Audi Q5 vs Chevrolet Bolt

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt retained a familiar appearance, with only slight styling changes that made its front end resemble a conventional gas-powered car more than an EV. The thin slot behind the Chevy Bowtie logo and the integrated grille insert into the bumper were among the few updates. The 2027 model continued from where the 2023 version left off, offering only the EUV body style, which straddled the line between a large hatchback and a subcompact SUV. Its tall and narrow design prioritized utility and interior space over a sporty stance, with the RS model adding minimal gloss black exterior trim for a touch of flair. Inside, the Bolt underwent a more dramatic makeover, featuring a larger digital instrument panel and infotainment touchscreen. The push-button gear selector was moved to the steering column, freeing up storage space in the centre console. Despite the hard plastic surfaces dominating the cabin, the Bolt maintained a budget feel with thinly padded elbow touchpoints and sturdy plastics, although the centre console felt flimsy. The base LT trim offered cloth upholstery, while the RS trim upgraded to Evotex synthetic leather with red stitching, and the rear seating area was abundant in hard plastics without padding for the door armrests.

The 2026 Audi Q5 showcased Audi's commitment to clean and classically handsome exterior design, although it somewhat bucked the trend seen in other models like the Q3, Q7, and Q9. The Q5 featured thinner headlights set deeper into the body, a wider grille, and tall side intakes dominating the fascia, with the front being the most unique and recognizably Audi styling feature. The District Green paint on the test car, paired with the S Line Black Package, was striking, although the grille's honeycomb design lost its allure up close. The rear bumper, with its honeycomb texture inset within a gloss surround, looked better but still appeared cheap. The Q5's proportions were compromised, with a lower roof and slightly sloping rear creating an unusual ratio of glass to body panels. Inside, the Q5 balanced offensive and tasteful elements, with perfectly sculpted seats, a four-spoke steering wheel, and weighty column stalks. However, the abundance of shiny black plastic and disjointed trio of screens detracted from the interior's appeal. The passenger display, standard on the Technik trim, was reflective and prone to smudges, while the instrument panel lacked customization and the usual two-dial layout. The driver's door had awkward pull handles, and the gear selector was overly complicated.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt featured a new 65-kilowatt-hour lithium-iron phosphate battery pack, reducing costs and requiring fewer rare earth minerals. A new motor from Chevy's Equinox EV delivered 210 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, with a 0-100 km/h time similar to the previous Bolt EV, typically in the low seven-second range. While this acceleration might seem slow by EV standards, it was quick compared to gas-powered subcompact SUVs, with immediate pedal response. One-pedal driving was available, with medium or high levels of brake regeneration. The ride was firm but not overly stiff, and the Bolt was agile on curvy roads, thanks to the heavy battery creating a low centre of gravity. On a full charge, the 2027 Bolt offered up to 422 kilometres of range, an improvement over previous models. The Tesla-derived North American Charging Standard (NACS) charge port was standard, with adapters for CCS and J1772 connectors. Charging speed increased to 150 kW, allowing a recharge from 10% to 80% in 25 minutes.

The 2026 Audi Q5 was powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine, producing 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Audi's quattro all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission were standard, although the dual-clutch design caused some delay and lurching at low speeds. The Q5 offered rock-solid stability, a hushed cabin, and a comfortable ride, with light steering and a suspension adept at transferring body motions calmly. The Technik trim featured optional air springs, although they did not noticeably improve ride quality. The Q5's fuel economy was rated at 11.0 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 8.1 on the highway, and 9.7 combined, competitive in its class. Audi no longer offered a plug-in hybrid powertrain for the Q5.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt offered an upright driving position with ample space for larger occupants, although taller drivers might have wished for more telescopic extension from the steering wheel. The rear seats were also upright, with plenty of headroom and adequate thigh support. The Bolt could hold up to 459 litres of cargo behind the rear seats, with a large bin underneath the floor and easy-to-reach release latches for the rear seatbacks. While there was no frunk, the Bolt provided ample storage for personal items, with a large bin, floor tray, deep centre armrest bin, and additional pockets in the dashboard.

The 2026 Audi Q5 offered average headroom and legroom for the compact SUV class, with 780 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats and 1,612 litres when folded. The rear seats manually reclined and were split 40/20/40. The optional panoramic sunroof was wide and expansive, with good sightlines in all directions. The Q5's towing capacity was 1,996 kilograms, outpacing the competition. Standard features included heated eight-way power front seats, leather upholstery, aluminum trim, and more. The Progressiv trim added animations for the exterior LED lights, ambient lighting, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system. The Technik trim added a surround-view camera system and acoustic laminated front windows. However, the Q5 had daily inconveniences, such as climate controls in the touchscreen and an unimpressive instrument panel.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt came with an 11-inch digital instrument panel and an 11.3-inch centre touchscreen, running on a Google-based operating system. Apple CarPlay and standalone Android Auto were not supported, requiring Bluetooth pairing for personal music libraries. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and a wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was easy to use, with logical menus and sharp graphics. The Bolt's navigation system could help find charging stations and precondition the battery for optimal charge rates. The Bolt also offered vehicle-to-load charging as a backup power source for a home.

The 2026 Audi Q5 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen and an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster, with a third 10.9-inch touchscreen on Technik trims. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were supported, with Google built-in apps. The available Bang & Olufsen stereo had 755 watts and 19 speakers. The Q5's instrument panel and head-up display provided excellent depictions of the current road and traffic. The eight lighting signatures for the headlights and taillights were impressive and could be selected in the main touchscreen.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt's crash test results were not available at the time of writing, but it was expected to achieve high scores based on the 2023 Bolt EUV platform. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitors, and a safety alert seat. The optional Technology package added a surround-view camera system, a digital rear-view mirror, and more. GM's Super Cruise hands-free automated highway driving system was available for an additional cost.

The 2026 Audi Q5's crash test ratings were not available, but the 2025 model received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. Forward cross-traffic alert and braking and evasive steering assist were also standard.