Compare the2023 Land Rover Range Rover VelarVS 2023 Audi Q5

The Range Rover Velar’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Q5 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Range Rover Velar and the Q5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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 and rear cross-path warning.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Land Rover vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 46 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Land Rover higher than Audi.

The Range Rover Velar has more powerful engines than the Q5:

The Range Rover Velar has 7.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Q5 Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (21.7 vs. 14.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Range Rover Velar has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the Q5’s standard fuel tank (21.7 vs. 18.5 gallons).

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

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Land Rover Range Rover Velar, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Q5.

For better stopping power the Range Rover Velar’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Q5:

The Range Rover Velar stops much shorter than the Q5:

For better traction, the Range Rover Velar has larger standard tires than the Q5 (255/50R20 vs. 235/60R18). The Range Rover Velar’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Q5 (265/45R21 vs. 255/45R20).

The Range Rover Velar’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 Q5’s standard 60 series tires. The Range Rover Velar’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Q5’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Range Rover Velar has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Q5. The Range Rover Velar’s optional 22-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the Q5.

The Range Rover Velar offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Q5; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Range Rover Velar’s wheelbase is 2.1 inches longer than on the Q5 (113.1 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Range Rover Velar is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the Q5.

The Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic S handles at .84 G’s, while the Q5 45 TFSI Premium Plus pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1 seconds quicker than the Q5 45 TFSI Prestige (26.2 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Range Rover Velar has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Q5 55 TFSI e (8.4 vs. 8 inches), allowing the Range Rover Velar to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Range Rover Velar w/Air Suspension’s minimum ground clearance is 1.7 inches higher than on the Q5 45 TFSI (9.9 vs. 8.2 inches).

The design of the Land Rover Range Rover Velar amounts to more than styling. The Range Rover Velar has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .32 Cd. That is lower than the Q5 (.33 to .34) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the Range Rover Velar get better fuel mileage.

The Range Rover Velar has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the Q5 with its rear seat up (30.9 vs. 25.8 cubic feet). The Range Rover Velar has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the Q5 with its rear seat folded (62.7 vs. 54 cubic feet).

The Range Rover Velar’s cargo area is larger than the Q5’s in almost every dimension:

The Range Rover Velar’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Q5’s (5291 vs. 4400 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Audi Q5 is only 4400 pounds. The Range Rover Velar offers up to a 5511 lbs. towing capacity.

While the Q5 55 TFSI e can only tow 2000, any Range Rover Velar can tow a minimum of 5291 pounds.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the Range Rover Velar uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Q5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Range Rover Velar 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.

Unlike the driver-only memory system optional at extra cost in the Q5, the Range Rover Velar has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The Range Rover Velar’s standard Entry and Exit Mode raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the Q5.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Range Rover Velar has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Q5 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Consumer Reports rated the Range Rover Velar’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the Q5’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The Range Rover Velar’s available Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Q5 Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.