Robust Reliability

You crave a vehicle with a brawny powertrain that delivers rapid acceleration, impressive torque, and agile handling to ensure every trip is dynamic and exhilarating. The Discovery Sport and the Audi Q5 start on a level playing field by equipping similar 2.0L 4-cylinder engines. However, engine performance isn’t about size alone—it’s about precision engineering that harnesses and maximizes its power, and that’s where the Discovery Sport excels.

Both compact SUVs come standard with All Wheel Drive, which directs power for optimal grip when/where it’s needed and aids fuel economy when it’s not. They each also include a range of adaptive drive modes to adjust your ride to conditions or based on your mood.

Still, the Discovery Sport offers more with the Dynamic Handling Package. When optionally equipped, Configurable and Adaptive Dynamics are added to your SUV. These let you personalize throttle mapping and gearbox shift points for a more tailored performance feel. While the Q5 has a similar system, it locks these performance settings into one of four driving presets.

Rugged Resilience

As part of your spirited nature, you and your family thrive on exploring areas off the beaten path. That’s why you need a versatile machine bred with off-road prowess. While each has a standard All Wheel Drive system, it’s the Discovery Sport that is ready to prove it’s as resilient and adaptable as you are with standard:

• Dynamic Stability Control
• Trailer Stability Assist
• Hill Launch Assist
• Hill Descent Control

With this arsenal of capable features, the Discovery Sport helps you remain poised under pressure, adjusting on the fly no matter what you encounter. Going beyond these tools, impromptu adventures are always possible with the Discovery Sport, thanks to 8.35 inches of ground clearance and its water-fording ability up to 23.6 inches. The Audi Q5 falls short in each of these areas.

Although the Q5 provides impressive performance, the Discovery Sport invites you to explore every winding country road or uncharted dirt path you chance upon.

Solid Silhouette, Stunning Style

Although compact in stature, the Discovery Sport presents a personality that’s big, bold, loud, and proud. Its audacious, muscular stance is balanced with sculpted lines in a perfect union of strength and sophistication.

Audi adopts an aesthetic of modern minimalism that's more familiar than the utilitarian design of the Discovery Sport. Although sleek and refined, it may be better suited to urban travelers navigating cityscapes rather than off-road adventurers exploring unmarked territory. The Discovery DNA is evident from its edgy Gloss Black grille with signature hexagon pattern, striking rear roof pillar, and rugged 18- to 21-inch wheels.

Clearly, the Discovery Sport makes no apology in making its presence known. The Q5 attempts to replicate the more prominent fascia of the Discovery Sport but pales in comparison.

Inviting Interiors

Just because you can roam without limit and head off into the rough doesn’t mean you have to “rough it.” The Discovery Sport and the Audi Q5 furnish their well-appointed, driver-centric cabins with a flair that’s also functional. Among their similarities are:

• Leather seating surfaces
• Heated front seats
• Multi-zone climate control

You can expand your window on the world, flooding the cabin with natural light in either model—with one caveat: the fixed panoramic glass roof comes standard with the Discovery Sport, while it’s only an option with the Audi. The Discovery Sport also ensures the air you and your passengers breathe is clean, thanks to its standard Cabin Air Purification Plus system. Unfortunately, the Q5 offers no similar system to filter out harmful dust particles.

Smart and Seamless

The Discovery Sport and the Audi Q5 come well-equipped with intuitive infotainment systems to keep you plugged in and in the loop while on the go. Answering the demands of modern drivers like you, both models also have standard Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™ to access your apps, maps, music, contacts, and more.

Both models offer premium audio systems to catch up on your favorite podcast, listen to an audiobook during your commute, or blast your favorite road trip playlist when you head out on vacation. Once again, though, the Discovery Sport includes more standard infotainment features, like a standard wireless phone charger, to make your time on the road that much more enjoyable and convenient.

The addition of a wireless phone charger, which may be available with the Audi Q5, helps keep your device charged while keeping the cabin clear of cluttered cables.

Safe and Sound

Peace of mind is paramount when you’re behind the wheel, especially when you have a car full of your nearest and dearest. Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), astute sensors, and intelligent alert systems help keep a watchful eye out for you and everyone on board. Like a vigilant virtual copilot, the Discovery Sport and the Audi Q5 take your safety as seriously as you do with these standard ADAS:

• Emergency Brake Assist
• Lane Keep Assist
• Blind Spot Assist/Rear Traffic Monitor
• Auto High Beam Assist

Continuing its previous trend, the Discovery Sport goes above and beyond to keep you and your passengers secure with features the Audi Q5 lacks, such as the Driver Condition Monitor. This feature tracks driving patterns and watches for signs of drowsy or distracted driving.