2018 Audi Q5 vs. 2018 Lexus RX: Which Is Best?

2018 Audi Q5 vs 2018 Lexus RX ・ Photo by Audi / Lexus

The sea of crossovers available today includes everything from bare-bones economy choices to luxury vehicles. The 2018 Audi Q5 and 2018 Lexus RX sit firmly in the latter category with elegant styling, high-end interiors, and a wide range of amenities.

These two vehicles are direct competitors that might seem the same at first glance, but they have differences that make one the better choice for you. Let’s take a closer look at the Q5 and RX to see which is the best crossover for your needs.

Pricing

As luxury vehicles, both the Audi Q5 and Lexus RX have price points that put them out of reach for the most budget-conscious buyers. The Audi starts at $41,500 for the base Premium model, with standard features including a 7-inch infotainment display, leather seats, three-zone automatic climate control, all-wheel drive, and automatic headlights. Base prices top out at $50,800 for the Prestige trim.

The base Lexus RX 350 starts at $43,270 and includes dual-zone automatic climate control, synthetic leather seats, an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, and standard front-wheel drive. The top RX 350 F-Sport starts at $48,920. The standard all-wheel drive on the Q5 makes it a better value no matter the trim you choose.

Audi Q5

Photo by Audi

Safety

The 2018 Audi Q5 is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety 2018 Top Safety Pick, earning the IIHS's highest rating of Good in all crash tests. It also received a Superior rating for front-crash prevention technologies. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also awarded top marks with an overall five-star rating and one four-star rating for rollover risk.

The 2018 Lexus RX is also a 2018 IIHS Top Safety Pick but didn’t do as well in NHTSA testing. It received an overall five-star rating, but with a four-star rating in frontal crash tests and for rollover risk. This is a close one, but the win goes to Audi for coming in just ahead of the Lexus.

Audi Q5

Photo by Audi

Seating

Both of these vehicles are five-passenger crossovers with elegant and well-equipped interiors. The Audi Q5 features a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat with recline function. It’s also roomy, with 37.8 inches of legroom and 39.3 inches of headroom for rear passengers.

The Lexus RX offers a similar setup with a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat that also reclines. There’s 38.0 inches of legroom and 39.1 inches of headroom. While that's comparable space, but there’s an option in the RX that you simply can’t get in the Q5. This year, there’s a new RX L, which adds in a third row with seating for two additional passengers. This feature gives the RX the win.

Lexus RX

Photo by Lexus

Fuel Efficiency

These might be luxury crossovers, but that doesn’t mean anyone wants to throw away money on gas. The Audi Q5 gets an EPA-estimated 23 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined with standard all-wheel drive.

The Lexus RX achieves an EPA-estimated 20 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined. Add all-wheel drive to your RX and the numbers drop to 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined. There’s a gas savings with the Q5 even though it has standard all-wheel drive, making it the clear winner.

Audi Q5

Cargo Capacity

One of the big reasons for purchasing a crossover is the flexibility to carry passengers or cargo. The Audi Q5 has 26.8 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 60.4 cubic feet behind the front seats with the rear seat folded. It can also tow up to 4,400 pounds when properly equipped.

The Lexus RX offers 18.4 cubic feet behind the second row and 56.3 cubic feet behind the first row with the rear seat folded. There’s also room for additional cargo with 3,500 pounds for towing. If cargo capacity is an important part of your purchase decision, there’s more room inside and a higher tow rating if you go with the Q5.

Audi Q5

Photo by Audi

Infotainment

Infotainment systems are becoming increasingly complex, with more features and connectivity options than ever. The Q5 features Audi’s virtual cockpit with an available 12.3-inch display, 4G LTE connectivity, and handwriting recognition technology that makes navigating the system easier. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and there’s an available 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.

The Lexus RX features an infotainment system with a 12.3-inch split-screen, a remote touch controller for navigating through screens quickly, and an available 15-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system. There is no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto connectivity. Although both of these infotainment systems are fully featured, the Audi comes out of head for its seamless smartphone integration.

Audi Q5

Photo by Audi

Performance

While more affordable crossovers tend to feature less powerful engines, luxury models make sure you enjoy the ride. The Audi Q5 comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It has 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque and can go from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds.

The Lexus RX 350 has a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. It has 295 horsepower with 268 lb-ft of torque, which makes it more powerful, but that’s not the whole story. It posts a 0-60 mph time of 7.7 seconds. Despite the less powerful engine, the Q5 has more torque for a more aggressive drive with better acceleration.

Audi Q5

Photo by Audi

Hybrid Availability

The Lexus RX is offered in a hybrid variant, the RX 450h, for those who want a more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly option. It gets EPA-estimated fuel economy of 31 mpg in the city, 28 mpg on the highway, and 30 mpg combined. Despite being a hybrid, it’s still a spirited drive with a 0-60 mph time of 7.9 seconds.

The 450h also comes with standard all-wheel drive at a starting price of $45,695, only a modest increase over the base gas-powered model. The Audi Q5 doesn’t offer a hybrid engine, so there’s no comparison here. If you’re considered a hybrid luxury crossover, then the winner is the Lexus.

Lexus RX

Photo by Lexus

Styling

Crossovers aren’t exactly sexy vehicles, but both the Audi Q5 and Lexus RX do a good job of standing out from the crowd. The Q5 is the more streamlined of the two with a long hood and curves that make it look sporty. There’s a large grille with the Audi logo prominently displayed, but without anything too dramatic.

If you’re looking to stand out, then the Lexus RX fits the bill. Its big spindle grille simply can’t be missed, and it ensures that people will be giving you a second look. The lines are angular and aggressive from front to rear, making it the standout design of the two.

Lexus RX

Photo by Lexus

Verdict

Both the Lexus RX and the Audi Q5 are versatile and attractive crossover choices. The RX's hybrid and seven-passenger versions give it an advantage over the Q5, and it has more striking styling. 

The Q5, however, checks more boxes with better performance, more cargo room, and a more fully featured infotainment system. It also achieved higher safety ratings and boasts pricing that makes it a better overall value. Both are solid luxury crossovers, but the Audi comes out ahead.

Audi Q5

Photo by Audi