Compare the2023 Lexus LSVS 2023 Audi A7

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The LS has a standard Auto-Stop that use rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The A7 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

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 A7’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 A7.

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 A7 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the LS and the A7 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.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the LS 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A7. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the A7 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

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 LS’ reliability 35 points higher than the A7.

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 19 more horsepower (354 vs. 335) than the A7’s 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 A7’s 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid.

The LS can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for .6 miles. The A7 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The LS’ standard fuel tank has 2.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the A7 (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 A7 (22.2 vs. 19.3 gallons).

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 A7.

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 A7 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better stopping power the LS’ brake rotors are larger than those on the A7:

The LS stops shorter than the A7:

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 A7 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 A7 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The LS has a standard 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 A7’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

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 A7 doesn’t offer a load leveling suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the LS’ wheelbase is 7.8 inches longer than on the A7 (123 inches vs. 115.2 inches).

The LS 500 F Sport handles at .88 G’s, while the A7 55 TFSI Prestige pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the LS’ turning circle is 2.9 feet tighter than the A7’s (36.8 feet vs. 39.7 feet). The LS AWD’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the A7’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 A7 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

As tested by Car and Driver while cruising at 70 MPH, the interior of the LS 500 AWD is quieter than the A7 55 TFSI Prestige (65 vs. 66 dB).

The LS has 4.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A7 (99.4 vs. 95).

The LS has .3 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 1.9 inches more rear legroom and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the A7.

With its sedan body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the LS offers cargo security. The A7’s hatchback body style, non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

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 A7 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The LS’ power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The A7’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the LS has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The A7 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The LS also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

A power rear sunshade is standard in the LS and power rear side window sunshades are optional to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The A7 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

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 A7 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 A7.

Both the LS and the A7 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 A7.

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 A7 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The LS is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A7 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Lexus LS outsold the Audi A7/S7/RS 7 by 19% during the 2022 model year.