Audi Q5 VS Mazda CX-60
Audi Q5
Likes
- Exterior design
- Modern cabin
- Driving dynamics in SQ5
Dislikes
- Noisy diesel
- Annoying safety systems
- Screens a little large
Mazda CX-60
Likes
- Practical cabin space
- Decent amenities inside
- Hybrid efficiency
Dislikes
- Bunny hops at lower speeds
- Unpleasant 'tug-o-war' sensation of engine
- Expensive for what it is
Summary
Audi Q5
So EV evangelist Audi is still making a range of Q5s with engines in them? New ones?
Yes, it is confusing, isn’t it? When Audi said they’d like us to fly to Spain to drive its new Q5, I was still digesting the fact that its sexier sister brand - Porsche’s Macan - had gone all-in on electricity. And wasn’t Audi one of the early adopter, all-EV trailblazer brands? Surely the new Q6 EV was the car they were talking about?
But no, all of these new Q5s would have engines - a 2.0-litre petrol, a 2.0-litre TDI diesel and, praise be, a howling, growling 3.0-litre V6 petrol one in the SQ5 - and none of them are even PHEVs (the initial launch phase are all mild hybrid electric vehicles or MHEVs, the PHEV variants will launch in the second half of 2025).
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Furthermore, this new and yet old-school Q5 was built on an all-new PPC platform (Premium Platform Combustion), which will be shared by the whole Volkswagen group and which, very strong rumour has it, Porsche is now desperately trying to get its hands on to reverse engineer a Macan variant that more people might like to buy.
So does that make this new offering the SUV the new Macan should have been, or just the Q5 you didn’t expect Audi to be making at all? Either way, it’s quite likely to be the last of its kind, so there was quite a lot to be curious about as we jetted off to Malaga to check it out.
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 2.0L turbo |
| Fuel Type | Diesel |
| Fuel Efficiency | 4.8L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Mazda CX-60
The CX-60 GT P50e is a new mid-spec plug-in hybrid model being offered by Mazda. It sits nestled next to its mid-sized stablemate, the CX-5, but Mazda is positioning it firmly in the premium SUV market with its equally premium price tag.
So, it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that this new PHEV is being pitted against brands like Lexus and Volvo, both of which are well-known as leaders in luxury.
But has Mazda created a true rival? I’ve been driving it for a week with my family of three to find out for you.
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 2.5L |
| Fuel Type | Hybrid with Premium Unleaded |
| Fuel Efficiency | 2.1L/100km |
| Seating | 5 seats |
Verdict
Audi Q57.7/10
Ever since returning from the launch of the new Audi Q5 I've been looking at old ones and thinking how lumpy and dumpy they look by comparison. The new Q5 will be an adornment to our roads in styling terms, it's a tour de force of interior design and its engines might well be the last barking gasp of its kind. So it's definitely worth a look if you're in the mid-size SUV space. And you don't want an EV yet.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.
Mazda CX-607.3/10
The Mazda CX-60 GT P50e will suit those families that don’t need the extra seats of its bigger siblings but still want some luxury and comfort. I like the features and the hybrid efficiency but don't like how it handles in the city. I got used to it but it’s not my favourite plug-in hybrid to drive and for the higher price tag, I did expect a smoother experience.
Design
Audi Q5
Other than the closely related Porsche Macan, and maybe an Alfa Romeo Stelvio, it's hard to think of a better, smoother looking SUV than this new Audi Q5, with its revised Singleframe grille flanked by vertical air curtains, that look a bit like gills.
Audi claims the Q5 has "perfect proportions", which is bold, but it certainly looks sleek rather than bulky, with a nice silhouette and dynamic rather than Mumsy appeal.
The rear is particularly attractive with a three-dimensional light strip that ties it all neatly together. It's a more refined, sharper look than the Q5 it replaces.
Inside, of course, Audi has either taken its interior to another level of futuristic fabulousness, or put too many bloody screens in, all of which are too big, depending on who you ask. And how old they are. Kids will love it, however.
