Compare the2022 Audi SQ7VS 2021 Lexus LX 570

Both the SQ7 and LX 570 have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The SQ7 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 SQ7 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.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the SQ7 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 SQ7 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 SQ7 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, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The SQ7’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 SQ7’s warranty.

The SQ7’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 117 more horsepower (500 vs. 383) and 165 lbs.-ft. more torque (568 vs. 403) than the LX 570’s 5.7 DOHC V8.

As tested in Motor Trend the Audi SQ7 is faster than the Lexus LX 570:

On the EPA test cycle the SQ7 gets better fuel mileage than the LX 570 (15 city/21 hwy vs. 12 city/16 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the SQ7’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 SQ7’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 SQ7’s brake rotors are larger than those on the LX 570:

The SQ7 stops much shorter than the LX 570:

For better traction, the SQ7 has larger tires than the LX 570 (285/40R21 vs. 275/50R21).

The SQ7’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LX 570’s standard 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the SQ7 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 20-inch wheels are standard on the LX 570.

For superior ride and handling, the Audi SQ7 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.

The SQ7 offers 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 LX 570 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the SQ7 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the LX 570, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The SQ7 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Lexus doesn’t offer an active suspension on the LX 570.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the SQ7’s wheelbase is 5.7 inches longer than on the LX 570 (117.9 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

The SQ7 Premium Plus handles at .91 G’s, while the LX 570 pulls only .73 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The SQ7 Premium Plus executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3.1 seconds quicker than the LX 570 (25.2 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .59 average G’s).

The Audi SQ7 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 500 to 700 pounds less than the Lexus LX 570.

Unibody construction lowers the SQ7’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 design of the Audi SQ7 amounts to more than styling. The SQ7 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .33 Cd. That is lower than the LX 570 (.35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the SQ7 get better fuel mileage.

The front step up height for the SQ7 is .2 inches lower than the LX 570 (18.6” vs. 18.8”). The SQ7’s rear step up height is 5.3 inches lower than the LX 570’s (18.7” vs. 24”).

The SQ7’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 SQ7’s liftgate can be opened and closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, 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.

The SQ7’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the LX 570’s (7700 vs. 7000 pounds).

The power windows standard on both the SQ7 and the LX 570 have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the SQ7 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 SQ7 has standard 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 SQ7 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The LX 570 doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

The SQ7’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 SQ7 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi SQ7 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the LX 570 Three-Row offers wireless charging and it costs extra.

The SQ7 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.