2025 Audi Q5 vs 2025 Land Rover Defender

The 2025 Audi Q5 presented a robust SUV demeanor with its third-generation design. It featured a large, textured grille, prominent side air intakes, and high-mounted headlights, creating an imposing front end. The body sides were adorned with well-defined lines, adding a muscular touch. Despite these updates, the styling felt more like an evolution rather than a complete redesign, giving the impression of a facelift. The Q5 offered various trim levels, including Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige, with LED Headlights Plus and programmable OLED taillights available on higher trims. The model 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 variant stood out with matte chrome trim, larger air intakes, and quad exhaust tips, emphasizing its sporty nature.

Inside, the Q5's interior design was a mix of intricate details, with a dashboard and door panels featuring opposing curves to accommodate the main touchscreen and bulging doors. The materials used were top-notch, with sturdy plastics and contrasting silver and black trim pieces. Leather seating surfaces were standard, and the SQ5 offered a red interior with Alcantara trim. However, the piano-black plastic surrounding the cupholders and shifter was prone to dirt. The SQ5 seats, while sporty, lacked adequate bolstering for enthusiastic driving.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender, on the other hand, showcased a rugged and customizable design. The Defender 90 appeared stubby, while the 130 carried visual mass over its rear wheels, but the 110 four-door struck a balance. Base prices ranged from $58,525 to $120,525, with the new Defender OCTA priced at $153,625. The Defender 130 X trim included the Extended Black Exterior Pack, upgraded interior materials, and comprehensive off-roading technology. The test vehicle featured 20-inch wheels with Pirelli Scorpion Zero tires, and options like the Towing Pack and Climate Pack increased the MSRP to $106,092. The Gondwana Stone paint didn't complement the orange brake calipers, and the 20-inch wheels looked delicate. Inside, the Defender X upgraded to premium Windsor hides with Kvadrat fabric, offering a choice of Ebony or Caraway colors. The interior maintained an industrial theme with quality materials, providing a purposeful look rather than a luxurious one.

The 2025 Audi Q5 offered a range of powertrains, all equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The base model featured 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 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The standard Q5's output was competitive for a compact crossover, with slightly less horsepower than an Acura RDX but more torque. The SQ5 nearly matched the Mercedes-AMG GLC43 in output, with a manufacturer-estimated 0 to 60 mph time of 4.6 seconds. However, both models experienced turbo lag and rough shifts from the dual-clutch transmission, affecting acceleration. The air suspension, available on the Q5 Prestige and standard on the SQ5, provided capable handling but didn't encourage aggressive driving. Off-Road and Off-Road Plus modes were available, but the Q5 was more suited for dirt roads than technical trails.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender offered a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, producing 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, the Defender 130 X accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The adaptive air suspension, hill descent control, and Terrain Response 2 driving modes enhanced off-road capability. The Defender excelled off-road, tackling challenging terrain with ease. On pavement, the Defender 130's 20-inch wheels and Pirelli tires limited its on-road agility, but it provided a comfortable ride. The Defender's steering was slow, and the vehicle's weight affected handling on twisty roads. On the highway, it cruised comfortably but suffered from wind noise due to its boxy shape. The observed fuel economy was lower than expected, at 16.2 mpg.

The 2025 Audi Q5 retained similar exterior dimensions and interior space to the 2024 model. Headroom and legroom were adequate but not exceptional compared to rivals. The Q5 offered a sliding and reclining second-row bench seat, with cargo-area buttons for easy adjustment. Cargo space increased to 27.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, surpassing some competitors. A power tailgate and heated front seats were standard, with additional features like a heated steering wheel and panoramic sunroof available on higher trims. The Q5's towing capacity reached 4,400 pounds, outperforming some rivals.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender 130 provided three rows of spacious seating, with 12-way power-adjustable front seats featuring heating and ventilation. The Defender's tall seating position offered excellent forward visibility, but the square side mirrors seemed undersized. The Clearsight digital rearview mirror and surround-view camera system improved rear visibility. A panoramic sunroof and fixed glass panel over the third row enhanced the open and airy feel. Storage space was plentiful in the front, but less accommodating for rear passengers. The Defender 130's third-row seat was heated and roomy, providing comfort for adults. The side-hinged cargo door was heavy and awkward, but the air suspension could be lowered for easier loading. Cargo space measured 15.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 43.7 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured 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 Bang & Olufsen audio system. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, offered a user-friendly interface. A built-in voice assistant handled some vehicle functions, while a head-up display provided essential information. The Dynamic Interaction Light added visual cues, and digital key connectivity allowed smartphone access.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender came with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring an 11.4-inch touchscreen and a configurable digital driver display. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and a Wi-Fi hotspot were included. Pivi Pro's response and accuracy improved, providing a more intuitive user experience. The Meridian premium sound system impressed, and the head-up display, ClearSight digital rearview mirror, and surround-view camera system enhanced convenience. The Towing Pack added a hands-free trailer reverse-steering system.

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. Premium Plus models added a 360-degree camera system and adaptive cruise assist. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at press time, but Audi aimed to match the previous generation's five-star rating.

The 2025 Land Rover Defender offered driver aids like automatic high-beam headlights, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality. A Driver Assistance Mode menu allowed customization of assistance levels. The adaptive cruise and lane-centering assist operated smoothly, though the lane-keep assist occasionally misdirected the vehicle. Crash-test ratings were unavailable, as low-volume models like the Defender are typically not tested by the NHTSA and IIHS.