The LC has a standard Pre-Collision System, which uses forward mounted sensors to warn the driver of a possible collision ahead. If the driver doesn’t react and the system determines a collision is imminent, it automatically applies the brakes at full-force in order to reduce the force of the crash or avoid it altogether. The R8 doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.
The LC’s lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. The R8 doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.
The LC has a standard Panoramic View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The R8 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.
The LC’s blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The R8 doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.
To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the LC’s standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The R8 doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.
The LC’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 R8 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.
Both the LC and the R8 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.
The Lexus LC weighs 427 to 1079 pounds more than the Audi R8. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.