Compare the2026 Kia SorentoVS 2025 Audi new Q5

The Kia Sorento has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps 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.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Kia Sorento achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Audi new Q5 has not been tested.

Both the Sorento and the new Q5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The Sorento comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The new Q5’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Kia’s powertrain warranty covers the Sorento 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Audi covers the new Q5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the new Q5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are almost 3 times as many Kia dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sorento’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Kia vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in initial quality. With 88 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Kia vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Kia above average in long-term dependability. With 6 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

The Sorento EX/SX’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 13 more horsepower (281 vs. 268) and 16 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 295) than the new Q5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Kia Sorento uses regular unleaded gasoline. The new Q5 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

An eight-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Kia Sorento, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the new Q5.

The Sorento has a standard space-saver spare tire 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.

For better maneuverability, the Sorento’s turning circle is .8 feet tighter than the new Q5’s (37.9 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The Kia Sorento may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 450 pounds less than the Audi new Q5.

The Sorento has standard seating for 7 passengers; the new Q5 can only carry 5.

The Sorento has 2.1 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room, 1.3 inches more rear headroom, 3.7 inches more rear legroom and 2.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the new Q5.

The Sorento’s cargo area provides more volume than the new Q5.

Maximum trailer towing in the Audi new Q5 is limited to 4400 pounds. The Sorento offers up to a 4500 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the Sorento uses the Electronic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The new Q5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Sorento 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 Sorento Prestige has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The new Q5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The Sorento is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The new Q5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Kia Sorento, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Kia Sorento outsold the Audi Q5/SQ5 by 68% during 2024.