2025 Audi Q5 vs 2026 Lexus RX

$45,400 · Crossover

$49,725 · Crossover

Comparison Overview

Picking between the 2025 Audi Q5 and the 2026 Lexus RX often comes down to balancing immediate cost against long-term refinement and power. If stretching your budget is a concern, the Audi Q5 starts at a welcoming $45,400, significantly less than the $49,725 entry point for the Lexus. However, the RX immediately flexes its muscle with 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, handily beating the Q5’s 201 hp. While both require premium fuel, the Q5 offers slightly better efficiency at 26 combined MPG versus the RX’s 25. Practically, the RX is the larger vehicle, boasting 29.6 cu ft of cargo space, compared to the Q5’s 25.9 cu ft, and it's over six inches longer overall. The core dilemma is whether the $4,325 savings and slightly better mileage of the Q5 outweigh the substantial 74 hp advantage and increased utility offered by the larger RX.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Audi Q5

The Audi Q5 wins for commuters due to its slightly higher combined fuel economy rating of 26 MPG versus the RX's 25 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2026 Lexus RX

The 2026 Lexus RX is the better family choice because it offers superior space with 29.6 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the Q5's 25.9 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2026 Lexus RX

The Lexus RX is the winner for driving excitement, delivering 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, significantly eclipsing the Q5’s 201 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Audi Q5

The Audi Q5 provides better immediate value by having a lower MSRP of $45,400, undercutting the Lexus RX by $4,325.

Choose the Audi Q5 if...

You prioritize upfront savings, as the Audi Q5 has an MSRP of $45,400, which is $4,325 less than the RX.
You value slightly better fuel efficiency, with the Q5 achieving 29 MPG on the highway versus the RX’s 29 MPG (though the Q5 has better city MPG at 23).
You prefer the handling characteristics of an all-wheel drive system standard, unlike the RX’s standard front-wheel drive configuration.

Choose the Lexus RX if...

You need maximum utility, as the 2026 Lexus RX offers 29.6 cu ft of cargo capacity, significantly more than the Q5's 25.9 cu ft.
You desire considerably more power for merging or passing, benefiting from the RX’s 275 horsepower, a 74 hp advantage over the Q5.
You prefer a traditional 8-speed automatic transmission over the Q5’s 7-speed automated manual.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Audi Q5	Lexus RX
Length	184.3"	192.5"
Width	74.5"	75.6"
Height	65.5"	67.3"
Wheelbase	111.0"	112.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Audi	Lexus
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	✓
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	✓
Daytime Running Lights	✓	✓
Integrated Turn Signal Mirrors	✓	✓
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Multi-Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	—	✓
Front Fog Lights	—	✓
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Audi	Lexus
Base Engine Displacement	2.0 L	2.4 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	201 hp	275 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	236 lb-ft	317 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Audi	Lexus
Transmission Type	7-speed automated manual	8-speed shiftable automatic
Drivetrain Type	all wheel drive	front wheel drive
Center Differential Type	Limited Slip	—
Hill Descent Control	✓	—

Fuel

Feature	Audi	Lexus
Fuel Type	premium unleaded (recommended)	premium unleaded (recommended)
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	23/29 MPG	22/29 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	26 MPG	25 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	425.5/536.5 mi.	391.6/516.2 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	18.5 gal.	17.8 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Audi	Lexus
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	—
Transmission Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	✓
Universal Remote Transmitter	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Leather Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Heated Steering Wheel	✓	—
Three Zone Climate Control	✓	✓
Rear Ventilation Ducts with Fan Control	✓	✓
Interior Air Filtration	✓	✓
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror	✓	✓
Turn Signal Indicators in Mirrors	✓	✓
Power Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	—	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	—	✓
Wireless Charging Pad	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Audi	Lexus
Infotainment Display	10.1 in	9.8 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Stereo Power	180W	—
Speaker System	10	12
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	✓
Android Auto (Wired)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Subwoofer Count	—	1
Android Auto (Wireless)	—	✓
Satellite Radio	—	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	—	3 months

Power Feature

Feature	Audi	Lexus
One-Touch Power Windows	4	4
Keyless Entry	✓	✓
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Reverse Tilt Dual Mirrors	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Audi	Lexus
Front Head Room	39.6 in.	39.5 in.
Front Leg Room	40.9 in.	41.1 in.
Front Shoulder Room	57.7 in.	58.1 in.
Seat Material: Leather	✓	—
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Lumbar Support	Power	Power
Passenger Seat Power Adjustments	8-way	8-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Driver Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Passenger Seat Heating	Multi-level	Multi-level
Front Hip Room	—	56.7 in.
Seat Material: Leatherette	—	✓
Passenger Seat Lumbar Support	—	Power

Rearseats

Feature	Audi	Lexus
Rear Head Room	39.3 in.	38.6 in.
Rear Leg Room	38.0 in.	37.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.5 in.	56.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Reclining Rear Seats	✓	✓
Folding Rear Seat Feature	✓	—
Pass-Thru Center Armrest	✓	—
Rear Hip Room	—	55.9 in.
Folding Center Armrest	—	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Audi	Lexus
Wheel Material	Alloy	—
Wheel Size	18 x 8.0 in	19 x 8.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	235/60R18	✓
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Painted Alloy Wheels	—	✓
Polished Alloy Wheels	—	✓

Suspension

Feature	Audi	Lexus
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Audi	Lexus
Basic Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	4 yr./ 50000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	4 yr./ 50000 mi.	6 yr./ 70000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	12 yr./ unlimited mi.	6 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	4 yr./ unlimited mi.	4 yr./ unlimited mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	1 yr./ 10000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Audi Q5 and 2026 Lexus RX.

Is the 2025 Audi Q5 faster than the 2026 Lexus RX?

No, the 2026 Lexus RX is substantially faster. It produces 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, whereas the 2025 Audi Q5 manages only 201 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque.

How much more cargo space does the Lexus RX offer?

The Lexus RX provides a notable advantage in utility, boasting 29.6 cu ft of cargo capacity. This is nearly 4 cubic feet more than the 25.9 cu ft offered in the back of the Audi Q5.

Which vehicle is cheaper to purchase initially?

The 2025 Audi Q5 is the cheaper entry point, starting at an MSRP of $45,400. The 2026 Lexus RX has a starting MSRP of $49,725, resulting in a $4,325 price gap between the two.

Do both SUVs use premium gasoline?

Yes, both vehicles list premium unleaded as the recommended fuel type for optimal performance and maintenance according to their published specifications.