Verdict
The Audi Q5 costs RM352,900, undercutting the Lexus NX’s RM395,888 by RM42,988, while annual road tax is also lower at RM434 against RM830. Its 196 hp/340 Nm 2.0-litre turbo and 2,817 mm wheelbase suggest the stronger low-rpm pull and the longer cabin footprint, but it sends power only to the front wheels. The NX brings all-wheel drive, a 2.5-litre petrol-hybrid system with two motors, 20-inch wheels and a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty. Both are five-seat SUVs with a 520-litre boot, seven airbags and autonomous braking.
Pick the Audi Q5 if RM42,988 saved, 340 Nm from 2,000 rpm and a 2,817 mm wheelbase matter more than all-wheel drive and warranty length.
Pick the Lexus NX if you want all-wheel drive, hybrid assistance, ventilated front seats, a head-up display and five years of unlimited-mileage cover.
Key differences
- Price: Audi Q5 RM352,900; Lexus NX RM395,888.
- Road tax per year: Audi Q5 RM434; Lexus NX RM830.
- Powertrain: Audi Q5 196 hp and 340 Nm from a 1,984 cc turbo petrol; Lexus NX 184 hp and 221 Nm from a 2,487 cc petrol-hybrid, plus two electric motors.
- Driveline: Audi Q5 front-wheel drive; Lexus NX all-wheel drive.
- Wheelbase: Audi Q5 2,817 mm; Lexus NX 2,690 mm.
- Warranty: Audi Q5 two years unlimited mileage; Lexus NX five years unlimited mileage.
Q5
- RM42,988 cheaper to buy
- 340 Nm arrives at 2,000 rpm
- Longer 2,817 mm wheelbase and 68-litre tank
- Front-wheel drive versus the NX’s all-wheel drive
- Two-year warranty versus five years
- No head-up display or ventilated front seats
NX
- All-wheel drive with two electric motors
- Ventilated front seats and head-up display
- Five-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- RM42,988 higher purchase price
- RM830 annual road tax versus RM434
- Shorter 2,690 mm wheelbase and smaller 55-litre tank
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM352,900✓ | RM395,888 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | Compact Executive | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM434✓ | RM830 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharged with variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing and hybrid assistance |
| Capacity | 1,984 cc | 2,487 cc |
| Horsepower | 196 hp at 4,300 rpm✓ | 184 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 340 Nm at 2,000 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 | Front 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 | 1,669 mm | 1,670 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,817 mm | 2,690 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,765 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 68 litres | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 520 litres | 520 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/55R19 | 235/50R20 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/55R19 | 235/50R20 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Michelin e-Primacy | 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 | 19" 10 Spoke Aero Design Alloys | 20" Dark Grey Metallic with Bright Machined Finish Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" 10 Spoke Aero Design 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 | Comfort 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 | Digital Matrix LED Headlights | 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 Driver's Memory Function | 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, 10-speaker Audi 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 & NX for sale
Q5 vs NX FAQ
Is the Audi Q5 or Lexus NX better?
The Q5 is the sharper financial choice, costing RM42,988 less with lower RM434 road tax and 340 Nm. Choose the NX for all-wheel drive, hybrid assistance, ventilated seats, a head-up display and five-year warranty cover.
What is the price difference?
The Lexus NX costs RM42,988 more than the Audi Q5: RM395,888 versus RM352,900.
Which has the longer warranty?
The Lexus NX has five years of unlimited-mileage manufacturer warranty, compared with two years of unlimited-mileage cover for the Audi Q5.
