Compare the2022 Lexus ISVS 2022 Audi A6

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The IS offers optional Auto Rear Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The A6 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The IS has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the A6 Premium Plus/Prestige offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the IS has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the A6 Premium Plus/Prestige has a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the IS and the A6 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Lexus IS is safer than the Audi A6:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lexus IS is safer than the Audi A6:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the IS 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A6. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the A6 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS third among compact premium cars in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The A6 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 96 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 46 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in reliability. Audi is ranked 14th.

The IS has more powerful engines than the A6:

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus IS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A6.

For better stopping power the IS 500’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the A6:

The IS 350 F Sport/500’s 265/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A6’s optional 40 series tires.

For better maneuverability, the IS’ turning circle is 2.2 feet tighter than the A6 55 TFSI’s (34.2 feet vs. 36.4 feet). The IS AWD’s turning circle is 4.3 feet tighter than the A6 45 TFSI’s (35.4 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Lexus IS may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 pounds less than the Audi A6.

The IS is 9 inches shorter than the A6, making the IS easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The IS has .2 inches more front headroom and 3.5 inches more front legroom than the A6.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 33% lower rating, Audi is ranked 12th.

The IS has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The A6 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

Consumer Reports rated the IS’ headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the A6’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

The IS is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A6 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the IS is less expensive to operate than the A6 because it costs $218 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the IS than the A6, including $119 less for a water pump, $245 less for a muffler, $106 less for front brake pads, $1028 less for fuel injection, $127 less for a fuel pump and $75 less for front struts.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lexus IS and the Audi A6, based on reliability, safety and performance.