2023 Audi Q5 vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Lexus RX presented a modern and sporty design, maintaining its aggressive styling from the 2020 facelift. Available in base 350, F Sport, and L trims, the RX offered a hybrid model, the RX 450h. The RX 350 and F Sport seated five, while the L trim accommodated seven passengers. The exterior featured sharp character lines and angular boomerang-like elements, creating a striking yet restrained appearance. The F Sport trim stood out with 20-inch wheels, unique front fascia, and sportier design elements, enhancing its athletic look. Inside, the RX maintained a luxurious appeal with various color combinations, while the F Sport added sporty touches like Scored Aluminum trim and NuLuxe synthetic leather. Despite its high-quality materials, the center stack felt dated, and the seats lacked comfort, particularly in the F Sport model.

The 2023 Audi Q5 combined subtle curves with angular accents, offering a classy and sporty exterior. Available in regular SUV and Sportback body styles, the Q5 Sportback featured a sloping rear roofline for a sleeker silhouette. The interior was refined with a simple layout, though its age showed since the last redesign in 2018. Standard leather seating and heated front seats provided comfort, while a heated steering wheel and rear seats were optional. The 10-inch touchscreen atop the dash offered good visibility, and materials quality was commendable. The Q5's sturdy build ensured a quiet ride, with no squeaks or creaks over rough surfaces. Overall, the Q5 was a solid choice among luxury SUVs, offering a balance of style and practicality.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The RX 450h hybrid added electric motors for a combined 308 hp. All RX models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard on the RX 350 and AWD available. The hybrid RX came exclusively with AWD. Despite its sporty appearance, the RX's performance was underwhelming, with a lackluster engine note and unimpressive acceleration. The F Sport trim included performance dampers and an optional Handling package with adaptive suspension, but the drive modes offered minimal changes in driving dynamics. The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, absorbing road imperfections well. Fuel efficiency for the RX 350 was 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 combined, while the RX 450h hybrid achieved 30 mpg combined.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine choices. The base 40 TFSI was a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The 45 TFSI increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft, available with the Q5 Sportback. The 55 TFSI plug-in hybrid produced 362 hp and 369 lb-ft, offering 23 miles of electric-only range. All Q5s featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro AWD. The 45 TFSI engine experienced a delay in power delivery, affecting initial acceleration. However, handling was sporty, with precise steering and confidence on curvy roads. The Q5 balanced compliance and cornering, with a quiet engine and well-managed road noise, providing a calm cabin experience.

The 2022 Lexus RX offered 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume in its two-row configuration, comfortably seating four adults. Headroom measured 39.4 inches in the front and 39.1 inches in the rear, with 44.1 inches of front legroom and 38.0 inches in the back. The three-row L models shared the same wheelbase, resulting in limited space for the third row. Cargo space in the standard RX was 16.0 cubic feet behind the second row, expanding to 32.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The three-row version offered 7.45 cubic feet with all seats up, increasing to 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows down. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design remained largely unchanged since 2018, with a well-placed infotainment touchscreen and traditional controls for climate settings. Visibility was good, aided by a narrow front roof pillar. The Q5 provided ample space for taller passengers, with the Sportback model only slightly reducing headroom. Front storage options were available, though some were oddly sized. The Q5 featured a wireless phone charger, heated and cooled cupholders, and accommodating door pockets. Cargo space was 25.8 cubic feet behind the rear seats, slightly reduced to 24.7 cubic feet in the Sportback. The Q5's cargo capacity was competitive, though some rivals offered more space.

The 2022 Lexus RX came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen, with a 12.3-inch version optional. Despite being moved closer to the driver, the screen's positioning was ergonomically challenging. The infotainment system was responsive, but the touchpad controller was frustrating to use. The RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Additional amenities included premium audio systems, navigation, and heated and ventilated seats. The Lexus App provided remote engine start and vehicle settings customization.

The 2023 Audi Q5 featured a standard 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen with sharp graphics and quick responses. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available wirelessly, though CarPlay took time to activate. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Q5's native infotainment system had large, easy-to-read buttons, while CarPlay's app buttons were smaller. Audi Connect Care allowed remote vehicle monitoring and control via a smartphone app, with a Wi-Fi hotspot included. Mid-range trims offered a customizable digital instrument panel for additional information.

The 2022 Lexus RX included the Lexus Safety System 2.0+ as standard, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, a pre-collision system, and intelligent high beams. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional triple-beam LED headlights but missed the top-tier "plus" designation. The NHTSA awarded the RX four stars overall, with five stars in side crash tests and four in frontal crashes and rollover resistance.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received five stars from the NHTSA for overall, frontal, and side protection, with four stars in rollover tests. The IIHS awarded the Q5 its highest score of "Good" in all crashworthiness tests and named it a Top Safety Pick+. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors. The Premium Plus trim added lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera, and traffic jam assist. The Prestige trim featured matrix-design LED headlights, a head-up display, a semi-automated parking system, and a traffic sign reader.