Compare the2023 Lexus LSVS 2023 Audi e-tron GT

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 e-tron GT doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the LS and the e-tron GT have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, 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 e-tron GT. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the e-tron GT 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.

For more complete vehicle control the LS offers an optional manually controlled automatic, with the available convenience of an automatic transmission and the complete gear control of a manual transmission without the inconvenience of a clutch. A manually controlled automatic allows the driver to eliminate unwanted shifts and maximize engine braking by down shifting while cornering. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer a transmission that allows complete gear control.

A 10-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus LS, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a 2-speed automatic is available for the e-tron GT.

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 e-tron GT doesn’t offer a CVT.

The LS stops shorter than the e-tron GT:

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 e-tron GT 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 e-tron GT doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the LS’ wheelbase is 8.8 inches longer than on the e-tron GT (123 inches vs. 114.2 inches).

For better maneuverability, the LS’ turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the e-tron GT’s (36.8 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

The Lexus LS may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 50 to 350 pounds less than the Audi e-tron GT.

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

The LS has 2.4 inches more front shoulder room, 6.7 inches more rear legroom and 2.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the e-tron GT.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the LS’ available rear seats recline. The e-tron GT’s rear seats don’t recline.

The LS has a much larger trunk than the e-tron GT (17 vs. 9.2 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the LS offers cargo security. The e-tron GT’s non-lockable folding seat defeats 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’ 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 e-tron GT’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The LS offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The e-tron GT doesn’t offer headlight washers.

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 e-tron GT doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

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 e-tron GT 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 e-tron GT.

Both the LS and the e-tron GT offer optional 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 e-tron GT.

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 e-tron GT doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

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

Insurance will cost less for the LS owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the LS will cost $950 to $4010 less than the e-tron GT over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Lexus LS will be $14820 to $41883 less than for the Audi e-tron GT.