With a hybrid you probably think of a Prius at first and with a PHEV an Outlander. The Lexus RX 450h and the Audi Q7 e-tron prove that things can be done differently. In both cases with the joys of a V6 without the associated consumption and each with a completely different effect of the hybrid concept. We put two copies together with quite a bit of life experience. The Audi is from 2016, has run 108,000 kilometers and costs 47,500 euros. The Lexus from 2016 has 80,000 kilometers on the clock and is for sale for 42,900 euros.
After the hybrid with plug seemed out of favor for a while, one after the other is now on the market and that of course has everything to do with the average emission figures that car manufacturers have to meet. With (theoretically) improbably low consumption, the plug-in hybrid apparently contributes to achieving the climate goals. We now also know that things work out differently in practice. Only those who are good at plugging achieve low consumption figures. So it is possible. A private individual who pays for the fuel himself will do everything he can to drive electrically as much as possible, but he will probably not buy Q7. That luxury was initially reserved for the business driver; thanks to good grades, that fat Audi in 2016 was eligible for 15 percent addition. As a result of the Dutch tax regime, plug-in hybrids could not be dragged, with the Mitsubishi Outlander in the lead and in its wake the Volkswagen GTEs and the Volvo V60 D6 with the five-cylinder diesel.
Up to and including 2024, you pay half the rate of the mrb for this category, which is especially beneficial for a heavyweight like the Q7. In 2025 you will receive a 25 percent discount, from 2026 you will pay the full price. Based on the current rate, that comes to just under € 2,800 per year for the Audi. Don’t forget that from 2026 you will also pay mrb for an electric car. How much is still unknown; weight is probably the determining factor, since differentiation by fuel type is no longer possible. There are no tax benefits for the Lexus RX hybrid; here you simply pay the rate for a petrol car weighing two tons.
Drives like a luxury limo
The second generation Q7 has been on the market since 2015 and was refurbished last year. The platform of this car has also been used for the Lamborghini Urus and the Bentley Bentayga. Since 2018 there has also been a kind of coupé, which is not known as a Sportback, but as a Q8. What disappeared from the menu with the second Q7 are the V8 petrol engines that its predecessor still had. It is almost only V6 what the clock strikes, as petrol or diesel and with a capacity of three liters. The SQ7 has a V8 diesel engine, but since this year it is a petrol V8, just like in the SQ8. Weight reduction was an important development theme, which resulted in, for example, the 3.0 petrol version becoming about 275 kg lighter than its predecessor, with the same dimensions of course. And soon after the introduction of this Q7, Audi announced the arrival of a diesel plug-in hybrid, the first of the Volkswagen Group. Born under the 7 percent star, but unfortunately only available when the addition for the PHEV went to 15 percent. In any case, it had followed that almost 1,900 Q7s were sold in 2016. We are now seeing something similar happening with the fully electric Audi E-tron.
Back to the Q7 e-tron. Face to face with Audi’s largest SUV, you immediately notice what a baking beast it is. Let’s just say subtle is different! The Q7 e-tron is no less than 450 kg heavier than the regular Q7 3.0 TDI. There is nothing to be said about the finish of the exterior and interior; it is simply of great class. Because of the battery pack, the Q7 e-tron is not available as a seven-seater, the other versions are (optional). You have plenty of space in the front and back seat. You can drive away in peace, as an electric motor propels the car. We are used to that today, but in 2016 it was something else. The Q7 is silent and accelerates smoothly. In theory, an electric range of 56 kilometers is possible; in practice this may be possible under optimal conditions. And is it immediately done with the peace when the thick diesel engine comes in? Not at all! Even a connoisseur does not hear that a self-igniter has gone to work. In the conventional TDI it is already very quiet, now you don’t even notice its presence; incredibly quiet and thanks to the help of the electric motor, the V6 hardly needs to work. A beautiful piece of technology, with a very nice collaboration between the diesel and electric motor. In combination with the soothing air suspension, you have the feeling of being on the road in a luxury limousine rather than in a huge SUV. If you choose Dynamic mode, the suspension is firm and the carriage hardly leans over in bends. Practical consumption strongly depends on the number of electric kilometers you make; it is certain that the Q7 e-tron is a lot more economical (sorry, less thirsty) than the regular Q7 TDI.
