2026–27 Lexus NX vs Audi Q5: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the NX — it leads our weighted scorecard 5–4 across 8 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($44,175 vs $53,300) and better 5-year value retention (54.4% vs 36.7%). Choose the Q5 if you want the most power (362 hp vs 304 hp).
Scorecard: NX 5 pts · Q5 4 pts across 8 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2026 NX | 2027 Q5 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $44,175 | $53,300 | NX |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 54.4% | 36.7% | NX |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 40 mpg | 24 mpg | NX |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 304 hp | 362 hp | Q5 |
| Max towing (1) | 2,000 lb | 4,400 lb | Q5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 22.7 cu ft | 27.6 cu ft | Q5 |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 5 | Tie |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 3.4% off MSRP | 8% off MSRP | Q5 |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | — | 6 | No data |
| Weighted points | 5 | 4 | NX |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the NX — 40 mpg vs 24 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the Q5 — 27.6 cu ft vs 22.7 cu ft (cargo behind rear seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the NX — $44,175 vs $53,300 (starting MSRP).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the NX — 54.4% vs 36.7% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the Q5 — 4,400 lb vs 2,000 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The NX starts at $44,175 and tops out at $62,830; the Q5 runs $53,300 to $67,300 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified NX buyers paid a median 3.4% off MSRP across 11 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 5.7% off. Verified Q5 buyers paid a median 8% off MSRP across 5 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 10% off.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- NX: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Q5: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
Latest rated model years on our years-to-avoid pages: Q5 2016 (caution).
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2026 NX | 2027 Q5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $44,175 | $53,300 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $62,830 | $67,300 |
| Horsepower | 240–304 hp | 268–362 hp |
| Max torque | 317 lb-ft | 406 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 24–40 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 24 mpg |
| Max towing | 2,000 lb | 4,400 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 5 / 5 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 22.7 cu ft | 27.6 cu ft |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Size
| NX | Q5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 183.5 in | 185.7 in |
| Width | 73.4 in | 74.8 in |
| Height | 66.1 in | 65.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.9 in | 110.9 in |
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) NX lists for a median $28,998 — 54.4% of today's median new price of $53,276. A 5-year-old (2021) Q5 lists for a median $22,166 — 36.7% of today's median new price of $60,431.
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More on the Lexus NX
More on the Audi Q5
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the NX better than the Q5?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the NX — it leads our weighted scorecard 5–4 across 8 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($44,175 vs $53,300) and better 5-year value retention (54.4% vs 36.7%). Choose the Q5 if you want the most power (362 hp vs 304 hp).
Which is more reliable, the NX or the Q5?
We only rank reliability by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold, and that rate isn't available for both models yet.
Which holds its value better, the NX or the Q5?
The NX: a 5-year-old example lists for 54.4% of the new price, versus 36.7% for the Q5, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the NX or the Q5?
The NX starts lower: $44,175 vs $53,300 starting MSRP (before destination). Verified buyers paid a median 3.4% off MSRP on the NX (11 deals) and 8% on the Q5 (5 deals).
Which has better gas mileage, the NX or the Q5?
The NX: up to 40 mpg combined vs 24 mpg for the Q5 (best EPA rating across each lineup).
How we score
Each category compares one published number per model and counts only when both models have it. The winner earns the category weight; results inside the tie band earn nothing. Our pick has more weighted points; level points fall back to more category wins, then the reliability winner, then the price winner.
- Starting MSRP: lower wins; tie within 3%.
- NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold: lower wins; tie within 15%.
- 5-year value retained: higher wins; tie within 2 points.
- Best EPA combined: higher wins; tie within 1 mpg (3 MPGe).
- Most horsepower available: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Max towing: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Cargo behind rear seats: higher wins; tie within 5%.
- Standard seats: higher wins; tie same count.
- Median discount verified buyers got: higher wins; tie within 0.5 points.
- Recalls, 2023–2025 model years: lower wins; tie within 1.
Towing weighs 2 for pickups and 1 otherwise; seating is only scored between SUVs and minivans, using standard (never optional) seats. Sources: automaker spec pages and order guides; EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov); NHTSA owner complaints and recall campaigns against published US sales; median used asking prices across active US dealer listings from licensed vehicle-data providers; verified buyer-submitted deal sheets for discounts.
Cite this page: CarWhere, "2026–27 Lexus NX vs Audi Q5: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/lexus-nx-vs-audi-q5, updated November 8, 2026.