2025 Audi Q5 vs 2025 Toyota Sienna

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, creating an imposing front-end look. The body sides were adorned with well-defined lines, adding a muscular touch. Despite the new styling elements, the changes appeared more evolutionary than revolutionary, resembling a facelift rather than a complete redesign. The Canadian trim levels included base, Progressiv, and Technik, with advanced lighting features in the higher trims. The Q5 was available in both standard SUV and coupe-like Sportback body styles, with the latter offering a sleeker profile at the cost of cargo space and rear-seat headroom. The SQ5 performance variant stood out with increased power, sport suspension, and distinctive design elements, including matte chrome trim and larger wheels. Inside, the Q5's interior was detailed and distinctive, with top-notch materials and standard leather seating surfaces. However, the design was somewhat discordant, and the SQ5's sport seats lacked adequate bolstering for enthusiastic driving.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna, while maintaining the traditional minivan shape, attempted to add style with its trapezoidal grille and upswept body lines. The rear fenders wrapped into a rear end that mirrored the front's cinched look, and narrow taillights added a family resemblance to the Camry sedan. The Platinum package introduced new wheel designs, but the Sienna still retained its minivan identity. The top-of-the-line Limited trim with the Platinum package featured a new Magnetic Grey paint colour and capped a lineup that included LE, XLE, and XSE trims. The interior updates for 2025 included a woodgrain finish, though opinions on its aesthetics varied. The Sienna's interior was considered an improvement over previous models, offering practicality and comfort for families.

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-litre turbo-four engine producing 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the SQ5 boasted a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 with 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Despite the impressive specs, both models experienced turbo lag and rough shifts, detracting from the expected sporty feel. The air suspension, standard on the SQ5 and available on the Q5 Technik, provided capable handling but lacked the sportiness to encourage aggressive driving. The Q5 offered various driving modes, including Off-Road and Off-Road Plus, but was more suited for dirt roads than technical trails.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured a hybrid powertrain with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The front-wheel drive was standard, with an optional all-wheel-drive system. The hybrid system delivered 245 net horsepower, which was adequate for city driving but less impressive for highway acceleration. The Sienna excelled in fuel economy, with an official rating of 6.6 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. However, the test model averaged 8.9 L/100 km. The Sienna's handling was predictable but not particularly engaging, and the brakes showed signs of fading during demanding driving. The XSE trim offered a sport-tuned suspension for a slightly more dynamic experience, but overall, the Sienna prioritized comfort and quietness over sporty performance.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar exterior dimensions and interior space to its predecessor, offering adequate headroom and legroom. The cargo space increased to 757 litres behind the second row and 1,710 litres behind the first row, surpassing some rivals but falling short of others. The Q5 featured a sliding and reclining second-row bench seat, a power tailgate, and heated front seats. The SQ5 added ventilated front seats and a panoramic sunroof. The Q5's towing capacity of 2,000 kilograms was notable, exceeding some competitors.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna excelled in form and function, offering power-adjustable and heated front seats with ventilated options in the Limited trim. The second-row captain's chairs with ottoman-style leg rests were a hit, and the third-row seat accommodated adults comfortably. The Sienna's cargo space was generous, with 949 litres behind the third row and 2,129 litres behind the second row. However, the maximum cargo capacity of 2,860 litres was less than rivals due to the non-removable second-row seats. The Sienna's design prioritized ease of use and practicality, making it a family-friendly choice.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, with an optional 10.9-inch passenger screen in 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 Bang & Olufsen audio system. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, offered a user-friendly experience. The Q5 also included a head-up display and Audi's Dynamic Interaction Light for additional driver cues.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the Toyota Audio Multimedia system in higher trims. The Limited trim featured a four-zone climate control system, a head-up display, and a digital rearview mirror. The TAM system provided access to connected services, including a digital assistant and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The JBL premium audio system, standard in the Limited trim, offered decent sound quality, though it required adjustments for optimal performance. The Sienna's technology package was comprehensive, enhancing convenience and entertainment for passengers.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came with standard driver assist features, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. However, the Q5's safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) were not favourable, with too many Marginal or Acceptable ratings for a Top Safety Pick designation.

The 2025 Toyota Sienna featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Sienna's safety systems generally performed well, though the adaptive cruise control required vigilance in urban areas. The Sienna added a rear-seat reminder system for 2025, enhancing safety for families. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Sienna a five-star overall rating, though it received lower scores in frontal crash tests.