Vehicle comparison
Audi Q5 vs Lexus NX 250
Side-by-side fuel and ownership cost comparison. Estimates use 12,000 mi/year at average US gas prices.
- Updated for 2026
- EPA-style MPG
- US avg fuel prices
- US units
- Transparent assumptions
Lowest running cost
Audi Q5 wins on fuel cost
At 12,000 miles per year, the Audi Q5 costs about $1892 per year, roughly $76 less than the Lexus NX 250. Over 5 years, that's about $378 in fuel savings.
Spec & cost comparison
MPG/MPGe figures are estimates based on typical recent model years.
| Spec | Audi Q5 | Lexus NX 250 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | SUV | SUV |
| Fuel | Premium gas | Premium gas |
| City MPG/MPGe | 23 | 22 |
| Highway MPG/MPGe | 29 | 28 |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 26 | 25 |
| Tank / Battery | 18.5 gal | 14.5 gal |
| Energy cost | $4.10/gal | $4.10/gal |
| Cost per mile | $0.158 | $0.164 |
Annual cost at 8k / 12k / 15k miles
Estimated yearly fuel spend at common US mileage levels.
| Miles/year | Audi Q5 | Lexus NX 250 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $1262/yr · $105/mo | $1312/yr · $109/mo | $50 (Audi Q5) |
| 12,000 | $1892/yr · $158/mo | $1968/yr · $164/mo | $76 (Audi Q5) |
| 15,000 | $2365/yr · $197/mo | $2460/yr · $205/mo | $95 (Audi Q5) |
Estimates only. Real costs depend on driving style, terrain, local gas/electricity prices and weather.
Which one is best for…
Best for commuting
Audi Q5
Highest combined MPG/MPGe and lowest cost per mile means cheaper daily driving.
See Audi Q5Best for road trips
Audi Q5
Better highway efficiency, larger tank/battery and longer range between stops.
See Audi Q5Best for families
Audi Q5
SUVs, minivans and three-row vehicles win on space and child-seat flexibility.
See Audi Q5Best for lowest running cost
Audi Q5
Cheaper energy use and lower cost per mile at every common mileage tier.
See Audi Q5How we compare these vehicles
- Annual mileage
- Modeled at 12,000 mi/yr unless a scenario specifies otherwise.
- Cost per mile
- $/gal ÷ MPG, or $/kWh ÷ (MPGe ÷ 33.7) for EVs.
- EV vs gas
- Compared at average US gas and residential electricity prices — fast-charging can be 2–3× higher.
- Maintenance
- Fuel cost only — EVs typically save another $400–$1,000/yr in service and brake wear.
Sources & assumptions
- EPA fuel economy data — City / highway / combined MPG and MPGe baselines.
- U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov) — Vehicle efficiency and EV range references.
- AAA gas price trends — Recent national and regional retail fuel averages.
- EIA electricity rates — Average residential per-kWh prices used for EV charging.
We summarize publicly available data — no scraping, no external API calls. Figures are calibrated periodically; use the calculators above for your exact inputs.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to drive, the Audi Q5 or Lexus NX 250?
At 12,000 miles per year, the Audi Q5 costs about $1892 per year vs $1968 for the Lexus NX 250 — roughly $76 less per year.
What's the MPG difference between the Audi Q5 and Lexus NX 250?
The Audi Q5 is rated around 26 combined MPG versus 25 MPG for the Lexus NX 250. Highway figures are 29 vs 28.
How much will I spend on fuel over 5 years?
Driving 12,000 miles a year for five years, expect about $9462 for the Audi Q5 and $9840 for the Lexus NX 250, a difference of roughly $378.
Is the Audi Q5 or Lexus NX 250 better for commuting?
For pure cost per mile, the Audi Q5 wins. EVs charged at home typically deliver the lowest commuting cost, followed by hybrids and efficient compacts.
Which one is better for road trips?
Audi Q5 is generally the better road-trip choice — gas and hybrid vehicles win on long highway routes thanks to faster refueling, while EVs work best when charging stops fit your route.
Are these fuel cost numbers accurate for my driving?
They're estimates based on EPA-style combined MPG and average US gas prices. Real-world cost depends on local fuel prices, driving style, terrain, weather and how much city vs highway driving you do.