Compare the2024 Lexus LXVS 2024 Audi SQ7

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the LX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The SQ7 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Lexus LX 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 SQ7 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The LX has a standard Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The SQ7 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The LX’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The SQ7 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the LX and the SQ7 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.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the LX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the SQ7. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the SQ7 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The SQ7’s redline is at 6800 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The LX has a 5800 RPM redline.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 50 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 6th.

On the EPA test cycle the LX 600 gets better fuel mileage than the SQ7 (17 city/22 hwy vs. 15 city/21 hwy).

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus LX higher (5 out of 10) than the Audi SQ7 (3). This means the LX produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the SQ7 every 15,000 miles.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus LX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only an eight-speed automatic is available for the SQ7.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the LX offers optional 22-inch wheels. The SQ7’s largest wheels are only 21-inches.

The Lexus LX’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Audi SQ7 only has 5 wheel lugs per wheel.

The LX has a standard full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the SQ7; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

For better maneuverability, the LX’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the SQ7’s (39.4 feet vs. 41 feet).

The LX offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the SQ7 can only carry 7.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the LX’s middle and third row seats recline. The SQ7’s third row seats don’t recline.

The LX’s cargo area provides more volume than the SQ7.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the LX easier. The LX’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 31.6 inches, while the SQ7’s liftover is 32.5 inches. The LX 600 Ultra Luxury’s liftover is only 31 inches.

The LX has a standard third row seat which folds flat into the floor. This completely clears a very large cargo area quickly. The SQ7 doesn’t offer seats that fold into the floor.

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the LX Luxury’s second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The SQ7 doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The LX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the SQ7’s (8000 vs. 0 pounds).

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the LX uses the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The SQ7 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 32% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

The LX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The SQ7 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the LX has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the SQ7 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

Optional air conditioned front and second row seats keep the LX’s passengers comfortable and take the sting out of hot leather in summer. The SQ7 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

Both the LX and the SQ7 offer available massaging front seats. The LX Ultra Luxury also has standard massaging second row seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging second row seats aren’t available in the SQ7.

The LX has a 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The SQ7 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.