Compare the2026 Audi A5VS 2025 Lexus ES

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

Safety

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The A5’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The ES doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the A5 and ES have child safety locks to prevent children from opening the rear doors. The A5 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 ES’ 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.

The A5 has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The ES doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

The A5 has standard whiplash protection, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the whiplash protection system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The ES doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Audi A5 achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Lexus ES has not been tested.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the A5. But it costs extra on the ES.

Earlier warning of stopped traffic, traffic signals, dangerous road conditions, weather, or accidents, can keep driver's safer and prevent crashes. The A5 has Car-to-X Services, a system that seamlessly communicates important warnings to the driver about impending danger, if they're available. The ES doesn’t offer a system that can receive automated systems from infrastructure.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the A5 has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Assist with Automatic Brake Activation, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Rear Cross-Traffic Braking costs extra on the ES.

Both the A5 and the ES 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the A5 is much safer than the ES:

	A5	ES
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	135/157 pounds	270/337 pounds
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Forces L/R	135/157 pounds	270/337 pounds
Leg Forces L/R	360/112 pounds	427/697 pounds
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Audi A5 is safer than the ES:

	A5	ES
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	278	403
Neck Compression	-201 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	1.42 in	1.54 in
Shoulder Force	335 lbs.	379 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.34 in	1.38 in
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	870 lbs.	1026 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Neck Tension	112 lbs.	134 lbs.
Neck Compression	-22 lbs.	22 lbs.
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	10 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	736 lbs.	1205 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Audi A5 has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The ES is not even a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

The A5’s corrosion warranty is 6 years longer than the ES’ (12 vs. 6 years).

Audi pays for scheduled maintenance on the A5 for 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the ES (3/30,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 25 percent more Audi dealers than there are Lexus dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the A5’s warranty.

Reliability

The Audi A5’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the ES’ engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

Engine

The A5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 65 more horsepower (268 vs. 203) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 184) than the ES 250 Luxury AWD’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The A5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 53 more horsepower (268 vs. 215) than the ES 300h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The A5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 28 lbs.-ft. more torque (295 vs. 267) than the ES 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6.

As tested in Motor Trend the Audi A5 is faster than the Lexus ES:

	A5	ES 300h	ES 350
Zero to 60 MPH	5.6 sec	7.8 sec	6 sec
Quarter Mile	14.1 sec	16 sec	14.5 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	98.3 MPH	90.6 MPH	99.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

Both the A5 and the ES Hybrid have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All A5s have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The A5 has 1.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the ES Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (14.8 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The A5 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 ES doesn’t offer an SMG or a conventional manual transmission.

The A5’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The ES doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the A5’s brake rotors are larger than those on the ES:

	A5	ES
Front Rotors	13.3 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	13 inches	11.1 inches

The A5’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the ES are solid, not vented.

The A5 stops much shorter than the ES:

	A5	ES
60 to 0 MPH	121 feet	140 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the A5 has larger standard tires than the ES (235/45R18 vs. 215/55R17). The A5’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the ES (245/40R19 vs. 235/45R18).

The A5’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 ES’ standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the A5 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the ES.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the A5 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The ES doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

Suspension and Handling

The A5’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (56% to 44%) than the ES’ (57.4% to 42.6%). This gives the A5 more stable handling and braking.

The A5 handles at .84 G’s, while the ES 300h pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The A5 executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2 seconds quicker than the ES 300h (26.4 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .6 average G’s).

Chassis

The A5 is 5.8 inches shorter than the ES, making the A5 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The A5 has 2.5 inches more front headroom, 1.4 inches more front shoulder room and .8 inches more rear shoulder room than the ES.

Cargo Capacity

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the A5’s hatch uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the cargo area. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the ES’ useful trunk space.

The A5’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The ES doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the A5 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the ES. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

The A5’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the ES.

The A5’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The ES’ standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the A5 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The ES doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

The Audi A5 has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the ES.

The A5 has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the ES. The A5 Prestige also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the ES.

The A5 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 ES.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi A5 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the ES.

The A5 Premium Plus/Prestige’s Park Assist Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The ES doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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