Audi q3 vs mazda cx 5

The Q3 needs to plug an important gap in Audi’s lineup where it’s losing sales to recently launched competitors. These include the BMW X1 or X2, the Lexus UX, and the Mini Countryman.

Table of Contents Show

Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Economic Advantages
What is the Audi Q3 comparable to?
Is Mazda and Audi the same?
Is Q3 better than Q5?

There’s also a new Mercedes-Benz GLB on the way, plus a new-generation GLA, so keep an eye out for those. Audi will be.

Price-wise, the Q3 enters Australia in just one variant, the entry-level, petrol-powered 35 TFSI, offered at an MSRP of $46,400.

Competitors at that price include the BMW X1 sDrive 18i ($44,500), the Mini Countryman Cooper ($42,200), and the Lexus UX200 Luxury ($44,450).

While it’s marginally more expensive than its entry-level, luxury small-SUV competitors (and about on par for power, too) it’s the standard equipment list that truly shines in the Audi.

Even this entry-level Q3 gets 18-inch alloy wheels, a 10.1-inch multimedia touchscreen, built-in sim card supporting online sat-nav, a wireless hotspot and over-the air updates for three years, Audi’s signature 10.21-inch digital dash, Android Auto connectivity and wireless (!) Apple CarPlay, complete with a wireless-charging bay, dual-zone climate control, real leather interior trim, an electronic tailgate with gesture control, and full LED front lighting.

Deep breaths. Did you get all that? There’s no subscription required for the wireless Apple CarPlay (I'm looking at you, BMW) and it’s particularly impressive to see the electric tailgate as a standard inclusion. Audi says the new Q3 ships with $12,000 worth of inclusions over its outgoing equivalent. Not bad at all.

My biggest complaint with the entry-level configuration was the somewhat non-premium feeling of the manually adjustable seats.

Electrically adjustable seats are part of the Q3’s remarkably short options list, which consists (for now) of the ‘Style Package’ ($1900), which includes 19-inch wheels, full colour body paint (removes the contrast black bits), and aluminium highlights, or the ‘Comfort Package’ ($2600), which includes electrically adjustable heated front seats, auto-folding and dipping wing mirrors with an electro-chromatic (auto-dimming) rear-vision mirror, and adaptive cruise control.

Alternatively you can bundle some of those bits together with the limited “Launch Edition” variant ($52,750), which includes a unique 19-inch-alloy design, metallic paint, privacy glass, auto-folding and dimming mirrors, customisable interior LED lighting, electrically adjustable and heated seats, a 360-degree parking suite, and adaptive cruise control.

The only other standalone options are limited to a Bang & Olufsen premium audio system ($900) and a panoramic opening sunroof ($2250).

Expect that lineup to get more complicated with the launch of 2.0-litre, all-wheel-drive and RS variants, as well as a Sportback body style later in 2020.

For now, though, the Q3 justifies its slight extra spend over its competitors with an impressive list of standard inclusions.

Safety

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The Q3’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The CX-5 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the Q3 and CX-5 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Q3 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 CX-5’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 Audi Q3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps 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 CX-5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Q3 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The CX-5 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Q3. But it costs extra on the CX-5.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the Q3’s standard Hill Descent Control allows you to creep down safely. The CX-5 doesn’t offer Hill Descent Control.

Both the Q3 and the CX-5 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, 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 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Audi Q3 is safer than the Mazda CX-5:

	Q3	CX-5
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Abdominal Force	95 G’s	126 G’s
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	159	208
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	65 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	13 inches

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The Q3 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The CX-5’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The Q3’s corrosion warranty is 7 years longer than the CX-5’s (12 vs. 5 years).

Reliability

The Audi Q3’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the CX-5’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Q3 has a 140-amp alternator. The CX-5’s standard 100-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Q3 second among small premium suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The CX-5 isn’t in the top three in its category.

Engine

The Q3 40 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 35 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. 186) than the CX-5’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Q3 45 TFSI is faster than the Mazda CX-5 4 cyl.:

	Q3	CX-5
Zero to 60 MPH	7.8 sec	8.6 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.9 sec	5.4 sec
Quarter Mile	16.1 sec	16.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91 MPH	85 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Q3 gets better mileage than the CX-5:

			MPG
Q3
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/30 hwy
CX-5
	FWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/28 hwy
	AWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/27 hwy

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Q3’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The CX-5 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Q3 has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the CX-5 FWD’s standard fuel tank (15.9 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi Q3 higher (7 out of 10) than the Mazda CX-5 (5 to 7). This means the Q3 produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the CX-5 every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Audi Q3, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the CX-5.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Q3’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the CX-5:

	Q3	CX-5	CX-5 GT Reserve/Signature
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	11.7 inches	12.6 inches

The Q3’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the CX-5 are solid, not vented.

The Q3 stops much shorter than the CX-5:

	Q3	CX-5
70 to 0 MPH	160 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	136 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	144 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Q3 has larger standard tires than the CX-5 (235/55R18 vs. 225/65R17). The Q3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the CX-5 (255/45R19 vs. 225/65R17).

The Q3’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 CX-5 Sport/Touring’s standard 65 series tires. The Q3’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the CX-5 Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q3 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the CX-5 Sport/Touring. The Q3’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the CX-5 Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition.

Suspension and Handling

The Q3 handles at .91 G’s, while the CX-5 Signature AWD pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Q3 easier. The Q3’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.8 inches, while the CX-5’s liftover is 29.4 inches.

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Q3. The CX-5 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Q3’s available liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The CX-5 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Servicing Ease

The Q3 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The CX-5 uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

Ergonomics

The power windows standard on both the Q3 and the CX-5 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Q3 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The CX-5 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the Q3 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the CX-5 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Q3’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Mazda only offers heated mirrors on the CX-5 Grand Touring/Signature.

The Q3’s optional 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 CX-5 offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Q3 has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the CX-5 Touring/Grand Touring/Signature/Carbon Edition.

Both the Q3 and the CX-5 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Q3 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The CX-5 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi Q3 Premium Plus has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The CX-5 doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Q3’s optional Park Steering Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The CX-5 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Q3 is less expensive to operate than the CX-5 because typical repairs cost less on the Q3 than the CX-5, including $94 less for a muffler and $9 less for a fuel pump.

What is the Audi Q3 comparable to?

The Audi Q3 most often competes with the GLA Class from Mercedes and X1 from BMW. The Audi Q3 most often competes with the GLA Class from Mercedes and X1 from BMW. The X1 is our pick to drive, but the GLA has more room and better manners in its second generation.

Is Mazda and Audi the same?

The Mazda is made in Japan. The German SUV is actually made in Spain. The Mazda makes marginally more torque; The Audi has an extra cog in the drivetrain. The differences are diminutive.

Is Q3 better than Q5?

Both models are very different – the Audi Q3 has a slicker design and is more affordable, whereas the Q5 gets way more practicality and stronger performance. With luxury crossovers increasing in popularity in line with a boom in high-riding family cars, the Q3 and Q5 are two very good models.