Audi Q5 vs Lexus TX

The 2025 Audi Q5 presented a robust SUV aesthetic with its third-generation design. It featured a large, textured grille, prominent side air intakes, and high-mounted headlights, giving it an assertive front-end appearance. The body sides were accentuated with well-defined lines, adding a muscular touch. Despite the new styling elements, the changes seemed 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 offering matrix-design LED headlights and animated taillights. The Q5 came in both standard crossover SUV and coupe-like Sportback body styles, with the latter offering a sleeker profile at the expense of cargo space and rear-seat headroom. The SQ5 performance variant added sporty features like matte chrome trim, larger air intakes, and quad exhaust tips, along with 21-inch wheels.

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. While the design was somewhat discordant, the materials used were top-notch, with sturdy plastics and a mix of silver and black trim contrasting with lighter upholstery colours. Leather seating surfaces were standard, and the SQ5 offered a red interior with Alcantara trim and sportier front seats. However, the SQ5 seats lacked adequate bolstering for enthusiastic driving.

The 2026 Lexus TX offered a variety of packages depending on the powertrain, with the TX 350 featuring the Luxury package by default and options for Ultra Luxury, Executive, and F Sport 3 packages. The TX 500h hybrid started with the F Sport Performance 2 package and could be optioned with the F Sport 3 package. The TX's exterior retained a large grille with a spindle shape, complemented by sharp bi-LED headlights and rear LED lighting spanning the vehicle's width. The interior offered three colour options: standard grey, Birch, and Peppercorn, with ambient lighting adding warmth. However, the material quality was not up to luxury car standards, with basic plastic scattered throughout. The redesigned door handles were a unique feature, reacting to pressure rather than pulling out or engaging a mechanical lever.

The 2025 Audi Q5 was equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive (AWD). The base model 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. The Q5's standard output was competitive for a compact crossover, with slightly less horsepower than an Acura RDX but more torque. The SQ5 nearly matched the output of a Mercedes-AMG GLC 43, with a manufacturer-estimated 0-100 km/h time of 4.8 seconds. However, both models experienced turbo lag and rough shifts from the dual-clutch transmission, affecting acceleration. The air suspension with adaptive damping, 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.

The 2026 Lexus TX 350 came with a 275-horsepower 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, while the TX 500h hybrid increased output to 366 hp. The gas model featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the hybrid used a six-speed automatic. The TX 350 had electronically controlled full-time AWD, while the TX 500h used Lexus's Direct4 AWD system. The TX offered Normal, Eco, and Sport drive modes, with Sport mode increasing throttle sensitivity. The 500h included adaptive suspension and rear steering for improved handling.

The 2025 Audi Q5 maintained similar exterior dimensions and interior space to the 2024 model, with adequate headroom and legroom. It featured a sliding and reclining 40/20/40 split-folding second-row bench seat, with cargo-area buttons for easy adjustment. The Q5 offered 757 litres of cargo space behind the second row and 1,710 litres behind the first row, providing more space than a Lexus NX or Mercedes-Benz GLC but less than an Acura RDX or BMW X3. A power tailgate, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel were standard, with additional features like heated rear seats and a panoramic sunroof available on higher trims. The Q5 had a towing capacity of up to 2,000 kilograms.

The 2026 Lexus TX included three-zone automatic climate control, heated and cooled front seats, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. Ventilated second-row seats were standard on the TX 500h. The third row was spacious, with a recline function and ample headroom. A one-touch button on the second-row seat allowed easy access to the third row, but folding the second row flat was more complicated. The front seats were roomy but lacked thigh support. The TX offered excellent cargo space, with 572 litres behind the third row, 1,625 litres with the third row flat, and 2,747 litres with all rear seats folded. The TX could tow up to 2,268 kilograms when properly equipped.

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 Technik trim. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with a cooled wireless charging pad. The Progressiv trim added four USB-C ports 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 some vehicle functions. An available head-up display showed speed, driver assistance warnings, and navigation directions. The Q5 also included Audi's Dynamic Interaction Light, a light bar at the base of the windshield.

The 2026 Lexus TX had a 14-inch colour touchscreen that was easy to use but lacked some features, such as manual satellite radio station input. Steering wheel buttons controlled adaptive cruise control and volume, with their functions displayed on the gauge cluster or head-up display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, but connectivity issues occurred. A subscription was required for in-dash navigation and other features. The back-up camera was clear, with an available bird’s-eye view, and the Advanced Park system could handle parking duties. The TX offered seven USB ports and wireless charging, with an available 120-volt outlet in the second row.

The 2025 Audi Q5 came with standard driver assist features, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, parking sensors, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, and traffic sign recognition. An exit alert feature used interior ambient lighting to warn occupants of oncoming vehicles or cyclists. The Q5's safety ratings from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) were unavailable, but the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) ratings were not favourable, with too many Marginal or Acceptable ratings for a Top Safety Pick designation.

The 2026 Lexus TX included the Safety System+ 3.0 as standard, with features like forward collision warning, lane tracing assist, lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition, and Proactive Driving Assist. The adaptive cruise control worked well once set up, though it was slow to resume speed. The NHTSA rated the TX 350 and TX 500h five out of five stars for crash safety. The IIHS gave the TX an "Acceptable" score for the small overlap front crash test on the driver’s side and a "Good" score for the passenger’s side, with "Good" scores for driver and passenger injury measures.