Compare

Audi A6 vs Lexus RC

2025 Audi A6 vs 2025 Lexus RC — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Audi A6

2025 Audi A6

Midsize CarsAWD/4WDHybrid/EV
VS3 – 3Tie: 3 categories each
Lexus RC

2025 Lexus RC

Subcompact CarsAWD/4WD

Swap in a different car →

The short version

The Audi A6 is more fuel-efficient: 26 vs 25 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $150 a year less in fuel for the Audi A6 (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Audi A6 is the bigger car, about 10 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Lexus RC has had fewer recall campaigns (3 vs 33).

The two cars

The 2025 Audi A6 is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and all-wheel drive. It measures about 195 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 115-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,266 lb (4dr Sedan).

The 2025 Lexus RC is a subcompact car offered with 3 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl and 5.0L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 185 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,891 lb.

Buying used? The 2024 A6 and the 2024 RC have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2019 A6 and the 2017 RC.

Basics

Midsize Cars
Class
Subcompact Cars
Hybrid
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.5L 6-cyl, 5.0L 8-cyl
All-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

26 MPG
Best combined MPG
25 MPG
24 city
City / highway MPG (best)
21 city
$3,150
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$3,300

Performance & space

456 hp
Horsepower (most powerful)
311 hp
194.5 in
Length
185 in
74.4 in
Width
72.4 in
57.5 in
Height
55.1 in
4,266 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,891 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
13
3
Recalls (2025)
0
33
Recalls, all years since 2005
3
9
Owner complaints (latest year)
1

Interest

24,694
Wikipedia views, 30 days
7,571

Buying used

2024
Best used year
2024
2019
Year to avoid
2017

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Audi A6 if…

  • You want more power (up to 456 vs 311 hp)
  • You want more room (10 in longer)
  • You want a hybrid or electric option

Choose the Lexus RC if…

  • You want something easier to park (10 in shorter)
  • You put reliability history first (3 vs 33 recalls since 2005)

Pros & cons of each

2025 Audi A6

  • Strong performanceUp to 456 hp, versus about 320 hp for similar 2025 models.
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech4 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 26 MPG combined, 13% below the 2025 midsize car average of 30 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

2025 Lexus RC

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • No recalls so far
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Full 2025 Audi A6 specs →Full 2025 Lexus RC specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →