Lexus RC vs Audi S5
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 | Lexus RC | Audi S5 |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 26 mpg ✓ | 24 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 22 mpg ✓ | 21 mpg |
| Best highway MPG | 32 mpg ✓ | 30 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $2,900 ✓ | $3,150 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 345 g/mi ✓ | 363 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI & PFI | SIDI |
| Transmissions | Automatic (S6), Automatic (S8) | Automatic (AM-S7), Automatic (S8), Automatic (AM-S8) |
| Drivetrains | All-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive | All-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Premium | Premium |
| EPA class | Subcompact Cars | Subcompact Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2025 | 2015–2026 |
| Configurations on record | 50 | 33 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
RC vs S5: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Lexus RC or the Audi S5?
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 RC and S5 offer?
Lexus RC: SIDI & PFI. Audi S5: SIDI.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
Yes — the EPA classifies both the Lexus RC and the Audi S5 as Subcompact Cars, so they compete directly.
More RC comparisons
Comparison id: lexus-rc-vs-audi-s5