Audi Q8 vs BMW X5 vs Lexus RX (2026)
The classic luxury suv shortlist, settled with numbers (October 2026):
- Pick the Audi Q8 as the balanced middle path — it wins no single spec outright but concedes little anywhere.
- Pick the BMW X5 if you want the biggest boot (645 L).
- Pick the Lexus RX if you want the lowest starting price (₹89.99 Lakh), the most power (366 bhp).
Three-Way Specification Comparison
Audi Q8 in short
The Q8 is Audi's flagship coupe-SUV in India, sold since its August 2024 facelift as a single 55 TFSI quattro variant at ₹1.131 crore. It pairs the Q7's V6 petrol underpinnings with a sportier five-seat coupe body and a still-practical 605-litre boot. Rivals are the BMW X5's top trims and the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupé — the Q8 is the style pick that stays this side of the performance-SUV price jump.
Full Q8 prices & variants →BMW X5 in short
The X5 is BMW's large luxury SUV for India, facelifted in 2023 and priced ₹96.90 lakh to ₹1.12 crore across four variants — six-cylinder petrol (40i) and diesel (30d), each in xLine and M Sport trims. Every variant is a 3.0L six with xDrive, and the 645-litre boot leads the class. Local assembly keeps it under the Mercedes-Benz GLE's ₹1.00 crore entry. The GLE and Audi Q7 are its rivals; the Q7 counters with seven seats.
Full X5 prices & variants →Lexus RX in short
The RX is Lexus's larger luxury SUV, hybrid across the board: the RX 350h strong hybrid in Exquisite (₹89.99 lakh) and Luxury (₹98.04 lakh) trims, and the RX 500h F SPORT+ at ₹1.10 crore with a 371 hp turbocharged performance hybrid. Prices are from Lexus India's official list. Against the Mercedes GLE and BMW X5 — none of which offers a hybrid — the RX is the efficiency-first alternative, with the 500h adding genuine pace to the pitch.
Full RX prices & variants →Head-to-head pairs
Frequently Asked Questions
Q8 vs X5 vs RX — which should I buy?
Pick the Audi Q8 as the balanced middle path — it wins no single spec outright but concedes little anywhere. Pick the BMW X5 if you want the biggest boot (645 L). Pick the Lexus RX if you want the lowest starting price (₹89.99 Lakh), the most power (366 bhp). Test-drive at least two before deciding — ride and dealer experience differ by city.
Which is the cheapest among Q8, X5, RX?
The Lexus RX starts lowest at ₹89.99 Lakh, against ₹96.90 Lakh for the X5 and ₹1.13 Crore for the Q8 (ex-showroom, October 2026).
Which is the safest of the three?
Audi Q8: not yet NCAP-tested; BMW X5: not yet NCAP-tested; Lexus RX: not yet NCAP-tested.