Compare the2026 Lexus ESVS 2025 Audi A6 e-tron

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The ES offers optional Auto Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The A6 e-tron doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

To deliver safety and visibility under dusty conditions the Lexus ES’ backup monitor has a standard rear washer to keep the view clear. A camera washer system costs extra on the Audi A6 e-tron.

Both the ES and the A6 e-tron 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 A6 e-tron. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the A6 e-tron 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.

On the EPA test cycle the ES 350e 19" Wheels FWD running on electricity gets better mileage than the A6 e-tron ultra RWD (135 city/118 hwy vs. 132 city/120 hwy MPGe).

For better traction, the ES has larger tires than the A6 e-tron (235/55R19 vs. 225/55R19).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the ES offers optional 21-inch wheels. The A6 e-tron’s largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The Lexus ES may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 900 pounds less than the Audi A6 e-tron.

The ES uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The A6 e-tron doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The ES has .4 inches more front legroom and 5.5 inches more rear legroom than the A6 e-tron.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the ES 350e Luxury’s available rear seats recline. The A6 e-tron’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 A6 e-tron, 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 A6 e-tron doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.

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 A6 e-tron doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The ES has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the A6 e-tron.

Both the ES and the A6 e-tron 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 A6 e-tron.

The ES is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the A6 e-tron, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the ES offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the A6 e-tron.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the ES equipped with available HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The A6 e-tron, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Lexus ES empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

The Lexus ES stands out above the Audi A6 e-tron 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 Lexus ES outsold the Audi A6/S6/RS 6 by almost four to one during 2025.