Audi RS5 vs Lexus LS
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular Sedans 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.
Audi RS5
From $179,900
Sedan
Plug-in Hybrid
Twin-turbo V6 and Plug-in-Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology (PHEV)
470kW
4.2 kWh/100km
ANCAP: no data
—
Lexus LS
From $199,850
Sedan
Petrol
3.4L V6 Twin-Turbo Petrol
310kW
10 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
480L
Audi RS5: 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.
Plug-in hybrid fuel economy is shown as a hybrid (battery depleted) so it compares fairly with the other car. A PHEV's official "combined" figure assumes you start every trip fully charged, so real-world economy depends on how often you plug in. Electric range shows how far it goes before the petrol engine is needed.
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Price Breakdown
The Audi RS5 starts from $179,900 before on-road costs, while the Lexus LS opens at $199,850. That makes the Audi RS5 the more affordable entry point by $19,950.
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 $197,890 and $219,835 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Audi RS5 by roughly $13,240 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
22kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Audi RS5 features a 14.5-inch touchscreen paired with a 11.9-inch digital dash, while the Lexus LS gets a 12.3-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Audi RS5 stands out with panoramic roof and Bang & Olufsen audio — features our data doesn't list for the Lexus LS. The Lexus LS counters with Mark Levinson audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Audi RS5 gets rs sport seats plus in leather combination upholstery, perforated with honeycomb pattern (leather appointed: genuine and artificial leather) upholstery while the Lexus LS offers leather accented. Climate control is 3-zone in the Audi RS5 and 4-zone in the Lexus LS.
Drivetrain
The Audi RS5 uses a Twin-turbo V6 and Plug-in-Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology (PHEV) producing 470kW and 825Nm of torque, sent through a 8-speed tiptronic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.6 seconds.
The Lexus LS responds with a 3.4L V6 Twin-Turbo Petrol making 310kW and 600Nm, paired to a 10-speed automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 5 seconds.
The Audi RS5 has the clear power advantage at 470kW vs 310kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Audi RS5 is 1.4s 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.
11.2m diameter
Average
Based on 11.2m 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.
Average
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.3 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 $202/year for the Audi RS5 and $2,850/year for the Lexus LS. That is a $2,648 annual difference in favour of the Audi RS5.
Warranty: 5 years (Audi RS5) vs 5 years (Lexus LS). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi RS5 if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Lexus LS if: You or prefer Lexus's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Audi RS5 takes 3 of 3 key spec categories and comes in at a lower price. The Audi RS5 will save you roughly $2,648 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 RS5 and Lexus LS?
The Audi RS5 is the cheapest at $179,900 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Lexus LS by $19,950.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Audi RS5 uses the least fuel at 4.2L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
None of Audi RS5 and Lexus LS carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
Which is the most powerful?
The Audi RS5 makes the most power at 470kW. The Audi RS5 is quickest to 100km/h in 3.6s.
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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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