2024 Ford Bronco vs 2025 Audi Q5

The 2024 Ford Bronco embraced a retro design reminiscent of the 1960s, particularly in its two-door variant, which was more successful in capturing the nostalgic aesthetic than the four-door version. The Sasquatch Package, a notable upgrade, enhanced the Bronco's rugged appearance with a suspension lift and 35-inch mud-terrain tires, giving it a wide stance and purposeful look. Without this package, the Bronco's standard tires appeared awkwardly small within the fender flares. The interior of the Bronco, especially in the Big Bend trim, featured marine-grade upholstery that was durable but not breathable, potentially causing discomfort in hot weather. The dashboard design paid homage to the original Bronco with a BRONCO-stamped panel and practical knobs and buttons for essential controls.

In contrast, the 2025 Audi Q5 presented a more evolutionary design rather than a revolutionary one, with a large, textured grille and high-mounted headlights contributing to its tough SUV look. The Q5 offered three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige, with higher trims featuring advanced lighting options like LED Headlights Plus and programmable OLED taillights. The Q5 was available in both standard SUV and coupe-like Sportback body styles, with the latter sacrificing some cargo space for a sleeker profile. The SQ5 performance variant added sporty elements such as matte chrome trim and larger wheels. Inside, the Q5's design was detailed but somewhat discordant, with high-quality materials and standard leather seating surfaces. However, the piano-black plastic around the cupholders and shifter was prone to showing dirt.

The 2024 Ford Bronco offered a range of turbocharged engines, starting with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. This engine could be paired with a seven-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic transmission, with a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. An optional 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 delivered 330 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque, while the Raptor model boasted a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 with 418 hp and 440 lb-ft, increasing the tow rating to 4,500 pounds. The Bronco's off-road capabilities were enhanced by technologies like Trail Control, Trail One-Pedal Drive, and Trail Turn Assist. However, its fuel efficiency was lacking, with an EPA rating of 18 mpg combined for the Big Bend Sasquatch. Despite its off-road prowess, the Bronco's on-road experience was noisy and unrefined, though it excelled in handling rough terrain.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive across its lineup. The base model's 2.0-liter turbo-four engine produced 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the SQ5's 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 offered 362 hp and 406 lb-ft. Despite these figures, both models experienced turbo lag and less responsive acceleration than expected. The Q5's suspension options included a standard steel-spring setup and an available air suspension with adaptive damping, providing capable but not sporty handling. The Q5's driving modes included Off-Road and Off-Road Plus, but it was more suited to dirt roads than technical trails. Overall, the Q5 offered a balanced ride but lacked the engaging driving dynamics of some competitors.

The 2024 Ford Bronco, particularly in the four-door configuration, provided ample interior space, accommodating four adults comfortably. The absence of a rollbar in front of rear-seat passengers, unlike its Jeep Wrangler rival, added to the comfort. The Bronco's marine-grade vinyl upholstery was durable but not breathable, trapping moisture. The two-door model offered 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 53.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The four-door version provided more room, with 38.3 cubic feet of cargo space, increasing to 83 cubic feet with the seats down. The Bronco's removable roof panels and doors allowed for a customizable open-air experience, and interior storage was enhanced by MOLLE panels for attaching storage solutions.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar dimensions to its predecessor, offering adequate headroom and legroom in both rows. The sliding and reclining second-row bench seat added versatility, and the Q5's cargo space increased to 27.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. This gave the Q5 more cargo capacity than some rivals but less than others like the Acura RDX. Standard features included a power tailgate and heated front seats, with higher trims adding a heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, and ventilated front seats. The Q5's towing capacity of 4,400 pounds surpassed some competitors, making it a practical choice for towing needs.

The 2024 Ford Bronco came equipped with a 12-inch touchscreen featuring Ford's Sync 4 infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and a seven-speaker stereo. Higher trims added a connected navigation system and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. However, the Sync 4 system experienced connectivity issues with Apple CarPlay and inconsistent voice recognition performance. The Bronco Trail App provided access to trail maps and information, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, with the Prestige trim adding a 10.9-inch passenger screen. Standard tech included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a cooled wireless charging pad, and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system on Premium Plus models. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, was user-friendly, and the optional passenger screen allowed for additional functionality. The Q5 also offered a head-up display and Audi's Dynamic Interaction Light for added driver cues. Digital key connectivity and a built-in toll transponder were additional tech features.

The 2024 Ford Bronco was equipped with standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and a backup camera. The Mid Package added Ford Co-Pilot360 technologies, including lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Bronco received favorable crash test ratings from the IIHS, except for its headlight performance, which was rated Marginal. NHTSA ratings were incomplete, with a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating.

The 2025 Audi Q5 included standard driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure warning. Premium Plus models added a 360-degree camera system and adaptive cruise assist. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of writing, but Audi aimed to match the previous generation's five-star NHTSA rating.