2024 Toyota Sequoia vs 2025 Audi Q5

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia shared its platform with the Tundra pickup, and this connection was evident in its design. The Sequoia featured hexagonal grilles, wheel arches, strong fender creases, and a muscular stance, all reminiscent of the Tundra. The exterior colour significantly influenced its appearance, with the Celestial Silver on the Capstone model lending a somewhat dated look. Inside, the Sequoia mirrored the Tundra's blocky, geometric dashboard layout, complete with physical dials and buttons for climate control. The Capstone trim boasted semi-aniline leather upholstery, while other trims offered SofTex leatherette or standard leather. The seating was power-adjustable, and a moonroof was standard across all trims, enhancing the interior's appeal.

The 2025 Audi Q5 embraced a rugged SUV aesthetic with a large, textured grille, prominent side air intakes, and high-mounted headlights. The design was more evolutionary than revolutionary, giving it a facelifted appearance. The Q5 offered various trims, including base, Progressiv, and Technik, with matrix-design LED headlights and animated taillights on higher trims. The Q5 Sportback variant featured a sleeker profile but compromised cargo space and rear-seat headroom. The SQ5 performance grade added power and sport suspension, along with distinctive design elements. Inside, the Q5's dashboard and door panels featured a mix of lines and materials, creating a unique but somewhat discordant design. The interior materials were top-notch, with leather seating surfaces standard and Alcantara trim available on the SQ5.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia was exclusively available as a hybrid, utilizing Toyota's iForce MAX hybrid powertrain. This system combined a twin-turbo V6 engine with an electric motor, producing 427 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. This marked a significant increase over its predecessor, with improved fuel economy rated at 11.7 L/100 km combined with 4WD. The Sequoia featured a standard 4WD system with a 10-speed automatic transmission, offering smooth operation. The SR5 TRD Off-Road model catered to adventure seekers with unique tires, off-road suspension, and driver-assist features like Crawl Control and hill-descent control. The Sequoia's towing capacity reached 4,137 kilograms, with optional towing upgrades available.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and quattro AWD. The base model featured a 2.0-litre turbo-four engine producing 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, while the SQ5 boasted a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 with 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Despite these figures, the Q5 and SQ5 didn't feel as speedy as expected due to turbo lag and transmission issues. The standard steel-spring suspension provided competent handling, while the air suspension with adaptive damping, available on higher trims, offered a balance between damping and body control. The Q5 included Off-Road and Off-Road Plus driving modes, but it was more suited for dirt roads than technical trails.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia offered automatic power-deploying running boards on higher trims, aiding entry for shorter passengers. Cargo space was generous, with a maximum of 2,460 litres available with both second- and third-row seats folded. However, the third-row seats didn't create a flat load floor due to the hybrid powertrain's battery pack. Headroom was slightly compromised, with 995 mm in the front, 952 to 975 mm in the middle, and 904 mm in the back. Legroom varied, with 713 to 855 mm in the third row, 995 mm in the second row, and 1,041 mm in the front. Second-row captain's chairs were available on higher trims, providing comfort but lacking bolstering.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar exterior dimensions and interior space to its predecessor. The sliding and reclining 40/20/40 split-folding second-row bench seat was standard, with cargo-area buttons for easy adjustment. The Q5 offered 757 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 1,710 litres behind the first row, surpassing some rivals. Standard features included a power tailgate, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The Progressiv trim added heated rear seats and a panoramic sunroof. The Q5's towing capacity reached 2,000 kilograms, outperforming some competitors.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the SR5 trim and a 14-inch screen on higher trims. The Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system prioritized functionality over flashiness. A 12.3-inch driver information display was standard across all trims, while the Panoramic View monitor and 10-inch head-up display were available on higher trims. The 14-speaker JBL Premium Audio system was standard on Platinum and Capstone trims.

The 2025 Audi Q5 boasted an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, with a 10.9-inch passenger screen on the Technik trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a cooled wireless charging pad. The Progressiv trim added USB-C ports and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. Audi's MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, offered a user-friendly experience. A built-in voice assistant handled some vehicle functions, while an available head-up display provided essential information. The Q5 also featured Audi's Dynamic Interaction Light for additional driver cues.

The 2024 Toyota Sequoia came with the Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.5 suite of safety features as standard, including a pre-collision system, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and road-sign recognition. Front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring were also standard. The only optional driver aid was a trailer backup guide with Straight-Path Assist, available on higher trims. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time, but the similar 2024 Toyota Tundra earned a Top Safety Pick+ designation.

The 2025 Audi Q5 included standard driver assist features such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, parking sensors, and blind spot monitoring. An exit alert feature used interior ambient lighting to warn occupants of oncoming vehicles or cyclists. Safety ratings from the NHTSA were unavailable, but the IIHS ratings were not favourable, with the Q5 receiving Marginal or Acceptable ratings in crash testing.