Jaguar F-PACE vs Audi Q5: Which Luxury SUV Should You Buy?
A spec-by-spec comparison of the 2026 F-PACE and the new 2026 Audi Q5, trim for trim, with the ownership costs and availability details that most comparisons leave out.
The short answer
Choose the Audi Q5 if you want quicker acceleration from the base engine, slightly better highway fuel economy and a newer design. Choose the Jaguar F-PACE if you want more cargo space (70.4 cu ft maximum against 56.9), a higher towing rating (5,291 lb against 4,400), rear-biased handling and longer factory coverage, with 5 years or 60,000 miles of warranty and complimentary maintenance against Audi's 4-year warranty and 3-year maintenance program. The 2026 F-PACE is the final model year, and Carscoops reported in July 2026 that remaining new units were being discounted nationally.
+13.5 cu ftF-PACE maximum cargo advantage
+891 lbF-PACE towing advantage
1.1 secQ5 0-60 advantage, base engines
Base engines: F-PACE P250 vs Q5
Most shoppers compare the entry trims, both powered by turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines with standard all-wheel drive. Figures are manufacturer and EPA ratings as listed by Kelley Blue Book and fueleconomy.gov.
| Specification | 2026 Jaguar F-PACE P250 R-Dynamic S | 2026 Audi Q5 TFSI quattro |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L turbo four-cylinder | 2.0L turbo four-cylinder |
| Horsepower / torque | 246 hp / 269 lb-ft | 268 hp / 295 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch |
| 0-60 mph (manufacturer) | 6.9 sec | 5.8 sec |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 22 / 27 / 24 mpg | 21 / 29 / 24 mpg |
| Maximum cargo | 70.4 cu ft | 56.9 cu ft |
| Towing | 5,291 lb | 4,400 lb |
| Ground clearance | 8.4 in | 8.2 in |
| Length / wheelbase | 186.9 in / 113.1 in | 185.7 in / 110.9 in |
| Original MSRP incl. destination | $58,375 | $54,095 (Premium) |
The Q5 is quicker and cheaper at list price. Combined fuel economy is a tie at 24 mpg, with the F-PACE slightly better in the city and the Q5 better on the highway. The F-PACE is marginally longer overall but uses its size for a larger cargo area and a higher towing rating. The list-price gap may be smaller in practice, since the F-PACE is sold from final inventory and the Q5 is a new-generation model. Current pricing on specific cars is on our F-PACE inventory page.
Performance trims: F-PACE P400 vs SQ5
Step up to six cylinders and the two are closely matched on price, with different approaches to power.
| Specification | 2026 Jaguar F-PACE P400 R-Dynamic S | 2026 Audi SQ5 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0L turbo and supercharged inline-six, mild hybrid | 3.0L turbo V6 |
| Horsepower / torque | 395 hp / 406 lb-ft | 362 hp / 406 lb-ft |
| 0-60 mph (manufacturer) | 5.1 sec | 4.6 sec |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 19 / 25 / 21 mpg | 21 / 28 / 23 mpg |
| Maximum cargo | 70.4 cu ft | 57.1 cu ft |
| Towing | 5,291 lb | 4,400 lb |
| Original MSRP incl. destination | $67,875 | $66,695 (Premium) |
The P400 makes 33 more horsepower and the same torque, yet Audi quotes a quicker 0-60 time for the SQ5, helped by its quick-shifting dual-clutch transmission. The SQ5 is also more efficient. The F-PACE keeps its large cargo advantage at this level, and its 5,291 lb towing rating is unchanged from the P250, against 4,400 lb for the SQ5. Above both sits the F-PACE SVR, with a 567-horsepower supercharged V8 and a manufacturer 0-60 time of 3.8 seconds, which has no direct Q5 equivalent.
Space, towing and everyday practicality
Cargo
With the rear seats folded, the F-PACE offers 70.4 cu ft against 56.9 for the Q5 and 57.1 for the SQ5. That is 13.5 cu ft more room, about 24 percent more, when the car is loaded to the roof. Our F-PACE interior dimensions guide breaks down the space seat by seat.
Towing
The F-PACE P250 is rated to 5,291 lb with the factory tow package, against 4,400 lb for the Q5. That margin matters for small boats and camping trailers on trips out to the Shenandoah Valley or the Chesapeake. See our F-PACE towing capacity guide for what it can safely pull.
How they feel on the road
The two all-wheel-drive systems are built on opposite philosophies, and you feel it.
F-PACE: Intelligent Driveline Dynamics
Jaguar's system keeps most of the drive at the rear, about 90 percent in normal conditions by Jaguar's figures, and can send up to half forward within 165 milliseconds when grip drops. The result is a rear-wheel-drive feel through corners and on-ramps, with all-wheel-drive traction when the road turns slick.
Q5: quattro with ultra technology
Audi's system runs as front-wheel drive at light loads to save fuel and connects the rear axle ahead of need, reading conditions every 10 milliseconds. It feels efficient, predictable and secure, with a front-driven character in everyday driving.
Drivers who enjoy the steering and balance of a sport sedan tend to prefer the F-PACE. Drivers who want the most composed, efficient daily commuter often lean toward the Q5. The only way to settle it is to drive both on the same roads. The Dulles Toll Road and the curves of Route 123 near Tysons are a good test of each.
