Verdict
The Lexus NX costs RM26,102 less at RM395,888, yet brings a petrol-hybrid system with two motors, a 2,690 mm wheelbase and 520 litres of boot space. Its five-year unlimited-mileage warranty is a major ownership advantage over the Audi Q5 Sportback’s two-year cover. The Audi counters with a 268 hp, 400 Nm 1.984-litre petrol engine against the Lexus’s 184 hp and 221 Nm 2.487-litre petrol engine, plus 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio. For Malaysian buyers, the NX also cuts annual road tax from RM434 to RM830 in the Audi’s favour? No: the Audi is RM434 and the Lexus RM830, so check that running-cost trade-off.
Pick the Audi Q5 Sportback if you want 268 hp and 400 Nm, a 68-litre tank, 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio and rear-zone climate control.
Pick the Lexus NX if you prioritise the RM26,102 lower purchase price, five-year unlimited-mileage warranty, hybrid assistance and a 2,690 mm wheelbase.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q5 Sportback RM421,990; Lexus NX RM395,888.
- Road tax per year: Audi Q5 Sportback RM434; Lexus NX RM830.
- Engine output: Audi Q5 Sportback 268 hp and 400 Nm; Lexus NX 184 hp and 221 Nm.
- Wheelbase: Audi Q5 Sportback 2,528 mm; Lexus NX 2,690 mm.
- Boot space: Audi Q5 Sportback 515 litres; Lexus NX 520 litres.
- Manufacturer warranty: Audi Q5 Sportback two years unlimited mileage; Lexus NX five years unlimited mileage.
Q5 Sportback
- 268 hp and 400 Nm from its 1.984-litre engine.
- 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.
- 68-litre fuel tank and 40:20:40 rear seat split.
- Costs RM26,102 more.
- Two-year unlimited-mileage warranty versus five years.
- Shorter 2,528 mm wheelbase and 515-litre boot.
NX
- RM395,888 price and five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- Petrol-hybrid system with two motors; motor output is listed at 133 hp and 208 Nm.
- Longer 2,690 mm wheelbase and 520-litre boot.
- Annual road tax is RM830 versus RM434.
- Lower listed petrol-engine output of 184 hp and 221 Nm versus 268 hp and 400 Nm.
- 10-speaker audio and rear air vents, against 16 speakers and rear-zone air-con.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM421,990 | RM395,888✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM434✓ | RM830 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 24-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, supercharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | 268 hp at 5,000 rpm✓ | 184 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 400 Nm at 1,600 rpm✓ | 221 Nm at 4,300 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Inline 4 | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 87.5 mm × 103.4 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 14 |
| Number of Motors | — | 2 |
| Motor Horsepower | — | 133 hp |
| Motor Torque | — | 208 Nm |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 7-speed S-tronic | 8-Speed Direct Shift |
| Gears | 7 | 8 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | All Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 7.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 200 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,717 mm | 4,660 mm |
| Width | 1,900 mm | 1,865 mm |
| Height | 1,641 mm | 1,670 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,528 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,765 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 515 litres | 520 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 255/45R20 | 235/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 SUV | Bridgestone Alenza 001 Run-flats |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Mexico (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | Multi-link | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 20" Audi Sport 5 Twin-spoke Alloys | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 20" Audi Sport 5 Twin-spoke Alloys | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | S Sport Suspension | — |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Centre Airbag) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Knee, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Electric for rear doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), TPMS |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | Matrix LED Projectors | 3 LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | Full OLED Tail lights | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power Adjustable Front Seats with Memory Function, Ventilated | 8-way Power Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory Function, Ventilated |
| Rear Seats | 40:20:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System with Lexus Climate Concierge |
| Rear Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 2 USB-C Rear | 1 Front, 1 Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights | Map Lights and Ambient Lights (64 Colours) |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 14.5" Touchscreen with Android Automotive OS, 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen Sound System | 14" Lexus Premium Audio Touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and 10 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation with Digital Key | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric Steering Adjustment | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered with Contactless Operation | Powered Boot with Contactless Opening |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Surround View Camera | Yes, with Panoramic View Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Qi Wireless Charger, Smart Card Key |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 2 years | 5 years✓ |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Q5 Sportback & NX for sale
Q5 Sportback vs NX FAQ
Is the Audi Q5 Sportback or Lexus NX better?
The Lexus NX is the stronger ownership-led choice with a RM26,102 lower price, five-year warranty and hybrid assistance. Choose the Audi Q5 Sportback for its 268 hp, 400 Nm engine, 16-speaker audio and larger 68-litre tank.
What is the price difference?
The Audi Q5 Sportback is RM26,102 more expensive: RM421,990 against RM395,888 for the Lexus NX.
Which has the better warranty and more luggage space?
The Lexus NX has the longer five-year unlimited-mileage warranty, compared with two years for the Audi. It also has 520 litres of boot space, 5 litres more than the Audi Q5 Sportback’s 515 litres.
