Compare the2026 Acura RDXVS 2025 Audi new Q5

The Acura RDX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The new Q5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the RDX and the new Q5 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.

Acura’s powertrain warranty covers the RDX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the new Q5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the new Q5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RDX first among compact premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The new Q5 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Acura vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 71 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Acura higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Audi With 24 fewer problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, J.D. Power ranks Acura higher than Audi.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 6 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The RDX’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 4 more horsepower (272 vs. 268) than the new Q5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Acura RDX uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The new Q5 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The RDX has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The new Q5 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Acura RDX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the new Q5.

The RDX stops shorter than the new Q5:

The RDX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the new Q5’s standard 60 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RDX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the new Q5.

The RDX has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The new Q5 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The RDX has a standard space-saver spare (not available on A-Spec) so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the new Q5; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Acura RDX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 250 pounds less than the Audi new Q5.

The RDX uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The new Q5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The RDX has 1.4 inches more front headroom, .7 inches more front legroom, 2 inches more front shoulder room, .5 inches more rear headroom, .4 inches more rear legroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the new Q5.

The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the new Q5 with its rear seat up (31.1 vs. 27.6 cubic feet). The RDX has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the new Q5 with its rear seat folded (79.8 vs. 57.1 cubic feet).

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 15% lower rating, Audi is ranked 18th.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the RDX has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the new Q5 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The RDX’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the new Q5’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The Acura RDX has won recognition from these important consumer publications: