Compare the2022 Audi Q7VS 2021 Lexus LX 570

Both the Q7 and LX 570 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Q7 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The LX 570’s child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

The Q7 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The LX 570 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Q7 offers an optional backup collision prevention system that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The LX 570 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the Q7 Prestige helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard. The LX 570 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Q7 uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The LX 570 uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the Q7 and the LX 570 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Q7 the rating of “Top Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 214 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The LX 570 has not been tested, yet.

The Q7’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the LX 570’s (12 vs. 6 years).

There are over 24 percent more Audi dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Q7’s warranty.

On the EPA test cycle the Q7 gets better mileage than the LX 570:

Regenerative brakes improve the Q7 55 TFSI’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The LX 570 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the Q7’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The LX 570 doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

For better stopping power the Q7 55 TFSI’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the LX 570:

The Q7 stops shorter than the LX 570:

The Q7 Prestige’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LX 570’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q7 Prestige offers optional 22-inch wheels. The LX 570’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Q7 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The LX 570 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

For superior ride and handling, the Audi Q7 has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Lexus LX 570 has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Q7’s wheelbase is 5.7 inches longer than on the LX 570 (117.9 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Q7 is 1.2 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the LX 570.

The Q7 Prestige handles at .86 G’s, while the LX 570 pulls only .73 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Q7 Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the LX 570 (26.4 seconds @ .68 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the Q7 w/Air Suspension has a greater minimum ground clearance than the LX 570 (9.7 vs. 8.9 inches), allowing the Q7 to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Audi Q7 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 900 to 1000 pounds less than the Lexus LX 570.

Unibody construction lowers the Q7’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The LX 570 uses body-on-frame design instead.

The front step up height for the Q7 is .2 inches lower than the LX 570 (18.6” vs. 18.8”). The Q7’s rear step up height is 5.3 inches lower than the LX 570’s (18.7” vs. 24”).

The Q7’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The LX 570’s tailgate’s top part raises up, but the bottom part lowers, getting in the way of loading and making an uneven surface for sliding cargo.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Q7’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by waving your foot, leaving your hands completely free. The LX 570 doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its tailgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus LX 570 is limited to 7000 pounds. The Q7 offers up to a 7700 lbs. towing capacity.

The power windows standard on both the Q7 and the LX 570 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Q7 is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The LX 570 prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Q7 (except Premium) offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The LX 570 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

A manual rear sunshade and rear side window sunshades are optional in the Q7 (except Premium) to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The LX 570 doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

The Q7’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The LX 570’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

The Q7 Prestige offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the LX 570.

Insurance will cost less for the Q7 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Q7 will cost $3145 less than the LX 570 over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Audi Q7 will be $10209 to $21551 less than for the Lexus LX 570.

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

The Q7 was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Five/10Best Trucks” for 3 of the last 6 years. The LX 570 has never been a Car and Driver “Top Five/10Best Truck” pick.

The Audi Q7/SQ7 outsold the Lexus LX 570 by almost seven to one during the 2021 model year.