Compared: 2023 Audi Q5 vs. 2023 Audi Q7

Whether compact or mid-size, Audi has attractive and solid choices in the luxury SUV segment.

Clifford Atiyeh | 

Dec 23, 2022 | 3 min read

Audi

The compact Q5 is one of Audi's best-selling cars, offering a good value for performance, style, and technology. If you need space for up to seven occupants across three rows, you'll need to pony up for the Q7. Loaded trims on the Q5, especially the SQ5, compete with base and lightly optioned Q7 trims. Here’s how to tell the two apart.

Audi Q5 vs. Audi Q7: Price

The 2023 Q5 is the most versatile Audi SUV, with two body styles, four powertrains, and 17 trims. The base Q5 40 TFSI Premium starts at around $45,200 for a turbocharged, 2.0L, 201 hp four-cylinder. The 261hp 45 TFSI Premium costs about $2,500 more. The same engine is in the Sportback version, at around $52,000. Both engines are available in the Premium Plus and Prestige trims. The 2023 55 TFSI Prestige plug-in hybrid is not yet available; the 2022 model starts at about $57,000.

For max performance, the SQ5 has a turbocharged V6 with 349 hp, priced from about $57,500 to the mid-60s with options. The SQ5 Sportback Prestige tops $70,000. Most Q5 models come with Quattro All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and a 7-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission. The SQ5 comes with an 8-speed conventional automatic.

The 2023 Q7 is considerably larger and more luxurious. It starts like a loaded-up Q5 at about $58,600 with the same engine as the 45-series Q5. The 55-series, available in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige, uses a detuned, 335 hp version of the SQ5’s turbo V6. It starts at around $64,200 and crests $80,000 with options. A 500 hp, twin-turbo V8 is exclusive to the SQ7, which starts at about $90,200 and reaches $115,000 fully loaded. All Q7 models come with Quattro AWD and an 8-speed automatic.

Audi | Q7

Audi Q5 vs. Audi Q7: Features

Adaptive cruise is now standard in 2023 Q5 models. The Premium 40 TFSI comes with wireless charging, a 7-inch display and driver assistance such as parking sensors, blind spot monitoring and traffic jam assist. The Premium 45 TFSI has a sportier S line exterior, while the Premium Plus has 19-inch wheels, a Bang & Olufsen stereo, a digital instrument panel with full-screen maps, lane assist, and a moonroof. The Prestige has upgraded headlights, cooled front sport seats and more. The SQ5 has larger brakes, stiffer suspension, wider tires, and upgraded leather seats.

The base Q7 makes 261 hp, which is 13 hp more than the 2022 model. The Q7 45 has all of the base Q5 features, plus double touchscreens, 19-inch wheels and a rare safety feature: side-impact torso airbags to protect rear passengers. Premium Plus includes a better stereo and headlights, heated steering wheel, and adaptive cruise. There is no Prestige trim in the Q7 45. The 55 Premium has the larger V6 with Matrix LED headlights. Premium Plus adds 20-inch wheels plus 360-degree cameras, while Prestige includes soft-close doors and a remote parking function to move the car with the key fob from outside. The SQ7 Premium Plus and Prestige add a V8, sport-tuned air suspension and rear-wheel steering to the respective Q7 trims.

Audi | Q5

Audi Q5 vs. Audi Q7: Fuel Economy

Both the 2023 Q5 40 and 45 TFSI models get 25 mpg in combined city and highway driving, according to Audi. The 2022 hybrid had 61 mpg combined, or 26 mpg on gas alone. The SQ5 in regular or Sportback style gets 21 mpg combined, comparable with the larger base Q7. The six-cylinder Q7 55 gets an estimated 20 mpg, while the eight-cylinder SQ7 returns 17 mpg.

Clifford Atiyeh

Clifford Atiyeh is an independent writer, photographer, and creative consultant. He has reported for dozens of websites, magazines, and newspapers in his 20-year journalism career, during which he has tested more than 650 new vehicles. His automotive expertise focuses on product development, market analysis, and the litigation and legislation affecting the industry. Clifford is vice president of the New England Motor Press Association and runs a marketing consultancy.