Anyone has any thoughts b/w the 2010 RX and the Q5?

Both seem to have comparable options and price (Q5 loaded w/ almost every single option goes to just shy of 50g while the RX comes to around ~48g - w/ the ML if it's available). The Q5 has the Pano roof while the RX has the cooled seats. Both comes w/ 19" all seasons (w/ the package / loaded vehicle), bluetooth, HID, LED Tails, Navi (the Audi has the 3D while the Lexus has the 2D), Keyless flop, tilt rear seats, power hatch, 4WD etc... Audi also comes w/ the 'lane change warning' feature (again w/ the fully loaded vehicle) while the RX has the side video projector.

Seems to me, but correct me if I'm wrong, that the Lexus is a bit more reliable compare to the Audi (the Audi has come a long way last 10 years and they've been doing things alot better now). How about the value? Does the Lexus holds its value more than the Audi's? In terms of comfort, I think it's more of a personal preference. The Japanese, in this case the Lexus RX has a more 'comfortable' (if not soft) ride while the Germans (Audi in this case) has a more firm solid bouncy feel.

Any thoughts / suggestions greatly appreciated.

-Z32

 

lexus has always ranked really high in holding value because of the famous reliability, but you will take a hit no matter what with luxury cars.

I think the Audi might have a slight edge on the exterior styling, but ive never been a fan of audi's design on the interior. yes, people say its ergonomic, but i dont like the actual dash that they have in their all their cars, plus the MMI interface isnt that great.

of course, i am a lexus fan. i like the exterior on the new model, the interior is great too, but id like to think that lexus could have added so much more, like the lane change warning, and a blind spot monitor. but you win some you lose some.

the actual buying and owning experience at lexus dealerships is on average better than any other manufacturer. if you are a first time lexus owner, you have a lot waiting for you.


on the actual cars, and not the brands, i guess you have to test drive both. they are too new to say anything, but the RX is probably bigger, so depending on your family needs
happy deciding!

 

That depends if you are looking for comfort or performance. The Audi have been comapre to the A4 in terms of handling. Athought I would never buy a 1st year German car, Audis have made big improvment as far as reliability is concerned. The RX is also a 1st year design, but the Japanese are a bit better at new design than the Germans. Japanese cars will hold its value better than German cars.

 

I have owned both Lexus and Audi (and BMW too) in the past, and still own Lexus. It is hard to campare since there is not a apple to apple situation. Performence wise, BMW, Audi are definitely exceed the Lexus. But, reliability and service, Audi and BMW will be far behind. My 2004 BMW X5 4.4i, after only 24 months, one cylindar went out; prior to that, they had to replace the engine management module, and entire engine head block, etc; my 2006 Audi, not whole lot of mechanical problems, but tons of software issues that could makes your hair standing up all day. In contrast, I had Lexus since 1993, and experienced with ES, GS, RX, GX, as of today, never had any major issues other than routine maintence visits. not to metion the service quality from Lexus.....

 

I posted the below in Car Chat yesterday. Since I've not had the opportunity to drive the 2010, I can only compare the Q to our 05.


Had a chance to test drive a Q5 this weekend. This just came into our local dealership and other than the sales types, I was the first to have the opportunity to put some miles on this vehicle. Generally similar dash and layout to he A4, and a bit confusing when coming out of a 05 RX and 07 IS, but it didn't take long to find all the buttons and switches.

Contrary to what Mike found, throttle tip in on the demo that I drove was very easy to modulate (car had only 35 total miles on it). This could well be just the difference between the two vehicles. I agree that the torque must be underrated, the Q will really jump if asked. I found the seating position to be very comfortable, although I sure missed the seemingly infinite Lexus electronic steering wheel adjustments, the Audi system seemed a bit crude by comparison – but, finding a comfortable driving position was very easy (I’m 6’-2” and a bit lanky). All the ***** and switchgear were easy to find and once I figured out generally what they did, easy to use. I’m less than impressed with the joystick controls for radio etc. way too much messing about to find the stations that I liked, though the sound system was very good.

On road manners were exemplary. The route I choose for my test included suburban streets, hills, lots of curves on secondary, lightly traveled roads, and a blast down the freeway. The Q handled it all with nary a protest, including some very hard cornering. The steering feels well weighted, the throttle nicely responsive and minimal body lean when compared to my RX. The seats seem a little on the flat side when it comes to spirited driving, but otherwise a nice cockpit for long trips. I thoroughly enjoyed driving the Q, and it will be a definite contender when decision time comes around.


Some of the above is in reference to the Q5 review done by our esteemed moderator, who does a first class job at reporting.

As I'm still a little less than impressed with the new and improved RX, we are cross shopping other brands. The Q is one of the top contenders so far, and the MB dropped completely off our list - I was really unimpressed with it. Interior wise, the Q has, subjectively, about the amount same room as our 05, and has plenty of cubbies to store all manner of stuff. The MMI interface is less than user friendly, but I can see where one could get used to it in fairly short order, as opposed to the iDrive on the BMW. Since the Q is based on the A4, and the A4 reliablity, at least for the 07/08 model years is excellent (according to Consumer Reports), I'm willing to believe that Audi has gotten beyond a lot of the early years issues. Bottom line, at least to us, the Q is well worth looking at, once they become more available. Right now, all our local Audi dealer can do is take orders and hope that he will get something close.

