Compare the2025 Lexus NXVS 2025 Audi Q5

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus NX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Audi Q5 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

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 NX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Q5 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Lexus NX has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Q5 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

With its standard Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, the Lexus NX is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Audi Q5, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	NX	Q5
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-22 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-8 MPH
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-1 MPH
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-13 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-2 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-2 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	No Slowing
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Brights	2.4 sec	No Warning
37 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	No Slowing
Warning Issued-Low beams	2.4 sec	No Warning

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Lexus NX achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Audi Q5 has not been tested.

Both the NX and the Q5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the NX is safer than the Q5:

	NX	Q5
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Lexus NX is safer than the Q5:

	NX	Q5
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	156 lbs.	245 lbs.
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Deflection	.55 in	.71 in
Torso Deflection Rate	4 MPH	5 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	915 lbs.	1116 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	252	346
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	.83 in	1.73 in
Shoulder Force	223 lbs.	402 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.1 in	1.54 in
Torso Deflection Rate	9 MPH	11 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	669 lbs.	1249 lbs.

The Lexus NX has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned an “Acceptable” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Q5 was last only a “Top Safety Pick” in 2023 but no longer qualifies.

Warranty

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the NX 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the Q5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Q5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Lexus NX Plug-In Hybrid’s reliability 22 points higher than the Audi Q5’s and the Lexus NX is rated 39 points higher than the Audi Q5 55 TFSIe.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 68 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 140 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 29th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 7th.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the NX 450h running on electricity gets better mileage than the Q5 55 TFSI e running on electricity (93 city/75 hwy vs. 55 city/61 hwy MPGe).

On the EPA test cycle the NX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Q5 running its gasoline engine:

			MPG
NX
	FWD	250 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/33 hwy
	AWD	350h AWD 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	41 city/37 hwy
		450h+ AWD 2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	38 city/33 hwy
		250 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/32 hwy
Q5
	AWD	55 TFSI e 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	25 city/27 hwy
		40 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/29 hwy
		45 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	23 city/28 hwy

The NX 450h can travel with zero emissions on electricity, only, on a full charge for 37 miles. The Q5 55 TFSI e has to start its internal combustion engine after only 23 miles.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus NX higher (5 to 6 out of 10) than the Audi Q5 (4 to 6). This means the NX produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Q5 every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is available on the Lexus NX, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the Q5.

The NX offers an available continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Q5 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The NX stops much shorter than the Q5:

	NX	Q5
70 to 0 MPH	175 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	123 feet	136 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	138 feet	144 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the NX can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Q5 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The NX 350 AWD handles at .81 G’s, while the Q5 45 TFSI Prestige pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the NX’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Q5 40/45 TFSI’s (38 feet vs. 38.7 feet). The NX’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the Q5 55 TFSI e’s (38 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

Chassis

The Lexus NX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 400 pounds less than the Audi Q5.

Cargo Capacity

The NX’s cargo area is larger than the Q5’s in almost every dimension:

	NX	Q5
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	37.6”/70.3”	36”/69”
Max Width	54.5”	48.5”
Min Width	39.7”	41”
Height	29.6”	29.7”

Towing

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the NX 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 Q5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

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 43% lower rating, Audi is ranked 18th.

Ergonomics

The NX’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 Q5 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the NX has a standard rear fixed intermittent wiper with a full on position. The rear wiper standard on the Q5 only has an intermittent setting, so in a hard rain visibility isn’t as good.

The Lexus NX has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the Q5.

The NX 350/350h/450h+’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Q5 Prestige’s automatic parking system requires operating the brakes and transmission to safely park and it doesn’t offer remote control parking.

Model Availability

The NX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Q5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the NX owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the NX will cost $600 less than the Q5 over a five-year period.

The NX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the NX will retain 57.75% to 60.19% of its original price after five years, while the Q5 only retains 49.06% to 52.87%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus NX, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Audi Q5 isn't recommended.

The Lexus NX outsold the Audi Q5/SQ5 by 31% during 2024.

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