2023 Audi Q5 vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Audi Q5 featured a blend of subtle curves and angular accents, presenting a classy yet sporty exterior. It was available in two body styles: the regular Q5 SUV and the Q5 Sportback, which had a sloping rear roofline for a sleeker look. The Sportback's design included a spoiler-like element above the taillights, providing a more defined transition from hatch to tail section. Inside, the Q5 had a refined, simple layout, though its age was starting to show. Standard features included leather seating and heated front seats, with options for a heated steering wheel and rear seats. The 10-inch touchscreen was user-friendly, but the materials, while good, no longer felt as special due to advancements by non-luxury manufacturers.

The 2023 Lexus GX had a commanding presence with its large spindle grille, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and a height of 74.2 inches. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned with limited availability and exclusive paint colors. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's dimensions and design suggested it was built for off-road capability. The interior, however, was marred by an excessive amount of plastic, which detracted from its luxury status. While it had some luxury touches like heated and cooled front seats and impressive leather upholstery, the overall feel was more utilitarian, reflecting its low sales and cost-saving manufacturing approach.

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 midrange 45 TFSI, available with the Q5 Sportback, produced 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The 55 TFSI was a plug-in hybrid with 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, offering 23 miles of electric-only range. All Q5s came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive. The 45 TFSI engine had a noticeable delay in power delivery, making initial acceleration feel sluggish. However, once underway, the power was adequate. Handling was sporty, with precise steering and a good balance between compliance and cornering. The cabin remained quiet, with well-managed road and wind noise.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While not the most powerful on paper, the V8 provided a satisfying linear power delivery. The GX had a 6,500-pound towing capacity but lagged behind other SUVs in fuel economy, with EPA estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The GX's weight made it roll through corners, but the roll was predictable and controllable. The steering was vague off-center, but the brakes were strong and reliable. The GX featured a Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential and a standard 4WD system, making it capable in various off-road conditions.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design had remained largely unchanged since 2018 but was still functional. The infotainment touchscreen was positioned to reduce distraction, and traditional dials and buttons were used for climate controls. Visibility was good, with ample space for taller passengers in both the front and rear seats. The Sportback model had slightly reduced headroom but still accommodated six-footers. Storage options were varied but sometimes oddly shaped. The Q5 offered 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly reduced to 24.7 cubic feet in the Sportback.

The 2023 Lexus GX had plenty of cubby space, with a deep center console bin and conveniently placed cupholders. The GX retained hard buttons for controls, which was a plus for those who preferred physical interfaces. The center console lid could be adjusted for different-sized occupants. The second row was comfortable, with options for captain’s chairs or a bench seat. However, the third row was too tight for regular use. The GX had a side-hinged, non-power-operated trunk door, offering 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with both rows down.

The 2023 Audi Q5 came standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen, featuring sharp graphics and quick responses. However, the system took a while to boot up, and Apple CarPlay activation was slow. Both CarPlay and Android Auto were available wirelessly. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Q5 could be monitored remotely via a smartphone app, with features like unlocking and temperature pre-conditioning. Mid-range trims had a customizable digital instrument panel.

The 2023 Lexus GX had a 10.3-inch touchscreen, an improvement over the old system, with integrations like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface was still present but unnecessary due to the improved touchscreen. The GX included three years of Lexus Enform Remote and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo. However, the tech felt dated compared to other Lexus models, with lagging touchscreen performance and less crisp graphics. The GX excelled in off-road capability, with a real 4WD system, Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, and an Off-Road Package.

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

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it was originally engineered for the 2010 model year. Despite this, it included advanced driver assistance systems like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. While it lacked some top-end features, its safety technology was relatively up-to-date.