2025 Audi Q5 vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

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 gave the front end an imposing look. The body sides were adorned with well-defined lines, adding 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. 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 like matte chrome trim, larger air intakes, and quad exhaust tips, along with standard 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the Q5's 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 a mix of silver and black trim pieces contrasting with lighter upholstery colors. 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, and the SQ5 seats lacked adequate bolstering for enthusiastic driving.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid showcased a bold reinterpretation of its design, which could polarize opinions. The grille, with its flat, faceless look, spanned the entire width of the front end, dividing opinions. The Telluride's personality changed significantly depending on color and trim level, with body-colored vertical strakes at each edge. In lighter paint colors, they appeared jarring, while in darker shades, they blended harmoniously. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced these strakes with rectangular grille blocks and featured distinctive amber accent lights. The side profile continued the boldness with unique faceted and angular fender sculpting and unusual black plastic tabs atop each wheel well. The rear view adopted a different style, with rounded corners and vertical taillights mimicking the front accent lights, resembling a Range Rover from behind.

Inside, the Telluride's interior was less controversial, featuring a simple horizontal dashboard layout with a stark, buttonless modern appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim with the optional SX Prestige Executive package offered a luxurious two-tone palette, akin to something from Volvo. The seats were covered in synthetic leather and suede, with somewhat flat and firm cushions that could create uncomfortable hard spots on longer drives. Surrounding materials quality was excellent for the class, with options for different trim surfaces, including engineered wood and carbon. The interior design was clean and modern, with a focus on comfort and luxury.

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 standard output was competitive for a compact crossover, with slightly less horsepower than an Acura RDX but more torque. The SQ5 nearly matched a Mercedes-AMG GLC43 in output, with a manufacturer-estimated zero to 60 mph time of 4.6 seconds. However, both models experienced turbo lag and rough shifts, affecting acceleration. The air suspension with adaptive damping, standard on the SQ5, provided capable handling but didn't encourage aggressive driving. The Q5 offered Off-Road and Off-Road Plus driving modes, but it was more suited for dirt roads than technical trails.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 274 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Telluride Hybrid added electric motors, increasing output to 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed transmission. The Hybrid was not available in the off-road-capable X-Pro trims but was offered in the X-Line trim. The Telluride Hybrid provided ample power and a quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas modes. Both Tellurides were tuned for comfort, delivering a smooth ride. The X-Pro Prestige trim offered a comfortable ride despite its lifted off-road suspension, while the Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride with its 20-inch wheels. The Telluride was composed and controllable on winding roads, with a soft brake pedal effort that required some adjustment.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar exterior dimensions and interior space to the 2024 model, with adequate headroom and legroom in both rows. The 2025 model offered 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 56.9 cubic feet behind the first row, providing more cargo space than a Lexus NX or Mercedes-Benz GLC but less than an Acura RDX or BMW X3. A sliding and reclining 40/20/40 split-folding second-row bench seat was standard, with cargo-area buttons for easy adjustment. The Q5 also offered a power tailgate, heated front seats, and a towing capacity of up to 4,400 pounds.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rearmost row was better suited for smaller passengers. The seat cushions were mounted low to the floor, reducing thigh support for adults, but headroom and legroom were adequate. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim with the optional Executive package featured power-adjustable second-row seats with heating and ventilation, offering comfort comparable to business-class airline seats. The middle-row seats had a lot of seat travel, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom. The Telluride offered up to 89.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity with the second-row seatbacks folded flat and a towing capacity of up to 5,000 pounds (4,500 for the Hybrid).

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, with the top Prestige trim adding a 10.9-inch touchscreen for the front passenger. 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 infotainment system was based on the Android Automotive OS, with a built-in voice assistant for vehicle functions. An available head-up display provided additional information, and the Q5 included digital key connectivity and a built-in toll transponder.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch touchscreen for climate controls. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual wireless phone chargers, and a native navigation system. The system was easy to use, though it required a firm tap to register inputs. The Telluride offered a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system on the SX trim and above, delivering powerful bass and clear tones.

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 not available at the time of writing, but Audi aimed to match the previous generation's five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid offered standard advanced safety features, including frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, parking proximity sensors, highway driving assist, and rear passenger sensors/reminders. Higher trims added a surround-view camera system, blind-spot camera system, side parking proximity sensors, and automatic reverse braking. The Telluride also included a driver attention monitor, though it occasionally triggered false alerts at night.