2025 Buick Enclave vs 2025 Audi Q5

The 2025 Audi Q5 presented a robust SUV aesthetic with its third-generation design. It featured a large, textured grille, prominent side air intakes, and high-mounted headlights, giving the front an imposing look. The body sides were adorned with well-defined lines, adding a muscular touch. Despite these updates, the styling felt more like an evolution than a complete redesign, resembling a facelift. The Q5 offered various trim levels, including Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige, with LED Headlights Plus available on all but the base model. The interior aimed for distinction with a mix of top-notch materials, though the design was somewhat discordant. The SQ5 variant added performance features like increased power, sport suspension, and distinctive trim elements.

The 2025 Buick Enclave took inspiration from the Envista, showcasing a bold front with slim DRLs, a large angular grille, and a high beltline. Its side profile was more generic, but the overall look was sharper and more confident than its predecessor. The Enclave featured fewer creases, a flatter roof, and slightly sharpened wheel arches. Standard 20-inch wheels adorned the base and Sport Touring trims, while the Avenir trim boasted 22-inch wheels. Inside, the Enclave exuded a modern and premium feel with a floating center console and a large curved display. The seats, trimmed in perforated leatherette with contrast piping, elevated the interior's ambiance. However, the limited sunroof availability was a drawback, with the panoramic option only available on higher trims.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The base model featured a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine producing 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the SQ5 boasted a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Despite these figures, the Q5 and SQ5 didn't feel as quick as expected, with noticeable turbo lag and rough shifts from the transmission. The air suspension, standard on the SQ5 and available on the Q5 Prestige, provided capable handling but lacked sportiness. Audi included Off-Road and Off-Road Plus driving modes, but the Q5 was more suited for dirt roads than technical trails.

The 2025 Buick Enclave featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 328 horsepower and 326 pound-feet of torque. Power was routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive options available. The Enclave's fuel economy was slightly affected by the AWD configuration, dropping from 23 to 21 mpg combined. It could tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. The Enclave's driving dynamics reflected its size, with a loose steering feel at slower speeds. Active Noise Cancellation targeted road noise effectively, but engine noise was more pronounced without the optional upgrade. The Enclave's large size was evident in its driving experience, aligning with its classification as a mid-size crossover.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar exterior dimensions and interior space to the 2024 model. Headroom and legroom were nearly identical, offering adequate space compared to rivals. The Q5 featured a sliding and reclining 40/20/40 split-folding second-row bench seat, with cargo-area buttons for easy adjustment. It provided 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 56.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, surpassing some competitors. A power tailgate and heated front seats were standard, with additional features like a heated steering wheel and panoramic sunroof available on higher trims. The Q5 offered up to 4,400 pounds of towing capacity, exceeding some rivals.

The 2025 Buick Enclave offered eight-way power adjustability for the driver's seat and six-way for the front passenger. Captain's chairs in the second row allowed for a seven-person maximum capacity. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel were standard, with heated second-row seats and front-row ventilation exclusive to the Avenir trim. Tri-zone climate control was standard, with controls accessible to middle-row passengers. The Enclave featured a one-touch power feature for folding and sliding second-row seats, available on all trims. The power-folding third-row seats formed a 60/40 split bench, with manual folding on lower trims. The AutoSense liftgate provided convenient access to the cargo area, offering 22.9 cubic feet of space with all seats in place, expanding to 97.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen as standard, with a 10.9-inch touchscreen for the front passenger on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a cooled wireless charging pad. Premium Plus models added USB-C ports and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The 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 included digital key connectivity and a built-in toll transponder.

The 2025 Buick Enclave showcased a 30-inch ultrawide touchscreen integrating the infotainment display and digital gauge cluster. A 12-speaker Bose Premium audio system was standard, with a 16-speaker Bose Performance system exclusive to the Avenir trim. Wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto were standard, with Google Built-In providing native apps. Wi-Fi hotspot capability and wired charging for all rows were also included. The Enclave's technology offerings emphasized its premium positioning, with a seamless display experience, though smartphone projection interrupted the cohesive look.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came with standard driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, active front assist, lane departure warning, parking sensors, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. An exit alert feature used interior ambient lighting to warn occupants of oncoming vehicles or cyclists. Premium Plus models added a 360-degree camera system and adaptive cruise assist. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at press time, but Audi aimed to match the previous generation's five-star NHTSA rating.

The 2025 Buick Enclave prioritized safety with standard features like blind-zone steering assist, intersection automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. HD Surround Vision with selectable camera views and adaptive cruise control were also standard. The Enclave introduced Super Cruise, GM's hands-free driving technology, available on all trims for an additional cost. The 2024 model received favorable IIHS ratings, though it earned an "Acceptable" rating for the updated side crash-test. The NHTSA awarded it a four-star overall rating.