Audi Q5 vs. Subaru Forester
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Audi Q5 and Subaru Forester contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Audi Q5 and the Subaru Forester.
When we compare the Audi Q5's and the Subaru Forester's specifications and ratings, the Audi Q5 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Subaru Forester has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value and overall quality score. Based on this comparison of the Audi Q5's and the Subaru Forester's specifications and ratings, the Subaru Forester is a better car than the Audi Q5.
Pricing: A used 2025 Audi Q5 ranges from $43,937 to $65,867 while a used 2025 Subaru Forester is priced between $35,568 to $45,694. For a new model, the Audi Q5's price is between $57,941 and $69,475, with the Subaru Forester priced between $37,165 and $46,234.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Audi Q5 loses 60.3 percent of its value and the Subaru Forester loses 39.5 percent of its value. This means the Subaru Forester retains 20.8 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Audi Q5.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Audi Q5 is 7.5 out of 10 while the Subaru Forester's quality rating is 8.2 out of 10. This results in the Audi Q5 being ranked 3 out of 9 Best Hybrid Luxury Small SUVs and the Subaru Forester being ranked 3 out of 17 Best Hybrid Small SUVs.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Audi Q5 is 7.9 out of 10. For the Subaru Forester the reliability rating is 8.0 out of 10. This gives the Subaru Forester a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Audi Q5.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Audi Q5’s base engine makes 362 horsepower, and the Subaru Forester base engine makes 194 horsepower. The Q5 is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 414 miles. The Forester is rated to deliver an average of 35 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 564 miles. This gives the Subaru Forester the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Audi Q5. The Q5 uses electricity, premium unleaded, and the Forester uses regular unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: The Audi Q5 and Subaru Forester are comparable in regards to front shoulder room.
Safety Ratings: The Subaru Forester has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
57941 - 69475
Starting MSRP:
58500
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact SUVs)
56247
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact SUVs)
45425 - 61240
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
37165 - 46234
Starting MSRP:
36595
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
35699
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
28495 - 44565
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
52391
Price Range:
43937 - 65867
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact SUVs)
58376
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact SUVs)
51165 - 63731
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
40574
Price Range:
35568 - 45694
Category Avg Price:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
39518
Category Avg Price Range:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
33748 - 52824
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
1968
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
16847
# Good or Great Deals:
689
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
35381
Depreciation %:
0.60479742
Resale Value $:
23119
Residual Value %:
0.39520257999999997
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact SUVs)
0.60290935
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact SUVs)
0.4051682 - 0.60479742
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
14536
Depreciation %:
0.39721732
Resale Value $:
22059
Residual Value %:
0.60278268
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
0.36835733
Category Depreciation Range:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
0.30618901 - 0.53124407
Audi Q5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.5 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
7.1 / 10
Safety:
Not available
Subaru Forester Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.2 / 10
Reliability:
8.0 / 10
Retained Value:
8.5 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Audi Q5
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Subaru Forester
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
11.0
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
7.5 - 14.5
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
2.047113268927383
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact SUVs)
3.3
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Hybrid Compact SUVs)
1.6 - 7.2
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
14.991300032850205
Typical Category Recalls:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
3.0
Category Range for Recalls:
(Hybrid Compact SUVs)
2.2 - 19.5
Audi Q5 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
1 out of / 3Ranking
3 out of / 9Ranking
3 out of / 9Ranking
