Audi Q3 vs Lexus NX

The 2026 Lexus NX maintained a fresh appearance despite being a few years into its second generation. Its design elements, such as the chunky fenders, integrated LED daytime running lights, and the distinctive spindle grille, were well-integrated, offering a balanced look that was neither too conservative nor awkward. The design team at Lexus refined the existing design, ensuring that elements like the large grille and LED DRLs appeared intentional rather than as afterthoughts. The NX was available in various trims, including non-hybrid, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options, with the F Sport Handling grade adding sporty features like adaptive dampers and black 20-inch wheels. However, the base NX 350's interior didn't quite meet luxury expectations, feeling similar to high-end Toyota RAV4 models, despite the addition of sport seats and an F Sport steering wheel.

In contrast, the 2026 Audi Q3 aimed for a more SUV-like appearance with its tall front end and elongated hood. The design included elements like faux air intakes and a textured plastic belt on the rear bumper, which some found cluttered. However, the "UFO line" successfully separated the upper and lower body sections, giving the Q3 a floating appearance. The Q3 featured programmable daytime running lights and OLED taillights, enhancing its modern look. Audi standardized sportier S Line styling features, including a black grille and rear diffuser, across all U.S.-market Q3 models. The interior saw significant upgrades, with leather upholstery and wood dashboard trim becoming standard, although the authenticity of the wood was questioned. Despite the presence of plastic, the overall quality was deemed worthy of the Q3's entry-luxury price point.

The 2026 Lexus NX offered a range of powertrain options, but the standard setup in the NX 350 F Sport test car was underwhelming. It featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The engine, shared with the Toyota Tacoma, felt more suited to a pickup truck, with a coarse exhaust note and a lack of urgency in acceleration. Lexus claimed a 6.6-second zero to 60 mph time, but the sluggish transmission made achieving this difficult. The NX 350h hybrid and NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid models offered more compelling options, with the latter boasting 304 hp and a 6-second zero to 60 mph time. However, the NX's chassis tuning left much to be desired, with firm dampers and lifeless steering detracting from the driving experience.

The 2026 Audi Q3, on the other hand, featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with increased output of 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This allowed the Q3 to achieve a zero to 60 mph time of 5.5 seconds, a significant improvement over the previous model. The new seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox replaced the eight-speed automatic transmission, while all-wheel drive remained standard. Despite the improved performance, the transmission's calibration and the accelerator pedal's modulation made it challenging to match Audi's quoted numbers in real-world conditions. The Q3's steering and suspension were not as engaging as some competitors, but it maintained composure in corners. Laminated acoustic front-door glass reduced wind noise, contributing to a refined driving experience, although the larger wheels occasionally impacted ride quality.

The 2026 Lexus NX offered competitive passenger space among compact luxury SUVs, though with some compromises. Rear-seat headroom was comparable to rivals like the Acura RDX and Audi Q5, but legroom was slightly less generous. Front-seat legroom was closer to the Audi and Mercedes, but the Acura offered more. The front seats felt somewhat constrained, with limited headroom and hindered outward visibility due to the deep dashboard and large mirrors. The F Sport Handling spec included sport seats with extra bolstering, which were comfortable but unnecessary given the NX's performance limitations. Cargo space measured 22.7 cubic feet with the rear seats up and 56.3 cubic feet with them folded, trailing most competitors. The NX's 2,000-pound towing capacity was also below class-leading figures.

The 2026 Audi Q3, meanwhile, grew in size, offering more cargo space and maintaining legroom in both rows. The standard reclining and sliding second-row bench seat maximized space, providing 29 cubic feet of cargo room with the seats upright. Cargo space increased to 50 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While first-row headroom decreased slightly, the Q3 effectively maximized interior space without increasing overall size. It offered more cargo space than rivals behind the second row, making it a practical choice over small sedans. The Q3's 1,500-pound towing capacity was decent for the segment. The redesigned control layout, with a bar replacing the shifter and turn signal stalks, created a cleaner look and freed up space for cupholders and a wireless device charger.

The 2026 Lexus NX came equipped with a 9.8-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard on base and Premium trims, with a 14-inch display available on higher trims. All models featured a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and six USB ports. Optional features included wireless device charging, a head-up display, and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. Data connectivity packages offered cloud-based navigation, digital key functionality, and emergency assistance. The 14-inch touchscreen was well-placed, but fan speed adjustment via a touch slider was awkward. The voice recognition system could adjust temperature but struggled with specific commands like changing radio stations.

The 2026 Audi Q3 featured the Digital Stage screen setup, combining an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch touchscreen in a curved housing. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, USB-C ports, and a built-in app store. The voice recognition system integrated ChatGPT for trivia and practical commands. The optional Technology Package included a head-up display, while the Infotainment Package offered SiriusXM satellite radio and a 12-speaker Sonos audio system. The audio system provided clear sound but lacked midrange in all profiles.

The 2026 Lexus NX featured the standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, and traffic-sign recognition. Additional features included park assist, front cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera system. The NX received a 2025 Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, with top scores in most crash tests but an "Acceptable" rating in the moderate overlap front crash test. NHTSA ratings were not available.

The 2026 Audi Q3 offered standard driver-assist features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, traffic-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitors. An optional Driver Assistance Package included a 360-degree camera system and Park Assist Plus. Crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were unavailable, but the previous generation's mixed performance indicated room for improvement.