2023 Volkswagen Tiguan vs 2023 Audi Q5

The 2023 Audi Q5 presented a blend of elegance and sportiness with its exterior design, featuring subtle curves and angular accents. It was available in two body styles: the standard Q5 SUV and the Q5 Sportback, which had 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. 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 newer non-luxury competitors. The build quality was robust, with no squeaks or creaks, making it a solid choice among luxury SUVs.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan, following updates in 2022, remained largely unchanged. It was available in S, SE, SE R-Line Black, and SEL R-Line trims, with prices ranging from $26,950 to $37,680, plus a destination charge. The SEL R-Line trim, priced at $38,975, featured sporty styling and 20-inch wheels, giving it a more expensive appearance. The Tiguan offered a variety of exterior colors, interior colors, wheel designs, and upholstery options, though choices were limited by trim level. The interior of the SEL R-Line was upscale, with quality leather upholstery, artificial wood trim, and a panoramic sunroof. Despite some materials reflecting its base price, the Tiguan felt solidly constructed. The adaptive front lighting and light bar across the grille added to its appeal, while the cabin provided a comfortable and spacious environment.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine choices. The base 40 TFSI was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The midrange 45 TFSI increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, and was the sole engine for the Q5 Sportback. The 55 TFSI was a plug-in hybrid powertrain delivering 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated 23 miles of electric-only range. All Q5s featured 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, making it feel slower than its 5.7-second 0-60 mph estimate. 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 Tiguan was equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, with VW’s 4Motion all-wheel-drive system available. The SEL R-Line included AWD as standard, with various driving modes for different conditions. The Tiguan averaged 22.6 mpg in testing, slightly below the EPA’s 24 mpg estimate. The turbo-four provided adequate power, though passing slower vehicles required planning. The automatic transmission occasionally stumbled, and turbo lag was noticeable from a stop. Despite these quirks, the Tiguan’s dynamic qualities were rewarding, with excellent tire grip and stable handling. The ride was compliant, with minimal road noise, though an odd resonance was noted on certain freeways. Visibility was excellent, aided by thin windshield pillars and a surround-view camera.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design had remained largely unchanged since 2018, yet it continued to impress with its timeless appeal. The infotainment touchscreen was strategically placed atop the dash to minimize distraction, and traditional dials and buttons were provided for climate controls. Physical buttons for secondary controls reduced the need to navigate on-screen menus. Visibility was commendable, with a narrow front roof pillar and better-than-average rear views. The cabin offered ample space for taller passengers, with the Sportback model sacrificing only a quarter-inch of headroom. Storage options were varied, though some were oddly sized. The Q5 provided 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly reduced in the Sportback, but still competitive within its class.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan excelled in passenger and cargo space, especially in AWD models without a third-row seat. The SEL R-Line featured comfortable front seats with power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. Storage space was generous, though the center armrest bin was small. The dashboard's touch-sensing controls were a drawback, with reflective surfaces and awkward placement. Despite this, the Tiguan offered a spacious rear seat with ample legroom, headroom, and foot room. The cargo area was cavernous, with an adjustable load floor and convenient features like levers for folding seats. With AWD, the Tiguan provided 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 73.4 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2023 Audi Q5 came standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring sharp graphics and quick responses, though it took time to boot up and activate Apple CarPlay. Both CarPlay and Android Auto were available wirelessly. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The on-screen buttons in Audi's system were large and easy to read, though Apple CarPlay's app buttons were smaller and closer together. The Q5 could be monitored remotely via a smartphone app, with features like unlocking and temperature pre-conditioning. Audi Connect Care service was included for a limited time, with a Wi-Fi hotspot available. Mid-range trims offered a customizable digital instrument panel.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan featured digital instrumentation, with an 8-inch display on most trims and a 10.25-inch display on the SEL R-Line. The larger display offered a sophisticated appearance and a wide array of data, including a full-panel navigation map. The dashboard housed a touchscreen display for infotainment functions, with an 8-inch screen on most trims. The SEL R-Line included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a nine-speaker Fender premium sound system. However, the system's user interface was complex, with sub-menus appearing as fingertips approached the screen. The voice-recognition system underperformed, likely due to inactive subscriptions in the test vehicle.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received high safety ratings, earning five stars from the NHTSA for overall, frontal, and side protection, and four stars in rollover tests. The IIHS awarded the Q5 its highest score of "Good" in all crashworthiness tests and named it a Top Safety Pick+. 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 features like lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera, and traffic jam assist. The top Prestige trim included matrix-design LED headlights, a head-up display, and a semi-automated parking system.

The 2023 Volkswagen Tiguan offered comprehensive safety features, with standard Front Assist and Side Assist, including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and automatic emergency braking. The Automatic Post Collision Braking System helped avoid secondary impacts. The IQ.Drive package, standard on most trims, added adaptive cruise control, active blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and semi-autonomous driving assist. The Tiguan's safety technology was effective and unobtrusive. However, the NHTSA's crash-test ratings were incomplete, and the IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ rating for 2022 did not apply to 2023.