2025 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2025 Audi Q5

The 2025 Audi Q5 presented a robust SUV demeanor with its third-generation design. It featured a large, textured grille, prominent side air intakes, and high-mounted headlights, giving the front an imposing look. The body sides were adorned with well-defined lines, adding a muscular touch. Despite these updates, the styling felt more like an evolution than a revolution, resembling a facelift rather than a complete redesign. The Q5 offered various trim levels, including Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige, with LED Headlights Plus and programmable OLED taillights available on higher trims. The model was available in both standard crossover SUV and coupe-like Q5 Sportback body styles, with the latter offering a sleeker profile at the expense of cargo space and rear-seat headroom. The SQ5 performance grade added more power and sport suspension, along with distinctive design elements like matte chrome trim and quad exhaust tips.

Inside, the Q5's design was a mix of intricate details, with a dashboard and door panels featuring opposing curves to accommodate the main touchscreen and bulging doors. The materials used were top-notch, with sturdy plastics and a mix of silver and black trim pieces contrasting nicely with lighter upholstery colors. Leather seating surfaces were standard, and the SQ5 offered a red interior with Alcantara trim and sportier front seats. However, the piano-black plastic surrounding the cupholders and shifter was prone to getting dirty quickly, and the SQ5 seats lacked adequate bolstering for enthusiastic driving.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h Black Line Special Edition, was priced at $75,000 and featured an exclusive Incognito paint job with orange brake calipers. Despite these unique touches, the RX's design was unremarkable, with a huge front grille and a dramatic swell into the rear haunches. The RX lineup included three models: the RX 350h, RX 500h, and RX 450h+, each offering different power outputs and fuel efficiencies. The RX 350h was the base model, providing 246 horsepower and 36 mpg, while the RX 500h delivered 366 hp and 27 mpg. The RX 450h+ was a plug-in hybrid with an estimated 37 miles of electric-only driving range.

The RX Hybrid's interior was contemporary, with quality materials and ambient lighting. The controls ranged from baffling to brilliant, and Lexus avoided the single curved display approach common in modern vehicles. The RX 500h featured a sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension, 21-inch wheels, and Lexus's Direct4 all-wheel-drive system. However, the RX 500h's drivetrain, while powerful, was not very fuel-efficient, averaging 20.9 mpg during testing. The adaptive damping suspension didn't control unwanted body motions as expected, and the RX 500h's dynamic capability was more about appearance and straight-line acceleration than overall satisfaction.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive. The base model featured a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine producing 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the SQ5 boasted a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The Q5's standard output was competitive for a compact crossover, with slightly less horsepower than an Acura RDX but more torque. The SQ5's performance was comparable to a Mercedes-AMG GLC43, with a manufacturer-estimated zero to 60 mph time of 4.6 seconds. However, both the Q5 and SQ5 experienced turbo lag and rough shifts, detracting from the sporty feel. The air suspension with adaptive damping provided capable handling, but the steering lacked precision and feedback, making it less engaging on twisty roads.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered three models with varying power outputs. The RX 350h was the least powerful but most efficient, with 246 hp and 233 pound-feet from a hybrid powertrain. The RX 450h+ PHEV delivered 304 hp and a zero-to-60 time of 6.2 seconds, while the RX 500h featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine producing 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The RX 500h's drivetrain was powerful but not fuel-efficient, averaging 20.9 mpg during testing. It featured a sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension, 21-inch wheels, and Lexus's Direct4 all-wheel-drive system. However, the RX 500h's dynamic capability was more about appearance and straight-line acceleration than overall satisfaction, with the adaptive damping suspension producing unnatural sensations and filtering communication between the road and driver.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar exterior dimensions and interior space to the 2024 model, with adequate headroom and legroom in both rows. The sliding and reclining second-row bench seat was standard, and the Q5 offered 27.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row and 56.9 cubic feet behind the first row. This provided more cargo space than a Lexus NX or Mercedes-Benz GLC but less than an Acura RDX or BMW X3. The Q5 also offered up to 4,400 pounds of towing capacity, surpassing the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4Matic and Lexus NX.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and practical cargo space. The RX 500h F Sport Performance test vehicle featured heated and ventilated front seats with enhanced bolstering, though the bottom cushions were uncomfortable after extended driving. The rear seats were spacious and comfortable, with optional power-reclining, heated, and ventilated features. The RX Hybrid offered 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space, with hooks for grocery bags and a small amount of storage under the load floor. Folding down the second row created 46.2 cubic feet of cargo volume, which was limited for a midsize SUV.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, with a 10.9-inch touchscreen for the front passenger on the Prestige trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a cooled wireless charging pad. The Premium Plus trim added four USB-C ports and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, was easy to use, with a built-in voice assistant for some vehicle functions. The Q5 also offered a head-up display and Dynamic Interaction Light for additional driver cues.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen display with the Lexus Interface infotainment system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with SiriusXM satellite radio and cloud-based navigation. The RX 500h model included a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, though the steering wheel controls were distracting to use. The head-up display was helpful but not as comprehensive as rivals. The RX Hybrid also offered digital key functionality, a camera-based digital rearview mirror, and a hands-free power liftgate as optional features.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came with standard driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control, active front assist, lane departure warning, parking sensors, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. Premium Plus models added a 360-degree camera system and adaptive cruise assist. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at press time, but Audi aimed to match the previous generation's five-star NHTSA rating.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid included Safety Connect, offering automatic collision notification, SOS emergency assistance, and roadside assistance. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 provided forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control. The RX Hybrid also featured Predictive Driving Assist and a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert. The NHTSA awarded the RX a five-star overall safety rating, while the IIHS gave it a Poor rating for occupant protection in a moderate overlap frontal-impact test.