2020 Audi Q5

Entry to the range is through the Premium trim, which is priced at $43,300 for 2020 - a cost increase of $350 from the previous year. If you opt for the mid-tier Premium Plus, expect to pay $49,950, which is the same price charged for the 2019 variant. The top-end Prestige will have an MSRP of $53,700, although these are the suggested retail prices, which may be adjusted by dealerships. Equipping the hybrid powertrain to any of the three options pushes up price quite appreciably, and starting prices for the PHEV variant of the Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige work out to $52,900, $56,600, and $60,350, respectively. All base prices exclude licensing, taxes, registration, and the $995 destination charge. It's worth noting that the PHEV variant may be eligible for federal tax rebates of up to $6,712, according to the EPA.

While it has the capacity to excite the driver with good acceleration, the Q5 suffers from a rather bland steering feel. Although pointing the vehicle in any one direction is easy enough, and the Q5 is compliant in doing what you want it to do, there's no real feedback from the wheels. So, while driving it feels second-nature, it doesn't quite give you any goosebumps. Switching to the Dynamic drive mode gives a little more weight under your fingertips, but it still lacks any real organic feel. Still, the Q5 excels at absorbing road undulations and bumps, offering a well-damped suspension and a quiet, comfortable cabin. Optional adaptive suspension can be added for an even better experience, but the stock Q5 is perfectly fine without it. The quattro system ensures good grip and throwing the Q5 down winding roads results in a stable, confident ride with minimal body roll. Although some competitors offer a bit more engagement and make for a livelier, more thrilling joy-ride, the Q5 seems like the perfect gentleman on the road, never overstepping the boundaries and getting you home safely before curfew.

With awards such as "Best Car for Families" and "Compact Luxury SUV Best Buy" for 2018 and 2019, respectively, under its belt, the Audi Q5 SUV has got its own big shoes to fill with this latest model. It remains the best-seller in the Audi line-up with its eager-to-please powertrain and no-mess-no-fuss driveability, which is now further enhanced with the addition of a PHEV model for those who want to spend less on fuel and have more power on tap. The sublime interior is positively charming, and although cargo space isn't particularly impressive, the comprehensive list of safety features and intuitive infotainment combine to make this a competent family carrier. Safety scores are high, and the quiet, comfortable cabin ride seems to round off the Q5 as a perfect package.

So what are the negatives? If we had to nitpick, we'd only really highlight the cramped rear-seat space for a fifth passenger and the bland driving experience. And, if you want to go the greener route, the brilliant hybrid powertrain adds a significant hike to an already restrictive price tag. Of course, the initial cost will be offset by fuel savings over the years, but some may think twice about such an extravagant purchase, which is between $6k and $10k more for the PHEV variants, depending on trim. This still isn't enough to discourage us from recommending the Q5 to potential buyers, though. It's a brilliant vehicle for those who want to play it safe and travel in comfort and class.

Although even the base model is well equipped, the mid-tier Premium Plus is the ideal compromise between the top and bottom rung for what, and how much, it offers. Featuring a full array of LED lights, a panoramic sunroof, the brilliant Audi virtual cockpit with navigation, and a handful of additional driver aids, it makes sense to opt for this trim and equip the Driver Assistance package, which - aside for the premium sound system on the range-topper - pretty much evens the two top trims out. Admittedly, the difference between the two Audi Q5's price is less than $4,000, so if jamming to a playlist is a must-have for you, rather opt for the top trim. However, if you want the highly recommended hybrid powertrain, you're already looking at between $6k and nearly $10k more than the standard asking price. Nevertheless, you won't be disappointed with any of the available power plants, so the investment is worthwhile no matter which trim you choose.

Two German SUVs in a neck and neck battle for top honors seems like a motoring cliche, yet the Q5 and the X3 are so evenly matched that one has to be mentioned when discussing the other. Both the Q5 and X3 have gas- and hybrid-powered options, with the gas-fed variants producing the same 248 horsepower. The Q5 kicks out more torque though, managing 273 lb-ft as opposed to the X3's 258 lb-ft. It stands to reason that the Q5 would be able to tow more than the X3 does, yet both manage 4,400 lbs. In hybrid form, it's the Q5 that makes more horsepower at 362 hp over the X3 hybrid's 288. In terms of gas mileage, the standard X3 proves to be more efficient than the Audi with EPA estimates of 23/30/26 mpg over 22/27/24 mpg, but in PHEV guise, the Q5 surpasses the X3 by a good margin, offering 27 mpg combined to the Bimmer's 24, and 65 MPGe over 60 MPGe.

Additionally, the BMW X3 has more cargo space than the Audi does, although when it comes to ground clearance and cabin space, the Q5 fares much better. The one drawback of the Q5 is the numb driving experience, and the X3 has solved that problem by offering a nimble, engaging drive that surpasses what the Audi is capable of. Still, SUVs were built for comfort and class, and the Q5 certainly has nailed this down by presenting a polished, ergonomic, comfortable and stylish interior, drawing it into the lead - but only just.

Boasting a recent redesign, the Volvo XC60 saunters into 2020 with a high-performance hybrid model and improved fuel efficiency stats. Known for its sublime interior and plush comfort levels, the XC60 offers more cargo space at 29.7 cubic feet to the Q5's 25.1, and manages slightly better EPA estimates for gas models, albeit only for highway driving cycles (29 mpg versus the Q5's 27 mpg). The Q5 fares much better than the XC60 in terms of mileage in hybrid guise, with the Swede only managing 57 MPGe.

Still, the Volvo's safety levels and standard features are far superior to that of the Audi. The 2019 variant was awarded a Top Safety Pick title by the IIHS, although it also achieved a rather average predicted reliability rating from J.D. Power, as the Q5 did. Two 2019 recalls for the Volvo also levels the playing field between the two rivals, leaving the tie-breaker up to driving and handling scores - and this is where the German SUV overtakes the Swedish offering. With better handling, performance that is more impressive than the similarly-priced, lower-tier XC60 offerings (higher spec XC60s offer more performance on paper), and a smoother ride, the Q5 proves to be the better choice between the two. While neither offers particularly engaging drives, it's the Audi that comes in tops here.