Lexus ES 250 vs. Audi A6
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Lexus ES 250 and Audi A6 contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Lexus ES 250 and the Audi A6.
When we compare the Lexus ES 250's and the Audi A6's specifications and ratings, the Lexus ES 250 has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, fuel efficiency, reliability, resale value, interior volume and overall quality score. The Audi A6 has the advantage in the area of base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Lexus ES 250's and the Audi A6's specifications and ratings, the Lexus ES 250 is a better car than the Audi A6.
Pricing: For a new model, the Lexus ES 250's price is between $45,980 and $54,994, with the Audi A6 priced between $59,135 and $78,929.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Lexus ES 250 loses 44.6 percent of its value and the Audi A6 loses 60.9 percent of its value. This means the Lexus ES 250 retains 16.3 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Audi A6.
Quality Rating: The iSeeCars Overall Quality rating for the Lexus ES 250 is 8.0 out of 10 while the Audi A6's quality rating is 7.5 out of 10. This results in the Lexus ES 250 being ranked 6 out of 24 Best Luxury Midsize Cars and the Audi A6 being ranked 9 out of 24.
Reliability Rating: iSeeCars’ Reliability Rating for the Lexus ES 250 is 7.9 out of 10. For the Audi A6 the reliability rating is 7.5 out of 10. This gives the Lexus ES 250 a slight advantage in reliability compared to the Audi A6.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Lexus ES 250’s base engine makes 203 horsepower, and the Audi A6 base engine makes 261 horsepower. The ES 250 is rated to deliver an average of 28 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 525 miles. The A6 is rated to deliver an average of 26 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 598 miles.This gives the Lexus ES 250 the advantage in fuel efficiency and the Audi A6 the advantage in maximum range. The ES 250 uses regular unleaded, and the A6 uses premium unleaded.
Passenger Space Comparison: While both models are midsize cars, the Lexus ES 250 has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front leg room, rear leg room, and cargo space. The Audi A6 has the advantage in the areas of front head room, front shoulder room, rear head room and rear shoulder room.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Lexus ES 250 and the Audi A6 have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
45980 - 54994
Starting MSRP:
42140
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
79467
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
42140 - 200195
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
59135 - 78929
Starting MSRP:
58100
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
79467
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
42140 - 200195
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
Price Range:
-
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
80683
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
43661 - 144992
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
58757
Price Range:
47998 - 71140
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
80683
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
43661 - 144992
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
# Good or Great Deals:
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
18807
Depreciation %:
0.44630858
Resale Value $:
23333
Residual Value %:
0.55369142
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
0.49394848
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
0.39819597 - 0.61156182
5-year Depreciation
Depreciation $:
35532
Depreciation %:
0.61156182
Resale Value $:
22568
Residual Value %:
0.38843817999999997
Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
0.49394848
Category Depreciation Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
0.39819597 - 0.61156182
Lexus ES 250 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.0 / 10
Reliability:
7.9 / 10
Retained Value:
8.2 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Audi A6 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.5 / 10
Reliability:
7.5 / 10
Retained Value:
7.1 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Lexus ES 250
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
13.2
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
13.2
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
9.4 - 22.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.215
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Audi A6
Avg Life Expectancy (years):
10.7
Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
13.2
Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
9.4 - 22.1
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.045
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.5618966421388292
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
3.0
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
1.5 - 35.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.9696536471404869
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
3.0
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize Cars)
1.5 - 35.8
Lexus ES 250 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 18Ranking
2 out of / 18Ranking
3 out of / 24Ranking
3 out of / 24Ranking
4 out of / 24Ranking
6 out of / 24Ranking
6 out of / 24Ranking
11 out of / 24Ranking
19 out of / 24Ranking
24 out of / 24Audi A6 Rankings
Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 6Ranking
5 out of / 24Ranking
6 out of / 18Ranking
8 out of / 24Ranking
8 out of / 18Ranking
9 out of / 24Ranking
9 out of / 24Ranking
13 out of / 24Ranking
14 out of / 24Ranking
17 out of / 24Ranking
22 out of / 24Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Lexus ES 250 Trim Levels
Base, F SPORT Design, Luxury, Ultra Luxury
Audi A6 Trim Levels
quattro Premium 45 TFSI, quattro Premium 55 TFSI, quattro Premium Plus 45 TFSI, quattro Premium Plus 55 TFSI, quattro Prestige 55 TFSI
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
203 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque:
184 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.054 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
261 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque:
273 foot-lbs @ 1600 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.064 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
24 / 33 / 28
Range (city/hwy):
382 / 525 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Regular Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
2 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
24 / 31 / 26
Range (city/hwy):
463 / 598 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Standard
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power Lift Gate:
Available
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Internet Radio:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Paddle Shifters:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Roadside assistance:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Seats
Standard
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Air Suspension:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
Available
Captain's seat:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Massage Seats:
Available
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Available
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Available
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
37.5 inches
Front Leg Room:
42.4 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
55.9 inches
Rear Head Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Leg Room:
39.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
54.3 inches
Cargo Space:
13.9 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
99.9 cubic feet
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.3 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.1 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
56.5 inches
Cargo Space:
13.7 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
99.0 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3780 lbs
Width:
73.4 inches
Height:
57.1 inches
Length:
195.9 inches
Wheelbase:
113 inches
Ground Clearance:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4101 lbs
Width:
83.1 inches
Height:
57.4 inches
Length:
194.4 inches
Wheelbase:
115.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
4.2 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 7.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
215/55R17
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
19.0 x 8.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/45R19
Exterior Colors
Beige
Moonbeam Beige Metallic
Black
Caviar / Obsidian
Blue
Nightfall Mica
Gray
Cloudburst Gray
Green
Sunlit Green
Red
Matador Red Mica
Silver
Iridium
White
Eminent White Pearl
Brown
Not available
Exterior Colors
Beige
Not available
Black
Brilliant Black / Mythos Black Metallic
Blue
Firmament Blue Metallic
Gray
Chronos Gray Metallic / Manhattan Gray Metallic
Green
Not available
Red
Not available
Silver
Florett Silver Metallic
White
Arkona White / Glacier White Metallic
Brown
Madeira Brown Metallic
Interior Colors
Black
Black w/ Open-Pore Black Wood Trim / Black w/ Striated Black Film Trim
Brown
Acorn w/ Open-Pore Black Wood Trim / Acorn w/ Striated Black Film Trim / Palomino w/ Open-Pore Brown Walnut Trim / Palomino w/ Striated Black Film Trim
White
Macadamia w/ Ash Bamboo Trim
Beige
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Brown
Okapi Brown w/ Steel Gray Stitching
White
Not available
Beige
Pearl Beige w/ Agate Gray Stitching