Audi A5 VS Lexus IS

First up is the Lexus IS, which initially debuted as a sportier alternative to the rest of the Lexus lineup. We selected the AWD version, since AWD comes standard with the A5, but the IS manages to maintain a bit of a price advantage. But it is immediately clear that the IS comes up short in the performance department. Not only does it produce noticeably less power, it also comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission that could almost be called ancient in 2025, and is nowhere near as responsive as the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission found in the A5. This more advanced transmission also means that the A5 gets better fuel economy, something you don’t often see paired with a higher power output. And on top of all of that, the A5 also gives you much more cargo space.

It’s expected that the lower-priced IS doesn’t have the same level of standard equipment as the A5, but the extent of this difference is still surprising, and much greater than the difference in price would suggest. Heated front seats, leather upholstery, rain sensing wipers, and parking sensors all come standard on the A5, but not the IS. Just upgrading the IS to have these features reduces the price advantage of the IS to a few hundred dollars, and then you’ll still have the analog gauges, less powerful engine, and the outdated transmission to deal with.

Audi A5 VS BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

Up next is the BMW 4 Series, which features the same sloping rear roof and large cargo compartment opening as the A5. We’ve again had to opt for the AWD on the BMW, since not many cars in this segment come with standard AWD the way the A5 does. Also, the 4 Series is a bit pricier than the A5, so we moved up to the Premium Plus trim of the A5, as it’s closer to the price of the BMW. The 4 Series is pretty close to the A5 in power output, enough that it would take some hard accelerating to notice that the A5 is a bit quicker. What you will notice a lot more frequently is the difference in the front suspension setup, where the A5 uses a sophisticated multi-link setup for superior control in the corners, while the 4 Series comes with a space/cost-saving strut setup. 

While these two cars have a similar body style, and the 4 Series has more cargo space than a number of other competitors, it still falls well short of the A5. Space is at a premium in general when it comes to compact models, and rear leg room is another area where every inch matters. Fortunately, this is another area where the A5 excels. But the difference in equipment is perhaps more important. The Premium trim of the A5 has a very similar stereo to the 4 Series, a 10-speaker generic setup. But moving up to the Premium Plus in the A5 gets you a 20-speaker Bang & Olufsen® 3D sound system, a far superior choice. Just the option package needed to add a premium stereo to the 4 Series more than wipes out the small price advantage it has. Add leather upholstery, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, and a head-up display, all of which are standard on the A5 Premium Plus, and the price of the 4 Series goes up by nearly five thousand dollars. BMW starts off charging more for the 4 Series, and then nickel-and-dimes you on every piece of equipment, all without offering any real advantages.

Audi S5 VS Cadillac CT5-V

Audi makes a performance version of the A5, known as the S5. So, in order to show the strengths of this version, we’re comparing it to the performance version of the Cadillac CT5, the CT5-V. Both cars come with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6, and although the Cadillac comes in rear-wheel drive form, AWD is available. Power output is so close to identical that it might seem as though there is no advantage for either vehicle, but a look at the 0-60 times shows that the Audi just makes better use of its power. And it’s not just straight-line speed where you’ll feel the difference, as the more sophisticated multi-link suspension in the S5 also gives you better control in the corners compared to the strut setup in the CT5-V. 

The S5, just like the A5, shows off segment-leading cargo space, easily beating the CT5-V. Everyone will be more comfortable in the S5 as well, thanks to standard 4-zone climate control and leather upholstery. You can have a panoramic sunroof in the CT-V, but it’ll cost you extra. And no matter how much you spend on a CT5-V, there are no available fog lights or a passenger-side media control touchscreen.