Compare the2025 Audi Q5VS 2025 Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics

Safety

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The Q5’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Q5 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 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid 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.

Both the Q5 and the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Audi Q5 is safer than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid:

	Q5	Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	284	334
Leg Forces (l/r)	80/49 lbs.	212/405 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	187	390
Neck Injury Risk	34%	53%
Neck Stress	134 lbs.	159 lbs.
Neck Compression	30 lbs.	89 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	90/55 lbs.	81/191 lbs.

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Audi Q5 is safer than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid:

	Q5	Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	15 inches	15 inches
HIC	219	280

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

Warranty

The Q5’s corrosion warranty is 7 years and unlimited miles longer than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s (12/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

Reliability

The Audi Q5’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s engine uses an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

Engine

The Q5 55 TFSI e’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 101 more horsepower (362 vs. 261) and 99 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 270) than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

Regenerative brakes improve the Q5’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Both the Q5 and Sorento Plug-In Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The Q5 has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Q5 Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 1.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (14.3 vs. 12.4 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Q5’s standard fuel tank has 6.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (18.5 vs. 12.4 gallons).

The Q5 has a standard locking fuel door and a locking charge port which lock and unlock with the power locks. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking fuel door helps prevent fuel theft and vandalism, such as sugar in the tank and a locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

Transmission

A seven-speed automatic (SMG) is standard on the Audi Q5, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The Q5 offers a standard 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 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The Q5’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 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Q5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid:

	Q5 40/45 TFSI	Q5 55 TFSI e	Sorento Plug-In Hybrid
Front Rotors	13.3 inches	13.8 inches	12.8 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	13 inches	12.8 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Q5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (255/45R20 vs. 235/55R19).

The Q5 Prestige’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q5 Prestige offers optional 21-inch wheels. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

Suspension and Handling

The Q5 offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Q5 55 TFSI e has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The Q5’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 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For greater off-road capability the Q5 55 TFSI e has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (8 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the Q5 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Q5 45 TFSI’s minimum ground clearance is 1.3 inches higher than on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid (8.2 vs. 6.9 inches).

Chassis

The Audi Q5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 550 pounds less than the Kia Sorento Plug-In Hybrid.

The Q5 is 5.3 inches shorter than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid, making the Q5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Cargo Capacity

The Q5 has a much larger cargo volume than the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid with its rear seat up (25.9 vs. 12.6 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Q5 easier. The Q5’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29 inches, while the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s liftover is 31.7 inches.

Servicing Ease

The Q5 uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid 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.

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

Ergonomics

The Q5 Prestige has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The Q5’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Q5 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 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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

The Q5’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 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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

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 Q5’s headlights were rated “Good” to “Acceptable” by the IIHS, while the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The Q5 Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Q5 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Q5’s standard rear view mirror and optional 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 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid has an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Q5 has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel is only available on the Sorento Plug-In Hybrid SX Prestige.

The Q5 Prestige’s 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 Sorento Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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