The 2025 Lexus IS and 2025 Audi A5 Sportback represent some of the more timeless qualities of the compact luxury car class. Which is a nice way of saying that they’re far from being the freshest choices. Yet they can nevertheless bring prestige and refinement to anyone’s driveway, while being relatively affordable. Their compact dimensions make them easy to drive and park around town, as well as inviting more enthusiastic drivers to push them around when the roads become twistier.
Which one to choose, though? Come with us as we take a deeper dive.
2025 Lexus IS
This generation of Lexus IS sedan is over a decade old now, yet sales remain respectable. That’s in spite of incredibly tough competition from newer cars like the Genesis G70, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. For 2025, F Sport versions of the IS 300 and IS 350 gain more standard equipment in the form of self-dimming/power/folding side mirrors, powered steering column adjustment, memory settings (for the driver’s seat, steering wheel and side mirrors), and a dark chrome trim for the windows and mirrors. A heated steering wheel becomes standard in F Sport Design variants.
There are a dozen different trims, creating plenty of choice. The 2025 IS comes standard with a peppy 241 horsepower. The lineup also offers all-wheel drive with 260-horsepower or 311-horsepower V6 engines. For a really muscular luxury sport sedan, go all the way up to the Lexus IS 500, whose 5.0-liter V8 develops a magnificent 472 horsepower.
The materials in the Lexus IS are of high quality, and the interior is well designed — although adults will find it a bit tight in the back seats. The 2025 Lexus IS is the most affordable new compact luxury sedan. Pricing starts at $41,360, including the destination charge.
Lexus IS Highlights
Safety tech: All Lexus IS models include a comprehensive array of active safety and driver aids, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, automatic emergency braking, and automatic high beams. Adding the Panoramic View Monitor ($1,365) brings a 360-degree camera system with parking sensors, as well as emergency rear braking.
Awesome audio: A tremendous optional Mark Levinson sound system plays 1,800 watts through 17 speakers.
Performance: The V8-powered IS 500 is a wonderful anomaly. Nothing else in this class offers a V8. Lexus enhances its thrust with upgraded hardware like suspension components, stronger brakes, and a limited-slip differential.
Read our Lexus IS Expert Review or see 2025 Lexus IS models for sale near you
2025 Audi A5 Sportback
The Audi A5 Sportback may well be the most versatile compact luxury car you can get. It’s a sleek hatchback with a clean and elegant exterior design. The erstwhile 2-door coupe and cabriolet (convertible) models have been discontinued this year. And 2025 looks like the final year of production for this remaining A5 Sportback. A new generation is expected soon.
That typically classy Audi look and feel extends to the A5 Sportback’s uncluttered interior, featuring a 10.1-inch touchscreen as standard and a user-friendly infotainment system with loads of tech, such as wireless Apple CarPlay. It’s not the largest cabin in the class, but it’s refined and comfortable. And cargo space is generous, thanks to the Sportback design with its rear hatch.
The A5 Sportback starts out with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making a mild 201 horsepower. A 261-horsepower 4-cylinder engine is also available. For more muscle, there’s the 349-horsepower V6 in the S5 Sportback or a twin-turbo 444-horsepower V6 in the RS 5 Sportback. Pricing starts at $47,595, including the destination charge.
Audi A5 Sportback Highlights
Driver tech: The Virtual Cockpit, standard in most Audis these days, is a customizable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that can show all the necessary information — and leave out less crucial details. We’ve found it easy to use.
Easy to park: Audi’s Park Assist technology means the A5 Sportback can move into a perpendicular or parallel parking space, applying the right amount and direction of steering. The driver just handles the gears, brakes, and throttle. It’s part of the Prestige trim in both A5 Sportback and S5 Sportback variants, optional in the higher-performance RS 5 Sportback.
Bang & Olufsen: A top choice among audiophiles, B&O supplies a 755-watt/20-speaker system at the A5 Sportback’s Premium Plus trim level.
Read our Audi A5 Expert Review or see 2025 Audi A5 models for sale near you
Similarities
These two compact luxury cars haven’t seen any significant updates in years, yet their pleasing road manners and high-quality cabins aren’t especially susceptible to the vagaries of time.
Conclusion
The Audi A5 Sportback has the more sophisticated interior of these two, better fuel economy, and standard all-wheel drive. Its Sportback body also offers greater cargo-carrying versatility. However, the Lexus IS comes with a lower starting price and a stronger base engine, as well as the enviable reputation for reliability and robust resale values for which Lexus is renowned. In our opinion, these pragmatic issues put the IS out in front.
Used Prices
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New 2025 Audi A5 Sportback Prices
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$58,245 |
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The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for vehicles and New 2025 Audi A5 Sportback vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
| 2025 Lexus IS | 2025 Audi A5 | |
| Popular 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 automatic/RWD | 7-speed automatic/AWD |
| Fuel Economy | 21 city/31 highway/25 combined mpg | 26 city/35 highway/30 combined mpg |
| Also Available | AWD; 3.5-liter V6; 5.0-liter V8 | 3.0-liter turbo V6; 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 6 years/70,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 110.2 inches | 111.2 inches |
| Overall Length | 185.4 inches | 187.2 inches |
| Width | 72.4 inches | 72.7 inches |
| Height | 56.5 inches | 54.6 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 34.2 feet | 38.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 38.2 inches | 37.8 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 36.9 inches | 37.0 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 44.8 inches | 41.3 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 32.2 inches | 35.1 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 55.9 inches | 55.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 53.4 inches | 54.5 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 10.8 cubic feet | 21.8 cubic feet |
