Ford Mustang Mach-E vs Audi SQ5
What's the difference?

Ford Mustang Mach-E

$64,990 - $97,990

2026 price

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Audi SQ5

$49,990 - $89,950

2022 price

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Jeep Grand Cherokee L

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLB

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mini 3D Hatch

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Polestar 2 Long Range

Polestar 2 Standard Range

Summary

2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E

2022 Audi SQ5

By Byron Mathioudakis

By Andrew Chesterton

Safety Rating

Electric motor type

—

Diesel Turbo 6, 3.0L

Vehicle type

—

Diesel/Electric

Electric range

—

7.0L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

—

Battery capacity

—

Seating

Likes

Sporty, involving drive
Improved comfort and functionality
Better efficiency

Style with little sacrifice
Plenty of on-board tech
SQ5 is a fun and engaging drive

Dislikes

The ride could be even softer
Poor vision
No spare wheel

Price penalty for Sportback
Regular Q5 Sportback more premium than performance-focused
Cabin not quite premium at every touchpoint

2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E Summary

Australian EV buyers seem to be missing the point of the Mustang Mach-E.

Yes, Ford’s exorbitant early pricing did not help – which the mid-sized EV has yet to recover from. And the V8-muscle-car image – and baggage – that the Mustang prefix brings no doubt confuses and even repels some people. Especially eco-conscious ones.

But it’s not that complicated. The Mach-E is merely meant to be a sporty, stylish and attainable family car, albeit with electric power.

Five years on from its US launch, does the 2026 Series II facelift keep up with newer and fresher electric SUV alternatives? And is it worth the premium that the Mustang badge commands?

View full pricing & specs

2022 Audi SQ5 Summary

The Audi Q5 now has a sportier-looking sibling, with the German brand's all-time best-selling SUV welcoming a sleeker, more aggressive solution it calls its Sportback range.

And look, spoiler alert, it looks better than the regular Q5. It's as simple as that. So if that's all you're here to find out, feel free to close the laptop, put the phone away, and move on with your day.

But you'd be doing yourself a disservice, because there are more questions to be answered here. Like will you paying in on-board comfort for this new raked roofline? Do the Sportback's sporty intentions make for a more annoying daily drive? And how much does Audi want you to pay for one?

All these questions and more answered. So stay with me.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E 2022 Audi SQ5

Verdict

EV buyers who don’t or won’t see the point of the Mustang Mach-E are missing out.

This is a sporty and fun-to-drive electric SUV in the same way that the Ranger is the sporty and fun-to-drive ute. In other words, a lot of what makes Fords brilliant is alive and well here, without compromising functionality. The opposite of so many Chinese electric SUVs that shine brightest on the showroom floor, then.

Yes, a base Select that is around $10K cheaper to start with might help punters see the light even more clearly (and that's our choice), and it is starting to look dated inside and out, but overall, the Mach-E is an enjoyable, fulfilling and practical family proposition.

Verdict

Let’s forget the money, for a second, because yes, you’re paying more for the Sportback variant. But if you can afford it, then why wouldn’t you. This is a sleeker, sportier and more stylish answer to the regular Q5, which was already a super-solid offering in the segment. And as far as I can tell, the practicality sacrifices you have to make are minimal at best.

So why not?

Ford Mustang Mach-E vs Audi SQ5 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Ford Mustang Mach-E vs Audi SQ5
What's the difference?