Compare the2023 Audi A8VS 2023 Lexus LS

Both the A8 and LS have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The A8 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.

The A8 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The LS doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the A8. But it costs extra on the LS.

A passive infrared night vision system optional on the A8 helps the driver to more easily detect people, animals or other objects in front of the vehicle at night. Using an infrared camera to detect heat, the system then displays the image on a monitor in the dashboard and even aims one of the vehicle’s headlights in the direction of the person or object. The LS doesn’t offer a night vision system.

Both the A8 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 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 and rear cross-path warning.

The A8’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 A8’s warranty.

The A8’s 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 Audi A8 is faster than the Lexus LS:

On the EPA test cycle the A8 gets better fuel mileage than the LS 500 AWD (19 city/28 hwy vs. 17 city/27 hwy).

Both the A8 and the LS Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All A8s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

For better stopping power the A8’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the LS:

The A8 stops much shorter than the LS:

For better traction, the A8 has larger standard tires than the LS (255/45R19 vs. 245/50R19). The A8’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the LS (265/40R20 vs. 245/45R20).

The A8’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 A8’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the LS 500 F Sport’s 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the A8 offers optional 21-inch wheels. The LS’ largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The A8 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 front and rear suspension of the A8 uses air springs for a smoother, controlled ride than the LS, which uses coil springs. Air springs maintain proper ride height and ride more smoothly.

The A8 offers an available adjustable active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Lexus doesn’t offer an active suspension on the LS.

The A8 55 TFSI handles at .93 G’s, while the LS 500 AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The A8 55 TFSI executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the LS 500h AWD (25.9 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 27 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

The design of the Audi A8 amounts to more than styling. The A8 has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .26 Cd. That is lower than the LS (.28 to .3) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the A8 get better fuel mileage.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the A8 a Large car, while the LS is rated a Mid-size.

The A8 has 11.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the LS (111 vs. 99.4).

The A8 has 1 inch more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom, 5.4 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the LS.

The A8 has a 3500 lbs. towing capacity. The LS has no towing capacity.

Heated windshield washer fluid is optional on the A8 to defrost the washer nozzles and quickly clear ice and frost from the windshield without scraping. The LS doesn’t offer heated windshield washer fluid.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi A8 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The LS doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The A8’s optional 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.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi A8, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lexus LS isn't recommended.