2025 Audi Q5 vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe presented a bold departure from its predecessors, embracing a boxy design that was both elegant and premium-looking. This new aesthetic was a significant shift from the sleek, futuristic designs of the Ioniq series, yet it managed to capture attention with its upscale appearance and aerodynamic efficiency. The Santa Fe's exterior was enhanced by a sophisticated palette of colors and anodized-finish badging, while the interior offered premium styling with a focus on comfort and luxury. The XRT and Calligraphy trims, in particular, showcased a blend of soft and decadent materials, making the driving experience both comfortable and visually appealing.

In contrast, the 2025 Audi Q5 leaned into a more evolutionary design, maintaining a familiar SUV toughness with its large grille and prominent air intakes. While the exterior styling was more of a facelift than a complete redesign, it still managed to convey a sense of strength and modernity. The Q5 offered a range of trim levels, each with distinct features such as LED headlights and OLED taillights. Inside, the Q5's design was characterized by a mix of materials and a somewhat discordant layout, yet it maintained a high standard of quality with leather seating and sturdy plastics. The SQ5 variant added sporty elements, though it lacked the bolstering needed for truly enthusiastic driving.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe was equipped with a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivering 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. It offered front-wheel drive as standard, with all-wheel drive available, except for the XRT trim, which came with AWD as standard. The Santa Fe featured Normal, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with the XRT adding off-road capabilities. A hybrid option with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine was also available, providing 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy varied across trims, with the base FWD version achieving 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. The Santa Fe excelled in towing capacity, with the XRT model capable of towing up to 4,500 pounds.

The 2025 Audi Q5 offered a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive across its lineup. The base model featured a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine with 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the SQ5 boasted a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Despite impressive specs, both models experienced turbo lag and rough shifts, impacting acceleration. The Q5's suspension provided capable handling, though it lacked the sporty feel expected from its performance-oriented design. Off-road modes were available, but the Q5 was more suited to dirt roads than challenging trails.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe's design focused on maximizing cargo space, with a longer wheelbase and body compared to its predecessor. The spacious cargo area, inspired by the concept of "chabak," was ideal for car camping and tailgating. While the third row was snug, the first and second rows offered ample space and comfort, with options for reclining captain's chairs. The Santa Fe provided 14.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 79.6 cubic feet with seats folded. Features like a UV sanitization compartment and robust upholstery added to its practicality and appeal.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar dimensions to the previous model, offering adequate headroom and legroom. The second-row bench seat was versatile, with a sliding and reclining function. The Q5 provided 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 56.9 cubic feet with seats folded. While it offered more cargo space than some rivals, it fell short compared to others. Standard features included a power tailgate and heated front seats, with higher trims adding a panoramic sunroof and ventilated seats. The Q5's towing capacity of 4,400 pounds was a notable advantage.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe featured a curved panoramic display, enhancing the cabin's luxurious feel. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard across trims. Higher trims included a 12-speaker Bose stereo, dynamic voice recognition, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Santa Fe also offered Hyundai's BlueLink system for vehicle access and information, along with Hyundai Pay for secure transactions. A biometric fingerprint scanner added an extra layer of convenience and security.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came with an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, with an optional third screen for the front passenger. The infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, was intuitive and easy to use. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a cooled wireless charging pad, and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system on higher trims. The Q5 also offered a head-up display and Audi's Dynamic Interaction Light for additional driver cues. Digital key connectivity and a built-in toll transponder added to its tech-savvy appeal.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, and blind-spot monitors. Higher trims added advanced features like a 360-degree camera system, remote automatic parking, and a head-up display. The Santa Fe was the first Hyundai model to include driver monitoring, enhancing safety by tracking driver alertness and issuing warnings if necessary.

The 2025 Audi Q5 offered standard driver-assist features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. Premium Plus models added a 360-degree camera system and adaptive cruise assist. While safety ratings were not yet available, Audi aimed to match the five-star rating of the previous model. The Q5's exit alert feature and Dynamic Interaction Light provided additional safety cues for occupants.