH
Top Speed	128 MPH	124 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Q5 running on electricity gets better mileage than the Equinox:

			MPGe
Q5
	AWD	55 TFSI e Electric Motor	60 city/61 hwy
Equinox
			MPG
	FWD	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/31 hwy
	AWD	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy

The Q5 55 TFSI e can travel with zero emissions for 22 miles. The Equinox 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 Equinox doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The Q5’s standard fuel tank has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Equinox AWD’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 15.6 gallons).

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 Equinox.

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 Equinox 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 Equinox doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Q5 45 TFSI	Q5 55 TFSI e	Equinox
Front Rotors	13.3 inches	13.8 inches	11.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13 inches	11.3 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 Equinox are solid, not vented.

The Q5 stops much shorter than the Equinox:

	Q5	Equinox
70 to 0 MPH	161 feet	182 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	130 feet	135 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	144 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Q5 has larger standard tires than the Equinox (235/60R18 vs. 225/65R17). The Q5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Equinox (255/45R20 vs. 235/50R19).

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 Equinox LS/LT’s standard 65 series tires. The Q5’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Equinox’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q5 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Equinox LS/LT. The Q5’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the Equinox.

Suspension and Handling

The Q5 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Q5 flat and controlled during cornering. The Equinox’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 Equinox’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 Equinox doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q5’s wheelbase is 3.7 inches longer than on the Equinox (111 inches vs. 107.3 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Q5 is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 1.1 inches wider in the rear than on the Equinox.

The Q5 55 TFSI e Premium Plus handles at .83 G’s, while the Equinox LT AWD pulls only .77 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Q5 45 TFSI Prestige executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Equinox LT AWD (27.2 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

Passenger Space

The Q5 has .5 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the Equinox.

Cargo Capacity

The Q5’s cargo area is larger than the Equinox’s in almost every dimension:

	Q5	Equinox
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	36”/69”	34.9”/67.4”
Max Width	48.5”	53.7”
Min Width	41”	40.7”
Height	29.7”	31”

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

Towing

The Q5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Equinox’s (4400 vs. 1500 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The Q5 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Equinox uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the Q5 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Equinox. 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 Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 13% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 16th.

Ergonomics

The Q5 Prestige has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Equinox doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

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

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 Equinox can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Q5 has a standard locking fuel and charge port door with a remote release located convenient to the driver. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank. The Equinox doesn’t offer a locking fuel door.

The Q5’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 Equinox’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 Equinox 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 Equinox 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 Equinox doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

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 costs extra on the Equinox and isn’t available on the Equinox LS.

The Q5’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Equinox LS doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Q5 owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Q5 with a number “5” insurance rate while the Equinox is rated higher at a number “8” rate.

The Q5 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Q5 will retain 48.77% to 50.66% of its original price after five years, while the Equinox only retains 44.91% to 45.97%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Q5 is less expensive to operate than the Equinox because it costs $309 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost less on the Q5 than the Equinox, including $130 less for a muffler, $55 less for front brake pads, $143 less for a fuel pump, $32 less for a timing belt/chain and $152 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Audi Q5 and the Chevrolet Equinox, based on reliability, safety and performance.