Interestingly, while every car company ever claims that its cabin has a cockpit feel, focusing on the driver, the Q5 really does. So much so that there's a raised edge in the centre console that quite noticeably cuts the driver off from the passenger. In the other front seat you do feel a bit removed, as if you're meant to leave the driver to it, which might be why you get your own screen to play with.
Mazda CX-60
For me, Mazda SUVs are a bit too similar to get me excited. It’s a case of ‘same same but different’ when they’re on the road.
Each one looks like a scaled version of the other but the GT’s body colour extends to the lower cladding and wheel arches, which makes it appear larger than the CX-5 at least.
The GT model is also set apart from the base Evolve model with the heavier use of black accents – like the gloss black side mirrors, 20-inch alloy wheels and honeycomb grille. It’s 'PHEV' and 'In-line 6' side badges are also blacked out for added sportiness.
Full LED exterior lights in Mazda’s classic slim-line look plus some added ‘in-take’ vents at the front complete the overall package.
In the cabin, there’s a strangely wide panel on the dashboard that separates the centre console from the media system and it doesn’t look right compared to the skinny air-vents and button panel that sits below it.
The interior does sport black leather-accented trims and enough soft touchpoints that there is a sense of quality throughout but I was hoping for a more luxuriously-appointed interior, given the price tag. Especially considering the top-spec CX-5 model is a good $25K more affordable.
Practicality
Audi Q5
Audi is talking up the little things with the new Q5, like the fact that there's a much larger storage space under the centre armrest now - and it's true, you can lose your car key in it - plus numerous other storage areas, and an inductive and cooled charging tray so your phone won't get cooking hot and shut off, with 15 watts of power.
In exciting news for screen addicts/children, Audi is also very excited about its uprated USB-C ports, which can charge at up to 60 watts through the two in the front, while the rear passengers also get two more, rated at 100 watts. Which sounds like a lot, Audi says it's enough to run your laptop.
The new Q5 also gets a very useful adjustable rear seat, which can be slid lengthways and tilted, providing either more passenger space and less boot room or vice versa. With the rear seat down you get 1473 litres, but thanks to the new sloping rear design you get slightly less room in the Q5 SUV, with 520 litres behind the second row. The SQ5 gets even less at just 470 litres.
Another handy feature is that the snappy luggage cover can be stowed in a special designed compartment under the boot floor. Clever.
Mazda CX-60
The cabin is practical with its great sense of space in both rows, which is not always the case for a mid-sized SUV. Taller families will love how much legroom there is to be had.
The front passenger can get comfortable with the eight-way power adjustments on their seat but the driver enjoys the most perks with 10-way adjustments, lumbar support and two-position memory function.
Both seats have heat function (up to three levels) and are well-cushioned for a longer trip.
The rear seats are well-padded and feature a handy 40/20/40 split-fold for internal storage. The outboard seats also have a heat function for added comfort.
My six-year old found this car to be super easy to get in and out of because of the 175mm ground clearance. He also enjoyed a good view from the wide windows and liked the amenities, like the directional air vents and reading lights.
Individual storage is decent in both rows but the front passengers get the best options with two cupholders, extra-large storage bins in each door, a glove box and a middle console, which is on the shallow side.
Back seaters get two cupholders in the fold-down armrest, small storage bins in each door and a couple of map pockets.
The technology looks upmarket with the dashboard being headlined by two separate 12.3-inch digital screens.
The multimedia system is easy enough to use but I wish Mazda enabled touchscreen access on this as it’s a pain to use the rotary selector dial while on the go.
That said, it’s fab that you get wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, plus built-in satellite navigation.
The premium Bose sound system with its 12 speakers makes for a concert-like experience and the charging options are good throughout the car.
Up front you get two of the faster USB-C ports, a 12-volt socket and a wireless charging pad to choose from.
In the back seat you get another two USB-C ports plus a handy 220-volt (150W) port for bigger items. In the boot you get another 220-volt port but this one has 1500W capacity, so larger appliances can be hooked up.
The boot rounds out the cabin practicality with a decent 477L of capacity but you can bump it to 1726L if you fold down the rear seats. There are manual levers in the boot to do this.
