Compare the2025 Lexus ESVS 2024 Audi A3

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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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 ES are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The A3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

With its standard Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, the Lexus ES is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Audi A3, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	ES	A3
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	-11 MPH
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-19 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-11 MPH
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	No Slowing
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-21 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-11 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-4 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-8 MPH
37 MPH Brights	-34 MPH	-14 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2.2 sec	1.5 sec
37 MPH Low beams	-32 MPH	-1 MPH
Warning Issued-Low beams	2.1 sec	.3 sec

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The ES offers optional Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The A3 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

The ES offers an optional Panoramic View Camera to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The A3 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 ES has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the A3’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the ES has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert to warn the driver of approaching traffic and automatically engage the brakes to help avoid a collision. Audi charges extra for Rear Cross-Traffic Assist on the A3.

The ES’ 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 A3 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the ES and the A3 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 and rearview cameras.

Warranty

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the ES 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the A3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Lexus ES Hybrid’s reliability 18 points higher than the A3 and the Lexus ES is rated 20 points higher than the A3.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 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 68 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 140 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 29th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 19th.

Engine

The ES 300h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 14 more horsepower (215 vs. 201) than the A3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid. The ES 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 101 more horsepower (302 vs. 201) and 46 lbs.-ft. more torque (267 vs. 221) than the A3’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the ES 300h gets better fuel mileage than the A3 FWD (43 city/44 hwy vs. 29 city/37 hwy).

The ES can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 1.6 miles. The A3 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Lexus ES uses regular unleaded gasoline. The A3 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The ES’ standard fuel tank has 1.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the A3 Quattro’s standard fuel tank (15.9 vs. 14.5 gallons).

Transmission

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus ES, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the A3.

The ES 300h has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The A3 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the ES’ optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the A3 (235/45R18 vs. 225/45R17).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the ES F Sport has standard 19-inch wheels. The A3’s largest wheels are only 18-inches.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ES’ wheelbase is 9.5 inches longer than on the A3 (113 inches vs. 103.5 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the ES is 2 inches wider in the front and 3.6 inches wider in the rear than the track on the A3.

Chassis

The ES F Sport uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The A3 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the ES a Mid-size car, while the A3 is rated a Subcompact.

The ES has 12.9 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A3 (99.9 vs. 87).

The ES has .7 inches more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1.2 inches more rear headroom, 4 inches more rear legroom and 1.3 inches more rear shoulder room than the A3.

Cargo Capacity

The ES has a much larger trunk than the A3 (13.9 vs. 10.9 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, valet key and remote trunk release lockout, the ES offers cargo security. The A3’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

Servicing Ease

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 43% lower rating, Audi is ranked 18th.

Ergonomics

The ES has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The A3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The ES’ optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The A3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The ES offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The A3 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The ES’ standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Engine Start/Stop standard on the A3 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the ES offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The A3 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The ES’ sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The A3’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the ES and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the ES Ultra Luxury to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The A3 doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the ES keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The A3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the ES’ optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The A3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Lexus ES has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the A3 Premium Plus.

Economic Advantages

The ES will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the ES will retain 52.03% to 57.94% of its original price after five years, while the A3 only retains 48.11% to 50.83%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lexus ES and the Audi A3, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Lexus ES outsold the Audi A3/S3/RS 3 by almost three to one during 2023.

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