2025 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2025 Audi Q5

The 2025 Audi Q5 presented a robust SUV aesthetic, with its third-generation design emphasizing toughness. The front end featured a large, textured grille, prominent side air intakes, and high-mounted headlights, creating an imposing look. The body sides were adorned with well-defined lines, adding a muscular touch. Despite the new styling elements, the changes appeared more evolutionary than revolutionary, resembling a facelift rather than a complete redesign. In Canada, the Q5 was available in base, Progressiv, and Technik trims, with the latter two featuring matrix-design LED headlights and animated taillights. The Q5 also offered a Sportback body style, which sacrificed cargo space and rear-seat headroom for a sleeker profile. The SQ5 performance grade stood out with matte chrome trim, larger air intakes, and quad exhaust tips, complemented by 21-inch wheels with performance tires. Inside, the Q5's interior was a mix of top-notch materials and a somewhat discordant design, with leather seating surfaces standard and a red interior option available on the SQ5.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h F Sport Black Line, was a $90,000 SUV that, despite its price, maintained a somewhat unremarkable appearance. The exclusive Incognito paint job and orange brake calipers added some flair, but the overall design was dependent on the version and colour/wheel combination. The RX Hybrid lineup included the RX 350h, RX 500h, and RX 450h+, each offering different power outputs and fuel efficiencies. All models came with standard all-wheel drive in Canada, and the RX 500h featured sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension and Lexus's Direct4 AWD system. Inside, the RX Hybrid boasted a contemporary interior with quality materials and ambient lighting. However, the ergonomics of the controls varied, with some being baffling while others were brilliant. The RX avoided the common single curved display approach, maintaining a unique interior design.

The 2025 Audi Q5 offered a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive across all models. The base Q5 featured a 2.0-litre turbo-four engine producing 268 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, while the SQ5 boasted a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 with 362 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Despite the impressive specs, both models experienced turbo lag and rough shifts, with the dual-clutch transmission unable to make quick shifts off the line. The air suspension, standard on the SQ5, provided capable handling but lacked sportiness. Audi included Off-Road and Off-Road Plus driving modes, but the Q5 was more suited for dirt roads than technical trails.

In contrast, the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered three models with varying power outputs. The RX 350h, with 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, was the most efficient but least powerful. The RX 450h+ PHEV provided 304 hp and a 0-100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds, while the RX 500h delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. The RX 500h featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, and a sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension. Despite its power, the RX 500h was not very fuel-efficient, averaging 13.5 L/100 km in testing. The RX 500h excelled in straight-line acceleration but lacked dynamic capability and communication between the driver and the road.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar exterior dimensions and interior space to the 2024 model, offering adequate space compared to rivals. The sliding and reclining second-row bench seat was standard, with cargo-area buttons for easy adjustment. The Q5 provided 757 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 1,710 litres behind the first row, surpassing the Lexus NX and Mercedes-Benz GLC but falling short of the Acura RDX and BMW X3. Standard features included a power tailgate, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel, with additional options like heated rear seats and a panoramic sunroof available.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and practical cargo space, with the RX 500h offering heated and ventilated front seats with enhanced bolstering. The panoramic sunroof extended over the rear seat, which featured optional power-reclining, heated, and ventilated seats. The RX provided ample room for adults in the back seat, making it a comfortable space. The RX Hybrid offered 838 litres of cargo space, with hooks for grocery bags and a small storage space under the load floor. However, the cargo cover could be cumbersome when loading larger items. Folding down the second row increased cargo volume to 1,308 litres, which was modest for a midsize SUV.

The 2025 Audi Q5 featured an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, with the Technik trim adding a 10.9-inch touchscreen for the front passenger. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a cooled wireless charging pad, and a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, was user-friendly, with a built-in voice assistant for vehicle functions. The Q5 also offered a head-up display and Audi's Dynamic Interaction Light, although the latter added little to the experience.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid met luxury expectations with features like digital key functionality, a camera-based digital rearview mirror, and a hands-free power liftgate. The RX 500h featured a 14-inch touchscreen display with the Lexus Interface infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and cloud-based navigation. The system worked well, although there were occasional glitches with satellite radio. The head-up display was helpful but not as comprehensive as some rivals. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came with standard driver assist features, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. An exit alert feature used interior ambient lighting to warn occupants of oncoming vehicles or cyclists. However, the Q5's safety ratings from the IIHS were not favourable, with too many Marginal or Acceptable ratings for a Top Safety Pick designation.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered Safety Connect, a free service for up to ten years, providing automatic collision notification and emergency assistance. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist monitored forward progress and used braking or steering input to maintain safe distances. The RX Hybrid earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS rated it Poor in the moderate overlap frontal-impact test.