The level load space makes it easy to slide things in and out and I always enjoy having a powered tailgate. A flipside to all of this room though is that you only get a tyre puncture repair kit rather than a physical spare.
Price and features
Audi Q5
The fact that you could get a classy SUV like the Audi Q5 for as little as $73,400 was certainly showroom bait, but that’s about to change when the new line-up arrives in the third quarter of 2025, because the entry-level Q5 35TDI will disappear from the range.
That means the Q5 will start at the 40TDI Quattro Sport level, currently priced at $87,000 before on-road costs for the outgoing version, with its 2.0-litre diesel MHEV setup. As entry prices go, that’s quite the jump upstream, but on the plus side, while Audi hasn’t announced official pricing for new Q5 yet, the word is that there shouldn’t be much of a rise anywhere in the range (I'd read that as, there will be a price rise, but it will be small). You’ll no doubt hear the phrase “new car, more equipment, (almost the) same price” from Audi.
If you don’t want a diesel, you’ll likely be paying around $88,315 for the entry-level 2.0-litre petrol model, the 45TFSI Sport MHEV with front-wheel drive only, or $96,515 for the 45TFSI Quattro S Line.
The step up to the 55TFSI will take you north of six figures, probably by about $5k, while the range-topping Audi SQ5 will make a welcome and somewhat surprising addition to the line-up, powered by a properly noisy and exciting 3.0-litre V6 and most likely priced somewhere around $125,000, depending on spec level.
As I say, there are no confirmed prices yet so these numbers might creep higher by the time the car actually goes on sale locally, but the word is that any increases will be almost too small to notice.
The uncertainty makes it a little hard to be definitive on the value equation, but we can say that the new Q5 feels a level up inside and a lot posher, particularly with is giant multi-screen dash layout, so if the prices to stay stable you really will feel like you’re getting more car for the same money.
In terms of spec and trim levels, we will have to wait and see until the local variants are launched.
What we know will be standard inclusions are things like the standard acoustic glazing on the windscreen, for a quieter cabin, the Dynamic Interaction Light, which runs from the doors through the dashboards and creates a very cool look at night, as do the new three-dimensional rear lights. The individually configurable, and beautifully clean and clear head-up display, with augmented reality features, should also be standard, but we shall see.
Mazda CX-60
There are three models for the CX-60 and ours is the mid-spec model, which will cost you $80,300, before on-road costs.
You get a decent number of features in this grade, so it feels well-positioned against its rivals.
The Lexus NX350h F Sport Hybrid AWD beats it by a smidge at $80,500 (MSRP) and the Volvo XC60 Recharge Plus sits well above at $92,990 (MSRP).
As you’d expect there are some luxury items to be found, like the panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, heated leather steering wheel, and heated rear outboard seats.
You also enjoy the following as standard - dual-zone climate control, electric front seats, leather-accented trim, electric steering wheel adjustment, satellite navigation, keyless entry, a hands-free powered tailgate and a 360-degree view camera system plus a bunch of upmarket technology which we’ll touch on later.
Under the bonnet
Audi Q5
Does it seem strange to anyone else that a company so focused on reducing emissions through promoting EVs is still offering diesel engines? The reason, of course, is that so many Europeans still want them, because fuel is so damn expensive there, and yet Audi Australia says it will also offer them here.
That's where the range now starts, with the TDI diesel version coming standard with all-wheel drive, or Quattro, with outputs of 150kW/400Nm. Like every car in the new Q5 range, it uses a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, which is excellent.
Every Q5 also uses MHEV technology to reduce emissions and increase performance, which means it gets a 48-volt electrical system to support its combustion engines. This system means you start up, in most conditions, in silent electric mode, and you can even manoeuvre and park the car using only electricity, most of the time.
The electrical system is connected to a Powertrain Generator which provides additional torque of up to 230Nm, and a mere 18kW of extra power. Every little bit helps I guess.
Basically, it's a mild hybrid, meaning you get a mild amount of help, and the full plug-in hybrid Q5s are coming soon. Later this year.
