2026 Audi Q4 45 e-tron vs Lexus NX 350h (hybrid): 5-year cost to own in the U.S.
As of August 6, 2026, over 5 years (U.S. average, 12,000 mi/yr), the Lexus NX 350h (hybrid) stays the cheaper car to own — about $49,856 vs $61,237 for the 2026 Audi Q4 45 e-tron, a $11,381 difference over 5 years. The expired federal $7,500 EV credit is not applied to either total.
Cheaper to own over 5 yearsLexus NX 350h (hybrid) · $49,856 total · $11,381 less than the 2026 Audi Q4 45 e-tron
2026 Audi Q4 45 e-tron vs Lexus NX 350h (hybrid) — where the money goes
| Cost component | Electric · 2026 Audi Q4 45 | Hybrid · Lexus NX 350h |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation (estimated) | $29,013 (47%) | $18,974 (38%) |
| Charging / fuel | $4,805 (8%) | $5,771 (12%) |
| ↳ of which charging loss | 12% (~$577) | — |
| Maintenance | $3,660 (6%) | $4,680 (9%) |
| Insurance | $13,750 (22%) | $11,500 (23%) |
| Financing interest | $9,009 (15%) | $7,932 (16%) |
| Registration & fees | $1,000 (2%) | $1,000 (2%) |
| Total cost of ownership | $61,237 | $49,856 |
The charging-loss row is the ~10–15% of electricity lost to AC charging that you pay for but never reaches the battery — we include it; most calculators don't.
When does the 2026 Audi Q4 45 e-tron win?
Even at 30,000+ mi/yr or a 15-year hold, the Lexus NX 350h (hybrid) stays cheaper here — its lower price and slower depreciation dominate. The 2026 Audi Q4 45 e-tron is the pick mainly for reasons beyond 5-year cost (performance, emissions, HOV access, home-charging convenience).
No sugar-coating it — the Lexus NX 350h (hybrid) is decisively cheaper: $11,381 over 5 years, about 23% of its total. At default assumptions this one isn't close.
What decides the 2026 Audi Q4 45 e-tron vs Lexus NX 350h (hybrid) verdict
The single biggest mover is depreciation: $29,013 on the 2026 Audi Q4 45 e-tron against $18,974 on the Lexus NX 350h (hybrid), a $10,039 gap in the Lexus NX 350h (hybrid)'s favor — the largest slice of the $11,381 verdict. On the 2026 Audi Q4 45 e-tron, depreciation alone is 47% of its $61,237 total; on the Lexus NX 350h (hybrid) it is 38% of $49,856.
- Insurance: 2026 Audi Q4 45 e-tron $13,750, Lexus NX 350h (hybrid) $11,500 — $2,250 more in the Lexus NX 350h (hybrid)'s favor.
- Financing interest: 2026 Audi Q4 45 e-tron $9,009, Lexus NX 350h (hybrid) $7,932 — $1,077 more in the Lexus NX 350h (hybrid)'s favor.
- Maintenance: 2026 Audi Q4 45 e-tron $3,660, Lexus NX 350h (hybrid) $4,680 — $1,020 the other way, to the 2026 Audi Q4 45 e-tron.
The 2026 Audi Q4 45 e-tron gets $1,020 back on maintenance, but against an $11,381 verdict that is loose change. The 2026 Audi Q4 45 e-tron starts $5,725 behind the Lexus NX 350h (hybrid) at the dealer, and ownership widens it — the 5-year gap grows to $11,381. The Lexus NX 350h (hybrid) is ahead by $3,455 after the first year and more than doubles that lead — $11,381 by year 5.
2026 Audi Q4 45 e-tron vs Lexus NX 350h (hybrid), side by side
2026 Audi Q4 45 e-tron
- 5-yr total cost
- $61,237
- Cost / month
- $1,021
- Cost / mile
- $1.02
- MSRP
- $50,900
- Powertrain
- Electric
- Efficiency
- 29.4 kWh/100mi
Lexus NX 350h (hybrid)
- 5-yr total cost
- $49,856
- Cost / month
- $831
- Cost / mile
- $0.83
- MSRP
- $45,175
- Powertrain
- Hybrid
- Efficiency
- 40 mpg
- Electricity (US avg)
- 18.4¢/kWh EIA
- Gas price (US avg)
- $3.85/gal AAA
Full cost breakdowns
2026 Audi Q4 45 e-tron vs Lexus NX 350h (hybrid) by state
No state's electricity or gas prices flip this verdict at default assumptions — the Lexus NX 350h (hybrid) is the cheaper car in all 51 states we track.