2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2025 Audi Q5

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid presented a sporty exterior with its black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out trim, though its interior was relatively basic. The Sport-L Hybrid offered an upgrade with leather-lined interiors, while the Sport Touring Hybrid topped the lineup with a more sophisticated cabin featuring leather seats with orange contrast stitching and a variety of quality details. Despite its conservative styling, the CR-V's design was noted for its upscale appearance from the rear quarter view, although the front end carried too much visual weight. The Sport Touring's exclusive 19-inch gloss black wheels added a touch of shine, but were less noticeable with darker paint colors.

In contrast, the 2025 Audi Q5 leaned into a tougher SUV aesthetic with a large, textured grille, prominent side air intakes, and high-mounted headlights. The design was more evolutionary than revolutionary, giving the impression of a facelift rather than a complete redesign. The Q5 offered trim levels including Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige, with features like LED Headlights Plus and programmable OLED taillights. The model was available in both standard SUV and coupe-like Sportback body styles, with the SQ5 performance grade offering increased power and sportier design elements. The interior was detailed, with a mix of top-notch materials, though the design was somewhat discordant.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a fourth-generation two-motor hybrid drive system, combining a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors. This setup delivered 204 horsepower to either the front or all four wheels, with an EPA rating of 37 mpg in combined driving for the Sport Touring model. However, real-world testing returned 32.4 mpg, falling short of expectations. The CR-V Hybrid was noted for its quiet ride and predictable handling, though it lacked the off-road capability and driving excitement some might seek in a compact SUV.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The base model's 2.0-liter turbo-four engine produced 268 horsepower, while the SQ5's 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 delivered 362 hp. Despite these figures, both models experienced turbo lag and less responsive acceleration than expected. The Q5's air suspension provided capable handling, balancing damping and body control, but didn't encourage aggressive driving. The Q5 also offered Off-Road modes, though it was more suited to dirt roads than technical trails.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in form and function, offering quality materials, intuitive controls, and a spacious interior. The 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat provided excellent support, and the rear seats were comfortable with generous legroom. The CR-V's cargo space was impressive, with up to 76.5 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded down. However, the glove compartment was smaller than expected, and there was no front seatback pocket on the driver's side.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar dimensions to its predecessor, offering adequate headroom and legroom. The sliding and reclining second-row bench seat was standard, and the Q5 provided more cargo space than some rivals, with 27.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Q5 also featured a power tailgate and heated front seats, with additional amenities available on higher trims. The Q5's towing capacity of 4,400 pounds was notable, surpassing some competitors.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid came with a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a larger 9-inch display available. Higher trims offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was basic, and the CR-V included a walk-away automatic locking feature for added convenience.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, with an optional 10.9-inch screen for the front passenger. 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 Q5's infotainment system was based on Android Automotive OS, and the vehicle offered a built-in voice assistant and digital key connectivity. The Q5 also introduced Audi's Dynamic Interaction Light for additional driver cues.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid was equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The system performed well in various driving conditions, though it occasionally faltered in specific scenarios. The CR-V received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS for the 2023 calendar year.

The 2025 Audi Q5 included standard driver-assist features such as 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.