2025 Audi Q5 vs 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan

The 2025 Audi Q5 presented a robust SUV demeanor with its third-generation design. Its large, textured grille, prominent side air intakes, and high-mounted headlights contributed to an imposing front end, while well-defined lines along the body added a muscular touch. Despite these updates, the styling felt more like an evolution than a revolution, resembling a facelift rather than a complete redesign. The Q5 offered various trim levels, including Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige, with features like LED Headlights Plus and programmable OLED taillights enhancing its modern appeal. The interior aimed for distinction with a mix of top-notch materials, though the design was somewhat discordant. The SQ5 variant added performance-oriented features, including sport suspension and larger wheels, but still lacked adequate seat bolstering for spirited driving.

In contrast, the 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan underwent a complete redesign, embracing sleek modernity inspired by VW's electric vehicles. The front featured narrower headlights and a larger visual grille, while the rear showcased a sportier tapering hatch and a single bar taillight. The interior modernization included a minimalist dashboard with a tablet-like infotainment display and a digital instrument panel. The gear selector moved to the steering column, freeing up center console space for storage. Materials quality was average, with soft-touch surfaces in key areas, though some rear seat materials were replaced with durable plastics. The Tiguan's exterior and interior updates represented an evolution of previous themes, with a nod to newer VW vehicles.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came 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. Despite these figures, the Q5 and SQ5 felt less quick than expected, with noticeable turbo lag and rough shifts from the dual-clutch transmission. The air suspension, standard on the SQ5 and available on the Q5 Prestige, provided capable handling but lacked sportiness. Audi included Off-Road and Off-Road Plus driving modes, but the Q5 was more suited for dirt roads than technical trails.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with 4Motion all-wheel drive available on all models and standard on the top SEL R-Line trim. The Tiguan's acceleration was expected to reach 60 mph in about 8.5 seconds, offering smooth and linear power delivery. The suspension favored comfort, effectively smoothing over road imperfections while maintaining composure in corners. The Tiguan's quiet cabin added to the comfortable driving experience, though it wasn't particularly sporty. A more powerful Turbo variant was anticipated for 2026, along with a potential hybrid powertrain.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar exterior dimensions and interior space to the 2024 model, with adequate headroom and legroom. The sliding and reclining second-row bench seat offered flexibility, and cargo space increased to 27.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.9 cubic feet behind the first row. The Q5's cargo capacity surpassed some rivals but fell short of others. Standard features included a power tailgate and heated front seats, with additional amenities available on higher trims. The Q5 also offered up to 4,400 pounds of towing capacity, exceeding some competitors.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan returned without a third row, resulting in increased second-row legroom by 1.5 inches. The interior featured traditional button controls, improving usability compared to the previous model's capacitive-touch buttons. The center console offered ample storage, with cupholders, a smartphone slot, and a deep armrest bin. Cargo capacity details were not finalized, but the new Tiguan appeared to have a smaller cargo area than its predecessor. The power liftgate was standard on most trims, with hands-free operation on the top SEL R-Line.

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 touchscreen on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a cooled wireless charging pad. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, offered ease of use, though the digital instrument cluster had reduced functionality. An available head-up display provided clear visibility, and the Dynamic Interaction Light added visual cues. Additional tech features included digital key connectivity and a built-in toll transponder.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with a digital instrument panel and a 12.9-inch infotainment touchscreen, with a 15-inch display available on higher trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, complemented by a wireless phone charger with a cooling fan. The infotainment system included capacitive-touch sliders, but a new volume knob improved usability. The Atmospheres feature combined ambient lighting and audio settings to enhance mood, though it felt like a novelty. The standard audio system had seven speakers, with a 12-speaker Harman Kardon system available on the top trim.

The 2025 Audi Q5 offered standard driver-assist features, including 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 the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of writing, but Audi aimed to match the previous generation's five-star NHTSA rating.

The 2025 Volkswagen Tiguan included standard advanced safety features such as frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and more. The Emergency Assist system could slow the vehicle to a stop if the driver was incapacitated. Higher trims added a head-up display, surround-view camera system, traffic sign reader, and semi-automated parking system. Safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS were not yet available, but the Tiguan's safety features functioned effectively during testing.