Compare the2026 Mitsubishi OutlanderVS 2025 Audi new Q5

The Mitsubishi Outlander has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The new Q5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the Outlander and the new Q5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, front seat center airbag, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive, lane departure warning systems and around view monitors.

The Outlander comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The new Q5’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Mitsubishi’s powertrain warranty covers the Outlander 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Audi covers the new Q5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the new Q5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Mitsubishi pays for scheduled maintenance on the Outlander for 2 years and 30,000 miles. Mitsubishi will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance (up to 3 visits). Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the new Q5.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 47 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Mitsubishi higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Mitsubishi vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 17 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Mitsubishi higher than Audi.

On the EPA test cycle the Outlander gets better mileage than the new Q5:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Mitsubishi Outlander uses regular unleaded gasoline. The new Q5 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The Outlander has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The new Q5 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

The Outlander has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The new Q5 doesn’t offer a CVT.

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

The Outlander has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The new Q5 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For better maneuverability, the Outlander’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the new Q5’s (36.7 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The Mitsubishi Outlander may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 250 to 450 pounds less than the Audi new Q5.

The front grille of the Outlander uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The new Q5 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Outlander has standard seating for 7 passengers; the new Q5 can only carry 5.

The Outlander has 2.4 inches more front headroom, .8 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom and 1.9 inches more rear legroom than the new Q5.

The Outlander’s cargo area provides more volume than the new Q5.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Outlander uses the Active 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 new Q5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

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

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The Outlander’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the new Q5’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The Outlander is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The new Q5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Mitsubishi Outlander, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Outlander third among compact suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The new Q5 isn’t in the top three.