2025 Audi Q5 Sportback vs 2026 Acura MDX

$52,200 · Crossover

$51,800 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The most significant measurable difference between the 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback (car1) and the 2026 Acura MDX (car2) is the size discrepancy, with the MDX measuring 13.8 inches longer at 198.4 inches compared to the Audi’s 184.6 inches. Power distribution favors the MDX, boasting 290 hp versus the Q5 Sportback’s 261 hp, a substantial 29 hp advantage. However, the Audi counters with superior efficiency, achieving 25 combined MPG compared to the MDX’s 22 combined MPG. Priced nearly identically at $52,200 (Audi) and $51,800 (Acura), the value proposition hinges on configuration: the Audi provides more efficient AWD capability, while the MDX delivers higher peak output in a larger platform. Furthermore, the Audi manages 24.7 cu ft of cargo space, notably exceeding the MDX's 18.1 cu ft, despite its shorter exterior length.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Audi Q5 Sportback

The Audi Q5 Sportback wins for commuters due to its superior combined fuel economy of 25 MPG versus the MDX's 22 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Acura MDX

The 2026 Acura MDX offers a significantly larger exterior footprint, suggesting better interior space utilization for families, despite having less stated cargo volume.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Acura MDX

The Acura MDX generates a higher peak output with 290 hp, giving it an edge in performance metrics over the Audi's 261 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Audi Q5 Sportback

For a lower MSRP and better fuel economy, the Audi Q5 Sportback offers standard All-Wheel Drive, whereas the Acura MDX comes standard with Front Wheel Drive.

Choose the Audi Q5 Sportback if...

Fuel efficiency is a priority, as the Q5 Sportback achieves 25 combined MPG against the MDX's 22 MPG.
Standard AWD performance is required, as the Audi includes this feature standard while the MDX starts with FWD.
You prefer more usable space behind the rear seats, as the Audi provides 24.7 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the MDX's 18.1 cu ft.

Choose the Acura MDX if...

Maximum horsepower is desired, as the MDX produces 290 hp, exceeding the Audi's 261 hp.
A significantly longer vehicle chassis (198.4 inches vs 184.6 inches) is necessary for perceived interior volume.
You prefer a traditional 10-speed shiftable automatic transmission over the Audi's 7-speed automated manual.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Audi Q5 Sportback	Acura MDX
Length	184.6"	198.4"
Width	74.5"	78.7"
Height	65.4"	67.9"
Wheelbase	111.0"	113.8"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Audi	Acura
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	—
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	—	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Audi	Acura
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	3.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	V6
Base Engine Type	mild hybrid	gas
Horsepower	261 hp	290 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque	273 lb-ft	267 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Single overhead cam (SOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓
Cylinder Deactivation	—	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Audi	Acura
Transmission Type	7-speed automated manual	10-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Audi	Acura
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	premium unleaded (recommended)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	23/28 MPG	19/26 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	25 MPG	22 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	425.5/518.0 mi.	351.5/481.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.5 gal.	18.5 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Audi	Acura
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	—
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	—
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	—
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	✓
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	—
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	—	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓
Power Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Audi	Acura
Infotainment Display	10.1 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	180W	—
Speaker System	10	11
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Speed Sensitive Volume Control	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Audi	Acura
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Moonroof Type	1st Row Power Glass Extended	1st Row Power Glass Extended
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Audi	Acura
Front Head Room	38.0 in.	38.5 in.
Front Leg Room	40.9 in.	41.6 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.7 in.	61.9 in.
Seat Material: Leather	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Sport	✓	—
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Front Hip Room	—	59.3 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	—	✓
Driver Seat Memory Settings	—	3

Rearseats

Feature	Audi	Acura
Rear Head Room	37.5 in.	38.1 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.0 in.	38.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.5 in.	60.3 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seat Feature	✓	—
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	✓	—
Rear Hip Room	—	57.8 in.
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Audi	Acura
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Diameter	19 in	—
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/55R19	255/55R19
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	—
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	—
Wheel Material	—	Alloy
Wheel Size	—	19 x 8.5 in

Suspension

Feature	Audi	Acura
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Audi	Acura
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	6 yr./ 70000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	12 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	1 yr./ 12000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback and 2026 Acura MDX.

What is the real-world fuel economy difference between the 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback and the 2026 Acura MDX?

The Audi Q5 Sportback is rated for 25 combined MPG (23 city/28 highway), offering a measurable efficiency advantage over the 2026 Acura MDX, which is rated at 22 combined MPG (19 city/26 highway).

How does the horsepower and drivetrain strategy differ between these two crossovers?

The Acura MDX leads in power with 290 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, utilizing a FWD base platform paired with a 10-speed automatic. Conversely, the Audi Q5 Sportback produces 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, standardizing its performance with AWD and a 7-speed automated manual transmission.

Which vehicle offers more practical cargo space given their size differences?

Despite being significantly shorter in length (184.6 inches vs 198.4 inches), the 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback offers superior defined cargo volume at 24.7 cu ft, substantially more than the 2026 Acura MDX's 18.1 cu ft.

Are the MSRPs of the two vehicles competitive for 2025/2026 models?

Yes, the pricing is highly aligned, with the 2026 Acura MDX having a starting MSRP of $51,800, only $400 less than the 2025 Audi Q5 Sportback's starting price of $52,200.

Do both vehicles require premium fuel, and does it affect performance metrics?

Both the Audi Q5 Sportback and the Acura MDX list premium unleaded as the recommended fuel type to achieve their stated horsepower and torque figures.

Is the Audi's smaller size reflected in its handling characteristics?

The Audi Q5 Sportback is substantially narrower and shorter than the MDX, indicating a potentially more agile footprint for urban driving, contrasting with the wider, longer dimensions of the Acura.