2022 Lexus GX vs 2021 Audi Q5

The 2021 Audi Q5 was a sharp-looking crossover SUV that carried the Audi design language well while maintaining its individual character within the lineup. It had an expressive face with LED headlights beside the big Audi Singleframe grille, emphasizing width. The body featured crisp character lines, and the rear had bold, large taillights. The plug-in Q5 wore some S-Line trim pieces and enhancements, including standard 19-inch wheels or optional 20-inch wheels, giving it a classy, modern appearance with exceptional fit and finish.

Inside, the Q5 was similarly classy and modern. It was packed with technology but maintained an uncluttered appearance. Buttons, switches, and knobs were smartly grouped and segregated by function, with a unity of design that was very pleasing. Material selection was at a high level, with real wood, real metal, and honed surfaces. The 10.1-inch touchscreen floated at the top of the center stack, and the second row was nicely appointed with standard leather seating surfaces throughout.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition, evaluated in Black Onyx, eradicated almost all chrome from the GX’s exterior, transforming the SUV into a rolling black hole. However, it took less than 24 hours for a layer of brown dust to make the Lexus look drab and old. The GX’s design was dated, with the signature Lexus spindle grille and running lights being the only modern touches. Inside, the cabin’s quality was high, featuring smooth, silky refinement and a quiet ride with little more than the faint roar of the standard V8 engine.

The GX 460 was available in Standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, with prices ranging between $56,700 and $66,210. The Black Line Special Edition was based on the GX 460 Premium and started at $60,535. Despite its dated design, the GX’s interior featured comfortable seats and plenty of padding, though some switchgear was old-school. The Black Line Special Edition had NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner, with heated and ventilated front seats and heated back seats.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV took a good thing and made it better. The Q5 was already fun to drive in its standard gasoline-only form, but the PHEV added an additional 114 horsepower and 96 pound-feet of torque with a 14.1-kWh battery, making the total combined output 362 hp and 373 lb-ft of torque. This setup delivered convincing acceleration (0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds) and impressive fuel economy figures 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 to drive on battery power only, reserve battery power for later, or automatically drive in hybrid mode. The Q5 had speed-sensitive electromechanical power steering and a wider-than-expected turning radius of 38.4 feet. Handling was good, with a slightly stiff, sporty setting that balanced comfort with road feel, minimal body roll, and powerful, predictable braking.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 had a base curb weight of 5,126 pounds and was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque. This setup allowed the GX to tow up to 6,500 pounds and achieve a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. The six-speed automatic transmission paired with a full-time 4WD system, sending 40 percent of the engine’s power to the front wheels and 60 percent to the rear wheels in normal driving conditions.

The GX’s drag coefficient was 0.35, contributing to an EPA fuel economy estimate of 16 mpg in combined driving. The standard Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) helped maximize wheel articulation off-road while alleviating excessive body motions. The GX felt stable and secure, though the slow, heavy steering made parking a chore, and the touchy brake pedal made it hard to drive smoothly in traffic. The Off-Road Package, available with the Luxury trim, added features like Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, skid plates, improved drivetrain cooling, and monitoring cameras.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV managed to carry its battery pack under the luggage compartment floor, preserving cargo space. It offered 25.1 cubic feet of space behind the second row and up to 53.1 cubic feet with the second row folded down. The second row provided 37.8 inches of legroom, 37.7 inches of headroom, and 56.5 inches of shoulder room. The front seats were comfortable and supportive, with a wide range of adjustments, heating, and ventilation on the Prestige trim. The front row also had cupholders, cubbies, and a small storage bin in the center-console armrest.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position from a 10-way power-adjustable seat with clear outward visibility. The GX was tall, narrow, and short, making it easy to maneuver in various situations. The seats were comfortable, and the interior padding was present in all the appropriate places. The Black Line Special Edition had NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner, with heated and ventilated front seats and heated back seats. However, the rear door openings were narrow, making entry tricky, and the third-row seat was challenging to access and uncomfortable for adults.

The GX’s third-row seat eliminated cargo space, and when stowed, it forced a higher load floor. The tailgate swung open to the side, making loading difficult if parked at a curb or with another vehicle close behind. Lexus claimed the GX would hold 11.6 cubic feet of cargo behind the third-row seat, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row flattened, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row folded down.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV featured Audi’s latest MMI 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which was impressive and easy to use. The Audi Virtual Cockpit Plus 12.3-inch HD instrument cluster offered three views: classic, sport, and dynamic. The Prestige Package included the Navigation Package, which optimized fuel consumption and battery usage based on route data. The Integrated Toll Module (ITM) was standard on all Q5 models, and a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system with 19 speakers was available on Premium Plus models and standard on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay was included and worked seamlessly.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. The GX also had a CD player, a Lexus app, and Lexus Enform connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround-sound audio system was available but not installed in the test vehicle. The stereo controls were mounted at the bottom of the center control panel, making them harder to grasp and turn. The infotainment display offered a dual-screen view, and the voice recognition technology was quick and accurate. Lexus made its Intuitive Parking Assist technology standard on the GX, with optional surround-view and terrain-view cameras.

The 2021 Audi Q5 PHEV hadn’t been rated by the IIHS, but the 2020 Q5 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. 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, electronic vehicle immobilization, anti-theft alarm, interior motion sensor, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, LATCH connectors, a rearview camera, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Available driver-assistance features included Audi Advanced Key, Audi Pre Sense rear, Audi Side Assist with rear cross-traffic alert, Parking System Plus, adaptive cruise control, park steering assist, traffic-sign recognition, and a top-view camera system.

The 2022 Lexus GX hadn’t been crash-tested, and its third-row seat was close to the tailgate and rear window glass. Standard Lexus Safety System+ included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The GX also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services with automatic collision notification and emergency calling. However, it lacked some modern safety technologies available in competitors, such as lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and semi-autonomous driving systems.