Compare the2024 Audi e-tron GTVS 2023 Lexus LS

Both the e-tron GT and LS have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The e-tron GT 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 e-tron GT. But it costs extra on the LS.

Both the e-tron GT 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The e-tron GT’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 e-tron GT’s warranty.

The e-tron GT’s standard electric motors produces 169 more horsepower (523 vs. 354) and 122 lbs.-ft. more torque (472 vs. 350) than the LS 500h’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid. The e-tron GT’s electric motors produces 107 more horsepower (523 vs. 416) and 30 lbs.-ft. more torque (472 vs. 442) than the LS 500’s standard 3.4 turbo V6. The RS e-tron GT’s standard electric motors produces 221 more horsepower (637 vs. 416) and 170 lbs.-ft. more torque (612 vs. 442) than the LS 500’s standard 3.4 turbo V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Audi e-tron GT is faster than the Lexus LS:

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

The e-tron GT can travel with zero emissions for 249 miles. The LS has to start its internal combustion engine after only .6 miles.

Regardless of its engine, regenerative brakes improve the e-tron GT’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. Lexus only offers a regenerative brake system on the LS 500h.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Audi e-tron GT higher (10 out of 10) than the Lexus LS (5 to 7). This means the e-tron GT produces up to 19.8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the LS every 15,000 miles.

The e-tron GT’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The LS doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the e-tron GT’s brake rotors are larger than those on the LS:

The e-tron GT RS offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The LS doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The e-tron GT stops much shorter than the LS:

For better traction, the e-tron GT Prestige/RS’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the LS (F:265/35R21 & R:305/30R21 vs. F:245/45R20 & R:275/40R20).

The e-tron GT’s standard 245/45R20 front and 285/40R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series front and 40 series rear profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LS’ standard 50 series tires. The e-tron GT Prestige/RS’ optional 265/35R21 front and 305/30R21 rear tires have a lower 35 series front and 30 series rear profile than the LS 500 F Sport’s 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the e-tron GT has standard 20-inch wheels. Smaller 19-inch wheels are standard on the LS. The e-tron GT Prestige/RS’ optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels optional on the LS.

The front and rear suspension of the e-tron GT 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.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the e-tron GT is 2.8 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the LS.

The e-tron GT’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (49% to 51%) than the LS’ (53% to 47%). This gives the e-tron GT more stable handling and braking.

The RS e-tron GT handles at .95 G’s, while the LS 500h AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The RS e-tron GT executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.9 seconds quicker than the LS 500h AWD (24.1 seconds @ .85 average G’s vs. 27 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

The e-tron GT is 9.7 inches shorter than the LS, making the e-tron GT easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The design of the Audi e-tron GT amounts to more than styling. The e-tron GT offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .24 to .27 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). 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 e-tron GT get better fuel mileage.

The e-tron GT has 2 inches more front headroom, .9 inches more front legroom and .2 inches more rear headroom than the LS.

The e-tron GT’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The LS doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

Laser headlights, standard on the e-tron GT Prestige/RS, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the LS’ LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

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

The e-tron GT Prestige/RS’ Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist 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.

The Audi e-tron outsold the Lexus LS by almost five to one during 2022.