2024 Toyota 4Runner vs 2023 Audi Q5

The 2023 Audi Q5 presented a sophisticated 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 common criticism of "coupelike" styling, the Q5 Sportback stood out with a spoiler-like element above the taillights, providing a more defined transition from the hatch to the upright 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 newer non-luxury competitors. The build quality was robust, with no squeaks or creaks, making it a solid choice among luxury SUVs.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota 4Runner was a nod to the past, with its design largely unchanged since 2010. Its boxy shape and flared fenders gave it a rugged, stable appearance, ideal for off-road adventures. The TRD Pro model enhanced this ruggedness with underbody skid plates and all-terrain tires. Inside, the 4Runner's old-school styling and technology were evident, with an analog instrument panel and a small eight-inch touchscreen. While some might find nostalgia in its design, others could see it as outdated. The interior featured hard plastics, but commonly touched surfaces were cushioned. The 4Runner's design was practical for off-roading, with sturdy handles and easy-to-use controls, but it lacked the modern touches found in competitors like the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine options. The base 40 TFSI was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 236 lb-ft 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, likely 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, meeting luxury SUV standards.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. While its powertrain specs were comparable to the Bronco and Wrangler, the 4Runner's transmission limited its responsiveness and fuel economy. The TRD Pro model came with standard four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case. On-road, the 4Runner felt slow, with noticeable rear-end squat during acceleration and a loud engine and exhaust. The soft suspension resulted in body roll and floatiness, but it was beneficial for off-roading. The 4Runner's handling was less composed on pavement, with residual bounces and nosedive under hard braking.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design had remained largely unchanged since 2018, but it was still functional and user-friendly. The infotainment touchscreen was positioned for easy visibility, and traditional dials and buttons were used for climate controls. Visibility was good, with a narrow front roof pillar and better-than-average rear visibility. The Q5 offered ample space for taller passengers, with plenty of legroom and headroom, even in the Sportback model. Storage options were available, though some were oddly sized. The Q5 provided 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly less in the Sportback, but still competitive with rivals.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's interior was practical but dated, with large climate-control dials and driveline levers. Visibility was excellent, with forward-positioned roof pillars. The front seats offered space for larger passengers, though the steering wheel's limited telescoping range could be an issue for taller drivers. The second row provided ample legroom, but headroom was limited due to the elevated bench height. The 4Runner offered 47.2 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seats stowed. The cargo area featured a nearly flat load floor, and the 4Runner included a sliding glass rear window and a hitch receiver with a 5,000-pound towing capacity.

The 2023 Audi Q5 came standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, offering sharp graphics and quick responses. However, the system took time to boot up, and Apple CarPlay activation was slow. Both CarPlay and Android Auto were available wirelessly. Higher trims featured a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Q5 could be monitored remotely via a smartphone app, with features like unlocking and temperature pre-conditioning. Mid-range trims included a customizable digital instrument panel.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the small eight-inch touchscreen was challenging to use while driving. The TRD Pro model featured a 15-speaker JBL audio system, but road noise often obscured the sound quality. Additional terrain controls were located in the headliner console, with pictograms instead of descriptions. The 4Runner included Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select systems for off-roading.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received five out of five stars from the NHTSA for overall, frontal, and side protection, and four stars in rollover tests. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+ with "Good" ratings 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 features like lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera, and matrix-design LED headlights.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner received four stars from the NHTSA for overall and frontal crash protection, five stars for side impacts, and three stars in rollover evaluations. The IIHS gave it "Good" ratings for moderate frontal overlap and side protection tests, but "Marginal" and "Poor" results in the small overlap frontal test. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and a blind-spot monitor. The TRD Pro and Limited trims added a surround-view camera, with the Limited also featuring parking sensors.