Compare the2024 Lexus LXVS 2023 Audi SQ8

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 SQ8 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 SQ8 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 SQ8 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 SQ8 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the LX and the SQ8 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 SQ8. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the SQ8 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

The SQ8’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.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the LX has a standard 776-amp battery. The SQ8’s 380-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

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 SQ8 (17 city/22 hwy vs. 14 city/20 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 SQ8 (3). This means the LX produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the SQ8 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 SQ8.

The Lexus LX’s wheels have 6 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Audi SQ8 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 SQ8; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

For better maneuverability, the LX’s turning circle is 1.6 feet tighter than the SQ8’s (39.4 feet vs. 41 feet).

The design of the Lexus LX amounts to more than styling. The LX has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .376 Cd. That is lower than the SQ8 (.4). A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the LX get better fuel mileage.

The LX offers optional seating for 8 passengers; the SQ8 can only carry 5.

The LX’s cargo area provides more volume than the SQ8.

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 SQ8’s liftover is 33.7 inches. The LX 600 Ultra Luxury’s liftover is only 31 inches.

The LX’s cargo area is larger than the SQ8’s in almost every dimension:

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 SQ8 doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

The LX’s standard towing capacity is much higher than the SQ8’s (8000 vs. 7700 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 SQ8 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.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the SQ8, the LX has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

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 SQ8 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 SQ8 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 SQ8 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

Both the LX and the SQ8 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 rear seats aren’t available in the SQ8.

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 SQ8 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.