Verdict
The Audi Q5 Sportback costs RM421,990, RM26,102 more than the Lexus NX, but brings a 268 hp, 400 Nm 1,984 cc petrol engine, a 68-litre tank and 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio. The NX counters with a 2,487 cc petrol-hybrid system with two motors, a stated 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty against two years for the Audi. For Malaysian running costs, the Lexus carries RM830 annual road tax versus RM434. Its 520-litre boot also narrowly beats the Audi’s 515 litres.
Pick the Audi Q5 Sportback if you want 268 hp and 400 Nm, a larger 68-litre fuel tank, Matrix LED headlamps and 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio.
Pick the Lexus NX if you want to save RM26,102 upfront, have a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty and prefer its petrol-hybrid system.
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.
- Warranty: Audi Q5 Sportback two years, unlimited mileage; Lexus NX five years, unlimited mileage.
- Fuel tank: Audi Q5 Sportback 68 litres; Lexus NX 55 litres.
- Boot space: Audi Q5 Sportback 515 litres; Lexus NX 520 litres.
Q5 Sportback
- 268 hp and 400 Nm from its 1,984 cc petrol engine.
- 68-litre fuel tank and lower RM434 annual road tax.
- Matrix LED projectors, OLED tail lights and 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio.
- RM26,102 more expensive than the Lexus NX.
- Two-year unlimited-mileage warranty versus the Lexus NX's five years.
- 515-litre boot is 5 litres smaller than the Lexus NX's.
NX
- RM26,102 lower purchase price and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
- Petrol-hybrid system with two motors and a stated 7.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 520-litre boot, rear cross traffic alert and electric steering adjustment.
- RM830 annual road tax versus RM434 for the Audi Q5 Sportback.
- 55-litre fuel tank is 13 litres smaller than the Audi's.
- 10-speaker audio system versus the Audi's 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen setup.
| 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✓ | 184 hp |
| Torque | 400 Nm✓ | 221 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol Hybrid/REV |
| Bore | — | 87.5 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 | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Front Centre Airbag | 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?
Choose the Audi Q5 Sportback for its 268 hp, 400 Nm output, 68-litre tank and 16-speaker audio. Choose the Lexus NX for lower upfront cost, its petrol-hybrid system, 520-litre boot and five-year warranty.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus NX is RM26,102 less expensive than the Audi Q5 Sportback.
Which has the better warranty?
The Lexus NX has the longer manufacturer warranty: five years with unlimited mileage, compared with two years and unlimited mileage for the Audi Q5 Sportback.
