Audi S5 vs Lexus RC
The Lexus RC is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 26 mpg combined versus 24 mpg for the Audi S5, a 2 mpg advantage and costs about $250 less per year to fuel.
Across 5 measured categories, the Lexus RC leads in 5. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Audi S5 | Lexus RC |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 24 mpg | 26 mpg ✓ |
| Best city MPG | 21 mpg | 22 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 30 mpg | 32 mpg ✓ |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $3,150 | $2,900 ✓ |
| Lowest CO2 output | 363 g/mi | 345 g/mi ✓ |
| Engines offered | SIDI | SIDI & PFI |
| Transmissions | Automatic (AM-S7), Automatic (S8), Automatic (AM-S8) | Automatic (S6), Automatic (S8) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium | Premium |
| EPA class | Subcompact Cars | Subcompact Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2026 | 2015–2025 |
| Configurations on record | 33 | 50 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
S5 vs RC: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Audi S5 or the Lexus RC?
The Lexus RC is the more efficient of the two: it reaches 26 mpg combined versus 24 mpg for the Audi S5, a 2 mpg advantage and costs about $250 less per year to fuel.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Lexus RC runs about $2,900 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $3,150 for the Audi S5 — a difference of roughly $250 per year.
What engines do the S5 and RC offer?
Audi S5: SIDI. Lexus RC: SIDI & PFI.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Audi S5 and the Lexus RC as Subcompact Cars, so they compete directly.
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Comparison id: audi-s5-vs-lexus-rc