2025 Audi Q5 vs 2025 Toyota 4Runner

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner, in its sixth generation, maintained a design evolution rather than a complete overhaul. It retained the horseshoe-shaped grilles from the previous generation, but with a more robust and industrial flair. The exterior featured deep beveled creases on the side body panels, blending seamlessly with the flared wheel arches, giving the SUV a broad-shouldered stance suitable for off-road adventures. Paying homage to its predecessors, the 4Runner included design elements like the slanted rearmost window from the first generation. Inside, the cabin mirrored the Toyota Tacoma's design, with beveled styling throughout. While hard plastics were prevalent for durability, there was light cushioning for comfort. The materials were of higher quality than those in a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco, though not as refined as a Land Rover Defender.

The 2025 Audi Q5, in its third generation, embraced a tougher SUV aesthetic. Its large, textured grille, prominent side air intakes, and high-mounted headlights gave it an imposing front look. The body sides featured well-defined lines, adding musculature. Despite the 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 features like LED Headlights Plus and programmable OLED taillights. The Q5 was available in standard SUV and coupe-like Sportback body styles, with the latter offering a sleeker profile at the expense of cargo space. The SQ5 performance variant featured increased power, sport suspension, and distinctive design elements like matte chrome trim and quad exhaust tips. Inside, the Q5's design was detailed, with top-notch materials and a mix of silver and black trim pieces. However, the design was somewhat discordant, with lines not aligning uniformly.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner offered two engine choices. The base model came with a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 317 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive was standard on some trims, with four-wheel drive available. The more off-road-oriented models came standard with 4WD. Toyota introduced the i-Force Max Hybrid powertrain, combining the four-cylinder engine with a 1.87-kWh battery pack and an electric motor, delivering 326 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid variant provided stronger power at lower speeds, beneficial for off-roading. The 4Runner was quieter inside, with improved handling on pavement and maintained its off-road prowess. It offered nine trims with varying off-road capabilities, with the TRD Pro and Trailhunter models being the most capable.

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 engine produced 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the SQ5's 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 delivered 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The Q5's performance was competitive, with a manufacturer-estimated zero to 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. The Q5's suspension offered capable handling, with air suspension available on the Prestige trim and standard on the SQ5. The Q5 included Off-Road and Off-Road Plus driving modes, but it was more suited for dirt roads than technical trails.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner was five inches longer than its predecessor, with a 2.4-inch longer wheelbase. While this typically results in more passenger space, the gains were minimal. The front seats offered ample room for taller passengers, but the middle row was less accommodating. Third-row seating was available on non-hybrid models but was cramped. The cockpit was well-organized, with oversized climate control knobs and grouped off-road controls for easy operation. The 4Runner offered various off-road features, including terrain programs and camera views for navigating tough terrain. Towing capacity ranged from 5,800 to 6,000 pounds. Cargo capacity was slightly smaller, with 44.8 cubic feet behind the second row, reduced to 42.6 cubic feet in the hybrid due to the battery placement.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar dimensions to the 2024 model, with adequate headroom and legroom. It featured a sliding and reclining second-row bench seat, with cargo-area buttons for easy adjustment. The Q5 offered 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 56.9 cubic feet behind the first row, more than some rivals but less than others. 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 had a towing capacity of up to 4,400 pounds, surpassing some competitors.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard, with a 14-inch option available. Both screens were user-friendly, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a wireless charging pad. Hybrid models included a digital instrument panel. Off-road models offered external camera views and specific on-screen menus for off-road information. A 14-speaker JBL audio system was available, along with a portable Bluetooth speaker. Remote monitoring and control were possible through a smartphone app, and a digital key function was offered.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came with 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 Q5's infotainment system was based on Android Automotive OS, with a built-in voice assistant for some functions. A head-up display was available, and the Q5 featured Audi's Dynamic Interaction Light for additional driver cues. Digital key connectivity and a built-in toll transponder were also included.

The 2025 Toyota 4Runner's crash test results were not available at the time of writing, but the Tacoma pickup on which it was based received a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. The 4Runner came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including features like frontal collision warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. A blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alerts was optional.

The 2025 Audi Q5 included standard driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control, active front assist, lane departure warning, parking sensors, and blind spot monitoring. 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.