There are many ways to achieve sports-coupe happiness these days, but which is best for the enthusiast? We wondered what would happen if we pitted Audi’s lighter, turbocharged 4-cylinder A5 2.0T Quattro up against the heavier, yet more powerful Lexus IS 350C (the “C” designating the fact the Lexus sports a retractable hardtop). Audi offers the opportunity to shift for yourself (with a slick 6-speed), which of course we chose, whereas the Lexus is only available with a 6-speed automatic (albeit a silky-smooth one).

2010 Audi A5 2.0T Quattro
One of the most handsome coupes to come along in recent memory is the Audi A5. While it appeals to our aesthetic senses, it also comes at a price, bumping up close to $50,000. To move the affordability needle back the other way, Audi has introduced the 2.0T version powered by a 211-bhp turbocharged 4-cylinder as an entry-level model with a base sticker price of $36,825.

Although the Audi gives away 95 horses to the 3.5-liter V-6 found in the Lexus, the A5 2.0T with the standard 6-speed manual transmission doesn’t feel as down on power as you’d expect with just a 4-cylinder engine under the hood. In our testing, the all-wheel-drive car scooted to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, just 0.7 sec. off the IS 350C. More important, the Audi exhibits far better handling manners, pulling 0.94g on the skidpad and hitting 68.9 mph through the slalom, easily bettering the underwhelming 0.81g and 64.5 mph ratings of the 250-lb.-heavier Lexus.

As a result, the Audi feels far more lively, and it’s quite entertaining to row through the 6-speed gearbox.

Plus, there’s little that distinguishes the 2.0T from the higher-priced V-6 A5 models. However, if you want the full LED exterior light treatment and such interior goodies as navigation, you’ll pay almost V-6 prices—these two option packages accounted for $6000 of our test car’s $45,150 sticker. We’d dispense with those appearance items and amenities, but would insist on the Sport package, which for $1450 gets the attractive 19-in. wheels and tires, front sport seats and sport suspension. It not only makes the A5 look smart, but also a smart buy.

2010 Lexus IS 350C
Lexus has neatly handled the question of whether to go with a coupe or convertible version of the IS sedan by offering up a retractable hardtop version of its rear-drive answer to the BMW 3 Series.

Now that we've had a chance to spend a little time with it, there's a lot to commend about this latest addition to the lineup of Toyota's luxury division. But let's deal with the negatives first, namely the lack of trunk space and the somewhat humpback appearance that this hard lid requires. While there is ample cargo room when the hardtop is in place (it's large enough to easily accommodate two sets of golf clubs), there's only room for maybe one or two soft bags after the roof is quickly stashed beneath the rear decklid in under 20 seconds.

On the standard IS 350C we tested, the rear deck looks a little chunky, but this was less noticeable on a black F-Sport version that we also had in the office, which sat slightly lower thanks to its low-profile tires. And as all fashionistas can attest, if you want to look thinner, wear black.

One more note about the top: When in place, the car feels as solid as the sedan. When down, not so much — there's a hint of cowl shake, but that's to be expected when you consider the size of the cabin — real people can actually ride in the back of this 4-seat convertible.

Overall, the IS 350C retains all the good performance characteristics we've come to expect from the IS sedan. The 306-bhp 3.5-liter V-6 engine is smooth and powerful, the 6-speed automatic transmission is seamless. The IS 350C is quick, hitting 60 mph in 5.5 sec. and covering the quarter mile in 14 flat, easily leaving the Audi A5 2.0T behind—by 2.5 sec. in a drag race to 100 mph.

We’d classify its handling as surefooted in normal driving, but it feels softer and a bit floaty compared to the Audi when pushed hard. In return, the Lexus offers a smoother ride than the A5, and this fits very nicely with the IS 350C’s dual-use nature.

Conclusion
While we won’t deny we love a powerful engine, we also appreciate fine handling. In this case the Audi offers more for less and achieves more with less, while looking far better in the process. Sure, the A5 2.0T is a bit slower than the Lexus, but its handling and the actual driving experience are both superior. It also manages better fuel economy due to its turbocharged engine, while pricing starts about $7500 below the Lexus. On this day, we’ll take the sportier driving dynamics of the Audi A5 2.0T Quattro.

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