Compare the2022 Audi Q3VS 2021 Lexus NX Series

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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Both the Q3 and NX Series have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The Q3 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 NX Series’ 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 Audi Q3 has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps 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 NX Series doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Q3 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 NX Series 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.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Q3. But it costs extra on the NX Series.

Both the Q3 and the NX Series have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee 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, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Audi Q3 is safer than the Lexus NX Series:

	Q3	NX Series
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	39%	46%
Neck Stress	343 lbs.	509 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	235/363 lbs.	480/609 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	346	355
Neck Injury Risk	35%	42%
Neck Stress	186 lbs.	295 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	261/249 lbs.	442/307 lbs.

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

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 and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Audi Q3 is safer than the Lexus NX Series:

	Q3	NX Series
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	88	192
Abdominal Force	95 G’s	148 G’s
Hip Force	333 lbs.	352 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	159	317
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	49 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	15 inches
HIC	504	542
Hip Force	485 lbs.	828 lbs.

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

Warranty

The Q3’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the NX Series’ (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 Q3’s warranty.

Reliability

The Audi Q3’s engines use a cast iron block for durability, while the NX Series’ engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the Q3 has a standard 680-amp battery. The NX Series’ 580-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Q3 second among small premium suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The NX Series isn’t in the top three in its category.

Engine

The Q3 40 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (221 vs. 199) than the NX 300h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Q3 45 TFSI is faster than the NX 300h :

	Q3	NX Series
Zero to 30 MPH	3.2 sec	3.3 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.8 sec	8.9 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.9 sec	5.6 sec
Quarter Mile	16.1 sec	16.9 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91 MPH	84.6 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Q3 gets better mileage than the NX Series:

			MPG
Q3
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/30 hwy
NX Series
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/28 hwy
	AWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/28 hwy
		F Sport 2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	22 city/27 hwy

Regardless of its engine, the Q3’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the NX Series 300h.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi Q3 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The NX 300 requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Q3 has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the NX Series Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (15.9 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi Q3 higher (7 out of 10) than the Lexus NX Series (3 to 7). This means the Q3 produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the NX Series every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Audi Q3, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the NX Series.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Q3’s brake rotors are larger than those on the NX Series:

	Q3	NX Series
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	12.9 inches
Rear Rotors	11.8 inches	11.1 inches
Opt Rear Rotors	12.2 inches

The Q3’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the NX Series are solid, not vented.

The Q3 stops much shorter than the NX Series:

	Q3	NX Series
70 to 0 MPH	160 feet	183 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	126 feet	136 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	135 feet	142 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Q3 has larger standard tires than the NX Series (235/55R18 vs. 225/65R17). The Q3’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the NX Series (255/45R19 vs. 235/55R18).

The Q3’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the NX Series’ standard 65 series tires. The Q3’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the NX Series F Sport’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Q3 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the NX Series. The Q3’s optional 20-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels optional on the NX Series.

Suspension and Handling

The Q3 handles at .91 G’s, while the NX 300 F Sport AWD pulls only .76 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Chassis

The Q3 is 6.1 inches shorter than the NX Series, making the Q3 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The Q3 has 12.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the NX Series (84 vs. 71.6).

Cargo Capacity

The Q3 has a much larger cargo volume than the NX Series with its rear seat up (23.7 vs. 17.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Q3 easier. The Q3’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.8 inches, while the NX Series’ liftover is 31.2 inches.

Towing

The Q3’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the NX Series’ (1500 vs. 0 pounds).

Ergonomics

The Q3’s power window, power lock and power mirror switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The NX Series’ power lock and power mirror switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Q3’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The NX Series’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi Q3 Premium Plus has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The NX Series doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The Q3’s optional Park Steering Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The NX Series doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Q3 is less expensive to operate than the NX Series because it costs $463 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Q3 than the NX Series, including $467 less for a muffler, $189 less for fuel injection, $183 less for a fuel pump and $563 less for a timing belt/chain.