Compare the2024 Land Rover Range Rover VelarVS 2023 Audi SQ5 Sportback

The Range Rover Velar’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Range Rover Velar and the SQ5 Sportback have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Land Rover vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 18 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Land Rover higher than Audi.

The Range Rover Velar HST P400’s standard 3.0 turbo/supercharged 6-cylinder hybrid produces 46 more horsepower (395 vs. 349) and 37 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 369) than the SQ5 Sportback’s 3.0 turbo V6.

On the EPA test cycle the Range Rover Velar gets better mileage than the SQ5 Sportback:

The Range Rover Velar has 3.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the SQ5 Sportback (21.7 vs. 18.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Land Rover Range Rover Velar higher (7 out of 10) than the Audi SQ5 Sportback (5). This means the Range Rover Velar produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the SQ5 Sportback every 15,000 miles.

For better stopping power the Range Rover Velar’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the SQ5 Sportback:

For better traction, the Range Rover Velar’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the SQ5 Sportback (265/45R21 vs. 255/45R20).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Range Rover Velar offers optional 22-inch wheels. The SQ5 Sportback’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Range Rover Velar offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the SQ5 Sportback; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Range Rover Velar’s wheelbase is 2.1 inches longer than on the SQ5 Sportback (113.1 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Range Rover Velar is 1.1 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the SQ5 Sportback.

The Range Rover Velar’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (50.1% to 49.9%) than the SQ5 Sportback’s (54.3% to 45.7%). This gives the Range Rover Velar more stable handling and braking.

The Land Rover Range Rover Velar may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 200 pounds less than the Audi SQ5 Sportback.

The Range Rover Velar has 1 inch more front headroom and 1.2 inches more rear headroom than the SQ5 Sportback.

The Range Rover Velar has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the SQ5 Sportback with its rear seat up (30.9 vs. 24.7 cubic feet). The Range Rover Velar has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the SQ5 Sportback with its rear seat folded (62.7 vs. 51.9 cubic feet).

The Range Rover Velar’s cargo area is larger than the SQ5 Sportback’s in every dimension:

The Range Rover Velar’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the SQ5 Sportback’s (5291 vs. 4400 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Audi SQ5 Sportback is only 4400 pounds. The Range Rover Velar offers up to a 5511 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) on the Range Rover Velar uses the Dynamic Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

The Range Rover Velar has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The SQ5 Sportback doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Range Rover Velar’s standard Entry and Exit Mode raises the steering wheel, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the SQ5 Sportback.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Range Rover Velar has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the SQ5 Sportback only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Range Rover Velar has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the SQ5 Sportback.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Land Rover Range Rover Velar has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the SQ5 Sportback Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.

The Range Rover Velar’s optional Park Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The SQ5 Sportback Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park.