2027 Lexus RX vs Audi Q7: We Compared the Data
By the CarWhere Vehicle Data Team · Updated November 8, 2026 · how we score
Our pick: the RX — it leads our weighted scorecard 5–4 across 7 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($53,900 vs $70,900) and better 5-year value retention (58.3% vs 35.4%). Choose the Q7 if you want the most power (591 hp vs 366 hp).
Scorecard: RX 5 pts · Q7 4 pts across 7 scored categories.
The scorecard
| Category (weight) | 2027 RX | 2027 Q7 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (2) | $53,900 | $70,900 | RX |
| 5-year value retained (1.5) | 58.3% | 35.4% | RX |
| Best EPA combined (1.5) | 36 mpg | 22 mpg | RX |
| Most horsepower available (1) | 366 hp | 591 hp | Q7 |
| Max towing (1) | 3,500 lb | 7,700 lb | Q7 |
| Cargo behind rear seats (1) | 29.6 cu ft | — | No data |
| Standard seats (1) | 5 | 7 | Q7 |
| Median discount verified buyers got (1) | 2.8% off MSRP | 5.3% off MSRP | Q7 |
| Recalls, 2023–2025 model years (0.5) | — | 4 | No data |
| Weighted points | 5 | 4 | RX |
Which one we'd buy, and for whom
- Commuter. Commuters: the RX — 36 mpg vs 22 mpg (best EPA combined).
- Family. Families: the Q7 — 7 vs 5 (standard seats).
- Budget. Tight budgets: the RX — $53,900 vs $70,900 (starting MSRP).
- Resale. Resale-minded buyers: the RX — 58.3% vs 35.4% (5-year value retained).
- Towing. Towing: the Q7 — 7,700 lb vs 3,500 lb (max towing).
Price: sticker and what buyers paid
The RX starts at $53,900 and tops out at $71,960; the Q7 runs $70,900 to $98,700 (manufacturer MSRP, before destination). Verified RX buyers paid a median 2.8% off MSRP across 26 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 4.9% off. Verified Q7 buyers paid a median 5.3% off MSRP across 15 deals; the CarWhere Index target is 10.8% off.
Reliability: NHTSA complaints and recalls
- RX: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
- Q7: a complaint rate per 1,000 sold isn't available yet.
Complaint rates are owner complaints filed with NHTSA divided by vehicles sold — a federal-data signal, not a survey score.
Specs side by side
| 2027 RX | 2027 Q7 | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP (base trim) | $53,900 | $70,900 |
| Top-trim MSRP | $71,960 | $98,700 |
| Horsepower | 246–366 hp | 429–591 hp |
| Max torque | 406 lb-ft | 590 lb-ft |
| EPA combined | 24–36 mpg (hybrid avail.) | 20–22 mpg (hybrid avail.) |
| Max towing | 3,500 lb | 7,700 lb |
| Seats (standard / max) | 5 / 5 | 7 / 7 |
| Cargo behind rear seats | 29.6 cu ft | — |
Automaker-published figures; EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov. "—" = not published.
Resale: 5-year value retained
A 5-year-old (2021) RX lists for a median $35,900 — 58.3% of today's median new price of $61,612. A 5-year-old (2021) Q7 lists for a median $25,345 — 35.4% of today's median new price of $71,533.
Shop both
- See new 2027 Lexus RX for sale →
- See 5,589 new 2027 Audi Q7s for sale →Median listed price $85,556 · updated Nov 7, 2026
Negotiating either one?
CarWhere PRO ($12.99/mo) shows the 75th-percentile target price for your exact trim and zip, comparable nearby deals, and an AI quote analyzer. See PRO → · Checking a specific used one? The $9.99 Full VIN Report covers the federal record + original window sticker.
More on the Lexus RX
More on the Audi Q7
Related head-to-heads
FAQ
Is the RX better than the Q7?
On our data, yes. Our pick: the RX — it leads our weighted scorecard 5–4 across 7 categories, winning on a lower starting price ($53,900 vs $70,900) and better 5-year value retention (58.3% vs 35.4%). Choose the Q7 if you want the most power (591 hp vs 366 hp).
Which is more reliable, the RX or the Q7?
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 RX or the Q7?
The RX: a 5-year-old example lists for 58.3% of the new price, versus 35.4% for the Q7, based on median used asking prices against today's median new price.
Which is cheaper, the RX or the Q7?
The RX starts lower: $53,900 vs $70,900 starting MSRP (before destination). Verified buyers paid a median 2.8% off MSRP on the RX (26 deals) and 5.3% on the Q7 (15 deals).
Which has better gas mileage, the RX or the Q7?
The RX: up to 36 mpg combined vs 22 mpg for the Q7 (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, "2027 Lexus RX vs Audi Q7: We Compared the Data," carwhere.com/compare-cars/lexus-rx-vs-audi-q7, updated November 8, 2026.