Audi S5 vs Lexus ES
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.
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Price Breakdown
The Audi S5 starts from $99,900 before on-road costs, while the Lexus ES opens at $65,540. That makes the Lexus ES the more affordable entry point by $34,360.
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 $109,890 and $72,094 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the Lexus ES by roughly $3,280 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.
Feature Showdown
The Audi S5 features a 14.5-inch touchscreen paired with a 11.9-inch digital dash, while the Lexus ES gets a 12.3-inch display and 7-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Audi S5 stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, ventilated seats and Bang & Olufsen audio — features our data doesn't list for the Lexus ES. The Lexus ES counters with Apple CarPlay, wireless charging, panoramic roof and heated front seats. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Audi S5 gets leather upholstery while the Lexus ES offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 3-zone in the Audi S5 and 2-zone in the Lexus ES.
Drivetrain
The Audi S5 uses a Petrol MHEV producing 270kW and 550Nm of torque, sent through a s tronic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.5 seconds.
The Lexus ES responds with a Hybrid making 160kW and 221Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.9 seconds.
The Audi S5 has the clear power advantage at 270kW vs 160kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Audi S5 is 4.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Audi S5 measures 4,829mm long on a 2,892mm wheelbase, 146mm shorter than the Lexus ES at 4,975mm (2,870mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Audi S5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 445L in the Audi S5 and 454L in the Lexus ES, giving the Lexus ES a 9L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.4m to 11.6m
Based on 11.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $2,024/year for the Audi S5 and $1,368/year for the Lexus ES. That is a $656 annual difference in favour of the Lexus ES.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Audi S5) vs 4 years / 100,000km (Lexus ES). The Audi S5 has longer coverage. Capped-price servicing: —4yr (Lexus ES).
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi S5 if: You prioritise performance, value a longer warranty, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Lexus ES if: You want the lower entry price, need more boot space, want lower running costs, or prefer Lexus's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
This is genuinely close. The Audi S5 and Lexus ES trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The Lexus ES will save you roughly $656 a year in fuel. The Audi S5 adds peace of mind with a longer 5-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi S5 and Lexus ES?
The Lexus ES is the cheapest at $65,540 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Audi S5 by $34,360.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Lexus ES uses the least fuel at 4.8L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Audi S5 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Lexus ES, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Lexus ES has the largest boot at 454L.
Which can tow the most?
The Audi S5 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,800kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Audi S5 has the longest warranty at 5 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Audi S5 makes the most power at 270kW. The Audi S5 is quickest to 100km/h in 4.5s.
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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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