The compact luxury crossover segment is fiercely competitive, with discerning buyers demanding the perfect blend of performance, luxury, and practicality. In 2018, two models stood out, battling for supremacy: the established Audi Q5 and the dynamic newcomer, the 2018 Jaguar F-pace. Both vehicles were sales leaders for their respective brands in 2017 and continued their strong performance into 2018, reflecting the growing demand for premium SUVs. The Audi Q5 enjoyed its best sales year to date, selling over 57,000 units in the US, while the 2018 Jaguar F-Pace, in its debut year, impressively sold over 17,000 units, marking a significant entry for Jaguar into the SUV market. This begs the question: When comparing these two luxury crossovers, which one truly reigns supreme?
A Legacy of Automotive Excellence: Heritage of Jaguar and Audi
Audi and Jaguar, while both giants in the automotive world, possess distinct heritages that shape their brand identities. Audi’s roots trace back to Germany in 1909, navigating through periods under Daimler (Mercedes-Benz parent company) and eventually becoming a cornerstone of the Volkswagen Group since 1966. Jaguar’s journey began in 1922 as the Swallow Sidecar Company, officially becoming Jaguar cars in 1945. Through mergers and acquisitions, including periods under British Motor Corporation, British Leyland, Ford, and finally Tata Motors in 2008, which formed Jaguar Land Rover Limited, Jaguar has shown resilience and adaptability.
Both brands have faced challenges in their histories, experiencing phases where their reputations wavered. However, today, both Audi and Jaguar are thriving, lauded for their cutting-edge design, advanced technology, and exhilarating performance. They consistently receive high marks for initial quality and long-term reliability, proving their commitment to excellence.
Verdict: Heritage – Tie
Striking Silhouettes: Exterior Design Showdown
The 2018 Audi Q5 presents a sharp, athletic, and meticulously crafted exterior. Its design is characterized by crisp lines and assertive styling. The prominent single-frame Audi grille, adorned with the iconic four rings, immediately establishes its brand identity. The sculpted hood and body, featuring strong lines and deep contours, contribute to its dynamic appearance. Tall wheel arches accentuate the wheels, and an integrated rear spoiler elegantly completes the roofline.
In contrast, the 2018 Jaguar F-Pace is unmistakably a Jaguar, showcasing the brand’s signature grille and distinctive air intakes. A powerful hood design seamlessly connects the grille to the flowing roofline. The body sides are elegantly sculpted, subtly widening at the fenders before culminating in a convex tailgate. The 2018 F-Pace boasts a slightly longer wheelbase (113.2 inches vs. 111.0 inches) and overall length (186.3 inches vs. 183.6 inches) compared to the Q5, giving it a visually more substantial presence on the road.
Verdict: Exterior Design – Jaguar F-PACE
Interior Sanctuary: Design and Comfort Inside
Audi has long been celebrated for its interior design prowess, particularly its minimalist, Bauhaus-inspired aesthetic. The Q5’s cabin embodies this philosophy with a wraparound dashboard featuring a strong horizontal design element, creating a sense of spaciousness. A prominent infotainment screen is positioned atop the center stack, perfectly within the driver’s line of sight. Audi’s optional virtual cockpit, a fully digital 12.3-inch TFT screen for the instrument panel, is a standout feature, combining functionality and visual appeal.
The 2018 Jaguar F-Pace adopts a more driver-focused interior layout. The instrument panel, center stack, and center console converge to create a cockpit-like environment, enveloping the driver. The F-Pace‘s infotainment screen is positioned lower on the dashboard, beneath the HVAC vents. While both vehicles offer seating for five, the rear center seat in both models is best suited for occasional use due to limited comfort.
Verdict: Interior Design – Audi Q5
Power Under the Hood: Engine Options and Performance
The 2018 Jaguar F-Pace offers a range of engine choices, all emphasizing performance. The lineup includes two turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engines: a 247-hp version in the 25t models and a more powerful 296-hp variant in the 30t models. For those seeking more power, the S model features a 380-hp 3.0-liter supercharged V6 gasoline engine, and the top-tier SVR model boasts a formidable 5.0-liter 550-hp supercharged V8 gasoline engine. A fuel-efficient 180-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel four-cylinder engine is also available in the 20d version. Fuel economy for the 25t and 30t is rated at 22 mpg city/27 mpg highway/24 mpg combined, while the S achieves 18 mpg city/23 mpg highway/20 mpg combined, and the 20d excels at 26 mpg city/33 mpg highway/29 mpg combined.
The Audi Q5 features a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine producing 252 hp. The sportier SQ5 variant is equipped with a 354-hp 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 gasoline engine. The Q5 is rated at 23 mpg city/27 mpg highway/25 mpg combined, and the SQ5 achieves 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway/21 mpg combined.