Stepping up from the diesel you can have a 2.0-litre TFSI four-cylinder petrol engine, with either front or Quattro all-wheel drive and making 150kW/340Nm.
The range-topping all-wheel-drive SQ5 gets a very enjoyable 3.0-litre six-cylinder TFSI petrol engine with 270kW and 550Nm. It feels like more kilowatts, honestly.
Mazda CX-60
The GT P50e has a 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol plug-in hybrid powertrain with a maximum power output of 241kW and 500Nm of torque.
This is an all-wheel drive and has an eight-speed auto transmission.
Overall, it’s fairly gutsy and you’ll be pleased with that power when you hit the open road.
On the electric motor side of things, this also has a lithium-ion battery with a relatively small 17.8kWh capacity which gives you a driving range of up to 76km when in pure EV mode.
It has a Type 2 AC charging port but it can’t be hooked onto a fast charger as it lacks the CCS DC connector.
On a 7.0kW system you should be able to get from 20 to 80 per cent in as little as 90 minutes. The household plug charging time is more like seven or eight hours, so best to leave overnight when at home.
Efficiency
Audi Q5
The MHEV technology is supposed to provide some boost to fuel economy but the figures aren't super exciting. You'll be getting a claimed 5.9 litres per 100km from the 2.0 TDI diesel, or 6.5L/100km from the 2.0 TFSI petrol.
The V6 is going to cost you more at the pump with a claimed figure of 8.1 litres per 100km. You might want to wait for the PHEVs.
Mazda CX-60
The official combined cycle fuel figure is 2.1L/100km but after an almost 600km roadie and charging it twice, my real-world usage came to 6.4L.
That's a good result considering this car's power and size but you will get the best efficiency if you charge the battery regularly.
Based on my usage and the 50L tank, I’d be able to get a rough driving range of 781km.
Driving
Audi Q5
While the new Q5 might feel classier, techier and generally more expensive and Q7/Q8-like on the inside, it's pulled off an even more impressive feat in the chassis department, which no doubt owes a lot to the entirely new PPC platform, because it feels more like a powerful Q3 to drive than the Q5 of old.
That's not a comment on interior or load space, it's just that it feels smaller and more spritely on the road. It turns in better, holds its line better and resists gentle understeer right up to the point where you wonder whether your co-driver has lost his mind or is trying to kill you both.
Seriously, the SQ5 can properly get up and boogie in Sport mode (Audi says one of the things it's proudest of with the new car is how much more noticeable the range of difference is between the relaxed, or 'Balanced' and 'Comfort', modes and the more aggressive ones) and you really have to be going beyond sensible to find the edge of grip.
The SQ5's V6 also makes the kind of noises that now sound weirdly wonderful in an Audi, when so many of the new offerings are electric. Choose to shift the gears yourself and this can be a properly involving machine, and quite impressive for an SUV.
What separates it from the kid of fun you could have in its cousin, the previous Porsche Macan with petrol power, is the steering. It's not terrible, and it is sharp, but it just lacks a bit in the feel and muscle department. Being generous you'd say it's easy to drive but you just know that if this had an R badge the steering would be so much better, and closer to Porsche and BMW.
The diesel TDI model does not make glorious noises, and the whines and groans it does make - which seem loud by Audi standards, it's usually very good at quietening its diesels down - do not encourage you to shift gears yourself or drive it in a sporty fashion. It is a workhorse variant, with plenty of torque, and for a certain kind of customer who cares not for sportiness or excitement I'm sure it's a fine option.
One thing I did not expect to be doing on an Audi Q5 launch is clambering up and over a rock strewn mountain on properly rutted and rough gravel tracks, but that was an option here so I took the 2.0 TFSI on the optional off-road adventure and I must say I was both surprised and impressed.
The Q5 is not a mountain goat, or a Land Rover, but despite feeling like I was doing the gardening in a shiny suit, I managed to traverse a track that felt too serious and intense for a soft roader, and did so with ease and in comfort. The air suspension raises the Q5 a full 45mm in Off-road mode, so ground clearance was no problem - nor did I encounter any boulders - but the way the Quattro system dealt with the dirty stuff was impressive.
