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DS7 Crossback vs Audi Q5: French flair versus German reliability

DS7 Crossback vs Audi Q5: French elegance meets German engineering. Can you compare these cars, and if so, which one is better? Read all about it in this blog.

Author:
Niels Copier

In this comparison, we pit two premium SUVs against each other, each offering luxury and comfort in its own way: the stylish DS7 Crossback and the solid Audi Q5. Both models focus on comfort, high-quality finishes, and a refined driving experience, but they do so with completely different approaches.

The DS7 Crossback stands out with its distinctive design, lavishly finished interior, and a touch of French flair.

The Audi Q5, on the other hand, is known for its excellent build quality, refined driving dynamics, and recognizable, understated style.

We look at key aspects such as comfort, interior quality, all-round visibility, road handling, driving characteristics, and design to discover which of these two premium SUVs best suits your needs.

DS7 Crossback: French luxury with a unique character

The DS7 Crossback is an SUV that proves luxury doesn't necessarily have to be German. It is built on Stellantis' excellent STLA Medium platform, which offers a clever balance between comfort and sportiness.

As soon as you step inside, you immediately notice that DS is trying to create something special: the interior breathes French elegance with great attention to detail, luxury materials, and a distinctive design.

The seats are generous and comfortable, and the high seating position ensures good all-round visibility. One of the standout features is the Active Scan Suspension, a smart system that scans the road surface and adjusts the damping accordingly.

The result is a wonderfully smooth ride, as if the car is gliding over bumps. The DS7 is quiet and relaxed, ideal for long journeys or comfortable daily driving. In terms of design, the DS7 Crossback is a real head-turner.

The striking grille, graceful light units, and playful lines give the car a stylish and chic appearance. The interior reinforces that feeling with beautiful details such as analog-style clocks, diamond-shaped buttons, and ambient lighting.

However, not everything is perfect: some dashboard parts feel a bit hard and prone to scratching, and the infotainment system can be somewhat slow and less intuitive than that of its German competitors.

In short: the DS7 Crossback distinguishes itself with its elegant design, comfortable ride, and luxurious interior. It is a car for those who enjoy driving something unique and value style and comfort over pure sportiness.

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DS7 Crossback highlights

  • Unique and fashionable French design
  • Comfortable ride with Active Scan Suspension
  • Luxurious interior with high-quality materials
  • Plug-in hybrid and automatic available

Audi Q5: Reliability and luxury in a familiar package

The Audi Q5 is exactly what you expect from an Audi: reliable, luxurious, and stylishly designed. With its recognizable large grille, clean lines, and understated premium look, the Q5 exudes class without being over the top.

The interior is one of its strong points: high-quality materials, perfect finishing, and a sleek, logically laid-out dashboard provide a premium feel the moment you step inside.

The seating position is comfortable and elevated, providing excellent all-round visibility, and there is plenty of space for families and long journeys both in the front and back. On the road, the Q5 behaves just as you would expect from an Audi: stable, predictable, and solid.

Especially with the Quattro all-wheel-drive system, the car feels safe and controlled in all weather conditions. The suspension is comfortable but keeps the bodywork nicely in check, resulting in a refined driving experience.

However, the handling is on the clinical side: the Q5 is efficient and precise, but sometimes lacks a bit of emotion or playfulness. You drive it like a perfect machine, but the car is less inviting for truly engaging driving than some of its competitors.

The design is typical Audi: clean, timeless, and understated. As a result, the Q5 may not look the most striking, but it is precisely that recognizable style that ensures it doesn't age quickly and is widely appreciated.

In short: the Audi Q5 is a comfortable, safe, and excellently built SUV with a luxurious interior and predictable driving characteristics. It is the ideal choice for those who value reliability, quality, and a timeless design, even if it lacks some emotional engagement behind the wheel.

View all Audi Q5s ->

Audi Q5 highlights

  • High-quality, refined interior
  • Very stable and predictable handling
  • Quattro all-wheel drive for any weather
  • Wide range of powertrains including plug-in hybrid
  • Objectively a more thoroughly engineered premium SUV

Conclusion: DS7 Crossback vs Audi Q5 – French flair versus German reliability

When you place the DS7 Crossback and the Audi Q5 side by side, you get two premium SUVs that appeal to the same audience, but each with a completely different approach.

The Audi Q5 is the rational choice: it excels in refinement, build quality, and finish. Everything feels solid and premium, from the buttons to the upholstery.

The interior exudes class and timelessness, and on the road, you can tell that Audi has its engineering well sorted. The Q5 drives quietly, stably, and predictably—an SUV that feels like a well-tailored suit.

The DS7 Crossback takes a different approach. Where Audi opts for understated luxury, DS chooses bold design and character. The DS7 is more affordable to purchase, yet still manages to impress with its stylish French flair, luxury materials, and unique details, such as the striking lighting and the chic interior.

The suspension is comfortable, especially with the Active Scan Suspension system that scans the road surface and adjusts accordingly. The infotainment is slightly less user-friendly than the Audi's, and some interior components feel just a little less refined.

Both models are available with modern powertrains, including plug-in hybrids and automatic transmissions, and offer comfortable driving characteristics.

The Audi is objectively the more thoroughly engineered and refined car, however, while the DS7 succeeds in seducing you with its exclusive appearance and fashionable character.

The choice between the DS7 Crossback and the Audi Q5 depends heavily on your personal preference. The Audi Q5 is the safe choice for those seeking top quality and refinement, while the DS7 is an attractive alternative for those who enjoy driving something distinctive and stylish without compromising on comfort.

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