When shopping for a luxury vehicle in 2025, many buyers are comparing compact SUVs like the Audi Q3 with premium sedans like the Lexus ES. Both offer high-end materials, advanced safety, and brand prestige—but they serve different lifestyles and driving preferences.
So how do you decide which one delivers more real-world value? In this post, we put the 2025 Audi Q3 and 2025 Lexus ES head-to-head across the categories that matter most: price, performance, interior comfort, features, and ownership costs.
Vehicle Overview
2025 Audi Q3
Type: Luxury compact SUV
MSRP: Starts around $38,000
Seats: 5
AWD standard (Quattro)
Practical and sporty, with a premium interior
2025 Lexus ES 250/350
Type: Midsize luxury sedan
MSRP: Starts around $43,000
Seats: 5
AWD optional on ES 250
Quiet, smooth ride with strong reliability reputation
Performance and Driving Experience
Audi Q3 comes standard with a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 184–228 hp depending on trim. With standard Quattro all-wheel drive, the Q3 feels stable and responsive, particularly in urban and wet-road conditions. It delivers a sporty, agile ride perfect for daily commutes or weekend trips.
Lexus ES 250 has a 2.5L 4-cylinder (203 hp, AWD optional), while the ES 350 steps it up with a 3.5L V6 producing 302 hp and front-wheel drive. The ride quality is noticeably smoother than the Q3, with superior cabin quietness and comfort. It’s built for highway cruising, not canyon carving.
Winner (Performance)
Sporty, fun-to-drive: Audi Q3
Smooth, quiet luxury: Lexus ES 350
Interior Comfort and Design
The Q3 interior is sleek and minimalist, with Audi’s digital displays and angular lines. Materials feel upscale, with leather seating standard and ambient lighting in higher trims. Rear seat space is adequate but not overly generous, and cargo room is versatile thanks to the Q3’s SUV design.
The ES feels more luxurious at first touch—softer materials, elegant wood trim, and superior seat cushioning. Rear legroom is impressive for a midsize sedan, and cabin quietness is Lexus-level excellent. However, it lacks the elevated cargo flexibility of an SUV.
Winner (Comfort): Lexus ES
Winner (Practicality): Audi Q3
Technology and Infotainment
Audi Q3 includes a 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster. Navigation and Bang & Olufsen premium audio are available. The system is fast, sleek, and customizable.
Lexus ES features a 12.3-inch touchscreen (standard on higher trims), voice-activated assistant, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and optional Mark Levinson audio system. Lexus Interface software has improved, though it still trails Audi slightly in responsiveness and visual flair.
Winner (Tech User Experience): Audi Q3
Winner (Audio & Display Size): Lexus ES (in higher trims)
Safety and Driver Assistance
Both vehicles come with excellent standard safety packages.
Audi Q3 includes Audi pre sense front, lane departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, and optional adaptive cruise control
Lexus ES includes Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist, road sign assist, and proactive driving assist
Lexus takes the lead here with more advanced features standard across all trims.
Winner (Safety): Lexus ES
Fuel Economy
Audi Q3 gets around 24 MPG city / 30 MPG highway
Lexus ES 250 AWD gets 25 MPG city / 34 MPG highway
Lexus ES 350 V6 gets 22 MPG city / 32 MPG highway
The ES lineup offers slightly better fuel economy, especially with the ES 250.
Winner (Fuel Efficiency): Lexus ES 250
Cargo and Space
Audi Q3 offers 23.7 cu ft behind the second row and 48.0 cu ft with seats folded
Lexus ES offers 13.9 cu ft trunk space with fixed rear seats
For families or anyone needing flexible cargo capacity, the Q3’s SUV shape is a clear advantage.
Winner (Utility): Audi Q3
Ownership Costs and Warranty
Audi Q3 comes with a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty. Maintenance and repairs may cost more over time, and it depreciates moderately fast in the compact luxury segment.
Lexus ES comes with a 4-year/50,000-mile basic and 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty. Known for top-tier reliability, Lexus ES has lower long-term maintenance costs and strong resale value.
Winner (Long-Term Value): Lexus ES
Final Verdict: Which Offers More Value in 2025?
Choose the 2025 Audi Q3 if you want a more affordable entry into luxury, standard all-wheel drive, sportier performance and compact versatility, and better cargo flexibility
Choose the 2025 Lexus ES if you want superior ride comfort and luxury refinement, excellent long-term reliability and resale, advanced safety and lower maintenance, and roomier second row and smoother drive
