Compare the2024 Lexus RCVS 2023 Audi TT

The RC’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The TT doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The RC has standard Pre-Collision System, which use 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 TT doesn't offer collision warning or crash mitigation brakes.

The RC’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 TT doesn’t offer a lane departure warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the RC’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 TT doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The RC’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 TT doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the RC and the TT have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and rear parking sensors.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, and its standard front crash prevention system, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RC the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2017, a rating granted to only 206 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The TT has not been tested, yet.

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

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the RC has a standard 580-amp battery. The TT’s 330-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 50 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 6th.

The RC has more powerful engines than the TT:

	Horsepower
RC 300 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	241 HP
RC 300 AWD 3.5 DOHC V6	260 HP
RC 350 3.5 DOHC V6	311 HP
TT 45 TFSI 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	228 HP
TTS 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder	288 HP

The RC has 3 gallons more fuel capacity than the TT (17.5 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

For better stopping power the RC’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the TT:

	RC	RC 350 F Sport	TT 45 TSFI	TTS Coupe
Front Rotors	13.2 inches	14 inches	12.3 inches	13.3 inches
Rear Rotors	11.7 inches	12.7 inches	11.8 inches	12.2 inches

The RC’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs standard on the TT 45 TSFI are solid, not vented.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RC’s wheelbase is 8.9 inches longer than on the TT (107.5 inches vs. 98.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the RC is .3 inches wider in the front and 1.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the TT.

For better maneuverability, the RC’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the TT’s (34.2 feet vs. 36.1 feet). The RC AWD’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the TT’s (34.8 feet vs. 36.1 feet).

The design of the Lexus RC amounts to more than styling. The RC offers aerodynamic coefficients of drag from .3 to .31 Cd (depending on bodystyle and options). That is lower than the TT (.32 to .355). A more efficient exterior helps the RC go faster and keeps the interior quieter. It also helps the RC get better fuel mileage.

The RC has 9.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the TT (83.8 vs. 74).

The RC has 1.9 inches more front headroom, 4.3 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, 1 inch more rear headroom and 2.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the TT Coupe.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the RC easier. The RC’s trunk lift-over height is 27.6 inches, while the TT Roadster’s liftover is 32.1 inches. The TT Coupe’s liftover is 32.5 inches.

With its coupe body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the RC offers cargo security. The TT’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

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 32% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

The RC 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 TT doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

When three different drivers share the RC, the optional memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle. The TT doesn’t offer a memory system.

The RC’s 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 TT doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The RC’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 TT does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The RC’s standard power windows have a locking feature to keep children from operating them, but the driver can still raise and lower both of them with the lock engaged. Audi does not offer a locking feature on the TT’s standard power windows.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RC offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The TT doesn’t offer headlight washers.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the RC detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The TT doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the RC has standard extendable sun visors. The TT doesn’t offer extendable visors.

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

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

The RC’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The TT doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

For greater rear passenger comfort, the RC has standard rear a/c vents to keep rear occupants more comfortable. The TT doesn’t offer rear vents.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the RC has a standard Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The TT doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

The RC is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The TT doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Lexus RC outsold the Audi TT by over five to one during 2022.