Compare the2023 Lexus RZVS 2023 Audi e-tron

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the RZ are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The e-tron doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The RZ has a standard Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The e-tron doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The RZ’s 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 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the RZ and the e-tron have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front 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, all wheel drive, 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 and rear cross-path warning.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RZ 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the e-tron. 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 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 50 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 2023 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 6th.

As tested in Car and Driver the Lexus RZ is faster than the Audi e-tron (base engine):

On the EPA test cycle the RZ gets better mileage than the e-tron:

The RZ 450e w/18" Wheels can travel longer on a full charge than the e-tron S (220 miles vs. 208 miles).

The RZ stops much shorter than the e-tron:

For better maneuverability, the RZ’s turning circle is 3.2 feet tighter than the e-tron’s (36.8 feet vs. 40 feet).

The Lexus RZ may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 1200 to 1450 pounds less than the Audi e-tron.

The RZ is 3.8 inches shorter than the e-tron, making the RZ easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Lexus RZ amounts to more than styling. The RZ has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is lower than the e-tron (.31 to .32) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the RZ get better fuel mileage.

The RZ has 1.8 inches more front headroom, 1.3 inches more front legroom and 1.1 inches more rear headroom than the e-tron.

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

The RZ has a much larger cargo volume than the e-tron with its rear seat up (34.9 vs. 28.5 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 RZ’s 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’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lexus RZ has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the e-tron.

The RZ has a 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 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The RZ’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The e-tron doesn’t offer an automated parking system.