2025 Audi Q5 vs 2024 Lexus TX

The 2024 Lexus TX was based on the Toyota Grand Highlander, yet it distinguished itself as a luxury SUV. It presented an upscale appearance, contrasting with the Grand Highlander's resemblance to a larger RAV4. The test model, featuring Luxury trim, showcased striking 22-inch silver-finished wheels, an expensive option that significantly enhanced the SUV's aesthetic and presence. The TX's styling was more subdued compared to other Lexus models, resulting in a conservative, almost anonymous look. This design approach might have appealed to those previously put off by Lexus's bolder designs. The 2024 Lexus TX was available in TX 350, TX 500h F Sport Performance, and TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid series, with prices ranging from $55,050 to $69,350, including a $1,350 destination charge. The TX 350, likely the volume-selling version, came with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and offered both FWD and AWD options. The test vehicle, equipped with FWD and Luxury trim, had a base price of $60,950, and with additional packages, the MSRP reached $67,869. The interior, though dark with its Peppercorn color scheme, felt luxurious enough to bear the Lexus badge.

The 2025 Audi Q5 leaned into a rugged SUV aesthetic with its large, textured grille, prominent side air intakes, and high-mounted headlights, giving it an imposing front-end look. Despite the new styling elements, the design felt more evolutionary than revolutionary, resembling a facelift rather than a complete redesign. The Q5 was available in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims, with LED Headlights Plus and programmable OLED taillights on higher trims. It offered both standard SUV and coupe-like Sportback body styles, with the latter sacrificing cargo space and rear-seat headroom for a sleeker profile. The SQ5 performance variant featured increased power, sport suspension, and distinctive styling elements like matte chrome trim and quad exhaust tips. The interior design was detailed, with top-notch materials, though the dashboard and door panel lines seemed discordant. The SQ5 offered a sportier red interior with Alcantara trim, but the piano-black plastic around the cupholders and shifter was prone to dirt. Despite some design quirks, the Q5's interior materials were of high quality, and the vehicle offered a competitive mix of features.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. Lexus claimed it could accelerate to 60 mph in eight seconds with FWD and 7.8 seconds with AWD. The engine's performance was adequate for typical driving situations, though the engine note was grating, and FWD models exhibited hints of torque steer. The TX 350 FWD had an EPA fuel economy rating of 23 mpg in combined driving, slightly better than the previous RX L model. During testing, it averaged 20.4 mpg. AWD, available for an additional $1,600, offered slightly quicker acceleration and improved traction in adverse conditions. The TX 350's suspension provided a balance between road feel and ride comfort, with commendable body motion control and accurate steering. The interior remained quiet on highways, though the brake pedal felt too soft in the test vehicle.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro AWD. The base model's 2.0-liter turbo-four engine delivered 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the SQ5's 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 produced 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The Q5's power output was competitive within its segment, though the dual-clutch transmission exhibited turbo lag and rough shifts. The SQ5's performance was brisk, with a manufacturer-estimated 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds, while the standard Q5 was estimated at 5.8 seconds. The Q5's steel-spring suspension with passive frequency selective damping provided capable handling, while the SQ5's air suspension offered sportier tuning. Despite competent tuning, the Q5 and SQ5 didn't encourage aggressive driving, with precise but lifeless steering. The Q5 included Off-Road and Off-Road Plus modes, but it was more suited to dirt roads than technical trails.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUVs. It offered a more habitable third-row seat, accommodating adults comfortably, unlike the RX L. The TX 350 Luxury model featured premium semi-aniline leather and artificial suede upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The second-row bench seat was standard, with optional heated and ventilated captain's chairs. While the front seats lacked a massage function, they provided a supportive driving position. The second-row seat, though less welcoming, offered triple-zone climate control and USB charging ports. The third-row seat provided leg support and a good view, with some cargo space available even when in use. However, sliding the second-row seat forward to accommodate third-row passengers compromised second-row comfort. The TX offered numerous storage options, though many lacked lining, potentially causing noise. Cargo space measured 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar exterior dimensions and interior space to the 2024 model, offering adequate headroom and legroom. It featured a sliding and reclining 40/20/40 split-folding second-row bench seat, with cargo-area buttons for easy adjustment. The 2025 Q5 provided 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 56.9 cubic feet behind the first row, offering more space than some rivals but less than others. A power tailgate and heated front seats were standard, with higher trims adding a heated steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, heated rear seats, and ventilated front seats. The Q5's towing capacity reached 4,400 pounds, surpassing some competitors. Interior storage space was unremarkable, despite Audi's claims of a larger center-console storage bin.

The 2024 Lexus TX featured an optional Technology Package, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, head-up display, digital rearview mirror, surround-view camera, and semi-autonomous parking assist. However, the package replaced marked steering wheel controls with unmarked dual-purpose ones, requiring drivers to reference the head-up display, which was often invisible with polarized sunglasses. The Lexus Interface infotainment system, with a 14-inch touchscreen, offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a three-year Drive Connect subscription with cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The TX also included 10-year subscriptions to Service Connect and Safety Connect, Wi-Fi Connect, and Remote Connect. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson PurePlay surround-sound system provided impressive audio quality.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came standard with an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, with a 10.9-inch passenger touchscreen on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a cooled wireless charging pad, and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system were included. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, was user-friendly, with a built-in voice assistant for vehicle functions. The digital instrument cluster, however, offered less functionality than previous versions. An available head-up display provided clear information, and the Dynamic Interaction Light offered additional visual cues. The Q5 also featured digital key connectivity and a built-in toll transponder.

The 2024 Lexus TX was equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, road sign assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Proactive Drive Assist, part of LSS+ 3.0, offered braking and steering assistance, though it wasn't always transparent in operation. The TX also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe exit assist system. Optional features included parking sensors with automatic braking, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist. The traffic jam assist system provided hands-free driving at low speeds on approved highways.

The 2025 Audi Q5 included standard driver-assist features such as adaptive cruise control, active front assist, lane departure warning, parking sensors, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. An exit alert feature used interior ambient lighting to warn occupants of oncoming vehicles or cyclists. Premium Plus models added a 360-degree camera system and adaptive cruise assist, which incorporated lane keep assist and speed adjustment. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time, but Audi aimed to match the previous generation's five-star NHTSA rating.