2020 Lexus RX vs 2021 Audi Q5

Lexus refreshed the RX for the 2020 model year, giving it significant upgrades inside and out. The exterior featured standard 18-inch wheels, slimmer headlights, and L-shaped taillights. Optional triple-beam LED headlights were available. The grille was redesigned to resemble Lexus cars more closely, and two new paint colors, Moonbeam Beige Metallic and Nori Green Pearl, were introduced. The rear received a new shape with dual exhaust, a rear diffuser, and updated reflectors, along with an available hands-free tailgate.

Inside, the cabin was well-appointed with various interior colors and material combinations, including wood and satin-brushed aluminum trim. The F Sport appearance package added unique features like a special steering wheel, shift knob, aluminum pedals, bumpers, grille, badges, front seats, meter, aluminum ornamentation, and 20-inch wheels. Performance dampers, power-folding mirrors with memory, LED ambient lighting, stainless steel rear door garnishes, steering and seat memory, and scuff plates were also included.

The leather-wrapped surfaces felt premium and looked luxurious. The RX's interior was designed to withstand family life, unlike the more ornate interior of the flagship LS sedan. However, the center stack containing the climate controls appeared dated and was quickly aging as the industry moved towards more stylish appointments and fewer buttons.

The Q5 was a sharp-looking crossover SUV that carried the Audi design language well while maintaining its individual character. It had an expressive face with LED headlights beside the big Audi Singleframe grille, emphasizing width. The body featured crisp character lines, and the greenhouse resembled a protective shell. The rear had bold, large taillights, giving the Q5 a classy, modern appearance with exceptional fit and finish. The plug-in Q5 wore S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, including standard 19-inch wheels or optional 20-inch wheels.

Inside, the Q5 was classy and modern, packed with technology while maintaining an uncluttered appearance. Buttons, switches, and knobs were smartly grouped and segregated by function, with a pleasing unity of design. The materials were authentic, with real wood, metal, and honed surfaces. The 10.1-inch touchscreen floated at the top of the center stack, perfectly positioned in the driver's line of sight. The second row was nicely appointed with standard leather seating surfaces throughout.

All RX 350 models were powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, achieving 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque on premium 91 octane or higher fuel. The three-row RX 350L models used the same engine but were limited to 290 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed automatic was smooth in operation.

The hybrid RX 450h paired the V6 with an electric motor, achieving 308 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque, recommended to fuel with 95 octanes or higher gasoline. The RX 450hL used the same engine setup but got just 259 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque from the gasoline engine, with an additional 165 horsepower from an electric motor and a 37-kilowatt-hour battery pack. Both models had electronically-controlled continuously variable transmissions (CVT).

Each RX hybrid model had one motor driving the front wheels, while all-wheel-drive variants got another motor on the rear axle, adding 67 horsepower. A third electric motor worked as a generator, engine starter, and transmission-control device.

The RX took 7.9 seconds to get from zero to 60 mph, with the RX 450hL taking slightly longer. The 2020 Lexus RX 350 achieved an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined, while the RX 350L and RX 350 AWD got 22 mpg combined, and the RX 350L AWD got 21 mpg combined. The RX 450h all-wheel drive got 30 mpg combined, and the RX 450hL achieved 29 mpg combined.

The RX F Sport models with the Handling Package had standard adaptive variable suspension and 20-inch wheels, designed to sharpen the car’s agility. Active sound control, sport electric power steering, and a heated steering wheel were also available. Drivers could switch between Normal, Eco, and Sport modes, with hybrid RXs getting EV mode for emissions-free driving over short distances. The F Sport package added Sport S+ mode and Customize options.

The RX 350 F Sport delivered a smooth drive experience with responsive throttle and shifting. The available all-wheel drive kept the SUV stable in most driving situations, though it struggled in snow without torque-vectoring technology. On highways and dry rural roads, the RX was easily maneuverable, with a quiet cabin and smooth braking.

The Q5 PHEV added 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque with a 14.1-kWh battery, achieving a total combined output of 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque. The electric motor worked with the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine, providing convincing acceleration (0 – 60 mph in 5.0 seconds) and impressive fuel economy of 65 MPGe combined. In gasoline-only mode, the Q5 PHEV was rated at 27 mpg combined. The battery pack could be recharged overnight with household current or in 2.4 hours with Level 2 service.

