Compare the2023 Audi SQ8VS 2023 Lexus LX

Both the SQ8 and LX have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The SQ8 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’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.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the SQ8 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 doesn’t offer a night vision system.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the SQ8 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 uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

Both the SQ8 and the LX 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, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the SQ8 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The LX has not been tested, yet.

The SQ8’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the LX’s (12 vs. 6 years).

There are over 25 percent more Audi dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the SQ8’s warranty.

The SQ8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid produces 91 more horsepower (500 vs. 409) and 89 lbs.-ft. more torque (568 vs. 479) than the LX’s 3.4 turbo V6.

As tested in Car and Driver the Audi SQ8 is faster than the Lexus LX:

Regenerative brakes improve the SQ8’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The LX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

The SQ8 has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the LX (22.5 vs. 21.1 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

For better stopping power the SQ8’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the LX:

The SQ8 stops shorter than the LX:

For better traction, the SQ8 has larger tires than the LX (285/45R21 vs. 265/55R20).

The SQ8’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LX Premium/Luxury’s 65 series tires. The SQ8’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the LX’s optional 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the SQ8 has standard 21-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the LX Premium/Luxury.

For superior ride and handling, the Audi SQ8 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 has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The SQ8 has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the SQ8 flat and controlled during cornering. The LX base model’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The SQ8 Prestige 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 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The front and rear suspension of the SQ8 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the LX, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The SQ8 Prestige 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.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the SQ8’s wheelbase is 5.7 inches longer than on the LX (117.9 inches vs. 112.2 inches).

The SQ8 Prestige handles at .92 G’s, while the LX 600 F Sport pulls only .75 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Audi SQ8 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 700 pounds less than the Lexus LX.

The SQ8 is 3.9 inches shorter than the LX, making the SQ8 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The SQ8 is 7 inches shorter in height than the LX, making the SQ8 much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Unibody construction lowers the SQ8’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 doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

The SQ8 has a much larger cargo volume than the LX with its rear seat up (30.5 vs. 11 cubic feet).

The SQ8’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The LX Ultra Luxury doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

A manual rear sunshade and power rear side window sunshades are optional in the SQ8 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The LX doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The SQ8 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the LX.

The SQ8 Prestige’s Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist Plus will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The LX doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Audi Q8/SQ8/RS Q8 outsold the Lexus LX by almost three to one during 2022.