Cabin, screens and rear-seat room
| Feature | 2026 Jaguar F-PACE | 2026 Audi Q5 |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment | Pivi Pro, 11.4-inch curved-glass touchscreen | 14.5-inch MMI touch display |
| Driver display | Digital instrument cluster | 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit |
| Passenger screen | Not offered | Optional 10.9-inch passenger display (Technology package) |
| Rear legroom | 37.2 in | 38 in |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 32.1 cu ft | 27.6 cu ft |
The Q5's newer interior leans heavily on screens, including an optional display for the front passenger, and it offers slightly more rear legroom. The F-PACE's single curved touchscreen is simpler, and it has more cargo space behind the rear seats as well as with them folded. Screen sizes are drawn from manufacturer and retailer listings, and legroom and cargo figures from published spec databases; sit in both before deciding, because seat comfort and visibility are personal.
Ownership costs and coverage
Factory coverage is where the F-PACE has a clear, measurable advantage, and it has a real effect on the cost of the first five years. The F-PACE also includes 5 years or 60,000 miles of 24/7 roadside assistance.
| Coverage | Jaguar F-PACE (EliteCare) | Audi Q5 |
|---|---|---|
| New vehicle limited warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
| Complimentary scheduled maintenance | 5 years / 60,000 miles | Scheduled services at 1 year/10,000, 2 years/20,000 and 3 years/30,000 miles, plus one brake-fluid service (Audi Signature Care, all 2026 models) |
For a buyer keeping the car five years, the F-PACE's longer included maintenance covers services that a Q5 owner would pay for in years four and five. Our F-PACE 5-year ownership cost table shows what the first five years of F-PACE ownership typically cost.
On reliability, the brand-level studies give each side a point, and the new-generation Q5 is too new for model-specific long-term data.
| Study (lower PP100 is better) | Jaguar | Audi |
|---|---|---|
| J.D. Power Initial Quality Study 2025 (industry avg 192) | 175 PP100, 2nd among premium brands | 269 PP100, last overall |
| J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study 2026 (industry avg 204) | Not ranked (too few responses) | 244 PP100, 25th of 29 |
| RepairPal rating and average annual repair cost | 2.5 / 5 (29th of 32); about $1,123 | 3.0 / 5 (28th of 32); about $987 |
Jaguar scored markedly better in J.D. Power's 2025 Initial Quality Study; it had too few responses to be ranked in the 2026 Dependability Study, where Audi placed 25th of 29. RepairPal's repair-shop data rates Audi slightly higher and cheaper to repair. Our guide to Jaguar reliability covers the studies in detail.
Buying either one right now
The two SUVs are at opposite points in their lives, which changes how to shop for each.
| Buying factor | Jaguar F-PACE | Audi Q5 |
|---|---|---|
| Where it is in its life | Final model year; production ended December 2025 | New-generation model |
| Pricing | Sold from remaining inventory; Carscoops reported discounts of around $10,000 on 2026 F-PACEs nationally in July 2026 | Current-model pricing and manufacturer incentives |
| Choice of configurations | Limited to what is in stock | Full factory ordering available |
A certified pre-owned F-PACE is the other route: Jaguar Approved coverage is "one year / unlimited miles or a two year / 100,000 miles (whichever comes first)" after the new-car warranty ends, depending on the vehicle, plus a 165-point inspection. If you are trading in your current SUV, our trade-in valuation tool gives you a number to compare against any offer. Final-inventory discounts vary by trim and change over time, so check the current price on a specific F-PACE rather than relying on a national average.
The verdict
Choose the F-PACE if you...
- Regularly fill the cargo area or tow
- Want rear-biased, sport-sedan-style handling
- Plan to keep the car five years and value the longer warranty and included maintenance
- Want a V8 option, via the SVR
- Like the idea of owning a final-year model, often at a reduced price
Choose the Q5 if you...
- Want the quickest acceleration from the base engine
- Do most of your driving on the highway and want the best highway mpg
- Prefer the newest interior and technology design
- Prioritize the lowest list price
If you are also weighing a sportier alternative, our F-PACE vs Porsche Macan comparison covers that match-up, and our F-PACE vs BMW X3 comparison covers the other common cross-shop. Production of the F-PACE ended in December 2025, which does not affect warranty or service support.
F-PACE vs Q5 questions
Is the Jaguar F-PACE better than the Audi Q5?
It depends on your priorities. The F-PACE has more cargo space (70.4 vs 56.9 cu ft), a higher towing rating (5,291 vs 4,400 lb) and longer factory warranty and maintenance coverage. The Q5 is quicker with its base engine, has slightly better highway fuel economy and a lower list price.
Which is faster, the F-PACE or the Q5?
With base engines, the Q5 is quicker: 5.8 seconds to 60 mph against 6.9 for the F-PACE P250, by manufacturer figures. The SQ5, at 4.6 seconds, is quicker than the F-PACE P400 at 5.1, but the F-PACE SVR, at 3.8 seconds, is quicker than any Q5.
Which has more cargo space, the F-PACE or the Q5?
The F-PACE. It offers 70.4 cu ft of maximum cargo space with the rear seats folded, against 56.9 cu ft for the Q5 and 57.1 for the SQ5.
Which has the better warranty?
The F-PACE. Jaguar EliteCare includes a 5-year or 60,000-mile warranty and complimentary scheduled maintenance for the same term. Audi's Q5 has a 4-year or 50,000-mile warranty and covers scheduled maintenance for the first 3 years or 30,000 miles.
Is the Jaguar F-PACE still being made?
No. The final F-PACE was built on December 19, 2025, making the 2026 model the last. New units are available from remaining retailer stock, and warranty and service support continue as normal.