The 2025 Lexus IS and 2025 Audi A5 Sportback symbolize among the extra timeless qualities of the compact luxurious automobile class. Which is a pleasant method of claiming that they’re removed from being the freshest decisions. But they’ll nonetheless carry status and refinement to anybody’s driveway, whereas being comparatively inexpensive. Their compact dimensions make them simple to drive and park round city, in addition to inviting extra enthusiastic drivers to push them round when the roads develop into twistier.
Which one to decide on, although? Include us as we take a deeper dive.
2025 Lexus IS
This era of Lexus IS sedan is over a decade outdated now, but gross sales stay respectable. That’s despite extremely powerful competitors from newer automobiles just like the Genesis G70, BMW 3 Sequence, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. For 2025, F Sport variations of the IS 300 and IS 350 acquire extra customary tools within the type of self-dimming/energy/folding facet mirrors, powered steering column adjustment, reminiscence settings (for the motive force’s seat, steering wheel and facet mirrors), and a darkish chrome trim for the home windows and mirrors. A heated steering wheel turns into customary in F Sport Design variants.
There are a dozen completely different trims, creating loads of selection. The 2025 IS comes customary with a peppy 241 horsepower. The lineup additionally gives all-wheel drive with 260-horsepower or 311-horsepower V6 engines. For a extremely muscular luxurious sport sedan, go all the best way as much as the Lexus IS 500, whose 5.0-liter V8 develops an impressive 472 horsepower.
The supplies within the Lexus IS are of top quality, and the inside is nicely designed — though adults will discover it a bit tight within the again seats. The 2025 Lexus IS is essentially the most inexpensive new compact luxurious sedan. Pricing begins at $41,360, together with the vacation spot cost.
Lexus IS Highlights
Security tech: All Lexus IS fashions embody a complete array of lively security and driver aids, together with adaptive cruise management, lane-keeping help, automated emergency braking, and automated excessive beams. Including the Panoramic View Monitor ($1,365) brings a 360-degree digital camera system with parking sensors, in addition to emergency rear braking.
Superior audio: An incredible non-compulsory Mark Levinson sound system performs 1,800 watts via 17 audio system.
Efficiency: The V8-powered IS 500 is an excellent anomaly. Nothing else on this class gives a V8. Lexus enhances its thrust with upgraded {hardware} like suspension elements, stronger brakes, and a limited-slip differential.
Learn our Lexus IS Professional Evaluation or see 2025 Lexus IS fashions on the market close to you
2025 Audi A5 Sportback
The Audi A5 Sportback might be essentially the most versatile compact luxurious automobile you will get. It’s a modern hatchback with a clear and chic exterior design. The erstwhile 2-door coupe and cabriolet (convertible) fashions have been discontinued this yr. And 2025 appears like the ultimate yr of manufacturing for this remaining A5 Sportback. A brand new era is predicted quickly.
That sometimes stylish Audi feel and appear extends to the A5 Sportback’s uncluttered inside, that includes a ten.1-inch touchscreen as customary and a user-friendly infotainment system with a great deal of tech, similar to wi-fi Apple CarPlay. It’s not the biggest cabin within the class, but it surely’s refined and cozy. And cargo house is beneficiant, due to the Sportback design with its rear hatch.
The A5 Sportback begins out with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making a gentle 201 horsepower. A 261-horsepower 4-cylinder engine can also be accessible. For extra muscle, there’s the 349-horsepower V6 within the S5 Sportback or a twin-turbo 444-horsepower V6 within the RS 5 Sportback. Pricing begins at $47,595, together with the vacation spot cost.
Audi A5 Sportback Highlights
Driver tech: The Digital Cockpit, customary in most Audis as of late, is a customizable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that may present all the required info — and pass over much less essential particulars. We’ve discovered it simple to make use of.
Straightforward to park: Audi’s Park Help know-how means the A5 Sportback can transfer right into a perpendicular or parallel parking house, making use of the correct quantity and route of steering. The driving force simply handles the gears, brakes, and throttle. It’s a part of the Status trim in each A5 Sportback and S5 Sportback variants, non-compulsory within the higher-performance RS 5 Sportback.
Bang & Olufsen: A best choice amongst audiophiles, B&O provides a 755-watt/20-speaker system on the A5 Sportback’s Premium Plus trim stage.
Learn our Audi A5 Professional Evaluation or see 2025 Audi A5 fashions on the market close to you
Similarities
These two compact luxurious automobiles haven’t seen any vital updates in years, but their pleasing highway manners and high-quality cabins aren’t particularly inclined to the vagaries of time.
Conclusion
The Audi A5 Sportback has the extra subtle inside of those two, higher gas financial system, and customary all-wheel drive. Its Sportback physique additionally gives larger cargo-carrying versatility. Nevertheless, the Lexus IS comes with a decrease beginning value and a stronger base engine, in addition to the enviable repute for reliability and strong resale values for which Lexus is famend. In our opinion, these pragmatic points put the IS out in entrance.
New 2025 Audi A5 Sportback Costs
The Kelley Blue Ebook Honest Buy Worth for any particular person used automobile can differ drastically in response to mileage, situation, location, and different elements.
The costs right here mirror what consumers are presently paying for automobiles and automobiles in typical situation when buying from a dealership.
These costs are up to date weekly. The producer’s advised retail value (MSRP) quoted consists of the vacation spot charge, however doesn’t embody tax, license, doc charges, and choices.
| 2025 Lexus IS | 2025 Audi A5 | |
| Widespread Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder | 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 241 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm | 201 horsepower @ 4,475 rpm |
| Torque | 258 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm | 236 lb-ft @ 1,450 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automated/RWD | 7-speed automated/AWD |
| Gasoline Economic system | 21 metropolis/31 freeway/25 mixed mpg | 26 metropolis/35 freeway/30 mixed mpg |
| Additionally Out there | AWD; 3.5-liter V6; 5.0-liter V8 | 3.0-liter turbo V6; 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 |
| Specs | ||
| Primary Guarantee | 4 years/50,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Guarantee | 6 years/70,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Total Security | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capability | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 110.2 inches | 111.2 inches |
| Total Size | 185.4 inches | 187.2 inches |
| Width | 72.4 inches | 72.7 inches |
| Peak | 56.5 inches | 54.6 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 34.2 ft | 38.4 ft |
| Headroom, Entrance | 38.2 inches | 37.8 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 36.9 inches | 37.0 inches |
| Legroom, Entrance | 44.8 inches | 41.3 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 32.2 inches | 35.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Entrance | 55.9 inches | 55.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 53.4 inches | 54.5 inches |
| Cargo Quantity | 10.8 cubic ft | 21.8 cubic ft |