Compare the2025 Audi new Q5 SportbackVS 2025 Acura RDX

Both the new Q5 Sportback and RDX have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The new Q5 Sportback has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The RDX’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The new Q5 Sportback has standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The RDX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The new Q5 Sportback has standard Maneuver Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The RDX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The new Q5 Sportback has Car-to-X Services, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The RDX doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure.

Both the new Q5 Sportback and RDX have rear cross-traffic warning, but the new Q5 Sportback has Rear Cross-Traffic Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The RDX’s Rear Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.

The new Q5 Sportback’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The RDX doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the new Q5 Sportback and the RDX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The new Q5 Sportback’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the RDX’s (12 vs. 5 years).

There are over 12 percent more Audi dealers than there are Acura dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the new Q5 Sportback’s warranty.

The Audi new Q5 Sportback’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the RDX’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

The new Q5 Sportback’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 15 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 280) than the RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the new Q5 Sportback gets better mileage than the RDX:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi new Q5 Sportback higher (6 out of 10) than the Acura RDX (5). This means the new Q5 Sportback produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the RDX every 15,000 miles.

The new Q5 Sportback offers an available sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The RDX doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The new Q5 Sportback’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The RDX doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the new Q5 Sportback’s brake rotors are larger than those on the RDX:

The new Q5 Sportback’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the RDX are solid, not vented.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the new Q5 Sportback can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The RDX doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The new Q5 Sportback Prestige has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The new Q5 Sportback’s height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The RDX doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the new Q5 Sportback’s wheelbase is 2.6 inches longer than on the RDX (110.9 inches vs. 108.3 inches).

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the new Q5 Sportback’s rear seats recline. The RDX’s rear seats don’t recline.

The new Q5 Sportback’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the RDX’s (4400 vs. 1500 pounds).

The engine in the new Q5 Sportback is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the RDX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

The new Q5 Sportback’s standard Audi Advanced Key allows you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Entry standard on the RDX doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The new Q5 Sportback’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The RDX’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the new Q5 Sportback to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The RDX doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The new Q5 Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The RDX doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the new Q5 Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The RDX doesn’t offer cornering lights. The new Q5 Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the new Q5 Sportback to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The RDX doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The new Q5 Sportback’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The RDX has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Audi new Q5 Sportback has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the RDX Advance.

The new Q5 Sportback’s Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The RDX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Audi Q5/SQ5 outsold the Acura RDX by 29% during 2024.