The 2025 Lexus IS and 2025 Audi A5 Sportback characterize a few of the extra timeless qualities of the compact luxurious automotive class. Which is a pleasant method of claiming that they’re removed from being the freshest decisions. But they’ll however carry status and refinement to anybody’s driveway, whereas being comparatively reasonably priced. Their compact dimensions make them straightforward to drive and park round city, in addition to inviting extra enthusiastic drivers to push them round when the roads change 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This era of Lexus IS sedan is over a decade outdated now, but gross sales stay respectable.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 aspect mirrors, powered steering column adjustment, reminiscence settings (for the driving force’s seat, steering wheel and aspect 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 alternative. 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 very muscular luxurious sport sedan, go all the way in which as much as the Lexus IS 500, whose 5.0-liter V8 develops a powerful 472 horsepower.
The supplies within the Lexus IS are of top quality, and the inside is properly designed — though adults will discover it a bit tight within the again seats. The 2025 Lexus IS is probably the most reasonably priced 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 energetic security and driver aids, together with adaptive cruise management, lane-keeping help, computerized emergency braking, and computerized 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 optionally available Mark Levinson sound system performs 1,800 watts via 17 audio system.
Efficiency: The V8-powered IS 500 is a superb 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 Skilled Assessment or see 2025 Lexus IS fashions on the market close to you
2025 Audi A5 Sportback
The Audi A5 Sportback could be probably the most versatile compact luxurious automotive you may 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 seems to be like the ultimate yr of manufacturing for this remaining A5 Sportback. A brand new era is anticipated quickly.
That sometimes elegant Audi appear and feel 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, nevertheless it’s refined and cozy. And cargo house is beneficiant, because of the Sportback design with its rear hatch.
The A5 Sportback begins out with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making a light 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 straightforward 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, optionally available 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 Skilled Assessment or see 2025 Audi A5 fashions on the market close to you
Similarities
These two compact luxurious automobiles haven’t seen any important updates in years, but their pleasing street manners and high-quality cabins aren’t particularly prone to the vagaries of time.
Conclusion
The Audi A5 Sportback has the extra refined inside of those two, higher gas economic system, and customary all-wheel drive. Its Sportback physique additionally gives better cargo-carrying versatility. Nevertheless, the Lexus IS comes with a decrease beginning value and a stronger base engine, in addition to the enviable popularity 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 Guide Honest Buy Worth for any particular person used car can differ vastly in keeping with mileage, situation, location, and different elements.
The costs right here replicate what consumers are at present paying for autos and autos in typical situation when buying from a dealership.
These costs are up to date weekly. The producer’s steered retail value (MSRP) quoted contains the vacation spot charge, however doesn’t embody tax, license, doc charges, and choices.
| 2025 Lexus IS | 2025 Audi A5 | |
| Well-liked 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 computerized/RWD | 7-speed computerized/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 | ||
| Fundamental Guarantee | 4 years/50,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Guarantee | 6 years/70,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA General Security | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capability | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 110.2 inches | 111.2 inches |
| General Size | 185.4 inches | 187.2 inches |
| Width | 72.4 inches | 72.7 inches |
| Top | 56.5 inches | 54.6 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 34.2 toes | 38.4 toes |
| 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 toes | 21.8 cubic toes |