Overall, I can see that this TFSI model is the sweet spot in the range in terms of value and performance, and it really is all the Q5 you could need. It never feels underpowered, unless you've just stepped out of the SQ5, and you get all the benefits of the chassis and handling upgrades.
Personally, though, I'd have the SQ5 just for the rorty V6 noises alone. It feels like something new, but also the end of something wonderful.
Mazda CX-60
Well .. let’s unpack that shall we? Yes, this thing certainly has power but the biggest surprise for me was how the electric motor and combustion engine talk to one another because it doesn’t make for the smoothest driving experience in the city.
Therein lies the rub, for me. At this price point I was hoping for a smoother drive experience. In fact, it performs in the strangest of ways - when you’re accelerating, it feels like you’re in a much lower gear than you ought to be.
Almost like you’re stuck in 4WD. There is a sensation of the engine being held back and fighting you when you drive this in built up areas.
The ride comfort in the city was affected by this because it has a tendency to bunny hop/lurch when you hit corners at lower speeds. However, it has beautiful manners on the open road and that is where this model shines for comfort and handling.
In this environment the steering feels concise and you can handle winding roads at speed without much roll. It can get a little noisy in the cabin as the electric motor wheezes a lot but otherwise, it’s alright for highway driving.
Overall, it's pretty good to park and I like the tight 10.8m turning circle. The 360-degree camera system is clear, too, but coupled with the front and rear parking sensors, you won’t have any issues.
Safety
Audi Q5
Obviously the new Audi Q5 has not been crash tested yet but Audi is confident of yet another five-star ANCAP rating, like the one the current car holds .
The new vehicle features more than 30 active-safety measures, which is literally too many to mention and takes advantage of its many, many radars. One gets the feeling this car could just about drive itself if the law would allow. Some inclusions are a rear parking aid with distance display, cruise control with speed limiter, lane departure warning and an attention and drowsiness assistant, all as standard.
Things like Active Front Assist, Evasion Assist, Turn Assist and Rear Turn Assist are likely to be part of options packages, but that's all still TBA.
There will also be twin ISOFIX anchor points, and top-tether points for child seats.
Mazda CX-60
The CX-60 has a lot of safety features I like to see on a family car and a highlight is the intelligent blind-spot monitoring system which shows the vehicles around you in a dynamic display on the instrument panel.
Other standard safety features include LED daytime running lights, lane departure alert, lane keeping aids, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, intelligent seat belt reminders, a driver fatigue monitor, front and rear parking sensors and a 360-degree view camera system.
It also has adaptive cruise control but it was a bit hit or miss. It’s quite sensitive and sometimes registers a larger vehicle, like a truck, as still being in your lane despite overtaking.
It has autonomous emergency braking with car, pedestrian, cyclist and junction assist detection that’s operational from 10–80km/h (although the car detection is operational from 4.0–160km/h).
I’m happy to say this system works well – a ‘roo jumped out in front of me this week and the car performed an emergency stop with plenty of room to spare.
It achieved a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating from testing done in 2022 and it has eight airbags, including a driver’s knee- and a front centre airbag.
There are ISOFIX child seat mounts on the outboard seats and three top tethers and while two seats will fit best, you might get lucky with three skinny booster seats. There’s also plenty of room when a 0-4 rearward facing child seat is installed.
Ownership
Audi Q5
All Audis are now covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, up from its recent offering of three years, which is better, but could be better still.
There's no news on what servicing arrangements will be because the new Q5 doesn't lob until Q3, but in general the brand will let you prepay your services, required annually, for the first five years, with the regular Q5 currently billed at $3140 and the SQ5 billed at $3170.
Mazda CX-60
The ongoing costs are pretty reasonable. It comes with a five-year/unlimited km warranty which is usual for the class. It also has capped-price servicing for five-years or up to 75,000km, whichever occurs first.
Services cost an average of $518, which is a little expensive for this class but servicing intervals are fine at every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever occurs first.