Audi A4 vs Lexus LS
What's the difference?

Audi A4

$28,850 - $47,950

2021 price

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Lexus LS

—

2023 price

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Maserati Quattroporte

Mazda 6

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz A35

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz C43

Mercedes-Benz C63

Mercedes-Benz CLA

Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E53

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Summary

2021 Audi A4

2023 Lexus LS

By Marcus Craft

By Tom White

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Diesel Turbo, 2.0L

Twin Turbo V6, 3.4L

Fuel Type

Diesel

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

5.2L/100km (combined)

10.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Nice to drive
Looks good
Impressive interior

Business class interior
Japanese feel and quality
Thumping turbo V6

Dislikes

Space-saver tyre
Short warranty
Paying extra for driver-assist tech

Feels a bit old-fashioned to drive
The hybrid would be nicer to be driven in
Dated multimedia software

2021 Audi A4 Summary

The Audi A4 allroad is the off-roader of the A4 line-up. I’m using the term ‘off-roader’ loosely here because this wagon is obviously best suited to daily duties in a city and suburbs, with perhaps an occasional foray into very light off-roading, i.e. driving on a well-maintained gravel or dirt road with few, if any, corrugations, and in dry weather only.

But that’s not a negative factor because the great thing about adventures is that they can be scaled to suit you, your lifestyle and your vehicle of choice.

However, is this allroad your best option for a comfortable, nice-driving all-rounder? Read on.

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2023 Lexus LS Summary

Surprisingly, for people who would rather be driven than drive themselves, there are quite a few options available in the large luxury sedan market.

While on the whole sedans have fallen from favour, this niche corner of the market continues to let the three-box design thrive.

The options here have changed a bit in the last few years, though, so how does the Lexus flagship, the LS fit into the picture? I drove one around for a week to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2021 Audi A4 2023 Lexus LS

Verdict

The Audi A4 allroad 40 TDI quattro S Tronic is a nice-looking wagon that’s fun to drive.

It’s packed with tech, adequately functional for daily life and it’s also capable enough off-road as long as the driving surface is nothing more challenging than well-maintained gravel or dirt tracks in dry weather, and you’re not planning a rough-and-tumble expedition into remote bushland.

As I mentioned earlier, the great thing about adventures is that you can scale them to suit you and your vehicle and the allroad offers a nice stepping-stone for people who’d like to experience the outdoorsy lifestyle, before perhaps diving deeper into it.

Verdict

The LS500 is the least logical version of the most logical option in the ultimate luxury sedan segment in which logic doesn’t often apply at all.

Take from that what you will, but if it was me being driven around I would definitely be opting for the hybrid version of the LS instead for its smooth electrified driving characteristics and lower operating costs.

Audi A4 vs Lexus LS What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Audi A4 vs Lexus LS
What's the difference?