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Audi Q7 vs Lexus RX

2026 Audi Q7 vs 2026 Lexus RX — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Audi Q7

2026 Audi Q7

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS4 – 3Audi Q7 wins 4 of 7 categories
Lexus RX

2026 Lexus RX

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Lexus RX is more fuel-efficient: 36 vs 22 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $1,450 a year less in fuel for the Lexus RX (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Audi Q7 is the bigger car, about 7 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Lexus RX has had fewer recall campaigns (26 vs 31).

The two cars

The 2026 Audi Q7 is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 199 inches long and 78 inches wide on a 118-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,938 lb.

The 2026 Lexus RX is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.4L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive. It measures about 193 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,288 lb (350 4dr SUV).

Buying used? The 2024 Q7 and the 2022 RX have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2017 Q7 and the 2017 RX.

Basics

Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Premium Gasoline, Hybrid
Fuel
Hybrid, Premium Gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

22 MPG
Best combined MPG
36 MPG
20 city
City / highway MPG (best)
37 city
$3,750
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$2,300

Performance & space

335 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
275 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
199.2 in
Length
192.5 in
77.6 in
Width
75.6 in
68.5 in
Height
67.3 in
4,938 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
4,288 lb

Safety & reliability

14
Driver-assist features standard
12
1
Recalls (2026)
3
31
Recalls, all years since 2005
26
2
Owner complaints (latest year)
12

Interest

17,245
Wikipedia views, 30 days
22,684

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2022
2017
Year to avoid
2017

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Audi Q7 if…

  • You want more power (up to 335 vs 275 hp)
  • You want more room (7 in longer)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech

Choose the Lexus RX if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (36 vs 22 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (7 in shorter)
  • You put reliability history first (26 vs 31 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Audi Q7

  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

2026 Lexus RX

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 36 MPG combined — 39% better than the average 2026 small SUV (25.9 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • Modest powerUp to 275 hp, versus about 355 hp for similar 2026 models.

Full 2026 Audi Q7 specs →Full 2026 Lexus RX specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →