Compare the2026 Lexus NXVS 2025 Audi new Q5

The Lexus NX has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The new Q5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Lexus NX achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Audi new Q5 has not been tested.

To deliver safety and visibility under dusty conditions the Lexus NX’s backup monitor has a standard rear washer to keep the view clear. A camera washer system costs extra on the Audi new Q5.

Both the NX and the new Q5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Lexus NX achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The new Q5 has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the NX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the new Q5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the new Q5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the NX second among compact premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The new Q5 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 103 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 30th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 133 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 7th.

The NX 350 AWD’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 7 more horsepower (275 vs. 268) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (317 vs. 295) than the new Q5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The NX 450h+ Premium AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 36 more horsepower (304 vs. 268) than the new Q5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the NX 450h running on electricity gets better mileage than the new Q5 (93 city/75 hwy MPGe vs. 22 city/30 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the NX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the new Q5:

The NX 450h can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The new Q5 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus NX 350 AWD, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the new Q5.

The NX offers an available continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The new Q5 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better maneuverability, the NX’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the new Q5’s (38 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The Lexus NX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 300 pounds less than the Audi new Q5.

The NX has .1 inches more front headroom, .1 inches more front legroom and .7 inches more rear headroom than the new Q5.

The front step up height for the NX is 1.2 inches lower than the new Q5 (17.8” vs. 19”). The NX’s rear step up height is 1.5 inches lower than the new Q5’s (18.2” vs. 19.7”).

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the NX uses the Vehicle 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 new Q5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 30% lower rating, Audi is ranked 18th.

The NX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The new Q5 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the NX has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the new Q5 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The NX Luxury/F Sport’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The new Q5’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

The NX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The new Q5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® chose the Lexus NX as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Lexus NX outsold the Audi Q5/SQ5 by 31% during 2024.