A6 vs ES 350h
Two brands, one target. The A6 from Audi and the ES 350h from Lexus compete head to head for midsize luxury car shoppers. Of the 4 areas we compared, the ES 350h wins 1. If one area explains the result, it’s fuel economy & range.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance A6 wins
- Fuel Economy & Range ES 350h wins
- Space & Practicality Tie
- Off-road & Towing Tie
- Fuel Economy & Range4.0
- Fuel Economy & Range10.0
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The ES 350h has better fuel economy
The spread here is large: 46 mpg on the ES 350h versus 26 mpg on the A6. Expect to notice it. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership.
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The A6 has 17 hp more power
Not a big gap, but a consistent one. The A6’s 261 hp beats the ES 350h’s 244 hp. The A6’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
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The ES 350h has better city fuel economy
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the ES 350h makes its strongest case: 48 mpg against 24 mpg. City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
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The ES 350h has better highway fuel economy
The ES 350h clearly leads on fuel economy (highway), and 44 mpg versus 31 mpg is a difference that reaches well beyond the spec sheet. The ES 350h uses less fuel on the highway, a real saving on road trips and long commutes.
Design & Size
Dimensions
| Spec | A6 | ES 350h |
|---|---|---|
| Length | N/A (not specified) | 202.4 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 75.6 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 61.2 in |
| Wheelbase | N/A (not specified) | 116.1 in |
Engine & Performance
A6 leads
This area is close, with the A6 just ahead of the ES 350h. The A6 delivers 17 hp more power. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels. The takeaway: on engine & performance, the A6 is the stronger car.
Total system output
A6: 261 hp ES 350h: 244 hp More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
Fuel Economy & Range
ES 350h leads
No contest in fuel economy & range: the ES 350h is the stronger of the two. Point to the ES 350h for better fuel economy. Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold. Bottom line for fuel economy & range: the ES 350h has the edge.
Fuel economy (combined)
A6: 26 mpg ES 350h: 46 mpg The ES 350h uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
Fuel economy (city)
A6: 24 mpg ES 350h: 48 mpg Hybrids often shine in the city, and the ES 350h has the better rating here.
Space & Practicality
Too close to call
Neither pulls ahead on space & practicality; the numbers are close throughout. Both cover space & practicality well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
Off-road & Towing
Too close to call
This area ends level; whatever separates these two, it isn’t off-road & towing. Don’t let off-road & towing decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Safety & Tech
We don’t score this area directly, because the safety & tech specs are labels rather than measurements. The table shows what each lists.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | A6 | ES 350h |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas (12V mild hybrid) | Hybrid |
| Engine | 2.0L turbo I4 | 2.5L I4 hybrid |
| Total system output | 261 hp (winner) | 244 hp Least powerful in class |
| Torque | 273 lb-ft Least torque in class | N/A (not specified) |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch (S tronic) | eCVT |
| Drivetrain | AWD (quattro) | FWD (AWD available) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | A6 | ES 350h |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 26 mpg | 46 mpg (winner) Most efficient in class |
| Fuel economy (city) | 24 mpg | 48 mpg (winner) Best city economy |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 31 mpg | 44 mpg (winner) Best highway economy |
| Fuel tank | N/A (not specified) | 14.5 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | A6 | ES 350h |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | N/A (not specified) | 13.3 cu ft |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | A6 | ES 350h |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | Yes | Yes |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | A6 | ES 350h |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | N/A (not specified) | 14 in |
| Basic warranty | 4 yr / 50,000 mi | 4 yr / 50,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | A6 | ES 350h |
|---|---|---|
| Length | N/A (not specified) | 202.4 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | N/A (not specified) | 75.6 in |
| Height | N/A (not specified) | 61.2 in |
| Wheelbase | N/A (not specified) | 116.1 in |
Price
| Spec | A6 | ES 350h |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | N/A (not specified) | $49,700 Lowest price in class |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the A6 if…
- you merge, overtake or climb hills with a full load (261 hp vs 244 hp)
- you already use other Audi products
Choose the ES 350h if…
- you want better combined fuel economy (46 mpg vs 26 mpg)
- you want better city fuel economy (48 mpg vs 24 mpg)
- you cover long highway distances (44 mpg vs 31 mpg on the highway)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the A6 or the ES 350h?
The ES 350h makes more sense overall. Consider the alternative only if you care more about 17 hp more power than anything else.
Executive Summary
On paper, the A6 and the ES 350h chase the same buyer. In the details, Audi and Lexus made different calls. If I had to name one reason, it’s that the ES 350h brings better fuel economy. Add better highway fuel economy to the list, and the ES 350h looks even better. The A6 has a trump card of its own in 17 hp more power.
The A6 is built for people who weigh engine & performance heavily, and the ES 350h for people who weigh fuel economy & range.
My pick: the ES 350h for most people, with the A6 as the smarter choice if having 17 hp more power matters more to you than the rest.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.