2023 Volkswagen ID.4 vs 2023 Audi Q5

The 2023 Audi Q5 presented a blend of elegance and sportiness with its exterior design, characterized by subtle curves and angular accents. It was available in two body styles: the standard Q5 SUV and the Q5 Sportback, which featured a sloping rear roofline for a sleeker look. Despite the typical reservations about coupelike styling, the Q5 Sportback stood out with a spoiler-like element above the taillights, providing a more defined transition from hatch to tail section. Inside, the Q5 offered a refined yet simple layout, though its age was beginning to show since its last redesign five years prior. Standard features included leather seating and heated front seats, with options for a heated steering wheel and rear seats. The 10-inch touchscreen was a nod to traditional design amidst a trend of larger screens, and while materials were of good quality, the Q5 no longer felt as special compared to non-luxury competitors. The build quality was robust, with no squeaks or creaks, making it a solid choice among luxury SUVs.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 underwent subtle styling changes, including a gloss black front bumper trim and a squared-off rear bumper design for improved aerodynamics. New wheel designs and colours were introduced, and the rear VW logo was illuminated. While distinctly an EV, the ID.4 lacked the traditional SUV profile and ground clearance, which might have been a drawback for some buyers. However, this was a common trait among many electric vehicles. Built on VW’s MEB platform, the ID.4 shared its modularity with a range of models, including the upcoming ID.Buzz electric van. The interior maintained a minimalist design with a quality feel, even in the base model, which featured leatherette upholstery with recycled fibre inserts. The ID.4 offered a spacious and practical interior, making it a strong contender in the affordable EV segment.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine choices. The base 40 TFSI quattro featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The midrange 45 TFSI quattro increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, and was the sole engine for the Q5 Sportback. The 55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid delivered 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an electric-only range of 37 kilometres. All Q5s came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive. The Q5 Sportback with the 45 TFSI engine experienced a delay in power delivery due to the transmission, affecting initial acceleration. However, once underway, the power was adequate, and the handling was sporty, with precise steering and a balance between compliance and cornering. The cabin remained quiet, with well-managed road and wind noise.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 introduced a new 62-kWh battery pack for the base model with rear-wheel drive, while the Pro model retained the 82-kWh pack, available with RWD or AWD. The single electric motor RWD models produced 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, while the dual-motor AWD powertrain increased output to 295 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The smaller battery pack reduced curb weight by 109 kilograms, enhancing acceleration and handling. The ID.4 with AWD offered acceleration comparable to hot hatchbacks but lacked the handling finesse. It provided a comfortable and refined ride, though body roll was noticeable on twisty roads. Regenerative braking was present, but VW opted for a more traditional driving experience rather than one-pedal driving, which might have disappointed some EV enthusiasts.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design remained largely unchanged since 2018, with a well-placed infotainment touchscreen and traditional dials and buttons for climate controls. Visibility was good, aided by a narrow front roof pillar, and the rear view was better than average. The front seats offered ample space for taller passengers, and the rear seats accommodated six-footers comfortably, even in the Sportback model. Storage options were available, though some were oddly sized. The Q5 provided 730 litres of cargo space, slightly reduced to 700 litres in the Sportback, which was competitive within its class.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 excelled in interior space, offering more legroom and headroom than competitors like the Chevrolet Bolt EV and Nissan Leaf. It boasted 858 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up and 1,818 litres with them folded, surpassing most entry-level EVs. While it fell short of gasoline crossovers like the Honda CR-V in interior space, it was practical for an affordable EV. The ID.4 also offered towing capabilities, with RWD models towing up to 1,000 kilograms and AWD models up to 1,225 kg. Interior updates for 2023 included a conventional centre console lid and improved phone storage, along with three-zone climate control and heated rear seats.

The 2023 Audi Q5 featured a standard 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with sharp graphics and quick responses, though it took time to boot up and activate Apple CarPlay. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Bluetooth and available SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Audi Connect Care service allowed remote monitoring and feature control via a smartphone app, with a limited-time subscription. Mid-range trims offered a customizable digital instrument panel called the virtual cockpit.

For 2023, the Volkswagen ID.4 made the 12.0-inch touchscreen standard across all models, with software updates for improved responsiveness. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained standard, along with the ID.Cockpit digital instrument cluster. The user experience was enhanced by sharp graphics and natural-language voice recognition. However, the haptic touchpads on the dashboard and steering wheel were less intuitive than conventional buttons. The ID.Light feature provided ambient lighting and navigation assistance, though it was easily overlooked during normal driving.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with five stars in frontal and side protection, and four stars in rollover tests. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ with "Good" scores in all crashworthiness tests. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors. Higher trims added lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera, and traffic jam assist. The top Technik trim featured matrix-design LED headlights, a head-up display, and semi-automated park assist.

The 2023 Volkswagen ID.4 also earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, with similar scores in crash tests. While IIHS ratings for 2023 were unavailable, the 2022 model received a Top Safety Pick+ with top scores in crash tests and front crash prevention. The ID.4 included standard driver-assist features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, and VW’s Travel Assist 2.0. New for 2023 were Park Assist Plus, automated lane-change, and a 360-degree camera system.