 

The 3.2 liter direct injection engine they put into the Q5 is pretty reliable, it uses a timing chain as oppose to the 4 cylinder turbo found in the A4 which has a belt. The MMI you will get use to pretty fast, I got use to it in a few days. As nice as the new RX's interior is, it is no match for an Audi. The Q5 also have the best brakes in the business in this price range. But like I have already said many times, never never buy a 1st year German car

 

XD yup. My first Gen X5 was horrific. Software issues everywhere. (Not really - just the radio and the dashboard). Also lots of wind-noise which was fixed in later gens.

 

From somebody who owns (and owned in the past) both Audies and Lexus'es.

Expect a much more sober and boring interior from Audi. Both quality jobs, but I'll take Lexus anyday.

Expect better handeling and responsiveness from Audi. More muted/neutral from Lexus. Not as exciting.

Expect much better (I should say MUCH) electronics from Lexus, including traction control, stability control, Nav, cluster, cameras, ABS, etc etc, pretty much everything

Expect have more fun actively driving an Audi.

Expect much more acoustical, suspension, and overall comfort from Lexus. Much more.

Reliability - vote goes to Lexus.

But I can see people buying either one.

I'd get a new RX350, personally.

 

Just to be fair, I dont think anybody should be comapring a Audi RS4 to a Lexus LX470. The RS4 is all engine, sport suspension and cheap interior and the LX is $80000 worth of Lexus interior, best electronics money can buy and comfort all around.
As a current owner of an 08 Audi and a 06 Lexus, I can truly say that the interior of the Audi is nicer than the Lexus, even nicer than the 2010 RX. Handling is no brainer, Audi wins by a mile. Even though the RX has a comfortable ride, the Audi is by no mean uncomfortable. Electronics wise, Lexus is more reliable, but usability wise, Audi has better electronics. Better back up camera system, less intrusive stability system, much better AWD system, excellent ABS brakes and a better dash board layout and material. I still like the Lexus nav better except for the motion lock out.
Overall reliability wise, Lexus is a tad better, but the gap between the two is not as significant as it use to be. Audi have been making some pretty reliable cars these days, they are the most improved Europeans car maker in recent years.
Bottom line is, here I see two car companies, Audi and Lexus, going in different directions. Lexus keep coming out with out-dated products and boring design, they are resting on their laurels to say the least. Audi is the new comer, exciting products, innovative design, industry leading technology.

 

I really like the Audi Q.
Rxs are so common on the road and the Q isn't,which I like too.

 

The Audi's like another poster said are much more fun to drive. Lexus and Toyota in general are very boring to drive, but comfortable for the passenger. Audi and BMW or even Honda are much more "sportier" brands in general.

 

My Audi actually rides more comfortably than my 08 Lexus GS350 and it handles better also. I dont know how the Germans does it, but they are way ahead of Lexus on suspension designs.

 

We have never disagreed that the Germans do handling/suspension better than Lexus, but it does appear that they are at least beginning to close the gap. The 2010 RX is a huge improvement over the handling of our '05.

We haven't had a chance to drive the "Sport" package, but if it truly delivers the improved handling and suspension that it is supposed to, Lexus may be moving in the right direction.

And the German handling, also depends on the model you are looking at. I took a brand new '07 CLS 550 out last week (there is a smokin good deal on it) as it has always been one of my daily driver dream cars. I had it in my head that I was buying it before I had even started it up.

I have never been more disappointed with a car in my life. It truly shattered my dream. It handles like a boat and even with the adjustable suspension in sport the ride was "floaty", for lack of a better word. Sure, the power is ok, but the back seats are useless for tall people because of the sloped roof. For a car that sells for $109K up here, I expected much more.

Guess I'll have to find something new to aspire to.

 

I agree CDNROCKIES, the Japaneses are getting better with suspension, just like the Germans are getting better with reliability. There is no such thing as industrial trade secerts anymore in the auto industry. As soon as you do something better than the other car makers. Those car makers are tearing up your new design trying to figure how to improve their, some call it reverse engineering, the Japanese are the best at it for years, but now it seems the japenese are getting a taste of their medicine from the Koreans and the Chinese.
As lexus close the gap suspension wise, Audi and BMW just widen the gap with their new version of vector AWD system. The RX will have more catching up to do.
I have never been a big fan of MB, they have a nice and solid chassis, but the suspension is too soft like you said. The sport suspension on the MB will make them handle as good as a regular BMW, but the ride is almost unacceptable with the sport suspension.
The CLS class is a design that is more form than function, those seats in the back are not meant for adults on a long trip.

 

i honestly dont see lexus as behind in terms of suspension design. i mean how hard is it to make a suspension that is comforable and sporty like the germans. its not that they cant, its that they dont want to. could be many factors really, from research and development costs, to th cost of the entire vehicle. either way, lexus doesnt want to create and all out performance machine or else they would have nailed it on the spot. In many ways the floaty light numb steering is a characteristic of the lexus family, and probably will be, except for the new F models.