With all the excellent features of Q5 and the hybrid characteristics of  Q7 with more refined features make it difficult to choose between Audi Q5 vs Audi Q7. At some angles, the silhouette of Q5 is comparable but slightly taller than the A3 hatchback as compared to its Q7 utility vehicle counterpart.

The Q7 is one of the SUV families in line with Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen but with a difference when it comes to Q7’s five or seven seat versions. It should not be mistaken but the Audi Q7 is not an off road vehicle or your typical blingy street car. This is a very neutral car with simple but elegant features that are not associated with masculinity or femininity. What gives the Q7 its off – road appeal is the high ground clearance which is not seen in its Q5 counterpart.

2011 Audi Q5

Audi Q5

2011 Audi Q7

Audi Q7

The base engine for Q7 is a 3.0 liter turbocharged V-6 while the Q5 is 211-hp TFSI four-cylinder engine. However, the base model of Audi Q7 has a 272 horsepower engine while an upscale version can give as much as 333 horsepower. Its diesel V6 can produce 406 lb-ft of torque and make 225 horsepower. The 333 horsepower engine of the upscale Q7 can accelerate the vehicle to sixty miles per hour in less than seven seconds. The Q5 on the other hand, with its closely spaced gears offers a more responsive shifting and its 20 mpg city – 27 mpg highway EPA rating makes it more fuel efficient. And while it is not fast like a sports car, the Q5 can dash to sixty miles per hour in less than 7.1 seconds which is .1 shy of what the Q7 can achieve.

2011 Audi Q5 Interior

Q5 Interior

2011 Audi Q7 Inetrior

Q7 Interior

When it comes to interiors, the Q7 has a very spacious interior which is much bigger with the reasonable spacious interior of Audi Q5. The Q7 has the entire luxurious feel with great front leather buckets seats that are perfect for long rides. The seats on the second row are adult size and the third row is roomy enough for children. The cargo area can have up to 88 cubic feet of floor space when the second and third rows are folded.

2011 Audi Q5 Rear

Q5 Rear

2011 Audi Q7 Rear

Q7 Rear

The Q5’s interior is also competitive with its functional space atypical with most compact vehicles. Although it may appear small, it has enough legroom in the front and headroom even for tall passengers. The seats are adjustable and the back seat can also be reclined. The long wheelbase provides passengers at the back with enough legroom for a more comfortable traveling.

The Q7 can range from approximately $47,000 to almost $60,000 and it is in a tight competition with other almost similar class of vehicles like the Porsche Cayenne and the BMW X5. The Q5 is more reasonably priced with a start-up mark of $35,000 for a base model.

And while these Audi models are entirely different from each other, the craftsmanship and innovative design is exclusively Audi and worth the price you will be paying regardless of your choice of model.