High pampering content
In the same year as the second Audi Q7, the third generation of the Lexus RX hits the road, also with a facelift in 2019. He has become a size bigger again. In terms of powertrain, Lexus leaves you no choice: it is always a V6 petrol hybrid. And if you buy a hybrid from this stable, you know in advance that you are getting top-class technology. That is certainly a pleasant thought for the used car buyer: it will not break! At least, judging by the Toyota Prius, we can safely say that. The RX is in all respects a bit smaller – excuse me, less big – than the Audi, but that doesn’t make it any less impressive. And a size bigger is possible, because since 2018 there is the RX 450h L, which is 11 centimeters longer and has a third row of seats.
In terms of design, the Lexus is really cut from completely different wood than the Audi. Almost every line is very explicit, the most eye-catching style element being the huge grille. On the flanks we see many folds and lines and strongly pronounced wheel arches. It suddenly makes the Q7 very ordinary. Technically, the RX leans in many ways on the previous model, in accordance with the trusted strategy of this brand: just keep improving what you already have and not wanting to keep reinventing the wheel. What began in the late 1980s with a very conservatively styled, first Lexus LS led to the distinct design language of today. In a world full of obedient and gray eyes, this is a welcome change and it is too short-sighted to label it ‘ugly’. The interior is characterized by the high level of indulgence that we are used to from Lexus. Attractive brown plastic, combined with beige leather, provides a luxurious look. Here too, much more was played with lines and surfaces than in the Audi. The infotainment system can be operated via the screen, but there is also a kind of mouse in the middentunnel, directly at your fingertips. Nice idea, but its operation requires a lot of getting used to, especially while driving. The build quality of the interior is top, although the stem to operate the cruise control and the seat adjustment knobs seem to have been plucked straight from an old Avensis.
In any case, driving and traveling is done in the same silence as in the Audi. Pure luxury, just the way you want it in this class. The buttery soft V6 is flawlessly assisted by two electric motors and can therefore do its job without raising your voice. Until you step firmly on the gas, because then the delicious six-cylinder sounds caress your hearing. The speed increases significantly as a result of the continuously variable transmission, but in practice it is almost never necessary to press the accelerator very deeply; the RX is always smooth enough. The steering feels a bit dead, the Audi is better here. Suspension and damping underline the RX’s comfortable nature, but it doesn’t feel as soft as a Lexus LS.
Full of goodies
It is not difficult to guess that you lack almost nothing, because these hybrids not only almost sink through their hooves because of the battery packs and electric motors, they are also packed with lots of goodies. May also, with such new prices. Okay, here we go: leather upholstery, LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, lane assist, city safety, road sign recognition they both have. The Audi adds a panoramic roof, air suspension, power closing on the doors and a Bose audio system. Plus an electric retractable towbar where you can hang almost three tons. The RX is also allowed to drag a two-ton Tabbert across the Alps from its makers. Unfortunately, the Lexus does not have a Mark Levinson hi-fi system, although the installation from the test car already has a great sound. During hot days you will enjoy the seat cooling, an option that the Audi does not have.
In the Q7 we see a fully digital and freely configurable instrumentation, in the Lexus the scale of the left instrument can be transformed from power meter to tachometer. They are also quite up-to-date in the field of infotainment, although the Lexus does not have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. In the Audi you control the system, if you want, partly via a touchpad, in the Lexus using a kind of mouse. Nice gimmicks, but far from ideal in practice. Fortunately, the Audi also has a regular, large rotary push button and, in addition to the lever, even a rotary knob for the volume. But whichever of the two you choose, you will be immersed in a world of luxury and opulence.