Lexus NX250 vs Audi Q8
What's the difference?

Lexus NX250

$42,990 - $58,888

2023 price

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Audi Q8

—

2025 price

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Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2023 Lexus NX250

2025 Audi Q8

By Byron Mathioudakis

By Emily Agar

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Inline 4, 2.5L

Turbo V6, 3.0L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Premium Unleaded/Electric

Fuel Efficiency

6.9L/100km (combined)

2.6L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

—

Electric range

74 km

Battery capacity

25.90 kWh

Seating

Likes

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

Athletic and sporty looks a winning combo
Drives beautifully
Improved EV driving range

Dislikes

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

High price tag is hard to justify
Lacks clever storage options
Small boot compared to siblings

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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2025 Audi Q8 Summary

The Audi Q8 has had a mid-life upgrade and it brings a few minor tweaks to the design, technology and equipment.

Plug-in hybrids tend to rank a little lower on my excitement scale when it comes to available powertrains because I usually find the constant charging inconvenient.

However, the electric driving range of the 60 TSFIe quattro S Line grade has been bolstered by 27km, increasing it to 74km overall.

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Deep dive comparison

2023 Lexus NX250 2025 Audi Q8

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.

Verdict

The updated Audi Q8 60 TFSIe quattro S line still looks good inside and out. It fits a family comfortably without feeling too big and there’s enough here to satisfy those who like the luxury features.

It's price tag will hurt it but the improved power outputs and driving range is a big plus and makes the plug-in hybrid powertrain make more sense.

Lexus NX250 vs Audi Q8 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Lexus NX250 vs Audi Q8
What's the difference?