2025 Nissan Armada vs 2025 Audi Q5

The 2025 Audi Q5 presented a robust SUV aesthetic with its third-generation model, featuring a large, textured grille, prominent side air intakes, and high-mounted headlights that contributed to an imposing front end. The body sides were accentuated with well-defined lines, adding a muscular touch. Despite these updates, the design 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 advanced lighting options like LED Headlights Plus and programmable OLED taillights. The model was available in both standard crossover SUV and coupe-like Q5 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 sporty elements such as matte chrome trim, larger air intakes, and quad exhaust tips, along with standard 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the Q5's design was characterized by a plethora of details, with a dashboard and door panels featuring opposing curves to accommodate the main touchscreen and bulging doors. The materials used were of high quality, 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 and sportier front seats. However, the piano-black plastic surrounding the cupholders and shifter was prone to getting dirty quickly. The SQ5 seats lacked adequate bolstering for enthusiastic driving, which was a slight drawback for a performance-oriented model.

The 2025 Nissan Armada showcased a strikingly high beltline, reminiscent of its luxury counterpart, the Infiniti QX80. The grille and front fascia appeared taller, aided by the SUV's higher ground clearance and limited lower grille portion. The PRO-4X trim stood out with a skid plate and exclusive front lighting signature featuring C-shaped LED lines. The Armada's imposing grille made a strong impression, setting it apart from its predecessor. From the side, the Armada appeared larger and more business-like, with a parallel beltline and distinctive D-pillar design. The PRO-4X trim added rugged character with black plastic cladding and unique Lava Red accents. The rear featured standard LED taillights and a fashionable red lightbar on higher trims.

The Armada offered a range of wheel options, with 18-inch wheels standard on the SV and 22-inch rollers on the Platinum Reserve. The interior of the Platinum Reserve and PRO-4X trims exuded comfort and luxury, with leather seats and padded center consoles. The Platinum trims featured quilting and a Chestnut with Rye theme, adding to the sense of luxury. The Armada's cabin provided a comfortable and premium experience, with various interior color combinations and seating configurations available.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD). 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 Q5's power output was competitive within its segment, offering slightly less horsepower than an Acura RDX but more torque. The SQ5's performance was comparable to a Mercedes-AMG GLC43, with a manufacturer-estimated zero to 60 mph time of 4.6 seconds. However, both the Q5 and SQ5 experienced turbo lag and rough shifts from the dual-clutch transmission, affecting their overall responsiveness.

The Q5 featured a steel-spring suspension with passive frequency selective damping, while the SQ5 offered air suspension with adaptive damping for sportier handling. The air suspension provided capable handling characteristics, balancing damping and body control without encouraging aggressive driving. The Q5 included Off-Road and Off-Road Plus driving modes, raising the air suspension and incorporating hill-descent control, making it more suitable for dirt roads than technical trails.

The 2025 Nissan Armada introduced a new powertrain with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, delivering 425 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. This represented an increase of 25 horsepower and 103 lb-ft of torque compared to its predecessor. The Armada featured a nine-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or Nissan's Intelligent Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) available on most trims. The PRO-4X trim was 4WD-only, designed for off-road adventures with dedicated 20-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, and an electronic locking rear differential.

The Armada's adaptive electronic air suspension, shared with the Platinum Reserve trim, provided an additional 2.1 inches of ride height, enhancing its off-road capabilities. The Armada offered eight selectable drive modes, including Sand, Rock, and Mud/Rut, and could tow up to 8,500 pounds when properly equipped. On-road, the Armada's electric power steering provided a sense of engagement, while the adaptive air suspension offered comfort. Off-road, the PRO-4X's suspension and Mud/Rut mode allowed for better ground clearance and handling in challenging conditions.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar exterior dimensions and interior space to the 2024 model, offering adequate headroom and legroom in both rows. The sliding and reclining 40/20/40 split-folding 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 behind the first row, surpassing the Lexus NX and Mercedes-Benz GLC but falling short of the Acura RDX and BMW X3. A power tailgate and heated front seats were standard, with additional features like a heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, and heated rear seats available on higher trims. The Q5 offered up to 4,400 pounds of towing capacity, exceeding the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4Matic and Lexus NX.

The 2025 Nissan Armada featured a push-button transmission, freeing up center console space for a wireless charging pad in all but the base SV trim. The Armada's interior offered comfortable "Zero Gravity" seats with power adjustment options, heated front seats, and available cooling and heating for higher trims. The Platinum trims came with captain's chairs in the second row, while the third row featured a 60/40-split bench with power one-touch folding. Cargo volume increased across the board, with 20.4 cubic feet behind the third row, 56.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and 97.1 cubic feet in total. The Armada's headroom and legroom varied depending on the presence of a sunroof, with improvements in front-row legroom and third-row legroom.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen as standard, with a 10.9-inch touchscreen for the front passenger on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a cooled wireless charging pad. Premium Plus models added four USB-C ports and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Q5's infotainment system was based on the Android Automotive OS, offering a user-friendly interface. A built-in voice assistant handled some vehicle functions, while an available head-up display provided essential information. The Q5 also included Audi's Dynamic Interaction Light, digital key connectivity, and a built-in toll transponder.

The 2025 Nissan Armada came with two large screens, 12.3-inch displays on the SV and SL trims, and 14.3-inch screens on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with six USB-C ports. The SL trim added a wireless charging pad and Google Built-In, allowing for native Google Maps integration. A head-up display was optional, and the Armada offered a 12-speaker Klipsch Premium Audio System starting at the SL trim. The infotainment system provided clear visibility and easy access to key information, enhancing the overall driving experience.

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 interior 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 the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at press time, but Audi aimed to match the previous generation's five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2025 Nissan Armada featured Nissan's ProPILOT Assist suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies, with enhanced versions available on higher trims. ProPILOT Assist 1.1 added proactive speed management, while ProPILOT Assist 2.1 offered hands-free highway-driving assist technology. The Armada also came with Nissan Safety Shield 360, including traffic-sign recognition, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane-departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims offered a surround-view camera and Nissan's 3D Around View Monitor, providing enhanced visibility and safety features.