The Audi Q3 vs Audi Q5: Which Does Consumer Reports Rank Best?

Choosing between the Audi Q3 and Q5 can be a challenge. Though the cars are similar in many ways, it ultimately comes down to what size you want, and how much you’re willing to spend.
Written by Tom Hindle
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Although Audi is a major player in the market for a number of car classes, buyers are often stuck for choice between two models within the brand. That clash comes from the apparent similarities between the Q3 and Q5. 
So, which model should buyers choose? It’s an interesting debate. Here’s what trusty information source Consumer Reports has to say. 

The Audi Q3 vs. Q5: Which car is more expensive?

The Audi Q3 and Q5 SUVs have a lot to offer based on style, performance, and tech-driven comfort. And there are similarities in the trim range, too. Both cars are available in three trim levels: premium, premium plus, and prestige
But there’s a major discrepancy in price. Per
Car and Driver
, it will cost you $35,900 to acquire the Q3 base model, while the
Audi Q5 starts
at $45,600. That’s a $9,300 price difference—which isn’t insignificant. 
Price gaps only widen with the higher trim levels. If you want to soup up your Q5 with extra luxuries, you could be paying up to $65,145. The Q3, meanwhile, caps out at just under $43,000. 
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The Audi Q3 vs. Q5: Safety, design, technology

Both the Q3 and Audi Q5 provide stylish, sleek, and sporty designs that reflect Audi's premium luxury. 
The Q3's exterior is dominated by 18 inch, five-arm silver wheels, and imposing LED headlights with high beam assist. It’s a sleek and rather low car, too, filling the crossover space with aplomb.
The Q5, meanwhile, is noticeably bigger. It features 19 inch, five-double-arm designed wheels, full LED headlights with high beam assist, and LED tail lights with dynamic turn signals. It also has aluminum roof rails, and trailer hitch provision.
Buyers are also left with contrasting choices in terms of interior specs. The Q5 has a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, ambient LED interior lighting, and solid navigation. There’s also three-zone automatic climate control—which helps adjust the heat for every row of seats.
The Q3 shares some traits, but buyers have to reach further up trim levels for the sunroof, leather seats, and climate control. 

Engine specs

Further complicating things is the similarity in engine specs between the two cars. Both come with a spirited turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
The Q5, however, draws more power out of the same motor, and can generate up to 261 hp—30 more than its rival. A plug-in hybrid version can also provide some extra punch, and propel the Q5 from 0-60 in under 5 seconds. 

What the numbers say

Consumer Reports
rates the Q3 relatively favorable, putting it at no. 3 among its subcompact SUVs—with a score of 8.2/10. But it’s not regarded as a particularly luxurious car, ranking at no.18 among luxury crossover SUVs. 
Still, the Q3 makes up for its shortcomings in luxury in other areas. Consumer Reports rates its tech, interior, and reliability quite highly—giving it an overall rating of 67/100
The Q5, meanwhile, did even better. Consumer Reports praised its interior, performance, and safety. Overall, it posted a score of 79/100.
Distinguishing between the two, then, is tough. The Q5 certainly offers more for its class. But for $9,300 more, it’s hard to justify the discrepancy—especially if you don’t need a bigger car. 
Ultimately, it depends on what size of car you want. 

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