Compare the2023 Lexus ESVS 2023 Audi A4

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The ES offers optional Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The A4 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The ES has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the A4’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the ES has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert to warn the driver of approaching traffic and automatically engage the brakes to help avoid a collision. Audi charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Assist on the A4.

The ES’ driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The A4 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the ES and the A4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front 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 and available 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 ES is safer than the Audi A4:

	ES	A4
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	120	164
Neck Injury Risk	24%	26%
Neck Compression	30 lbs.	55 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.8 inches	1 inches

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 ES is safer than the Audi A4:

	ES	A4
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	85	172
Chest Movement	.6 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	160 lbs.	219 lbs.
Hip Force	264 lbs.	308 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	56 G’s
Hip Force	541 lbs.	777 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	326	333
Spine Acceleration	36 G’s	47 G’s
Hip Force	570 lbs.	666 lbs.

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

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the ES the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The A4 last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2022.

Warranty

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the ES 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the A4 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Reliability

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the ES has a standard 603-amp battery. The A4’s 420-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Lexus ES’ reliability 14 points higher than the A4.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in initial quality. With 82 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 6th.

Engine

The ES has more powerful engines than the A4:

	Horsepower
ES 250 AWD 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder	203 HP
ES 300h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid	215 HP
ES 350 3.5 DOHC V6	302 HP
A4 40 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	201 HP
A4 45 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid	261 HP

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the ES gets better mileage than the A4:

			MPG
ES
	FWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	43 city/44 hwy
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/34 hwy
A4
	AWD	40 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	24 city/33 hwy
		45 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	24 city/32 hwy

The ES can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 1.6 miles. The A4 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the ES Hybrid’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The A4 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lexus ES uses regular unleaded gasoline. The A4 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus ES, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A4.

The ES 300h has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The A4 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The ES stops shorter than the A4:

	ES	A4
60 to 0 MPH	132 feet	135 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	145 feet	Consumer Reports

Suspension and Handling

The ES offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The A4’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ES’ wheelbase is 2 inches longer than on the A4 (113 inches vs. 111 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the ES is .8 inches wider in the front and 2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the A4.

Chassis

The ES F Sport uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The A4 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the ES a Mid-size car, while the A4 is rated a Compact.

The ES has 7.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A4 (99.9 vs. 92).

The ES has .2 inches more front headroom, 1.1 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more rear headroom and 3.5 inches more rear legroom than the A4.

Cargo Capacity

The ES has a much larger trunk than the A4 (13.9 vs. 12 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the ES offers an optional power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The A4 doesn’t offer a power trunk, so its trunk has to be closed manually.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 32% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

Ergonomics

The ES 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 A4 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The ES’ optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The A4 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

Consumer Reports rated the ES’ headlight performance “Fair,” a higher rating than the A4’s headlights, which were rated “Poor.”

The A4’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The ES’ optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the ES and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the ES Ultra Luxury to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The A4 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

Model Availability

The ES is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A4 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the ES owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the ES will cost $1620 less than the A4 over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the ES is less expensive to operate than the A4 because it costs $109 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the ES than the A4, including $319 less for a water pump, $162 less for a muffler, $38 less for front brake pads, $302 less for a starter, $127 less for a fuel pump and $363 less for front struts.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Lexus ES will be $3988 to $4688 less than for the Audi A4.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lexus ES and the Audi A4, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Lexus ES outsold the Audi A4/S4 by almost three to one during 2022.

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