Demand for SUVs is growing by the day, and the Audi Q3 and Audi Q5 are amongst the best SUVs in the business. Show
The Audi Q3 is smaller in size with a more affordable price tag. The Q5 has a more dominating presence, but is more practical and premium-feeling inside. Which should you choose? In this article, we’ll give you our verdict on driving experience, exterior styling, interior materials and tech, practicality, safety and reliability, and costs. We’ve also written a post comparing the Audi Q2 vs Q3, and the Audi Q3 vs BMW X1 so you can fully explore your options. Does size really matter? Is the Q5 worth £10k+ more? We’re going to pit these two Audi SUVs head-to-head to see which is the true all-rounder. With so many unique attributes between them, how do we crown a winner? Read on to find out!
Driving Experience and PerformanceDoes size matter when it comes to performance? 0-62The 0-62 sprint time varies depending on your engine choice. You can expect 9.3-9.5 seconds from most Q3 models. 40 and 45 TFSI models can do it quicker, in around 7.3 seconds, with the quickest sprint coming from the 45 TFSI 245 Quattro - a speedy 5.8 seconds! The Q5 is quicker off the mark with a more powerful range of engines. You’ll get anything between 5.1 and 7.6 seconds. SuspensionThere’s 3 suspension options with the Q3. The standard suspension is pretty good. The Sports suspension on S Line or Edition 1 is more controlled but not super comfortable. If you plump for the Vorsprung trim, you can choose Adaptive suspension, which is the best, but obviously at a cost! The PHEV model has a firmer ride than the ICE options. The Q5 has the slightly better suspension, but it’s a similar story as far as your options go, with the entry suspension just fine, Sports a bit bumpier, and Adaptive a dream but pricey. HandlingThe Q5 handles better than the Q3. Quattro four-wheel drive is standard on all Q5 models, but you have the option to go with front-wheel or Quattro on the Q3. This pushes up the price of the Q5 models, but it is worth it. If it’s not something you are overly fussed about, you may be teed off by the lack of choice. Q3 Estate:Q5 Estate:Exterior Styling and Size
AUDI Q3 EXTERIOR
AUDI Q5 EXTERIOR There’s not much to set the Q3 and Q5 apart when it comes to exterior styling. They both look great, as a premium SUV should. As the larger model, the Q5 has a more impressive presence. It’s 116 mm wider and 198 mm longer, so if a larger SUV is your bag, it’s worth considering. Size aside, we think the Q3 exceeds expectations in terms of attractive looks and style. The Q5 goes for a more minimal approach. While less is more is a good approach for many things, when you’re paying £10k+ more, subtlety can feel like corners have been cut! Q3 Estate:
Q5 Estate:Interior Styling and Tech
AUDI Q3 INTERIOR
AUDI Q5 INTERIOR While the exterior of the Q5 doesn’t feel as lush as you may expect for its price tag, the interior certainly lives up to expectations. MaterialsEntry Q3 trims come with cloth seats. It’s not until the third trim that you get more premium Pulse cloth/twin leather upholstery. In the Q5, leather is standard on all models. The plastics in the Q3 are a bit harder than you’d expect, but still decent enough for the price. The Q5 feels more luxurious, with soft plastics, unpolished wood, and metal trims. TechBoth models have Audi’s MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch display, and Audi Virtual Cockpit as standard. The cockpit screen measures 10.25-inches on the Q3, but 12.3-inches on the Q5. The main infotainment central touchscreen measures roughly the same on both models, so no major points of difference here. Smartphone mirroring is standard, and with both you can add the Audi tech pack and/or the comfort and sound pack. The comfort and sound pack on the Q5 is more impressive than the Q3, featuring a Bang & Olufsen sound system (rather than a SONOS premium sound system) and a 360 degree camera over a standard rear view camera. Q3 Estate:Q5 Estate:Practicality
AUDI Q3 BOOT SPACE
AUDI Q5 BOOT SPACE Since the Q5 is larger than the Q3, it’s got the edge in the practicality department. In terms of head room, the Q5 has a mere 5mm extra headroom in the front, and in the back, it has an extra 22mm. If you will regularly carry six footers in the rear seat, then the Q5 is more comfortable. When it comes to boot space, the Q5 Estate is the most spacious. It offers 20L more boot space with the seats down than the Q3 models. The Q5 Sportback boot space is actually smaller than the Q3 (it’s only larger than the Q3 Sportback with the seats flat). With the rear seats flat, the Q5 Estate has 35L more space than the Q3 Estate, and 160L more than the Q3 Sportback.
The Q5 is still the better option for big families with big storage needs - but not dramatically so, and only if you go for the Estate. Safety and ReliabilityBoth models received 5 star scores in Euro NCAP safety testing - no worries with either of them! The Q3 performed ever so slightly better in the adult occupant rating, with a score of 95% compared to the Q5’s 93%. Both scored 86% for child occupants. Audi isn't known to be as reliable as some other manufacturers but they do offer a three year warranty (unlimited mileage in year 1 and 2, and 60,000 miles in year 3). This is ideal for the average lease length. Both the Q3 and Q5 are similar in terms of reliability. Q3 Estate:Q5 Estate:CostsAs a smaller model, the Q3 is more budget-friendly. List PriceEach model has various trim choices. The Q3 Estate kicks off with Technik (£32,200) whilst the Sportback begins with Sport (£33,480). Go for the Q5 Estate and the entry Sport trim costs £46,650. The Sportback racks up at £47,800. This is over £10k more expensive than the Q3! Fuel CostsFor fuel costs, the Q3 Estate is the most economical, capable of up to 44.1 MPG for petrol and 56.5 MPG for diesel. Both Q5 models can manage around 10 MPG less than this. That said, if you go for the plug-in, you’ll get more electric miles with the Q5 - 39 compared to 30 with the Q3.
Insurance CostsAs for insurance, again, the Q3 comes out on top. The Q3 Estate has the lowest insurance costs (somewhere between group 18E and 38E). The Q5 Estate can be insured for less than the Q3 Sportback.
Which is Better: Q3 or Q5?It’s obviously a subjective question, but we think the Q3 performs better overall. The Q3:
We’ve rounded up some Q3 alternatives if you think this model is best suited to you. The Q5:
It depends where your priorities are - if a premium feel and a bigger body style are higher on your checklist than practicality and lower running costs, go for the Q5. If it’s the other way round, go for the Q3. Trying to wrap your head around the car leasing world? Emily works hard to keep Lease Fetcher fresh with everything you need to know in the automotive sphere. Is the Q3 bigger than the Q5?The Q3 stands 176.6 in. long and 72.8 in. wide, while the slightly larger Q5 measures 183.6 in. long, 84.3 in.
How much bigger is Audi Q5 than Q3?Despite being 198mm longer, 37mm wider and 46mm taller than the Q3, the Q5 comes with some cool styling features that let you know it's a premium car.
Why was the Audi Q3 discontinued?Audi's gearing up for another big launch of 2022: the new-gen Q3. Audi's baby SUV was discontinued in April 2020 due to the BS6 emission norms kicking in.
What car does the Audi Q3 compare to?The Audi Q3 most often competes with the GLA Class from Mercedes and X1 from BMW. The Audi Q3 most often competes with the GLA Class from Mercedes and X1 from BMW. The X1 is our pick to drive, but the GLA has more room and better manners in its second generation.
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