The 2024 Audi A8 and 2023 Lexus LS are among the reasonably priced full-size luxury sedans on the market. They offer better value for money compared to rivals from BMW and Mercedes. Besides the added value, these full-size luxury sedans offer efficient powertrains, but they both don’t have a V8 engine in the lineup. Here’s an up-to-date, detailed comparison of the Audi A8 vs Lexus LS.
Trims and Pricing
Audi A8 Pricing
| A8 L | $89,900 |
Audi keeps everything simple by offering only one 2024 A8 trim option: the A8 L. The 2024 Audi A8 L is a well-equipped trim with standard extended wheelbase. The 2024 Audi A8 L comes with everything you would want from a luxury sedan.
It also has a great starting price of $88,900, and it includes 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive damping, automatic LED headlights, a power moonroof, rain-sensing wipers, tri-zone climate control, dual infotainment screens, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, a full suite of driver assistance systems, etc.
Lexus LS Pricing
| LS 500 | $78,735 |
| LS 500 F Sport | $82,335 |
| LS 500h AWD | $114,835 |
Lexus, on the other hand, offers three 2023 LS trim options: LS 500, LS 500 F Sport, and LS 500h AWD. The base LC 500 has a long list of standard features, including a 12-speaker stereo, satellite radio, Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, in-car Wi-Fi, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Lexus also offers an AWD variant with a higher starting price of $81,985.
The LS 500h AWD is the most expensive and fuel-efficient model. It offers similar standard equipment to the LS 500 but adds 20-inch wheels and all-wheel drive. The cabin gets some standard options like upgraded semi-aniline leather upholstery, a head-up display, wood and leather-trimmed center console, four-zone climate control, heated rear seats, a digital rearview mirror, a surround-view camera, a Mark Levinson stereo, and hands-free parking and driving.
Engine, Performance, and Transmission
The 2024 Audi A8 is available with one engine option, a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine with 335 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. This engine pairs with an 8-speed automatic transmission, allowing the A8 to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds.
The 2023 Lexus LS 500 and LS 500 F Sport use a turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine with 416 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The engine pairs with a 10-speed automatic transmission, sending power to either the rear or all four wheels. The 2023 Lexus LS 500h AWD uses a hybrid powertrain featuring a 3.5-liter V6 engine and two electric motors. Together, the system produces a combined 354 hp and 257 lb-ft of torque. The transmission pairs a CVT with a 4-speed automatic, sending power to all four wheels.
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Fuel Economy and Estimated Annual Fuel Costs
Audi’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 has an impressive EPA fuel economy rating of 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. The Audi A8 matches its fuel economy rating with the 2023 LS 500, despite having lower performance. Just like the 2023 LS 500, the 2024 Audi A8 gets a 21.7-gallon fuel tank, with the 2023 model getting an annual fuel cost of $3,050.
The base engine, a 3.4-liter V6, has a good EPA fuel economy rating of 18 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 22 mpg combined. The 2023 LS 500h AWD ups the rating to 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. The LS500 has a 21.7-gallon fuel tank with an EPA-estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050. In addition, the LS 500h AWD has a 22.2-gallon fuel tank with a lower EPA estimated annual fuel cost of $2,650.
Interior Room and Cargo Space
Interior Proportions
| 2024 Audi A4 | 2023 Lexus LS | |
| Front Headroom | 38.3 inches | 37.3 inches |
| Front Legroom | 41.5 inches | 41 inches |
| Rear Headroom | 38.5 inches | 37.3 inches |
| Read Legroom | 44.3 inches | 38.9 inches |
| Trunk Space | 12.5 cu.ft | 16.9 cu.ft (LS 500), 15.2 cu.ft (LS 500h AWD) |
The 2024 Audi A8 has one of the best interiors in the luxury sedan segment. Thanks to using an extended wheelbase, the A8 offers class-leading legroom for the rear occupants. The A8’s cabin feels luxurious, thanks to the leather-wrapped surfaces.
Its infotainment system is also intuitive, especially the latest Audi dual-screen configuration with the lower screen handling temperature controls for the cabin and seats. The upper screen provides access to music, navigation, and hands-free calls.
The 2023 Lexus LS has an appealing cabin design with ample space for five occupants. Its interior is deluxe from every angle, thanks to the use of premium materials. While it doesn’t match the upscale feel of the Mercedes-Benz S Class, the LS has a gorgeous interior with a combination of flowing lines, leather upholstery, and intricately patterned fabrics.
Passenger space is enough for four adults, but fitting a fifth in the rear back seat would deny the passengers a true luxury experience. Luckily, Lexus offers optional rear bucket seats, making it more comfortable for four adult passengers.
Infotainment and Technology
The 2024 Audi A8 has an all-screen infotainment system with a 10.1-inch upper screen and an 8.6-inch lower screen. The lower screen controls the MMI Touch Response system, but most functions are accessible through steering wheel controls. Audi retains the traditional volume knob in the console, breaking up the smooth, screen-filled interior.
While Audi does away with physical buttons, buyers can customize the lower screen fitting permanent buttons for weather, telephone, navigation, and radio. As standard, the A8 also gets Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration and USB ports with data and charging capability. Drivers get Audi’s bright and legible 12.3-inch virtual cockpit as standard.
The 2023 Lexus LS lineup uses a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard. It serves as the access point for features like navigation and audio systems. All LS models also get a 12-speaker stereo, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa capability, and a 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot. The system has voice recognition, making it easier to navigate if you don’t prefer the touchpad on the center console.
Safety Features
Audi fits the 2024 A8 sedan with most of the same driver assistance technologies as other high-end sedans. Among the features include adaptive cruise assist with lane guidance, top view camera system, intersection assist, Audi side assist with pre-sense rear, and remote parking assist plus.
The 2023 Lexus LS also offers a great lineup of standard safety features. They include lane-keeping assist, forward collision mitigation, blind spot warning, and traffic sign recognition. Lexus also offers optional features like a surround-view camera and hands-free driving.
For more information about the safety of the 2024 Audi A8 or 2023 Lexus LS, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
Warranty Coverage
Audi designed the 2024 A8 to make owners feel special despite having average warranty coverage. The 2024 Audi A8 gets a 10-year or 100,000-mile long-term warranty, a four-year or 50,000-mile limited warranty, and a four-year or 50,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Lexus offers impressive warranty coverage. The 2023 LS 500 gets a four-year or 50,000-mile limited warranty, a six-year or 70,000-mile powertrain warranty, and a one-year or 10,000-mile complimentary maintenance coverage.