What's the difference?
Audi’s latest Q5 Sportback brings mild-hybrid power, updated underpinnings, more technology and a genuinely impressive interior glow-up.
It’s clearly aimed at buyers drawn to a more athletic take on the mid-size SUV, where style plays a bigger role than outright practicality. We're testing the base petrol spec to see how it sits alongside the BMW X4 xDrive20i, Genesis GV70 2.5T and Mercedes-Benz GLC300 Coupe.
Cadillac launched in Australia last year as an all-electric brand and its first offering was the Lyriq large SUV. It now has a follow up in the form of the Vistiq which has a similarly confusing name but is even larger.
With three rows of seating and an electric powertrain, it’s a key rival to the likes of the Hyundai Ioniq 9, Kia EV9 and Volvo EX90.
We’ve already had a spin of the Vistiq over in the USA but this is our first time on Australia soil, so let’s see how it stacks up.
The updated Audi Q5 Sportback TFSI is a strong example of a luxury base-grade SUV, ticking most of the boxes in styling, comfort and features. It may not always outperform its rivals on paper, but it delivers where it counts, offering a refined, practical and engaging package that will satisfy.
The Vistiq is a properly luxurious car that cleverly undercuts all the premium players. It has a flashy exterior with a generously equipped and spacious interior. Plus, it’s got enough oomph to move a small mountain.
Cadillac seems to be onto a winner with this car, especially at this price point. However, it will be interesting to see whether buyers of big SUVs like this are willing to make the jump to electric. The upper large SUV segment has been dominated by the Toyota LandCruiser and Nissan Patrol for decades now and I don’t see this changing anytime soon.