| 2011 Audi Q7 vs 2010 Lexus GX | April 14, 2010 | AUTORIVALS.NET |
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| When you're Toyota, no news is good
news. Unfortunately that's not the case as the recently
redesigned Lexus GX is under some heat lately after Consumer
Reports declared it a "Don't Buy." Apparently
it'll roll over more than the
Cottonelle
dog in the event of an accident. Now, I'm no
automotive engineer or anything but designing a 5,300+ pound SUV
that's as tall as it is wide seems like a bad start from the
beginning. But nonetheless, that's what the new GX is which
gains 450 pounds over its predecessor. While most automakers are going unibody these days or finding other ways to reduce weight and therefore increase fuel economy, Lexus isn't following any trends. They're determined to deliver a body-on-frame luxury SUV (based on the Toyota 4Runner platform) that's still capable of off-roading and towing 6,500 pounds. Whereas the high tow rating might come in handy, off-road capabilities are often unused and wasted in suburbia. To me, off-roading and luxury makes as much sense as being drunk on a lawnmower. But what can I say, there's always someone looking for the former or latter (there's currently 324 videos when searching "drunk on lawnmower"). Audi (and the rest of Volkswagen Group) are following the trends however. Although they updated the Q7's exterior last year, they've gone ahead and updated it again with more fuel efficient engines for the 2011 model year. The fuel hungry V8 and 3.6L V6 are gone and will be replaced by two supercharged 3.0L V6s also found in the Audi S4 and S5. While they aren't able to dramatically reduce the weight like in the Volkswagen Touareg or Porsche Cayenne, more fuel efficient engines is a step in the right direction. |
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| 2011 Audi Q7 | vs | 2010 Lexus GX |
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The GX retains traditional SUV styling traits with rugged looks
and a more truck-like appearance than the Q7. Audi's design
traits don't seem like they belong on an SUV as they're more
fitting for sports cars, luxury sedans, and sports sedans.
Nevertheless they made it work with the large single-frame
grille and LED-lined headlights. The grille was redesigned for
the 2010 model year with vertical chrome bars as was the bumper.
A new skid plate (which is the only styling trait that resembles
an SUV) is added to the bottom in case owners ever decide to
venture off road. LEDs are getting bigger and more prominent in
Audis lately with the Q7 getting some in a U-shaped pattern
outlining the headlights and more placed in the air intakes for
turn signals. The GX received a more rugged makeover with stronger visual cues. The headlights have a unique pattern with the projector headlights jutting out a bit. The hood now features a very slight indentation and the grille is redesigned with three textured bars. The standard fog lights cause the air intake housing to protuberate also like the headlights. Overall, lines are sharper and body panels look toughened up compared to before to give the GX one of the last remaining traditional SUV looks. |
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| Something just doesn't look right on the GX. The oddly-shaped headlights and bumper design seem like an overzealous attempt at giving the GX a more distinctive look. Or maybe it's the result of what happens when you try to turn a Toyota 4Runner into a Lexus. The brawny design might appeal to some though as traditional SUV styling traits are lost these days. And while the Q7 almost looks like a tall station wagon from some angles, it looks more upscale than the GX. | ||
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| For some reason, the rounded
profile of the Q7 makes me think minivan more than SUV. The
roofline curves slightly into the raked tailgate which makes the
Q7 look more curved than it needs to be. The tailgate design is
a nice touch though which flow outward around the taillights
creating an S-shaped D-pillar. More LEDs are placed in the
taillights as expected. The GX's flat tailgate and sharp rear fascia are actually a refreshing sight as more and more automakers are resorting to steeply-raked rear ends for styling purposes. The oversized fender flares are a bit much though and like the front fascia, doesn't look quite right. The GX is taller than the Q7 by roughly six inches and narrower by four. The dimensions are one of the factors of where the GX has run into trouble. |
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 Like the exterior design, the Q7's interior isn't what you'd expect in an SUV. It seems more fitting for a sports sedan like the A4. Maybe that's because the dashboard actually resembles the A4's dashboard. A few revisions were recently made with a redesigned instrument cluster and chrome placed here and there. |
 Like the GX's exterior, the interior is what you'd expect in an SUV. A tough-looking four-spoke steering wheel, muscular center stack, and wide center console. The metal finish on the center stack is the most elegant part of the design matched nicely with surrounding wood trim. |
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PROS +Audi styling cues look good even on an SUV +New fuel efficient engines +Looks more luxurious CONS -Looks like a tall station wagon in some angles -Rounded profile is approaching minivan looks |
PROS +Actually looks like an SUV +Metal-finished center stack looks exquisite CONS -Handling, gas mileage of an SUV -Everything on the front fascia just looks off -It might roll over more than the cottenelle dog |
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| Video Source: MotorWeek via YouTube |
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