2025 Audi Q5 vs 2026 Hyundai Palisade

$45,400 · Crossover

$39,435 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

The primary differentiator between the 2025 Audi Q5 and the 2026 Hyundai Palisade is output, with the Palisade boasting 287 hp compared to the Q5's 201 hp, an 86 hp advantage. Conversely, the Q5 is significantly more efficient, achieving a combined 26 MPG versus the Palisade's 21 MPG. Pricing positions the Palisade as the budget-friendly option at $39,435 compared to the Q5's $45,400 MSRP, representing a $5,965 initial cost saving for the Hyundai. Size metrics heavily favor the Palisade, which is 14.9 inches longer (199.2 in vs. 184.3 in) and offers 6.4 inches more height, though its smaller 19.1 cu ft cargo capacity trails the Audi's 25.9 cu ft, despite the size difference. The Audi also mandates premium fuel while the Palisade runs on regular unleaded.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Audi Q5

The 2025 Audi Q5 wins for commuters due to its superior fuel economy, achieving 26 combined MPG versus the Palisade's 21 combined MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Hyundai Palisade

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade offers a larger footprint, being 199.2 inches long and having greater height for potential passenger room, despite having less official cargo volume.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Hyundai Palisade

Enthusiasts will prefer the Palisade because it delivers substantially more power with 287 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque compared to the Q5's 201 hp.

💰 Best Value

2026 Hyundai Palisade

The Palisade presents superior immediate value, costing $5,965 less at MSRP ($39,435) while offering significantly more horsepower.

Choose the Audi Q5 if...

You prioritize fuel efficiency and can leverage the 26 combined MPG rating.
You prefer the refined traction of the standard all-wheel drive system and 7-speed automated manual.
You prefer smaller exterior dimensions for urban navigation (184.3 inches in length).

Choose the Hyundai Palisade if...

Maximizing raw power is key, thanks to its 287 hp output.
Minimizing upfront cost is critical, with an MSRP of $39,435.
You require regular unleaded fuel compatibility instead of premium recommended fuel.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Audi Q5	Hyundai Palisade
Length	184.3"	199.2"
Width	74.5"	78.0"
Height	65.5"	69.5"
Wheelbase	111.0"	116.9"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Audi	Hyundai
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	—	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Third Row Head Airbags	—	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	—	✓
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Audi	Hyundai
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	3.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	V6
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	201 hp	287 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque	236 lb-ft	260 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm
Number of Valves	16	24
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Audi	Hyundai
Transmission Type	7-speed automated manual	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Audi	Hyundai
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	23/29 MPG	19/25 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	26 MPG	21 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	425.5/536.5 mi.	361.0/475.0 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.5 gal.	19.0 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Audi	Hyundai
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	✓	—
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	—	✓
3rd Row Cupholders	—	✓
Manual Rear Seat Easy Entry	—	✓
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Audi	Hyundai
Infotainment Display	10.1 in	12.3 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	180W	—
Speaker System	10	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Audi	Hyundai
One-Touch Power Windows	4	2
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Audi	Hyundai
Front Head Room	39.6 in.	41.5 in.
Front Leg Room	40.9 in.	44.2 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.7 in.	61.4 in.
Seat Material: Leather	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	—
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	—
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	—
Front Hip Room	—	58.8 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	—	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	—	6-way

Rearseats

Feature	Audi	Hyundai
Rear Head Room	39.3 in.	40.7 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.0 in.	43.0 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.5 in.	61.0 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seat Feature	✓	—
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	✓	—
Rear Hip Room	—	56.7 in.
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓
Manual Folding Third Row Seat	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Audi	Hyundai
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 8.0 in	18 x 8.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/60R18	235/65R
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Underbody Mounted
Wheel Finish	—	Painted Alloy

Suspension

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

Warranty

Feature	Audi	Hyundai
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	10 yr./ 100000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	12 yr./ unlimited mi.	7 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ unlimited mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Audi Q5 and 2026 Hyundai Palisade.

Which crossover has a greater usable space advantage?

The Audi Q5 provides 25.9 cu ft of cargo capacity, substantially more than the Hyundai Palisade's 19.1 cu ft. However, the Palisade is physically much larger overall, measuring 199.2 inches long compared to the Q5's 184.3 inches, suggesting potentially more passenger volume.

Is the performance gap between the two significant?

Yes, the performance metrics show the 2026 Hyundai Palisade producing 287 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. This heavily outweighs the 2025 Audi Q5's output of 201 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque.

How much does the difference in fuel requirements affect ownership cost?

The Audi Q5 recommends premium unleaded fuel while the Palisade uses regular unleaded. Given the Q5’s higher efficiency (26 MPG combined vs. 21 MPG combined), the ongoing cost disparity depends on regional fuel prices, but the Q5 starts with a 5 MPG efficiency advantage.

Which vehicle offers better standard drivetrain configuration?

The Audi Q5 comes standard with all-wheel drive and a 7-speed automated manual transmission. In contrast, the Hyundai Palisade features front-wheel drive and an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.

What is the exact price difference between these two models?

The 2025 Audi Q5 starts at $45,400 MSRP, making it $5,965 more expensive than the 2026 Hyundai Palisade, which is priced at $39,435.

How does the width and height compare for parking considerations?

The Palisade is significantly wider at 78.0 inches versus the Q5's 74.5 inches, and taller at 69.5 inches compared to the Q5's 65.5 inches, which may impact clearance in tight parking structures.