Verdict: Engine – Jaguar F-PACE (due to broader range and higher performance options)
Drivetrain and Handling Dynamics
Every 2018 Jaguar F-Pace model comes standard with all-wheel drive and Active Driveline torque on demand, primarily sending power to the rear wheels for a more engaging driving experience. The Audi Q5 and SQ5 utilize Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system for confident traction. The F-Pace employs a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission across all trims. The Q5 uses a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), while the SQ5 features an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. Paddle shifters are standard on both models, allowing for manual gear control.
A notable feature of the Jaguar F-Pace is the optional Adaptive Surface Response, a sophisticated traction control system designed to optimize performance on various low-grip surfaces, enhancing driver confidence in challenging conditions.
Verdict: Transmission/Drive System – Jaguar F-PACE (for standard AWD and advanced traction tech)
Cutting-Edge Technology and Connectivity
The 2018 Jaguar F-Pace offers Jaguar’s InControl Touch Pro infotainment system, featuring a responsive 10.2-inch capacitive touchscreen. An available virtual 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster provides a customizable display, including full-screen navigation and a laser head-up display. InControl Wi-Fi, capable of supporting up to eight devices, is also available. Jaguar’s innovative Activity Key, a waterproof, wearable technology, allows drivers to securely leave their conventional keys inside the locked vehicle.
The Audi Q5 includes a standard 7.0-inch high-mounted TFT infotainment display, with an optional upgrade to an 8.3-inch TFT display. Audi also offers its “virtual cockpit,” MMI all-in-touch with handwriting recognition, a premium Bang & Olufsen audio system with 3D surround sound, and advanced keyless entry and start.
Verdict: Technology – Tie (Both offer advanced tech, Jaguar with Activity Key, Audi with Virtual Cockpit)
Ride and Handling: Braking, Suspension, and Agility
The 2018 Jaguar F-Pace is equipped with a lightweight and rigid four-wheel independent suspension, utilizing a double-wishbone front and Integral Link rear setup, constructed largely from aluminum. Ventilated disc brakes are standard on all four wheels. Torque vectoring and electronically assisted power steering contribute to its agile handling.
The Audi Q5 and SQ5 feature five-link front and rear independent suspension. The Q5 offers optional adaptive damping suspension, while the SQ5 includes it as standard, and an adaptive air suspension is available for the SQ5. Ventilated disc brakes are standard on all Q5 models. Steering is an electromechanical speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion system. Torque vectoring is integrated into the Quattro all-wheel drive system in both Q5 variants.
Verdict: Braking/Suspension/Handling – Tie (Both offer sophisticated suspension and handling)
Practicality and Space: Cargo and Towing Capabilities
A key factor in the popularity of crossover vehicles is their enhanced utility. The Q5 and SQ5 offer a respectable 26.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 60.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Q5 has a towing capacity of 4,400 lbs when properly equipped.
The 2018 Jaguar F-Pace surpasses the Q5 in both cargo and towing. It provides a generous 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 63.5 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The F-Pace also boasts a higher towing capacity of 5,291 lbs with trailer brakes.
Verdict: Cargo/Towing – Jaguar F-PACE (for superior cargo and towing capacity)
Trim Levels, Pricing, and Value Proposition
The 2018 Audi Q5 is available in three trim levels: Premium (starting at $41,500), Premium Plus (starting at $45,500), and Prestige (starting at $50,800). The SQ5 is offered in Premium Plus (starting at $54,300) and Prestige (starting at $58,500) trims. Audi provides a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a complimentary first scheduled maintenance program.
Jaguar offers a wider range of seven 2018 F-Pace trim levels: base ($42,065), Premium ($44,775), Prestige ($49,125), R-Sport ($54,175), S ($59,775), Portfolio ($62,000), and the high-performance SVR ($79,990). Every Jaguar includes a five-year/60,000-mile limited warranty, five years/60,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance and roadside assistance, and five years/unlimited miles of Jaguar InControl Remote & Protect.
Verdict: Trim Levels and Pricing – Jaguar F-PACE (for better warranty and maintenance package)
Conclusion: Choosing Between Luxury Crossovers
If you are in the market for a luxury compact crossover and considering either the Audi Q5 or the Jaguar F-Pace, you are making an excellent choice within a competitive segment that also includes the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Porsche Macan, Lexus RX, Infiniti QX50, Mercedes-Benz GLC Class, and BMW X3.
However, if your decision is narrowed down to the Q5 and the F-Pace, the recommendation leans towards the 2018 Jaguar F-Pace. While it might require a slightly higher initial investment for comparably equipped models, the Jaguar F-Pace delivers a more exclusive ownership experience, representing Jaguar’s pinnacle of design and engineering. You will benefit from its more spacious interior, enhanced cargo capacity, and the added peace of mind offered by a longer factory warranty and complimentary scheduled maintenance. For those seeking a luxury crossover that blends performance, style, and practicality with a touch of British exclusivity, the 2018 Jaguar F-Pace is the superior choice.
