2020 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth generation of compact crossovers, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior styling was characterized by soft, curvy lines that gave it a car-like appearance, reminiscent of Honda's sedan lineup. The CR-V's design leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV, setting a standard for modern family transportation. However, the interior told a different story, with a mix of textures and materials. While higher trims featured upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery, these clashed with some low-quality plastics, reminding drivers that even the pricier CR-V models were still upgrades of a commodity car rather than true premium products.

In contrast, the 2021 Audi Q5 presented a sharp and modern appearance, embodying Audi's design language while maintaining its unique character. The Q5 featured an expressive front with LED headlights and a prominent Singleframe grille, emphasizing width. Its body styling included crisp character lines and a protective greenhouse, while the rear boasted bold taillights. The Q5's fit and finish were exceptional, and the plug-in hybrid version added S-Line trim pieces for a more distinguished look. Inside, the Q5 continued its classy and modern theme, with a well-organized layout and high-quality materials, including real wood and metal. The 10.1-inch touchscreen was strategically placed for easy access, and the second row offered standard leather upholstery, enhancing the overall luxurious feel.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine across all trims, delivering 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), this powertrain was well-suited to the CR-V. Despite some CVTs' reputation for sluggishness, Honda's implementation provided a responsive driving experience, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V's road manners were commendable, offering a car-like driving experience with nimble handling and minimal body roll. Its lightweight design, with a curb weight ranging from 1,521 kg to 1,641 kg, contributed to its agility and fuel efficiency. The CR-V achieved impressive fuel economy ratings, with FWD models at 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres combined and AWD models at 8.1, making it a top performer in its class.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV took performance to another level with its plug-in hybrid setup. Combining a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, the Q5 PHEV produced a total of 362 horsepower and 373 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed for impressive acceleration, reaching 100 kilometres per hour in just 5.3 seconds. The Q5 PHEV's fuel efficiency was equally remarkable, with a combined rating of 4.7 litres-equivalent per 100 kilometres. The seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission and full-time Quattro AWD provided a smooth and controlled driving experience. The Q5's handling was sporty yet comfortable, with minimal body roll and powerful braking.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and practicality. Its cabin was spacious, offering ample head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers. The CR-V's seating position and low cowl contributed to excellent visibility. The cargo area was generous, with a two-position load floor allowing for flexible storage options. With the rear seats folded, the CR-V offered up to 1,110 litres of cargo space, making it easy to accommodate various needs. Clever storage solutions, such as the deep centre console and large door pockets, added to the CR-V's practicality.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV also impressed with its interior space and smart packaging. Despite housing a battery pack, the Q5 maintained 710 litres of cargo space behind the second row, expandable to 1,503 litres with the seats folded. The second row provided ample legroom and headroom, comfortably accommodating two adults. The front seats were supportive and adjustable, with optional ventilation. The Q5's interior featured well-placed storage compartments, including cupholders and a centre-console bin, ensuring functionality matched its sleek design.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen that felt small compared to competitors. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate, and even Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration felt less intuitive. However, the CR-V offered plenty of USB ports, including high-powered ones in the backseat, and higher trims featured a wireless phone charger.

In contrast, the 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV boasted Audi's latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which was user-friendly and impressive. The Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus provided a customizable 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster, enhancing the cabin's futuristic feel. The Q5 also featured a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wired Android Auto, offering a superior tech experience.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came equipped with the "Honda Sensing" suite of safety features, including forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with LED headlights on higher trims improving nighttime visibility. A recall for a rear subframe issue affected a small number of vehicles.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV shared many safety features with its gasoline counterpart, which received top ratings from the NHTSA. The Q5 included six airbags, electronic stability control, and a rearview camera. Available driver-assistance features, such as Audi Pre Sense and adaptive cruise control, enhanced safety further.