When it comes to choosing an SUV for your family, the countless options available on the market can be quite overwhelming. Audi and Subaru are two brands synonymous with quality and reliability, so it’s no wonder they are two of the most popular car brands today.
While both are excellent vehicles boasting countless features and unrivaled reliability, the Audi Q5 and the Subaru Outback each have their advantages and disadvantages. The Outback comes at a lower price than the Q5, so it offers excellent value for money, while the Audi offers more features.
While both the Q5 and the Outback are excellent cars that will provide you with years of reliable transport and traveling comfort, there are certain aspects of each car that make one stand out from the other. By comparing several aspects of each car, it will be easier to see which car will be the best fit for you.
Subaru Outback vs Audi Q5
In order to gain a proper comparison between the two vehicles, several different features need to be compared alongside one another. Some of the features to be compared include engine, transmission, drivetrain, fuel tank capacity, seating capacity, and fuel economy. The performance of each car will be compared to establish which car will better serve your needs depending on the type of driver you are.
Pricing is another major consideration when choosing between the two cars. The Audi is significantly more expensive than the Subaru, so a prospective buyer will need to consider whether the extra cost is worth it in the long run. The interior features on offer in the Audi differ significantly compared to those in the Subaru, and this can be a major deciding factor for some.
Driving enjoyment, safety, and cost of ownership are some other major considerations when comparing these two vehicles, and each will be discussed below. In today’s car market, the mid-sized SUV is generally the best seller for most brands, making this an extremely competitive market. With several options available in this range, any car must be able to compete on every level in order to ensure it stands a chance against other trusted brands.
The Audi Q5 and Subaru Outback are both excellent competitors in the mid-sized luxury SUV category, but their ability to hold up against other similar cars on the market will constantly be tested in the years to come.
Fuel Consumption
With quickly rising fuel prices and growing concerns over carbon emissions, fuel consumption is an extremely important consideration when it comes to purchasing a car. While both the Q5 and the Outback feature an 18.5-gallon fuel tank capacity, their fuel consumption differs. In the city, the Q5 will give you around 23 miles per gallon, with around 29 miles per gallon on the highway.
The combined fuel consumption is around 25 MPG in this vehicle. The Outback, on the other hand, allows for approximately 26 miles per gallon in the city. On the highway, expect around 33 miles per gallon with the Outback.
With this Subaru, expect combined fuel consumption of around 29 MPG. As seen from the above, the Subaru outperforms the Audi in terms of its fuel consumption despite the Subaru having a larger engine.
Engine and Performance
The 2022 Audi Q5 comes standard with a 2.0L Turbo inline 4 cylinder gas engine with 261 horsepower at 5000rpm. The torque in the Q5 is around 273 lb.-ft at 1600 rpm. This is somewhat different from the Outback with its 2.5L flat 4 cylinder gas engine with 182 horsepower at 5800 rpm and torque of 176 lb-ft at 4400 rpm.
The transmission in the Audi is via a smooth 7-speed automatic, while the Subaru features Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT) transmission. CVT transmission is generally considered far less desirable to most drivers, but the technology in the Subaru makes for an improved experience compared to general CVT Transmission. The Q5’s 7-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch auto transmission allows the vehicle to accelerate from standstill to 60mph in 5.7 seconds.
The Outback, on the other hand, has all four of its wheels powered by its Lineartronic CVT that takes the car from zero to 60mph in 8.7 seconds.
Interior Features
At first glance, the Audi will win hands down when comparing the interiors of the two vehicles. The Audi Q5 boasts all of the luxuries to be expected in any luxurious German SUV. Leather upholstery, automatic multi-zone climate control, and walnut inlays are just some of the luxurious touches to be found in the Q5.
The Outback, however, offers more legroom as well as a larger cargo hold. The Audi offers 40.9 inches of front-seat legroom, while the Outback offers 42.8 inches. The rear-seat legroom of the Audi is 38 inches, while the same in the Subaru is 39.5 inches.
Other interior features of the Subaru Outback include water-repellent upholstery, dual USB charging ports in the front of the vehicle, as well as eight cup/bottle holders. It’s obvious that the Subaru leans more towards affording its passengers maximum practicality, while the Audi’s focus is more on luxurious comfort. The Q5 has several interior features that are not present in the Outback, including a premium sound system, Wifi hotspot, built-in navigation system, seat memory, and keyless start.
Pricing
For a 2022 Audi Q5 S line Prestige 45 TFSI Quattro, expect to pay $45,600. The Q5 comes in three options, namely the Premium, the Prestige, and the Premium Plus. The 2022 Subaru Outback, on the other hand, is available in eight models.
The basic model starts at $26,945, with the most expensive option, the Touring XT CVT coming in at $39,945. As can be gleaned from the above pricing, the most expensive model of the Subaru is still significantly cheaper than the base model of the Audi.
Conclusion
Once you have weighed up all of the above factors, your decision between the two vehicles will depend on your priorities and what you hope to gain from a vehicle. If luxury and driving enjoyment are major priorities to you, then the Audi Q5 will be the better choice of the two. If practicality and value for money are more important to you than luxury and technological features, the Subaru Outback will be a better option.
Sources:
https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/outback/index.html
https://www.carsguide.com.au/audi/q5/vs/subaru-outback
https://carbuzz.com/compare/audi-q5-vs-subaru-outback
