Compare the2023 Audi S5VS 2023 Lexus LC

The S5’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 S5’s standard pretensioning seatbelts also sense rear collisions and remove slack from the seatbelts to help protect the occupants from whiplash and other injuries. The LC doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The S5 has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The LC doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The S5 Premium Plus/Prestige has a standard Top 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 S5 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 S5 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 S5’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 S5’s warranty.

The S5’s 3.0 turbo V6 produces 19 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 350) than the LC 500h’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the Audi S5 is faster than the Lexus LC:

On the EPA test cycle the S5 Coupe gets better fuel mileage than the LC 500 Coupe (21 city/30 hwy vs. 16 city/25 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the S5 Cabriolet gets better mileage than the LC Convertible:

Both the S5 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 S5s 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 S5 uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The LC requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

All wheel drive, available in the S5, 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 S5 stops much shorter than the LC:

For better traction, the S5 has larger standard tires than the LC (255/35R19 vs. 245/45R20). The S5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the LC (265/30R20 vs. 245/45R20).

The S5’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LC’s standard 45 series front and 40 series rear tires. The S5’s optional tires have a lower 30 series profile than the LC’s optional 40 series front and 35 series rear tires.

The S5 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 S5 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 500 pounds less than the Lexus LC.

The design of the Audi S5 amounts to more than styling. The S5 offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .31 to .32 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the LC (.33 to .34). A more efficient exterior helps the S5 go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the S5 get better fuel mileage.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the S5 Prestige Coupe is quieter than the LC 500h:

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the S5 Cabriolet a Subcompact car, while the LC Convertible is rated a Minicompact.

The S5 Cabriolet has 5.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the LC Convertible (81 vs. 75.2).

The S5 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 S5 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 S5 Coupe has a much larger trunk than the LC (10.9 vs. 5.4 cubic feet).

The S5 Cabriolet has a much larger trunk with its top down than the LC Convertible (7.3 vs. 3.4 cubic feet).

The S5’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, the S5’s available trunk can be opened just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, 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 S5 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 S5 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 S5’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 S5 has standard extendable sun visors. The LC doesn’t offer extendable visors.

When the S5 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.

The S5 has standard massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the LC.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the S5 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 S5 Premium Plus/Prestige has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The LC doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The S5 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 S5 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 S5 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the S5 will cost $2365 to $5625 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 S5 will be $27618 to $34332 less than for the Lexus LC.

The Audi A5/S5/RS 5 outsold the Lexus LC by almost 12 to one during the 2022 model year.