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Audi S6 vs Lexus IS

2025 Audi S6 vs 2025 Lexus IS — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Audi S6

2025 Audi S6

Midsize CarsAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS1 – 6Lexus IS wins 6 of 7 categories
Lexus IS

2025 Lexus IS

Compact CarsAWD/4WD

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The short version

The Lexus IS is more fuel-efficient: 25 vs 22 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $450 a year less in fuel for the Lexus IS (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Audi S6 is the bigger car, about 10 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Lexus IS has had fewer recall campaigns (15 vs 19).

The two cars

The 2025 Audi S6 is a midsize car offered with a 2.9L 6-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 195 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 115-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,495 lb.

The 2025 Lexus IS is a compact car offered with 3 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl and 5.0L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 185 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 110-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,715 lb (300 4dr Sedan RWD).

Buying used? The 2024 S6 and the 2024 IS have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2021 S6 and the 2015 IS.

Basics

Midsize Cars
Class
Compact Cars
Hybrid
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.9L 6-cyl
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

22 MPG
Best combined MPG
25 MPG
19 city
City / highway MPG (best)
21 city
$3,750
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$3,300

Performance & space

670 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
311 hp
194.9 in
Length
185.4 in
74.4 in
Width
72.4 in
57.1 in
Height
56.3 in
4,495 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,715 lb

Safety & reliability

11
Driver-assist features standard
12
3
Recalls (2025)
0
19
Recalls, all years since 2005
15
4
Owner complaints (latest year)
1

Interest

6,859
Wikipedia views, 30 days
28,367

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2024
2021
Year to avoid
2015

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

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Audi S6 if…

  • You want more power (up to 670 vs 311 hp)
  • You want more room (10 in longer)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option

Choose the Lexus IS if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (25 vs 22 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (10 in shorter)

Pros & cons of each

2025 Audi S6

  • Strong performanceUp to 670 hp, versus about 320 hp for similar 2025 models.
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 22 MPG combined, 27% below the 2025 midsize car average of 30 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

2025 Lexus IS

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • No recalls so far
  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 25 MPG combined, 13% below the 2025 compact car average of 28.6 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
  • Modest powerUp to 311 hp, versus about 396 hp for similar 2025 models.

Full 2025 Audi S6 specs →Full 2025 Lexus IS specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →