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 spindle grille, were well-integrated, offering a balanced look that was neither as classically handsome as the Genesis GV70 nor as awkward as the Audi Q5. The design team at Lexus refined the existing design, ensuring that elements like the big grille and LED DRLs appeared intentional rather than added for visual impact. The NX's design was a testament to Lexus's ability to maintain brand equity through its styling choices, even if the base NX 350 didn't fully meet luxury expectations. The F Sport 3 package added sporty elements like aluminum pedals and an F Sport steering wheel, but the interior felt more akin to a high-end Toyota RAV4 than a luxury SUV.

In contrast, the 2026 Audi Q3 aimed for a more SUV-like appearance with its tall front end and elongated hood. However, the design was cluttered with elements like faux air intakes and textured plastic on the rear bumper. The "UFO line" was a successful design feature, creating a floating appearance for the upper body section. The Q3's headlights offered programmable looks, and the OLED taillights on the Technik trim added a modern touch. Despite using the same MQB architecture as its predecessor, the Q3 incorporated sportier S Line styling features as standard, including a black grille and rear diffuser. The interior boasted leather upholstery and wood dashboard trim, enhancing its entry-luxury appeal, although the authenticity of the wood was questionable.

The 2026 Lexus NX offered a range of powertrain options, but the standard setup in the NX 350 F Sport 3 was underwhelming. It featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD. The engine, shared with the Toyota Tacoma, felt more suited to a pickup truck, with a coarse exhaust note and a lack of urgency. Lexus claimed a 7.0-second zero to 100 km/h time, but the sluggish transmission made this difficult to achieve. The NX 350h hybrid and NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid models offered more compelling performance on paper, with the latter boasting 304 hp and a 6.1-second sprint to 100 km/h. However, the NX's chassis tuning and firm dampers resulted in poor ride quality and an unengaging driving experience.

The 2026 Audi Q3, on the other hand, featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with increased output of 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This allowed the Q3 to achieve a 5.9-second zero to 100 km/h time, a significant improvement over the previous model. The new seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox replaced the eight-speed automatic, maintaining AWD as standard. While the Q3 was quicker than some competitors, real-world performance was hindered by the transmission's calibration and the accelerator pedal's sensitivity. At higher speeds, the Q3 offered a refined and composed ride, with new laminated acoustic glass reducing wind noise. Despite the larger 20-inch wheels, the ride quality remained good for its segment, justifying its premium positioning.

The 2026 Lexus NX offered competitive passenger space but with some compromises. Rear-seat headroom was comparable to rivals, but legroom was slightly less. Front-seat legroom was closer to the Audi and Mercedes, but the Acura offered more. The front seats felt constrained, with limited headroom and hindered visibility due to the deep dashboard and large mirrors. Cargo space measured 643 litres with the rear seats up and 1,328 litres with them folded, trailing competitors. The NX's towing capacity was also below class-leading figures.

The 2026 Audi Q3, slightly larger than its predecessor, maintained identical legroom but featured a reclining and sliding second-row bench seat. Cargo space increased to 707 litres with the rear seats up and 1,414 litres with them folded. While first-row headroom was mid-pack, rear-seat headroom was less than most competitors. The Q3 excelled in cargo space behind the second row, making it a practical choice over small sedans. The new control layout, with a bar across the steering column for shifting and signalling, freed up space for cupholders and a wireless charger, although it required some adjustment.

The 2026 Lexus NX came standard with a 9.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while a 14-inch display was available with higher packages. All models featured a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and six USB ports. Higher packages offered a head-up display and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. Data connectivity packages provided features like cloud-based navigation and digital key functionality. The 14-inch touchscreen was well-placed, but the touch slider for fan speed was awkward. The voice recognition system was helpful but had limitations, such as not being able to switch SiriusXM stations.

The 2026 Audi Q3 featured the Digital Stage screen setup with an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch touchscreen. The MMI infotainment system, based on Android Automotive OS, included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system supported app downloads and featured ChatGPT integration for voice commands. The Technik trim offered a head-up display and a 12-speaker Sonos audio system, although the sound quality lacked midrange.

The 2026 Lexus NX was equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, including features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane centring assist. Additional features included park assist and a 360-degree camera system. The NX received a 2025 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS but missed the highest award due to an "Acceptable" score in one crash test. NHTSA ratings were not available.

The 2026 Audi Q3 offered standard driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. The Technik trim added a 360-degree camera system and Adaptive Cruise Assist. Crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were unavailable, but the previous generation's mixed performance indicated room for improvement.