2023 Audi Q5 vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Audi Q5 presented a blend of elegance and sportiness with its exterior design, characterized by subtle curves and angular accents. It was available in two body styles: the standard Q5 SUV and the Q5 Sportback, which featured a sloping rear roofline for a sleeker look. The Sportback's design included a spoiler-like element above the taillights, providing a more defined transition from the hatch to the upright tail section, setting it apart from some rivals with less cohesive rear designs. Inside, the Q5 offered a refined yet simple layout, though its age was beginning to show since its last redesign five years prior. Standard features included leather seating and heated front seats, with options for a heated steering wheel and rear seats. The 10-inch touchscreen was a notable feature, though it lacked the large tablet-like screens found in some competitors. The Q5's build quality was robust, with no squeaks or creaks over rough surfaces, making it a solid choice among luxury SUVs.

The 2023 Lexus GX boasted a commanding presence with its large spindle grille, 206 millimetres of ground clearance, and an overall height of 1,885 millimetres. The front end appeared ready to dominate the road, framed by massive headlights. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned for 2023, limited to 3,000 units and available in three paint colours, including the new Eminent White Pearl. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's interior featured a disappointing amount of plastic, reflecting its low sales and the need for cost-effective manufacturing. However, it still offered luxury touches like heated and cooled front seats and impressive leather upholstery. The GX's design leaned sleeker compared to Toyota's blocky designs, and its dimensions, including a short 2,789 mm wheelbase, suggested off-road capability. The GX's driving dynamics were improved, with communicative road feel and strong brakes, though its weight and V8 engine affected fuel economy.

The 2023 Audi Q5 offered three engine choices. The base 40 TFSI quattro featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The midrange 45 TFSI quattro turbo increased output to 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, and it was the sole engine for the Q5 Sportback. The 55 TFSI e plug-in hybrid powertrain delivered 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an estimated 37 kilometres of electric-only range. All Q5s came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro all-wheel drive. The Q5 Sportback with the 45 TFSI engine experienced a noticeable delay in power delivery, likely due to the slow-reacting transmission, making initial acceleration feel sluggish. However, once underway, power was adequate, and the Q5's handling was sporty, with precise steering and a balance between compliance and cornering. The cabin remained quiet, with well-managed road and wind noise.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its V8 engine, offering 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque through a 6-speed automatic transmission. While not the most powerful on paper, the naturally aspirated 4.6-litre V8 provided a satisfying linear power delivery and a distinctive sound. The GX's towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms (6,500 pounds) was more capable than most three-row crossovers but fell behind other SUVs. The V8's fuel economy was less appealing, with estimates of 16.2 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving, 12.3 on the highway, and 14.5 combined. The GX's weight affected its handling, but its roll was predictable and controllable. The Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential distributed the 4WD system into a 40:60 front:rear split, adjusting based on wheel slip, enhancing its off-road capability.

The 2023 Audi Q5's interior design had remained largely unchanged since 2018, but it continued to be functional and well-organized. The infotainment touchscreen was positioned atop the dash for easy visibility, and traditional dials and buttons were provided for climate controls. Outward visibility was good, aided by a narrowly profiled front roof pillar. The Q5 offered ample space for taller passengers in both the front and rear seats, with minimal headroom reduction in the Sportback model. Storage options were available, though some were oddly sized. The Q5 provided 730 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats, slightly reduced to 700 litres in the Sportback, offering competitive storage compared to rivals.

The 2023 Lexus GX retained ample cubby space for small items, with a deep centre console bin and a space for a phone ahead of the shifter. The GX featured hard buttons for controls, avoiding the trend of haptic-touch interfaces. The centre console lid had adjustable sliding mechanisms, and the second row offered comfort with captain's chairs or a three-across bench seat. However, the third row was tight for regular use. The GX's side-hinged trunk door required effort to open, and cargo space was limited to 328 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,322 litres with the third row folded and 1,832 litres with both rows down.

The 2023 Audi Q5 came standard with a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring sharp graphics and relatively quick responses. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, along with Bluetooth and SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims included a Bang & Olufsen audio system. The Q5 could be monitored remotely via a smartphone app, offering features like unlocking and temperature pre-conditioning. Mid-range trims featured a customizable digital instrument panel called the virtual cockpit.

The 2023 Lexus GX's infotainment technology, revamped in 2022, already appeared dated compared to other Lexus models. The 10.3-inch touchscreen was an improvement, offering SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface was still present but unnecessary due to the improved touchscreen. The GX included three years of Lexus Enform Remote and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. However, the touchscreen lagged, and the graphics were not as crisp as competitors. The GX excelled in off-road capability, with a real 4WD system, downhill assist, hill-start assist, and the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System.

The 2023 Audi Q5 received high safety ratings, earning five out of five stars from the NHTSA for overall, frontal, and side protection, and four stars in rollover tests. The IIHS awarded the Q5 its highest score of "Good" in all crashworthiness tests and named it a Top Safety Pick+. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and parking sensors. Higher trims added features like lane-keep assist, a surround-view camera system, and matrix-design LED headlights.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it featured advanced driver assistance systems. The GX included the Lexus Safety System+ with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rain-sensing wipers, and automatic high beams. Despite its older design, the GX's safety features were up-to-date.