Audi Q7 vs Lexus NX250
What's the difference?

Audi Q7

$75,880 - $129,990

2025 price

View pricing & specs

Lexus NX250

$42,990 - $58,888

2023 price

View pricing & specs

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Summary

2025 Audi Q7

2023 Lexus NX250

By Chris Thompson

By Byron Mathioudakis

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Turbo V6, 3.0L

Inline 4, 2.5L

Fuel Type

Diesel/Electric

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

7.0L/100km (combined)

6.9L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Extremely comfortable
Sensible tech and ergonomics
Design still looks current

Affordability and equipment
Elegant outside, luxurious inside
Hugely quieter and more refined than before

Dislikes

Thirst for fuel
Lack of front row storage
Occasional drivetrain hesitation

Driver-assist tech could use some Aussie road tuning
Hard to tell apart from previous design
NX 250 engine needs the open road to truly shine

2025 Audi Q7 Summary

The updated Audi Q7 is a bit of a game of ‘spot the difference’ - but even though it’s far from a new generation, the update is more than just some shiny new bits.

While the brand’s first SUV is still in its second generation, a bit of modernised design and some tech tweaks are aimed at keeping it in line with rivals, even as it nears a decade on sale.

As well as the new features, there’s also a new variant bound for Aussie showrooms. So, is it still up to the task?

View full pricing & specs

2023 Lexus NX250 Summary

As far as clichés go, attempting to make “a silk purse from a sow’s ear” couldn’t be more apt than when contemplating the original NX of 2014.

What was essentially the Lexus-fication of the vocal, fidgety and thirsty old Toyota RAV4 may have worked a treat sales-wise, but proved trickier when assessed against the lens of a BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60 rival.

The earliest NX just wasn’t refined enough.

This was especially true following the reborn RAV4 arrival in 2019, proving to be embarrassingly more competent – even compared to most luxury midsized SUV alternatives.

Now, finally, the NX redesign has followed suit, moving on to a variation of the Toyota’s stronger, quieter and more advanced TNGA architecture (dubbed GA-K) as a starting base.

Speaking of which, let’s dive straight into the least-expensive version, the NX 250 Luxury 2WD auto, to find out if the most popular Lexus model in Australia has finally found its mojo.

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Audi Q7 2023 Lexus NX250

Verdict

Overall, changes to the Q7 aren’t quite revolutionary, but that’s okay because it was already a fantastic large SUV.

The fact Audi has kept the price around the same mark and introduced a cheaper entry-grade should be welcome news for prospective buyers.

But even the existing variants are capable and impressive family haulers… and now they’re just that little bit better.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

Verdict

So, is the cheapest Lexus NX the grade you’d skip? Depends on where you live and drive.

If you’re urban based and bound, save up a bit more and go the petrol-electric hybrid; otherwise, out on country roads especially, the spirited and sporty NX 250 is more than up to the task.

Either way, though, the latest NX is finally fit to fight the other premium brands’ medium SUV efforts, head on and held up high. Welcome to big mid league, Lexus.

Ignore or underestimate at your own peril, everybody else.

Audi Q7 vs Lexus NX250 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi Q7 vs Lexus NX250
What's the difference?