2027 Audi Q7 vs Audi Q5: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the Q5 — it leads our weighted scorecard 4.5–3.5 across 8 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($53,300 vs $70,900) and better fuel economy (24 mpg vs 22 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Q7 if you want the most power (591 hp vs 362 hp).
Scorecard: Q7 3.5 pts · Q5 4.5 pts across 8 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 Q7 | 2027 Q5 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $70,900 | $53,300 | Q5 |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 35.4% | 36.7% | Tie |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 22 mpg | 24 mpg | Q5 |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 591 hp | 362 hp | Q7 |
| Max towing (1) | 7,700 lb | 4,400 lb | Q7 |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | — | 27.6 cu ft | No data |
| Standard seats (1) | 7 | 5 | Q7 |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 5.3% off MSRP | 8% off MSRP | Q5 |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | 4 | 6 | Q7 |
| Weighted points | 3.5 | 4.5 | Q5 |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the Q5 — 24 mpg vs 22 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the Q7 — 7 vs 5 (standard seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the Q5 — $53,300 vs $70,900 (starting MSRP).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: it's a wash — Q7 35.4% vs Q5 36.7% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the Q7 — 7,700 lb vs 4,400 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The Q7 starts at $70,900 and tops out at $98,700; the Q5 runs $53,300 to $67,300 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified Q7 buyers paid a median 5.3% off MSRP across 15 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 10.8% off. Verified Q5 buyers paid a median 8% off MSRP across 5 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 10% off.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- Q7: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Q5: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 model years: Q7 4, Q5 6.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Q5 2016 (caution).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 Q7 | 2027 Q5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $70,900 | $53,300 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $98,700 | $67,300 |
| Horsepower | 429–591 hp | 268–362 hp |
| Max torque | 590 lb-ft | 406 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 20–22 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 24 mpg |
| Max towing | 7,700 lb | 4,400 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 7 / 7 | 5 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | — | 27.6 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) Q7 lists for a median $25,345 — 35.4% of today's median new price of $71,533. A 5-year-old (2021) Q5 lists for a median $22,166 — 36.7% of today's median new price of $60,431.
Shop both
- See 5,589 new 2027 Audi Q7s for sale →Median listed price $85,556 · updated Nov 7, 2026
- See new 2027 Audi Q5s for sale →
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Audi Q7
More on the Audi Q5
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the Q7 better than the Q5?
On our data, no — the Q5 comes out ahead. Our pick: the Q5 — it leads our weighted scorecard 4.5–3.5 across 8 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($53,300 vs $70,900) and better fuel economy (24 mpg vs 22 mpg best EPA combined). Choose the Q7 if you want the most power (591 hp vs 362 hp).
Which is more reliable, the Q7 or the Q5?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns touching the 2023–2025 Q7 and 6 for the Q5.
Which holds its value better, the Q7 or the Q5?
About the same — 35.4% vs 36.7% retained after five years (within 2 points).
Which is cheaper, the Q7 or the Q5?
The Q5 starts lower: $53,300 vs $70,900 starting MSRP (before destination). Verified buyers paid a median 5.3% off MSRP on the Q7 (15 deals) and 8% on the Q5 (5 deals).
Which has better gas mileage, the Q7 or the Q5?
The Q5: up to 24 mpg combined vs 22 mpg for the Q7 (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2027 Audi Q7 vs Audi Q5: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/audi-q7-vs-audi-q5, updated November 8, 2026.