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Audi S5 vs Lexus IS

2026 Audi S5 vs 2026 Lexus IS — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Audi S5

2026 Audi S5

Midsize CarsAWD/4WD
VS4 – 1Audi S5 wins 4 of 5 categories
Lexus IS

2026 Lexus IS

Compact CarsAWD/4WD

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The short version

The Audi S5 is more fuel-efficient: 23 vs 22 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $200 a year less in fuel for the Audi S5 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Audi S5 is the bigger car, about 4 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Lexus IS has had fewer recall campaigns (15 vs 18).

The two cars

The 2026 Audi S5 is a midsize car offered with a 3.0L 6-cyl turbo engine and all-wheel drive. It measures about 190 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 114-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,464 lb.

The 2026 Lexus IS is a compact car offered with a 3.5L 6-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 186 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 110-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,913 lb.

Buying used? The 2016 S5 and the 2024 IS have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2020 S5 and the 2015 IS.

Basics

Midsize Cars
Class
Compact Cars
Premium Gasoline
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

23 MPG
Best combined MPG
22 MPG
20 city
City / highway MPG (best)
19 city
$3,550
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$3,750

Performance & space

362 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
311 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
190.2 in
Length
185.8 in
73.2 in
Width
72.4 in
56.7 in
Height
56.3 in
4,464 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,913 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
11
0
Recalls (2026)
0
18
Recalls, all years since 2005
15
1
Owner complaints (latest year)
1

Interest

5,543
Wikipedia views, 30 days
28,367

Buying used

2016
Best used year
2024
2020
Year to avoid
2015

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Audi S5 if…

  • You want more power (up to 362 vs 311 hp)
  • You want more room (4 in longer)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech

Choose the Lexus IS if…

  • You want something easier to park (4 in shorter)

Pros & cons of each

2026 Audi S5

  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 23 MPG combined, 26% below the 2026 midsize car average of 31.2 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

2026 Lexus IS

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 22 MPG combined, 25% below the 2026 compact car average of 29.2 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2026 Audi S5 specs →Full 2026 Lexus IS specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →