Volkswagen Tiguan vs 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 look. The body sides were accentuated with well-defined lines, adding a muscular touch. Despite these updates, the styling changes appeared more evolutionary than revolutionary, giving the impression of 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 on higher trims. 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 variant stood out with increased power, sport suspension, and distinctive design elements like matte chrome trim and quad exhaust tips.

In contrast, the 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan took inspiration from VW’s electric lineup, showcasing a modern design with an LED lightbar replacing the traditional grille and a honeycomb pattern on the lower fascia. The front end was nearly sealed-off, similar to the all-electric ID.4, with narrow headlights and a chrome strip connecting them to the central VW logo. The SEL R-Line Turbo trim featured an illuminated logo and an LED light bar. The Tiguan's rear echoed the honeycomb pattern, complemented by LED taillights with Volkswagen’s ID.Light signature elements. Despite maintaining the same wheelbase as the 2024 model, the Tiguan had shorter front and rear overhangs and a more sloped d-pillar, impacting interior cargo capacity. The interior varied across trims, with the SEL R-Line Turbo offering luxurious touches like two-tone Varenna leather upholstery and walnut trim, while lower trims featured cloth or leatherette seats.

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 did not feel as quick as 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. The Q5 offered various driving modes, including Off-Road and Off-Road Plus, but was more suited for dirt roads than technical trails.

The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 201 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque with standard FWD, increasing to 221 pound-feet with 4Motion AWD. The SEL R-Line Turbo trim introduced a more powerful engine with 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The Tiguan's eight-speed automatic transmission provided smooth power delivery, and the SUV was tuned for comfort with a set of drive modes. The Tiguan's suspension offered sharper cornering than most competitors, albeit at the cost of a rougher ride on bad pavement. The Tiguan was notably quiet, with excellent pedal feel and impressive interior build quality.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar exterior dimensions and interior space to the 2024 model, offering adequate headroom and legroom. The Q5 featured a sliding and reclining 40/20/40 split-folding second-row bench seat, with cargo-area buttons for easy adjustment. The 2025 model provided 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 56.9 cubic feet behind the first row, surpassing some rivals but falling short of others. Standard features included a power tailgate and heated front seats, with additional amenities like a heated steering wheel and panoramic sunroof available on higher trims. The Q5 also offered a towing capacity of up to 4,400 pounds.

The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan, redesigned for its third generation, no longer offered an optional third row, resulting in a smaller interior despite maintaining the same wheelbase. The 2026 model provided 69.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats and 33.8 cubic feet behind the back seat, with no additional storage below the trunk floor. The removal of the third row increased second-row legroom by 1.5 inches, and visibility was excellent due to narrow A-pillars. The Tiguan featured practical interior elements like large door pockets, tandem-oriented cupholders, and a wireless charging pad with an integrated cooling fan.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, with a 10.9-inch touchscreen for the front passenger on the Prestige trim. Standard tech included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a cooled wireless charging pad, and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system on Premium Plus models. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, was user-friendly, with a built-in voice assistant for some vehicle functions. The Q5 also offered a head-up display and Audi’s Dynamic Interaction Light for additional driver cues.

The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan came standard with a 12.9-inch touchscreen, with a 15-inch version on the SEL R-Line Turbo. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a 10.25-inch digital driver information display. The Tiguan featured Volkswagen’s “atmospheres” ambient lighting, combining lighting and audio settings to change the cabin mood. The SEL R-Line Turbo trim offered a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, while lower trims had a seven-speaker setup.

The 2025 Audi Q5 included standard driver-assist features like 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 not available at press time, but Audi aimed to match the previous generation’s five-star NHTSA rating.

The 2026 Volkswagen Tiguan had not been crash tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. It featured an Intelligent Crash Response System and Automatic Post-Collision Braking System. The Tiguan’s standard IQ.Drive suite included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and a driver-condition monitor. Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist provided semi-autonomous driving capability through VW’s Travel Assist.