The Q5 PHEV used a seven-speed S Tronic automatic transmission with full-time Quattro all-wheel drive. It could be switched into modes for limited-range battery power, to reserve battery power, or to drive in hybrid mode. The speed-sensitive electromechanical power steering had a wider-than-expected turning radius of 38.4 feet. The four-wheel independent suspension with five-link setups front and rear provided good handling with a slightly stiff, sporty setting. Body roll was minimal, and braking was powerful and predictable.

The Lexus RX interior wasn’t as minimalist or stylish as its German luxury SUV competition, but it did the job well. Four adults could fit comfortably in the two-row RX model, but the third row in the three-row RX-L was best reserved for small children or the family dog. The cabin was wide and tall in its two-row configuration, technically a five-seater. The front seats were comfortable for extended periods and provided easy ingress/egress with decent outward visibility, though the A-pillar impeded the driver’s ability to see curbs and corners easily.

The cargo area of the RX 350 and 450h was smaller than its rivals, with a high load floor compromising space. The split-folding rear seat folded easily. The RX 350L and 450hL also had less cargo space than the competition, with about 20 cubic feet less rear storage area compared to the three-row Lincoln Aviator. A hands-free liftgate was available on RX 350 and 450h models and standard on long-wheelbase RX-L versions.

The Q5 PHEV managed to carry its battery pack under the luggage compartment floor, preserving cargo space. There were 25.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row, expandable to 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded down. The second row offered reasonable legroom (37.8 inches), headroom (37.7 inches), and shoulder room (56.5 inches). Two adults could sit comfortably behind adults in the first row, with a third adult squeezing in for shorter rides if necessary. The driver and front-seat passenger enjoyed super-comfortable and supportive seats with a wide range of adjustments, heating, and ventilation on the Prestige trim.

The front row had a pair of cupholders, several cubbies and nooks for phones, change, chargers, and junk, and a small storage bin under the center-console armrest. The uncluttered design ensured everything inside functioned well and was laid out smartly.

The Lexus infotainment system was consistently criticized, but the 2020 model made improvements by moving the standard 8.0-inch display and available 12.3-inch touchscreen 5.5 inches closer to the driver. Despite this, the system remained difficult to navigate, with a challenging screen layout and navigation system. However, standard Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, Android Auto, Google Assistant, Spotify, Pandora, Google Maps, Waze, Apple Music, Apple Maps, and WhatsApp compatibility provided workarounds.

The touchscreen was easier to manage than the previous display screen, with improved responsiveness and a more natural cursor feel. The 2020 RX added two additional USB ports, bringing the total to six. The standard 12-speaker audio system was adequate, with an available 15-speaker Mark Levinson audio system and a standard CD player.

The Q5 PHEV featured Audi’s latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an easy-to-use center-console touchpad. The Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster offered three views: classic, sport, and dynamic, providing a clear, customizable instrument panel. The color/mood-adjustable LED ambient interior cabin lights added to the customization.

The Prestige Package included the Navigation Package, available as an option on the Premium Plus trim level. The Integrated Toll Module (ITM) was standard on all Q5 models, providing a built-in transponder compatible with most toll road services in the United States. The Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 19 speakers and a 16-channel/755-watt amplifier was available on Premium Plus models and standard on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay was included and worked seamlessly.

Every Lexus came with a good roster of standard safety equipment called Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring was also available, and a rearview camera was standard. The 2020 RX added daytime bicyclist detection, low-light pedestrian detection, road-sign assist, and lane-tracing assist. Lexus provided a three-year subscription to Lexus Enform Safety Connect and a 10-year subscription to Enform Service Connect, though connectivity issues were noted during testing.

The RX received good safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), on par with vehicles deep into their generational model run.

The 2021 Q5 PHEV hadn’t been rated by the IIHS yet, but the 2020 Q5 (gasoline-only) received top “good” ratings in every category except headlights, which received a “marginal” rating. The NHTSA awarded the 2021 Audi Q5 gasoline model five stars but hadn’t rated the PHEV yet. Safety features included six airbags, an anti-lock braking system with brake assist, Audi Pre Sense basic preventative occupant protection, low-speed collision assist, power child safety locks, electronic stability control with off-road mode, electronic vehicle immobilization, anti-theft alarm, interior motion sensor, LED daytime running lights and taillights, LATCH connectors, a rearview camera, and a tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

Available driver-assistance features included Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist with rear cross-traffic alert, Parking System Plus parking sensors, adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist, park steering assist, traffic-sign recognition, and a top-view camera system.