Compare the2026 Lexus RXVS 2025 Audi new Q5

The Lexus RX 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.

To deliver safety and visibility under dusty conditions the Lexus RX’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 RX and the new Q5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RX 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 RX second among midsize 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 RX 350’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 RX 450h+ Luxury’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. The RX 500h F Sport Performance’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 98 more horsepower (366 vs. 268) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 295) than the new Q5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

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

The RX 450h+ can travel with zero emissions for 38 miles. The new Q5 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

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

The RX 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 stopping power the RX 500h’s brake rotors are larger than those on the new Q5:

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the new Q5. The RX’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the new Q5.

The RX has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the new Q5; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RX’s wheelbase is 1.3 inches longer than on the new Q5 (112.2 inches vs. 110.9 inches).

For better maneuverability, the RX 500h F Sport Performance’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the new Q5’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.7 feet).

The RX has 1.3 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom and .6 inches more rear shoulder room than the new Q5.

The RX has a much larger cargo volume than the new Q5 with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 27.6 cubic feet).

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the RX 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.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the new Q5, the RX 450h+ Luxury has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The RX’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 RX 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 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The RX’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the new Q5’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

The RX Premium/Luxury/F Sport has standard front air conditioned seats and the RX offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The new Q5 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The RX (except 350) offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The new Q5 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The RX’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Advanced 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 RX 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® recommends the Lexus RX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Lexus RX outsold the Audi Q5/SQ5 by over two to one during 2024.