2025 Audi Q5 vs 2024 Kia Sorento

The 2024 Kia Sorento underwent a significant visual transformation, marking its first major update since the current generation debuted in 2021. Drawing inspiration from its siblings, the Telluride and EV9, the Sorento adopted a more cohesive family look. The front end featured a bold new grille, vertically-stacked LED projector-beam headlights, and wing-like amber LED daytime running lights, giving it a more imposing presence. The rear received subtle updates, including new bumpers and, on higher trims, elegant LED taillights. Inside, the Sorento boasted a revamped dashboard with a sleek horizontal design, integrating the gauge cluster and infotainment displays under a single pane of glass. The materials used in the cabin were upgraded, offering a more upscale feel, with options for luxurious faux open-pore wood grain and quality stitching on leather-wrapped elements.

The 2025 Audi Q5 embraced a rugged SUV aesthetic with its third-generation model. The exterior featured a large, textured grille, prominent side air intakes, and high-mounted headlights, creating an imposing front end. Despite the new styling elements, the changes appeared more evolutionary than revolutionary, giving the Q5 a facelift-like appearance. The interior design took a bold approach, with a mix of lines and materials creating a distinctive look. The dashboard and door panels accommodated the opposing curves of the main touchscreen and doors, resulting in a somewhat discordant design. However, the materials used were top-notch, with sturdy plastics and contrasting trim pieces. The SQ5 variant offered sportier features, including matte chrome trim, larger air intakes, and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its performance-oriented appeal.

The 2024 Kia Sorento retained most of its mechanical components, with the base engine being a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. This engine struggled with the Sorento's weight, resulting in sluggish acceleration. The EX and higher trims featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine delivering 281 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, providing a more spirited performance. The Sorento offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available as an option. The X-Line and X-Pro trims added off-road capabilities, with increased ground clearance and all-terrain tires. The Sorento's handling was confident, with well-weighted steering and effective brakes. The X-Pro trim excelled in off-road conditions, offering improved engine cooling and a higher towing capacity.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive across all models. The base Q5 was powered by a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine producing 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the SQ5 boasted a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 362 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Despite the impressive specs, both engines exhibited turbo lag and rough shifts, affecting acceleration. The Q5's suspension provided capable handling, with air suspension available on higher trims. The Q5 offered various driving modes, including Off-Road and Off-Road Plus, but it was more suited for dirt roads than technical trails.

The 2024 Kia Sorento's cabin was modern and comfortable, with ample space in the first two rows. The third row was tight, but it offered advantages over smaller models with optional third-row seating. The Sorento provided 41.4 inches of front legroom and 41.7 inches in the second row, surpassing many two-row SUVs. The third row had 29.6 inches of legroom, making it suitable for occasional use. The Sorento's cargo space varied depending on the seating configuration, with up to 72.1 cubic feet available with all seats folded. Higher trims offered features like heated and ventilated front seats and a power liftgate.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar dimensions to the previous model, offering adequate space compared to rivals. The second-row bench seat was sliding and reclining, with cargo-area buttons for easy adjustment. The Q5 provided 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 56.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. It offered more cargo space than some competitors but less than others. Standard features included a power tailgate and heated front seats, with additional options available on higher trims. The Q5's towing capacity was 4,400 pounds, surpassing some rivals.

The 2024 Kia Sorento featured a single-pane, twin-screen setup for its gauge and infotainment displays. All models had a 12.3-inch screen integrated into the dashboard, with higher trims offering a second 12.3-inch digital display. The infotainment system, called "Connected Car Navigation Cockpit" (CCnC), prioritized popular features and offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The system could receive over-the-air updates, ensuring it remained up-to-date. The Sorento also included USB-C outlets in all three rows and a Bose 12-speaker audio system on higher trims. Digital Key 2.0 allowed certain smartphones to lock, unlock, and drive the vehicle without a key.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came with an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen as standard. The top Prestige trim added a 10.9-inch touchscreen for the front passenger. The infotainment system was based on the Android Automotive OS, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Q5 included a built-in voice assistant for vehicle functions and a head-up display for essential information. The Dynamic Interaction Light provided additional cues to the driver. The Q5 also featured digital key connectivity and a built-in toll transponder.

The 2024 Kia Sorento offered an extensive suite of standard and optional safety features through its Drivewise suite. Standard features included adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included navigation-based adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist 2. The Sorento had not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but previous models received favorable ratings.

The 2025 Audi Q5 included standard driver-assist features such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. 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 rating.