Compare the2023 Audi A6VS 2023 Lexus LS

Both the A6 and LS have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The A6 has power child safety locks, allowing the driver to activate and deactivate them from the driver's seat and to know when they're engaged. The LS’ child locks have to be individually engaged at each rear door with a manual switch. The driver can’t know the status of the locks without opening the doors and checking them.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the A6. But it costs extra on the LS.

Both the A6 and the LS 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 blind spot warning systems, around view monitors 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 A6 its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The LS has not been tested, yet.

The A6’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the LS’ (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 A6’s warranty.

The A6 55 TFSI’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 19 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 350) than the LS 500h’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the A6 55 TFSI 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid is faster than the LS 500 3.4 turbo V6:

On the EPA test cycle the A6 gets better mileage than the LS:

Regardless of its engine, the A6’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the LS Hybrid, and doesn’t offer a disable button.

The A6 offers an available 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 LS doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The A6 stops much shorter than the LS:

For better traction, the A6’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the LS (255/40R20 vs. 245/45R20).

The A6’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LS’ standard 50 series tires. The A6’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the LS 500 F Sport’s 45 series front tires.

The A6 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 LS; 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 A6 Prestige handles at .93 G’s, while the LS 500h AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The A6 Prestige executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the LS 500h AWD (24.9 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 27 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

The Audi A6 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 850 pounds less than the Lexus LS.

The A6 is 11.7 inches shorter than the LS, making the A6 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The A6 has .7 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more rear headroom and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the LS.

The A6’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The LS doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

The A6 has a 3500 lbs. towing capacity. The LS has no towing capacity.

The A6’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The LS does not have an oil pressure gauge.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi A6 offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The LS doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The A6 Prestige’s Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist Plus will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The LS doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Insurance will cost less for the A6 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the A6 will cost $1190 to $3820 less than the LS over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Audi A6 will be $13263 to $18339 less than for the Lexus LS.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi A6, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lexus LS isn't recommended.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its January 2019 issue and they ranked the Audi A6 Prestige higher than the Lexus LS 500 F Sport.

The Audi A6/S6/RS 6 outsold the Lexus LS by over two to one during 2022.