Audi R8 vs Lexus LC
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Coupes compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 27 Sep 2026, price 24 Jun 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Audi R8: we're still completing length, width, height, wheelbase and kerb weight, plus 6 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$268,500RRP
- no option data for this car
$198,400RRP
- with the Audi R8's standard kit: $198,400 (nothing to add; 2 with no data, not charged)
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
The Audi R8 starts from $268,500 before on-road costs, while the Lexus LC opens at $198,400. That makes the Lexus LC the more affordable entry point by $70,100.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $295,350 and $218,240 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Lexus LC by roughly $3,280 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
We hold no ANCAP data for the Audi R8. ANCAP's published ratings include no record for the Lexus LC. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Recalls on our record
Audi R8
- REC-000028 · published 16 Oct 2018Audi R8 vehicles could have a possible oil leakage in the gearbox breather when the vehicle is being driven on a racetrack and extreme driving manoeuvres are being undertaken.Year range on the notice: 2015 - 2017
- REC-003376 · published 15 Aug 2011There is the possibility that the fuel supply line can come into contact with the heat shield in the engine compartment.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
Lexus LC
- REC-005374 · published 6 Apr 2020The fuel pump on affected vehicles may stop operating.Year range on the notice: 2013 - 2019
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The Lexus LC counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, heated front seats, ventilated seats, Mark Levinson audio and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Audi R8 uses a 4.2-litre V8 petrol direct injection (FSI) producing 309kW and 430Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed manual to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.6 seconds.
The Lexus LC responds with a Petrol making 351kW and 540Nm, paired to a 10-speed auto driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds.
The Lexus LC has the clear power advantage at 351kW vs 309kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Audi R8 is 0.1s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.8m diameter
Good
Based on 10.8m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Good
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.2 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $3,962/year for the Audi R8 and $3,306/year for the Lexus LC. That is a $656 annual difference in favour of the Lexus LC.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi R8 if: You or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Lexus LC if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Lexus's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CarSorted Score calls this a draw (29 vs 56). The Audi R8 and Lexus LC trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Lexus LC will save you roughly $656 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi R8 and Lexus LC?
The Lexus LC is the cheapest at $198,400 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi R8 by $70,100.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Lexus LC uses the least fuel at 11.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
ANCAP's published ratings include no record for Lexus LC, and we hold no ANCAP data for Audi R8, so there is no crash result to compare.
Which is the most powerful?
The Lexus LC makes the most power at 351kW. The Audi R8 is quickest to 100km/h in 4.6s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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