Compare the2026 Lexus GXVS 2026 Audi Q7

The Lexus GX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Q7 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Both the GX and the Q7 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, 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 and available around view monitors.

The Lexus GX weighs 536 to 761 pounds more than the Audi Q7. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Lexus GX is safer than the Audi Q7:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the GX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the Q7. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Q7 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

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 GX’s 3.4 turbo V6 produces 88 more horsepower (349 vs. 261) and 206 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 273) than the Q7 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The GX’s 3.4 turbo V6 produces 14 more horsepower (349 vs. 335) and 110 lbs.-ft. more torque (479 vs. 369) than the Q7 55 TFSI’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus GX higher (5 out of 10) than the Audi Q7 (4). This means the GX produces up to 5.2 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Q7 every 15,000 miles.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus GX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the Q7.

The GX stops shorter than the Q7:

For better traction, the GX has larger tires than the Q7 (265/55R20 vs. 255/55R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the GX offers optional 22-inch wheels. The Q7’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Lexus GX’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Audi Q7 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The GX has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the Q7; 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. Some tire options on the Q7 don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

The GX Overtrail has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The Q7 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

For better maneuverability, the GX’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the Q7’s (39.4 feet vs. 41 feet).

For greater off-road capability the GX 550 Premium has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Q7 (8.7 vs. 8.3 inches), allowing the GX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The GX 550 Overtrail’s minimum ground clearance is .1 inch higher than on the Q7 w/Air Suspension (9.8 vs. 9.7 inches).

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the GX’s middle and third row seats recline. The Q7’s third row seats don’t recline.

The GX’s cargo area provides more volume than the Q7.

The GX’s rear cargo window opens separately from the rest of the liftgate door to allow quicker loading of small packages. The Q7’s rear cargo window doesn’t open.

The GX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the Q7’s (9063 vs. 4409 pounds). Maximum trailer towing in the Audi Q7 is only 7716 pounds. The GX offers up to a 9096 lbs. towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the GX 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 Q7 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 GX’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 Q7 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the GX has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Q7 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The GX has a 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 Q7 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lexus GX and the Audi Q7, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Lexus GX outsold the Audi Q7/SQ7 by 50% during 2024.