Comparison
2026 Audi Q5 vs Lexus RX 350
Luxury compact-plus SUVs: quattro Q5 against the RX.
| 2026 Audi Q5 | 2026 Lexus RX 350 | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $54,095 | $53,575 |
| Base trim | TFSI Premium quattro | RX 350 AWD |
| Power | 268 hp, 2.0L turbo 4-cyl | 275 hp, 2.4L turbo 4-cyl |
| Drivetrain | quattro AWD standard | AWD |
| EPA mpg (city / hwy / combined) | 21 / 29 / 24 | 21 / 28 / 24 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Cargo (behind rows / max) | 56.9 cu ft max | 46.2 cu ft max |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specs (base trims shown, MSRP as listed by KBB), checked October 2026. Prices exclude tax, tag and fees and change often; Kirk confirms current pricing in writing.
Who should buy which
The short answer
You want more cargo room, quattro on every Q5, and a sharper drive.
You want the softest ride and Lexus's reputation, and cargo space isn't a priority.
Kirk's take
“On paper these are dead even on price, power and mpg. The difference is how they feel and how much they hold: the Q5 has about 10 more cubic feet of maximum cargo space per KBB. Drive both on Washington Rd and I think you'll feel the difference in the first mile.”
Kirk Epps, General Manager, Audi Augusta
Common questions
Which has more cargo space, the Q5 or the RX 350?
KBB lists 56.9 cubic feet of cargo volume for the 2026 Q5 and 46.2 for the RX 350.
Is all-wheel drive standard on the Audi Q5?
Yes, the 2026 Q5 TFSI Premium comes with quattro all-wheel drive.
Which is cheaper?
Per KBB, the RX 350 AWD starts at $53,575 and the Q5 TFSI Premium at $54,095, about $500 apart.
Sources & resources
Check it yourself
Every number above comes from these. Safety ratings and recalls change, so look up the exact model year you're considering.
- Audi Q5 official siteaudiusa.com
- Lexus RX 350 official sitelexus.com
- 2026 Audi Q5 full specs (Kelley Blue Book)kbb.com
- 2026 Lexus RX 350 full specs (Kelley Blue Book)kbb.com
- EPA fuel economy, compare both side by sidefueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratingsnhtsa.gov
- IIHS crash test ratingsiihs.org
- NHTSA recall lookup by VINnhtsa.gov
Photos are real-world examples from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each image, and may show a different model year or trim than the table. Brand names belong to their owners; kirkepps.com isn't affiliated with Honda, Toyota or Lexus.