Compare the2023 Audi A5VS 2023 Lexus LC

The A5’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The LC doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The A5 has a standard Audi Backguard System, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Audi Backguard System moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. At the same time the pretensioning seatbelts fire, removing slack from the belts. The LC doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The A5 has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The LC doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The A5 Premium Plus/Prestige has a standard Top and Corner View Cameras to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The LC only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the A5 and the LC have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, 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 blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the A5 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 109 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The LC has not been tested, yet.

The A5’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the LC’s (12 vs. 6 years).

There are over 25 percent more Audi dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the A5’s warranty.

The Audi A5’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the LC’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

On the EPA test cycle the A5 Coupe gets better fuel mileage than the LC 500 Coupe (24 city/32 hwy vs. 16 city/25 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the A5 Cabriolet gets better mileage than the LC Convertible:

Both the A5 and the LC Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All A5s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Audi A5 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The LC requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The A5 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The LC doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

All wheel drive, available in the A5, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Lexus LC is not available with all wheel drive.

The A5’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The LC doesn’t offer launch control.

For better traction, the A5 Premium Plus/Prestige’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the LC (255/35R19 vs. 245/45R20).

The A5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LC’s standard 45 series front tires. The A5 Premium Plus/Prestige’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the LC’s optional 40 series front tires.

The A5 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the LC; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Audi A5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 550 to 650 pounds less than the Lexus LC.

The design of the Audi A5 amounts to more than styling. The A5 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .32 to .33 Cd. That is lower than the LC (.33 to .34). A more efficient exterior helps the A5 go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the A5 get better fuel mileage.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the A5 Cabriolet a Subcompact car, while the LC Convertible is rated a Minicompact.

The A5 Cabriolet has 7.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the LC Convertible (83 vs. 75.2).

The A5 Coupe has .2 inches more front headroom, 3.9 inches more rear headroom, .2 inches more rear legroom and 1.8 inches more rear shoulder room than the LC.

The A5 Convertible has 1.6 inches more front headroom, 4.2 inches more rear headroom, 5.1 inches more rear legroom and .7 inches more rear shoulder room than the LC Convertible.

The A5 Coupe has a much larger trunk than the LC (10.9 vs. 5.4 cubic feet).

The A5 Cabriolet has a much larger trunk with its top down than the LC Convertible (7.2 vs. 3.4 cubic feet).

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the A5 easier. The A5’s trunk lift-over height is 28.5 inches, while the LC’s liftover is 33.6 inches.

The A5’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The LC doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, just kicking your foot under the back bumper can open the A5’s available trunk, leaving your hands completely free. The LC doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the A5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The LC doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The A5 Premium Plus/Prestige has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The LC doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The LC’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The A5 Premium Plus/Prestige’s standard 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.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the A5 Coupe has standard extendable sun visors. The LC doesn’t offer extendable visors.

When the A5 with available tilt-down mirrors is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The LC’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the A5 and the LC have standard heated front seats. The A5 Premium Plus/Prestige also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the LC.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the A5 has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The LC doesn’t offer rear vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi A5 Premium Plus/Prestige has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The LC doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The A5 Prestige’s Park Steering Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The LC doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The Audi A5 comes in coupe, convertible and four door hatchback bodystyles; the Lexus LC isn’t available as a four door.

Insurance will cost less for the A5 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the A5 will cost $3450 to $8355 less than the LC over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Audi A5 will be $35871 to $43215 less than for the Lexus LC.

The Audi A5/S5 outsold the Lexus LC by almost 12 to one during the 2022 model year.