Compare the2023 Lexus LSVS 2023 Audi A6

The LS 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. A system to reveal vehicles in the A6’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the LS 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. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the A6.

The LS’ 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 A6 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the LS 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 Lexus LS weighs 430 to 992 pounds more than the Audi A6. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the LS 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’ 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 2021 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 14th.

The LS 500h’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 93 more horsepower (354 vs. 261) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (350 vs. 273) than the A6 45 TFSI’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The LS 500h’s 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 19 more horsepower (354 vs. 335) than the A6 55 TFSI’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid. The LS 500’s standard 3.4 turbo V6 produces 81 more horsepower (416 vs. 335) and 73 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 369) than the A6 55 TFSI’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

The LS can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for .6 miles. The A6 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The LS’ standard fuel tank has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the A6 (21.7 vs. 19.3 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The LS Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the A6 (22.2 vs. 19.3 gallons).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the Lexus LS as a “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Audi A6 is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus LS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A6.

The LS 500h 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 A6 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the LS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the A6:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the LS can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The A6 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The LS F-Sport offers active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The A6 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The LS has a standard automatic front and rear load leveling suspension to keep ride height level with a heavy load or when towing. The LS’ height leveling suspension allows the driver to raise ride height for better off-road clearance and then lower it again for easier entering and exiting and better on-road handling. The A6 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the LS’ wheelbase is 7.9 inches longer than on the A6 (123 inches vs. 115.1 inches).

The LS’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (53% to 47%) than the A6’s (55% to 45%). This gives the LS more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the LS’ turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the A6’s (36.8 feet vs. 39.7 feet). The LS AWD’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the A6’s (39.4 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The LS uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The A6 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The LS has 1 inch more front shoulder room and 1.5 inches more rear legroom than the A6.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the LS’ available rear seats recline. The A6’s rear seats don’t recline.

The LS has a much larger trunk than the A6 (17 vs. 13.7 cubic feet).

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.

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

The LS has standard front air conditioned seats and offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The A6 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The LS has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the A6.

Both the LS and the A6 offer available massaging front seats. The LS also offers optional massaging rear seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging rear seats aren’t available in the A6.

The LS offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The A6 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

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