Compare the2023 Audi Q5VS 2023 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid

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
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 Rav4 Hybrid doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the Q5 and Rav4 Hybrid 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 Rav4 Hybrid’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.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Q5’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The Rav4 Hybrid doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

The Q5 has a standard blind spot warning system that 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 Rav4 Hybrid’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Q5 has standard rear cross-path warning, helping the driver avoid collisions. Toyota charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Rav4 Hybrid.

Both the Q5 and the Rav4 Hybrid 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras 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 is safer than the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid:

	Q5	Rav4 Hybrid
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	22%	29.3%
Neck Stress	215 lbs.	306 lbs.
Neck Compression	44 lbs.	56 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	80/49 lbs.	400/388 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	187	284
Neck Injury Risk	34%	37.4%
Neck Stress	134 lbs.	258 lbs.
Neck Compression	30 lbs.	95 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	90/55 lbs.	340/190 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 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid:

	Q5	Rav4 Hybrid
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	60	83
Abdominal Force	98 lbs.	138 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	219	299
Spine Acceleration	35 G’s	36 G’s
Hip Force	600 lbs.	835 lbs.

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

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 Rav4 Hybrid’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 Rav4 Hybrid’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

The Audi Q5’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Rav4 Hybrid’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

Engine

The Q5 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 42 more horsepower (261 vs. 219) than the Rav4 Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The Q5 55 TFSI e’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 143 more horsepower (362 vs. 219) than the Rav4 Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Q5 running on electricity gets better mileage than the Rav4 Hybrid:

			MPGe
Q5
	AWD	55 TFSI e Electric Motor	60 city/61 hwy
Rav4 Hybrid
			MPG
	AWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	41 city/38 hwy
		Woodland 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	38 city/35 hwy

The Q5 55 TFSI e can travel with zero emissions for 22 miles. The Rav4 Hybrid has to start its internal combustion engine after only 1.6 miles.

Both the Q5 and Rav4 Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Q5 has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Q5’s standard fuel tank has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Rav4 Hybrid (18.5 vs. 14.5 gallons).

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 Rav4 Hybrid doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Q5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Rav4 Hybrid:

	Q5 45 TFSI	Q5 55 TFSI e	Rav4 Hybrid
Front Rotors	13.3 inches	13.8 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13 inches	11.1 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 Rav4 Hybrid are solid, not vented.

The Q5 stops shorter than the Rav4 Hybrid:

	Q5	Rav4 Hybrid
60 to 0 MPH	130 feet	139 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 Rav4 Hybrid (235/60R18 vs. 225/65R17). The Q5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Rav4 Hybrid (255/45R20 vs. 225/65R17).

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 Rav4 Hybrid LE/XLE’s standard 65 series tires. The Q5’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the Rav4 Hybrid’s optional 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q5 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the Rav4 Hybrid LE/XLE. The Q5’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the Rav4 Hybrid.

Suspension and Handling

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 Rav4 Hybrid’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 Rav4 Hybrid doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q5’s wheelbase is 5.1 inches longer than on the Rav4 Hybrid (111 inches vs. 105.9 inches).

The Q5 45 TFSI Prestige handles at .79 G’s, while the Rav4 Hybrid XSE pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Q5 45 TFSI Prestige executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.2 seconds quicker than the Rav4 Hybrid XSE (27.2 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Q5 45 TFSI has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Rav4 Hybrid (8.2 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Q5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Passenger Space

The Q5 has .1 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more rear legroom and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Rav4 Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity

Pulling a handle automatically lowers the Q5’s rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The Rav4 Hybrid doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The Q5’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Rav4 Hybrid’s (4400 vs. 1750 pounds).

Servicing Ease

The Q5 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Rav4 Hybrid 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 Rav4 Hybrid. 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 Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Audi 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 17% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 20th.

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 Rav4 Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 Rav4 Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Q5’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Rav4 Hybrid’s power window (except driver window), power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

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 Rav4 Hybrid LE’s standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent.

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 Rav4 Hybrid 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 Rav4 Hybrid 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 Rav4 Hybrid doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Q5’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Toyota charges extra for heated mirrors on the Rav4 Hybrid.

When the Q5 with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Rav4 Hybrid’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Q5’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 Rav4 Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

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 Rav4 Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Audi Q5 and the Toyota Rav4 Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.

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