2020 Audi Q7 vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2020 Audi Q7 provided multiple variants, including the 45 TFSI with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and the 55 TFSI equipped with a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-liter V6. New for 2020, the performance-tuned Audi SQ7 offered a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8. For this evaluation, the Q7 55 TFSI starting at $60,800 was examined, featuring the Prestige trim level plus additional upgrades such as metallic paint, a Cold Weather Package, and a Towing Package, raising the total to $74,290.

Design changes enhanced the Q7’s front and rear styling, introducing new wheels and lighting elements that aligned its aesthetics with the flagship Q8 model. The test vehicle included standard 20-inch turbine-style wheels with Pirelli Scorpion Verde run-flat all-season tires, which provided additional protection against curbing the wheels.

Internally, the Q7 adopted the dashboard and instrumentation from the high-tech Q8. The layout removed most physical controls, favoring three digital displays, including Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, which offered customizable instrumentation. The interior, featuring Okapi Brown leather and natural wood inlays, along with multi-color ambient lighting, contributed to its luxurious and high-tech ambiance.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX 460’s styling retained its decade-old body shell, although with updated components such as the spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights. For 2021, there were no significant styling alterations. Silver 18-inch wheels came standard on the Premium trim, with 19-inch wheels available.

The GX’s exterior design managed to remain coherent despite its massive spindle grille, offering a tough and aggressive look. However, the interior fell short of modern luxury standards, with wood trim resembling molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Despite standard leather upholstery, the interior environment did not feel up to par with expectations for a luxury SUV.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI introduced a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine generating 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive, it offered several driving modes through Audi Drive Select. The Q7 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, with a maximum towing capacity of 7,700 pounds and an EPA rating of 18 mpg combined.

The drivetrain provided efficient fuel usage thanks to a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The Prestige trim’s adaptive air suspension adjusted using Audi Drive Select, enhancing ride quality on various terrains. During testing, the Q7 achieved 21 mpg on a road trip and 18.1 mpg in local driving. The SUV’s agility on city streets and stability at highway speeds were noteworthy, with a remarkably quiet cabin due to dual-pane acoustic side window glass.

In comparison, the 2021 Lexus GX 460 came with a single powertrain option: a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque linked to a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds and had a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

However, the GX 460’s driving experience felt dated, with the V8 engine struggling at higher speeds and requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. Its ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, lacking refinement. The GX excelled in off-road capability thanks to its Torsen center differential and available driver aids but remained less suited for modern on-road performance expectations.

The Audi Q7, with its three rows and seven-passenger capacity, was more suitable as a five-passenger vehicle because the third-row seat was uncomfortable for adults and compromised cargo space. With the third row folded, cargo capacity expanded to 35.7 cubic feet and could reach a maximum of 69.6 cubic feet with both rear rows folded. The second-row seats provided ample comfort and legroom, augmented by features such as four-zone climate control and heated rear cushions.

By comparison, the Lexus GX’s interior design felt outdated, with limited legroom and ergonomics reminiscent of a bus. While the GX offered three rows of seating for seven and good outward visibility, its third-row space was best for children and challenging to access. The GX provided 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, considerably less than the Q7. Additionally, practical interior storage was limited, with small center-console storage bins and cupholders.

The 2020 Audi Q7 featured the new MMI Touch Response technology with upper and lower touchscreens handling most vehicle functions. The system included natural voice recognition, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Audi Connect services. Despite occasional unresponsiveness due to dry fingertips, the interface remained user-friendly. The Prestige trim added a head-up display and a Bose premium sound system, which Audi planned to upgrade to a Bang & Olufsen system in 2021.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX’s technology offerings were minimal. It had Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity but lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functionality, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system as an option. The inclusion of analog controls for most functions provided simplicity but fell short of modern standards for luxury SUVs.

The 2020 Audi Q7 boasted advanced LED headlights and numerous ADAS features, including Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist with traffic-jam assistance and lane-centering. However, the traffic-sign recognition system proved problematic, occasionally misreading signs and causing abrupt braking. Despite these issues, the IIHS rated the Q7 highly for collision protection, though its headlights received a "poor" rating for glare.

The 2021 Lexus GX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ suite, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, it lacked more advanced features like traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist available in other Lexus or Toyota models. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had published crash-test ratings for the 2021 GX.