2024 Mazda CX-90 vs 2025 Audi Q5

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 presented itself as a formidable contender in the luxury SUV market, challenging the traditional dominance of brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Mazda's design and material quality had surpassed its Japanese counterparts, bringing it closer to the luxury arms of Acura, Infiniti, and Lexus. The CX-90's exterior was a supersized version of the elegant design language seen in smaller Mazda models, featuring a commanding presence with its large grille, wide-set front end, and substantial wheels. Inside, the top-tier models boasted interiors that could rival the best in luxury, with brown suede upholstery, wood inlays, and matte black plastic accents. Despite the range of trims, all models benefited from Mazda's stylish design and comfortable layout.

In contrast, the 2025 Audi Q5 leaned into a more rugged SUV aesthetic with its 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 three trim levels: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige, with features 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 offering a sleeker profile at the expense of cargo space and rear-seat headroom. The SQ5 performance grade added sportier elements like matte chrome trim, larger air intakes, and quad exhaust tips, but the interior design was somewhat discordant, with a mix of top-notch materials and less cohesive lines.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 introduced two new powertrains, including a plug-in hybrid option and an all-new turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine. The base turbo I6 delivered 280 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, while the upgraded Turbo S version offered 340 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque with premium fuel. All models came with all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The CX-90's driving modes—Normal, Sport, and Off-Road—allowed for varied driving experiences, with Sport mode enhancing the engine's roar and performance. The PHEV model combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a 17.8-kWh battery and a 68-kW electric motor, producing 323 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. The CX-90 excelled in handling, feeling agile and composed through corners, thanks to its larger platform and double-wishbone front suspension.

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. Despite these figures, the Q5 and SQ5 didn't feel as quick as expected, with noticeable turbo lag and rough shifts from the dual-clutch transmission. The air suspension with adaptive damping provided capable handling, but the steering lacked the engagement needed for spirited driving. The Q5's Off-Road modes were more suited to dirt roads than technical trails, aligning with its competitors' capabilities.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 offered a variety of seating configurations across its trims, with the ability to seat up to eight passengers. The Turbo S models featured a two-seat configuration in the third row, while other trims offered a 2-3-2 layout. Cargo space varied slightly depending on the seating arrangement, with a maximum of 75.2 cubic feet available. The CX-90 improved on the CX-9's cargo capacity but still fell short compared to some rivals. Interior storage was ample, with large center consoles, spacious door pockets, and well-placed cupholders. The materials and upholstery were of high quality, contributing to a comfortable cabin experience.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar dimensions to its predecessor, offering adequate headroom and legroom. The standard sliding and reclining second-row bench seat provided flexibility, and the Q5 gained additional cargo space compared to the 2024 model, with 27.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.9 cubic feet behind the first. The Q5's cargo capacity surpassed some competitors but lagged behind others. Standard features included a power tailgate and heated front seats, with higher trims adding a panoramic sunroof and heated rear seats. The Q5 also offered a towing capacity of up to 4,400 pounds, exceeding some rivals.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 focused on minimizing distractions with its Mazda Connect infotainment system, which used a rotary control knob and hard buttons instead of a touchscreen. While the intention was to enhance safety, the setup proved cumbersome, with multiple clicks required for simple tasks. However, the CX-90's personalization software, which used facial recognition to adjust settings, was a standout feature. Standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, with wireless capability in higher trims, provided familiar and user-friendly interfaces.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured a comprehensive infotainment setup with an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen. The top Prestige trim added a 10.9-inch touchscreen for the front passenger. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a cooled wireless charging pad. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, was user-friendly, and the optional third screen allowed passengers to control various functions. A built-in voice assistant and available head-up display added to the tech offerings, while the Dynamic Interaction Light provided additional visual cues.

The 2024 Mazda CX-90 came standard with i-Activsense, Mazda's suite of advanced driver assistance systems. This included features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The top-spec Turbo S Premium Plus model added cruising and traffic support, which combined lane-centering with adaptive cruise control. While crash-test ratings were not yet available, the CX-90 was expected to perform well based on the CX-9's accolades.

The 2025 Audi Q5 offered a robust set of standard driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, active front assist, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. Premium Plus models added a 360-degree camera system and adaptive cruise assist. Safety ratings were not available at the time of review, but Audi aimed to match the previous generation's five-star NHTSA rating.