2025 Audi Q5 vs 2025 Subaru Outback

The 2025 Subaru Outback stood out in a dwindling market of wagons in the United States. It embraced the crossover aesthetic with its robust wheel-arch flares, skid plate-like fascias, and a substantial roof rack, all of which conveyed its off-road capabilities. The test model's Crimson Red Pearl paint complemented its black leather interior, though the Outback arguably looked best in earthy tones. Subaru's focus on off-road enthusiasts paid off, as the Outback, along with the Crosstrek and Forester, became top sellers. The 2025 model saw no major changes, but the Limited trim gained features like a power moonroof and a 360-degree heated steering wheel. The Touring XT trim offered Nappa leather and ventilated front seats, enhancing the rugged yet refined interior.

The 2025 Audi Q5, in its third generation, leaned into a tough SUV persona with a large grille, side air intakes, and high-mounted headlights. Despite new styling elements, the design felt more like a facelift than a complete redesign. The Q5 came in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims, with LED Headlights Plus and OLED taillights on higher trims. It was available in standard SUV and Sportback styles, with the latter offering a sleeker profile. The SQ5 performance variant featured a sportier design and larger wheels. Inside, the Q5's design was detailed but somewhat discordant, with high-quality materials and standard leather seating. The SQ5 offered a sportier interior, though it lacked adequate seat bolstering for spirited driving.

The 2025 Subaru Outback featured Subaru's signature Boxer engine, available in two forms. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, while the XT trims boasted a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. Both engines ran on regular unleaded gas and were paired with a Lineartronic CVT and standard all-wheel drive. The turbocharged engine provided a more spirited drive, making the XT model a recommended choice for those who could afford the upgrade. The Outback excelled off-road with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, which increased to 9.5 inches in the Wilderness model. Its smooth ride, light steering, and powerful brakes made it a comfortable companion on rough roads, though the stop/start technology and CVT had some drawbacks.

The 2025 Audi Q5 offered a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive across all models. The base Q5 featured a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine with 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the SQ5's 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 delivered 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The Q5's performance was competitive, with a manufacturer-estimated 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds for the standard model and 4.6 seconds for the SQ5. However, both models experienced turbo lag and rough shifts, detracting from the sporty feel. The Q5's suspension provided capable handling, but it wasn't particularly sporty. Off-road modes were available, but the Q5 was more suited to dirt roads than technical trails.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's wagon shape offered practicality with easy entry and exit, a low roof for loading, and a low center of gravity for agile handling. It provided 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat up and 75.6 cubic feet with it folded, slightly less than some crossovers but with a flat floor and square shape for maximum utility. The Outback's 109 cubic feet of passenger volume surpassed its crossover competitors, though the rear seat was slightly smaller. Buyers were advised to test different trims, as the driving experience varied. The Outback's towing capacity ranged from 2,700 to 3,500 pounds, depending on the engine.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar dimensions to the 2024 model, offering adequate headroom and legroom. It featured a sliding and reclining second-row bench seat with cargo-area buttons for easy adjustment. The Q5 provided 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 56.9 cubic feet with the seats folded, more than some rivals but less than others. A power tailgate and heated front seats were standard, with additional features like a heated steering wheel and panoramic sunroof on higher trims. The Q5's towing capacity of 4,400 pounds exceeded that of some competitors, making it a practical choice for towing.

The 2025 Subaru Outback's technology package included an 11.6-inch touchscreen with large icons, though the Starlink infotainment system was slow to respond. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless connectivity on most models. The Harman Kardon audio system performed well, but Starlink disturbances limited audio to the rear speakers. The dashboard featured a mix of physical controls and touchscreen functions, with a CD player and USB ports for older devices.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, with a 10.9-inch passenger screen on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a cooled wireless charging pad, and a Bang & Olufsen audio system were standard on higher trims. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, was easy to use, with a built-in voice assistant for some functions. The digital instrument cluster had less functionality than previous versions, but an available head-up display provided useful information. The Q5 also included digital key connectivity and a built-in toll transponder.

The 2025 Subaru Outback featured EyeSight driver-assist technology with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency steering. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The DriverFocus system monitored for driver distraction, though it occasionally issued false notifications. The 2024 Outback earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, which the 2025 model was expected to match.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came standard with 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 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.