Compare the2025 Audi A6VS 2025 Lexus LS

Both the A6 and LS have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The A6 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 A6. But it costs extra on the LS.

Both the A6 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 and rear 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, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

The A6’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 A6’s warranty.

The A6 55 TFSI’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid produces 19 lbs.-ft. more torque (369 vs. 350) than the LS 500h’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the A6 55 TFSI 3.0 turbo V6 hybrid is faster than the LS 500 3.4 turbo V6:

On the EPA test cycle the A6 gets better mileage than the LS:

Regardless of its engine, the A6’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Lexus only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the LS 500h, and doesn’t offer a disable button.

The A6 offers an available sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The LS doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The A6 stops much shorter than the LS:

For better traction, the A6’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the LS (255/40R20 vs. 245/45R20).

The A6’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the LS’ standard 50 series tires. The A6 55 TFSI’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the LS 500 F Sport’s 45 series front and 40 series rear tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the A6 55 TFSI offers optional 21-inch wheels. The LS’ largest wheels are only 20-inches.

The A6 has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the LS; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The A6 Prestige handles at .93 G’s, while the LS 500h AWD pulls only .80 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The A6 Prestige executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the LS 500h AWD (24.9 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 27 seconds @ .65 average G’s).

The Audi A6 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 850 pounds less than the Lexus LS.

The A6 is 11.7 inches shorter than the LS, making the A6 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The A6 has .7 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, .8 inches more rear headroom and .1 inches more rear shoulder room than the LS.

The A6’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The LS doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

The A6 has a 3500 lbs. towing capacity. The LS has no towing capacity.

The A6’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 LS does not have an oil pressure gauge.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the A6 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The LS doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The A6 Prestige’s Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Park Assist Plus will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The LS’ automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.

Insurance will cost less for the A6 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the A6 will cost $1015 to $6645 less than the LS over a five-year period.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Audi A6, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Lexus LS isn't recommended.

Motor Trend performed a comparison test in its January 2019 issue and they ranked the Audi A6 Prestige higher than the Lexus LS 500 F Sport.

The Audi A6/S6/RS 6 outsold the Lexus LS by almost four to one during 2024.