2020 Lexus RX vs 2020 Audi Q7

The 2020 Lexus RX received a significant refresh, enhancing both its interior and exterior. The updates were more than just minor tweaks, as the styling changes allowed the RX to stand out in a competitive market. Despite its age, the RX maintained a stylish edge over its Toyota counterparts. The exterior featured standard 18-inch wheels, slimmer headlights, and L-shaped taillights, with optional triple-beam LED headlamps. The grille was redesigned to align with other Lexus models, and a new paint option, Moonbeam Beige Metallic, was introduced. The rear of the vehicle was updated with a new shape, dual exhaust, rear diffuser, and reflectors, along with an available hands-free tailgate. Inside, the RX continued to offer a well-appointed cabin with standard heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. The interior featured leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, with wood and satin-brushed aluminum trim available. The F Sport packages added unique features like a special steering wheel, shift knob, and 20-inch wheels. The RX's interior was luxurious yet practical, though the centre stack's design was beginning to show its age.

The 2020 Audi Q7 offered multiple variations, with the 55 TFSI model featuring a mild-hybrid turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine. The Q7's design updates included changes to the front and rear styling, new wheels, and lighting elements, aligning it with the flagship Q8 model. The test vehicle, equipped with the Technik trim, featured standard 21-inch wheels. Inside, the Q7 adopted the high-tech dashboard and instrumentation from the Q8, replacing most physical controls with three digital displays. The Virtual Cockpit panel provided various configurations, while two touch-sensing screens handled infotainment functions. The cabin, decked out in Okapi Brown leather with Gray/Brown Fine Grain Ash inlays, was both upscale and high-tech. The Technik trim's standard multi-colour ambient lighting added a soothing vibe at night. Overall, the Q7's interior was modern and luxurious, though the digital controls could be challenging to use with dry fingertips.

The 2020 Lexus RX 350 was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. It produced 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, while the three-row RX 350 L models were slightly less powerful at 290 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with an electric motor, achieving 308 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. The RX 450h L used the same setup, with a 165-horsepower electric motor and a 37-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The RX's hybrid models featured an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) and multiple electric motors for enhanced performance. The RX was not particularly athletic, taking 7.9 seconds to reach 60 mph, but it offered a smooth driving experience with standard AWD. Fuel efficiency was a strong suit, with the RX 350 achieving 10.8 L/100 km combined, while the RX 450h used 7.9 L/100 km combined. The RX F Sport models featured adaptive variable suspension and 20-inch wheels for improved agility. Drivers could choose from various drive modes, including Normal, Eco, Sport, and EV mode for hybrids. The RX delivered a connected drive experience with smooth throttle response and shifting, and a quiet cabin.

The 2020 Audi Q7 55 TFSI introduced a new 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 engine, generating 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid electrical system, which helped conserve fuel. Audi's eight-speed automatic transmission and Quattro AWD system provided a choice of driving modes, including Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, Individual, and Allroad. The Q7 accelerated from zero to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds and had a maximum tow rating of just under 3,500 kilograms. Natural Resources Canada estimated the Q7's fuel consumption at 12.0 L/100 km combined, though it averaged 11.2 L/100 km during testing. The Technik trim included an adaptive air suspension, with adjustable firmness and suspension height settings. The Q7 excelled on both pavement and off-road trails, offering speedy acceleration and agile handling. The mild-hybrid technology operated transparently, and the cabin remained quiet even at high speeds, thanks to dual-pane acoustic side window glass. Overall, the Q7 provided a well-rounded luxury SUV experience with responsive acceleration, significant towing capacity, and decent off-roading capability.

The 2020 Lexus RX's interior was not as minimalist or stylish as its German competitors, but it was functional. The two-row RX model comfortably accommodated four adults, while the three-row RX-L's third row was best suited for small children or pets. The cabin was spacious in its two-row configuration, with comfortable front seats and good visibility, though the A-pillar could obstruct the driver's view. The RX's cargo area was smaller than its rivals, with a high load floor that limited space. The RX 350 L and 450h L also had less cargo space compared to competitors like the Lincoln Aviator. A hands-free liftgate was available on certain models.

The 2020 Audi Q7, with its three rows of seats, was best used as a five-passenger vehicle. The third-row seat was suitable only for young children, and using it required sliding the second-row seats forward. With the third row in use, cargo space was limited to 402 litres, but folding it down expanded capacity to 1,010 litres. Folding both rows provided a maximum of 1,970 litres of cargo space. The Q7 was comfortable for a family of four, with agreeable front seats and ample second-row legroom. The test vehicle's four-zone climate control, heated rear seats, and panoramic sunroof added to passenger comfort. However, interior storage was limited, with the centre console and dashboard screen taking up space. The second row offered netted storage and cupholders.

The 2020 Lexus RX's infotainment system was often criticized, but improvements were made for the 2020 model. The standard 8.0-inch display and available 12.3-inch touchscreen were moved closer to the driver. Despite this, the system remained difficult to navigate, with a challenging interface. However, standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity provided a solution, allowing users to bypass the Lexus system. The RX also offered Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and other app compatibility. The touchscreen was easier to use than previous models, and the RX featured six USB ports. The standard 12-speaker audio system was adequate, with a 15-speaker Mark Levinson system available.

The 2020 Audi Q7 introduced MMI Touch Response technology, with a 10.1-inch upper touchscreen and an 8.6-inch lower touchscreen. The system included natural voice recognition, handwriting recognition, and wireless Apple CarPlay. While the interface was generally intuitive, dry fingertips could make virtual buttons unresponsive. The Technik trim featured a full-colour head-up display and a Bose premium sound system. The voice-recognition technology was excellent, allowing for easy control of various functions. Audi planned to replace the Bose system with a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen system for 2021.

The 2020 Lexus RX came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and a backup camera. The 2020 model added features like daytime bicyclist detection, low-light pedestrian detection, road-sign assist, and lane-tracing assist. The RX also offered a three-year subscription to Lexus Enform Safety Connect and a 10-year subscription to Enform Service Connect. The RX received good safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though not as high as newer models.

The 2020 Audi Q7 featured HD Matrix LED headlights, which performed well but were rated "poor" by the IIHS due to glare. The Q7 included advanced driving-assistance systems, with optional features like Emergency Assist, Turn Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Assist. The adaptive cruise control worked well, but the traffic-sign-recognition technology could be problematic. The Active Lane Assist technology was also challenging to use. The Q7 received high collision protection ratings from the IIHS, with the headlight assessment preventing a "Top Safety Pick+" rating.