3 out of / 9Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 20Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 6Ranking
5 out of / 16Ranking
5 out of / 9Ranking
6 out of / 20Ranking
6 out of / 9Ranking
8 out of / 31Ranking
8 out of / 20Ranking
9 out of / 23Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
9 out of / 9Ranking
10 out of / 31Ranking
10 out of / 28Ranking
10 out of / 28Ranking
10 out of / 20Ranking
11 out of / 31Ranking
11 out of / 20Ranking
12 out of / 31Ranking
12 out of / 31Ranking
12 out of / 28Ranking
13 out of / 28Ranking
13 out of / 20Ranking
14 out of / 20Ranking
15 out of / 28Ranking
15 out of / 20Ranking
16 out of / 31Ranking
16 out of / 31Ranking
16 out of / 28Ranking
16 out of / 20Ranking
17 out of / 28Ranking
17 out of / 20Ranking
18 out of / 31Ranking
18 out of / 28Ranking
19 out of / 31Ranking
21 out of / 31Ranking
27 out of / 28Ranking
28 out of / 31Subaru Forester Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 17Ranking
1 out of / 17Ranking
2 out of / 41Ranking
2 out of / 36Ranking
3 out of / 17Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
3 out of / 7Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
4 out of / 9Ranking
5 out of / 41Ranking
5 out of / 36Ranking
5 out of / 36Ranking
5 out of / 17Ranking
6 out of / 36Ranking
6 out of / 17Ranking
6 out of / 17Ranking
7 out of / 41Ranking
7 out of / 17Ranking
7 out of / 17Ranking
7 out of / 16Ranking
8 out of / 41Ranking
9 out of / 41Ranking
10 out of / 41Ranking
10 out of / 36Ranking
10 out of / 32Ranking
10 out of / 17Ranking
12 out of / 36Ranking
15 out of / 41Ranking
15 out of / 36Ranking
16 out of / 41Ranking
16 out of / 36Ranking
16 out of / 17Ranking
18 out of / 41Ranking
18 out of / 36Ranking
21 out of / 41Ranking
24 out of / 36Ranking
29 out of / 41Ranking
29 out of / 41Ranking
33 out of / 36Ranking
38 out of / 41Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Plug-In Hybrid
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline, Hybrid
Audi Q5 Trim Levels
e quattro S line Prem Pl 55 TFSI, e quattro S line Premium 55 TFSI, e quattro S line Prestg 55 TFSI
Subaru Forester Trim Levels
Limited Hybrid, Premium Hybrid, Sport Hybrid, Touring Hybrid
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
362 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
369 foot-lbs @ 1250 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.078 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
194 hp
Torque:
Not yet available
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.050 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
Not yet available
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
25 / 27 / 26
Range (city/hwy):
386 / 414 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Electricity, Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
35 / 34 / 35
Range (city/hwy):
581 / 564 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Air Suspension:
Available
Automatic Parking:
Available
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Internet Radio:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Satellite radio:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Available
Wifi:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Internet Radio:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Standard
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.6 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.9 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
39.3 inches
Rear Leg Room:
38 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Cargo Space:
25.9 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
54.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
40 inches
Front Leg Room:
43.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Cargo Space:
27.5 cubic feet
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
69.1 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
134.1 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4652 lbs
Width:
84.2 inches
Height:
65.3 inches
Length:
184.3 inches
Wheelbase:
111 inches
Ground Clearance:
8 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3873 lbs
Width:
81.2 inches
Height:
68.1 inches
Length:
183.3 inches
Wheelbase:
105.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
8.7 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
235/55R19
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 7.0 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
225/55R18
Exterior Colors
Black
Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Ultra Blue Metallic
Gray
Chronos Gray Metallic / Daytona Gray Pearl Effect
Green
District Green Metallic
Silver
Florett Silver Metallic
White
Arkona White / Glacier White Metallic
Beige
Not available
Gold
Not available
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Crystal Black Silica
Blue
Daybreak Blue Pearl
Gray
Magnetite Gray Metallic
Green
Autumn Green Metallic
Silver
Ice Silver Metallic
White
Crystal White Pearl
Beige
River Rock Pearl
Gold
Brilliant Bronze Metallic
Red
Crimson Red Pearl
Interior Colors
Beige
Atlas Beige
Black
Black
Brown
Okapi Brown
Gray
Rock Gray
Interior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Black
Brown
Not available
Gray
Gray
