Compare the2026 Toyota CrownVS 2026 Audi A5

Both the Crown and the A5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Toyota Crown is safer than the A5:

Toyota’s powertrain warranty covers the Crown 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A5. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 5 years or 60,000 miles. Coverage on the A5 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 4 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Crown’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 69 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks Toyota higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 111 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 13th.

The Crown Platinum’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 72 more horsepower (340 vs. 268) and 105 lbs.-ft. more torque (400 vs. 295) than the A5’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Crown gets better mileage than the A5:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Crown higher (6 out of 10) than the Audi A5 (4). This means the Crown produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the A5 every 15,000 miles.

The Crown has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The A5 doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Crown XLE/Limited has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the A5. The Crown’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels optional on the A5.

The Crown has a standard space-saver spare tire so you can replace a flat tire and drive to have the flat repaired or replaced. A spare tire isn’t available on the A5; it requires you to depend on its run-flat tires, which limits mileage and speed before they are repaired. If a run-flat is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard your vehicle will have to be towed.

The Crown offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The A5’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better maneuverability, the Crown Platinum’s turning circle is 4.3 feet tighter than the A5’s (35.4 feet vs. 39.7 feet). The Crown’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the A5’s (38 feet vs. 39.7 feet).

The Crown has .8 inches more front legroom, .3 inches more rear headroom and 2.8 inches more rear legroom than the A5.

With its sedan body style, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the Crown offers cargo security. The A5’s hatchback body style and non-lockable folding seat defeat cargo security.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Crown, based on reliability, safety and performance.