Audi Q5 vs Nissan Qashqai
What's the difference?

Audi Q5

$82,500 - $100,400

2026 price

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Nissan Qashqai

$34,665 - $54,365

2026 price

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Summary

2026 Audi Q5

2026 Nissan Qashqai

By Emily Agar

By Byron Mathioudakis

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo 4, 2.0L

Turbo 3, 1.5L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

5.7L/100km (combined)

4.1L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Interior glow-up is gorgeous
Comfortable ride with well-tuned suspension
Strong standard tech and safety features

Attractive design inside and out
Strong yet frugal hybrid performance
Athletic, confident dynamics

Dislikes

Still manages to remind you its a base-grade
Rear seat & boot space on smaller side
Steering assist tends to overcorrect

Requires 95 RON premium unleaded
No spare wheel in Ti-L e-Power
Getting up there in price

2026 Audi Q5 Summary

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.

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2026 Nissan Qashqai Summary

If you think you know Nissan and haven’t driven one of its impressive e-Power models, you might be in for a surprise.

Be it the latest-generation X-Trail from Japan or the related smaller Qashqai out of the UK, this plugless petrol-electric hybrid powertrain is one of the best crossovers at any price point.

Now, barely a year after the facelift appeared in Australia, the Qashqai scores another round of changes.

We take a close look at the up-spec Ti-L to see if they make one of the best small SUVs even better (or worse).

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Audi Q5 2026 Nissan Qashqai

Verdict

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.

Verdict

Now e-Power-only, the 2026 Qashqai Ti-L range walks a fine line between mainstream value-for-money and premium European class, providing an attractive, enjoyable and comfortable small SUV experience that also doubles up as a capable and practical family car.

We’d probably ditch this grade for either the Ti below and save a bit of money in the process, or stretch a little more for the flagship N-Design, as both provide the peace of mind of a spare wheel.

Otherwise, for its economy, agility, luxury and smarts, the latest Qashqai Ti-L e-Power is a wildly underrated Nissan that deserves more love.

Audi Q5 vs Nissan Qashqai What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi Q5 vs Nissan Qashqai
What's the difference?