Compare the2026 Lexus ESVS 2026 Audi A5

Both the ES and the A5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive, around view monitors and driver alert monitors.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the ES 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the A5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 103 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 30th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 133 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus third in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 13th.

The ES 500e’s standard electric motors produces 70 more horsepower (338 vs. 268) than the A5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the ES running on electricity gets better mileage than the A5:

The ES can travel with zero emissions for 272 to 307 miles (dependent on model). The A5 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 A5 requires premium, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the Lexus ES at emission levels ranging from “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV) to “Zero Emissions Vehicle” (ZEV). The Audi A5 is only certified to “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV) standards.

The ES 350h 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 A5 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the ES has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the A5. The ES’ optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the A5.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the ES’ wheelbase is 2.3 inches longer than on the A5 (116.1 inches vs. 113.8 inches).

The ES uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The A5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The ES has .5 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom and 4.6 inches more rear legroom than the A5.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the ES 350e Luxury’s available rear seats recline. The A5’s rear seats don’t recline.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 30% lower rating, Audi is ranked 18th.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the A5, the ES Luxury has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are standard in the ES Luxury to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The A5 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The ES has standard front air conditioned seats and the ES 350e Luxury offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The A5 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

Both the ES and the A5 offer available massaging front seats. The ES 350e Luxury also offers optional massaging rear seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging rear seats aren’t available in the A5.

The Lexus ES stands out above the Audi A5 by offering not one, but two Qi-compatible phone chargers. This convenience helps travelers with multiple devices to keep powered up on-the-go. Wireless charging eliminates lost or cluttered charging cables and one of them provide more flexibility.

The ES is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The A5 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Lexus ES outsold the Audi A5/S5/RS 5 by over two to one during 2025.