2025 Audi Q5 vs 2024 Land Rover Defender

The 2024 Land Rover Defender presented a unique blend of classic and modern design elements. Its boxy profile and angular headlights paid homage to its rugged heritage while aligning with contemporary Land Rover aesthetics. Inside, the Defender felt robust and adventure-ready, with durable materials reminiscent of a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, yet with a touch of luxury through soft-touch materials. Offered in three body styles—90, 110, and 130—the Defender catered to various preferences, with trims like S, X-Dynamic SE, X, Carpathian Edition, and Outbound. Our test drive of the Defender 110 S, featuring the County visual package, highlighted its vintage appeal with white wheels and retro graphics, though modern styling options were also available for those seeking a contemporary look.

In contrast, the 2025 Audi Q5 leaned into a more evolutionary design, maintaining SUV toughness with a large, textured grille and high-mounted headlights. Despite new styling elements, the Q5 appeared more like a facelift than a complete redesign. Available in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims, the Q5 offered LED Headlights Plus and programmable OLED taillights on higher trims. The Q5 Sportback variant provided a sleeker profile at the cost of cargo space and rear-seat headroom. The SQ5 performance model added sporty features like matte chrome trim and larger wheels. Inside, the Q5's design was detailed but somewhat discordant, with top-notch materials and standard leather seating surfaces. The SQ5 offered a sportier interior with Alcantara trim, though some design choices, like piano-black plastic, were less practical.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the P300, producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Our P400 test model featured a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, delivering 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Two supercharged 5.0-liter V8 options, the P500 and P525, provided 493 hp and 518 hp, respectively. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time active four-wheel drive. The Defender excelled in towing, with the six-cylinder and eight-cylinder models capable of towing up to 7,716 pounds. The V8-powered Defender 110 Carpathian Edition achieved a 0-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds, showcasing impressive performance for its size. Off-road capabilities were a highlight, with features like adaptive air suspension and Terrain Response 2 system enhancing its prowess.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The base model's 2.0-liter turbo-four 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 of torque. The Q5's performance was competitive, with a manufacturer-estimated 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds for the standard model and 4.6 seconds for the SQ5. However, the dual-clutch transmission exhibited turbo lag and rough shifts, impacting the driving experience. The Q5's suspension provided capable handling, with air suspension available on higher trims. While the Q5 offered Off-Road modes, it was more suited for dirt roads than technical trails.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender balanced luxury and functionality, featuring soft-touch materials, grip handles, and rubberized floors. Seating capacity varied from five to eight passengers, with the Defender 110 offering an optional third row. Cargo capacity depended on the model, with the Defender 130 providing up to 76.1 cubic feet with seats folded. The Defender 110 offered 78.8 cubic feet in its two-row configuration, while the Defender 90 provided up to 58.3 cubic feet. The interior was practical, with hard plastic surfaces in the cargo area for easy cleaning.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar dimensions to its predecessor, offering adequate headroom and legroom. A sliding and reclining second-row bench seat was standard, 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 seats folded, surpassing some rivals. Standard features included a power tailgate and heated front seats, with higher trims adding a heated steering wheel and panoramic sunroof. The Q5's towing capacity reached 4,400 pounds, exceeding some competitors.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.4-inch touchscreen. While smaller than some competitors, the touchscreen was simple and aligned with the Defender's utilitarian nature. Standard features included navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker Meridian stereo system. The straightforward setup provided a blend of refinement and utility, with home buttons for easy navigation.

The 2025 Audi Q5 offered an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, with a 10.9-inch passenger screen on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a cooled wireless charging pad. Premium Plus models added USB-C ports and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, was user-friendly, with a built-in voice assistant for some functions. The Q5 also featured a head-up display and Dynamic Interaction Light for additional driver cues.

The 2024 Land Rover Defender came with a comprehensive list of standard driver assistance features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional features included traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a 360-degree parking camera system. However, the lane-departure and lane-keeping assist systems were overly sensitive. As of this writing, crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable.

The 2025 Audi Q5 included standard driver-assist features such as adaptive cruise control, active front assist, lane departure warning, parking sensors, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. An exit alert feature used ambient lighting to warn occupants of oncoming vehicles or cyclists. Premium Plus models added a 360-degree camera system and adaptive cruise assist. Safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were not yet available, but Audi aimed to match the previous generation's five-star NHTSA rating.