Compare the2026 Lexus ISVS 2026 Audi RS 3

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus IS have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Audi RS 3 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the IS are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The RS 3 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The IS offers optional Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The RS 3 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the IS and the RS 3 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the IS 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Audi covers the RS 3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the RS 3 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS first among compact premium cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The RS 3 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 103 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 30th, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 133 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 7th.

The IS has 2.9 gallons more fuel capacity than the RS 3 (17.4 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus IS higher (4 out of 10) than the Audi RS 3 (2). This means the IS produces up to 15.6 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the RS 3 every 15,000 miles.

An eight-speed automatic is standard on the Lexus IS RWD, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a seven-speed automatic is available for the RS 3.

The IS 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 RS 3; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

The IS F Sport’s has front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The RS 3’s suspension doesn’t offer front gas-charged shocks.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the IS’ wheelbase is 6.6 inches longer than on the RS 3 (110.2 inches vs. 103.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the IS is 3.2 inches wider in the rear than on the RS 3.

The IS’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (54% to 46%) than the RS 3’s (58% to 42%). This gives the IS more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the IS’ turning circle is 5.2 feet tighter than the RS 3’s (34.2 feet vs. 39.4 feet). The IS AWD’s turning circle is 4 feet tighter than the RS 3’s (35.4 feet vs. 39.4 feet).

The design of the Lexus IS amounts to more than styling. The IS has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is lower than the RS 3 (.32) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the IS get better fuel mileage.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the IS a Compact car, while the RS 3 is rated a Subcompact.

The IS has 3.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the RS 3 (90.2 vs. 87).

The IS has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 3.6 inches more front legroom, 1.1 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the RS 3.

The IS has a much larger trunk than the RS 3 (10.8 vs. 8.3 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the IS offers cargo security. The RS 3’s non-lockable folding seat and non-lockable remote release defeat cargo security.

The engine in the IS is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the RS 3. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 30% lower rating, Audi is ranked 18th.

The IS has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The RS 3 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The IS’ optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The RS 3 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The IS’ instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The RS 3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The RS 3’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The IS’ optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The IS’ sun-visors swivel front-to-side to block glare from the side windows. The RS 3’s visors are fixed into the windshield header.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the IS (except F Sport Design) to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The RS 3 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

Both the Lexus IS and Audi RS 3 offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The IS features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the RS 3’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.

Optional air-conditioned seats in the IS keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The RS 3 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the IS’ optional heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The RS 3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The IS is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The RS 3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The Lexus IS outsold the Audi A3/S3/RS 3 by over two to one during 2025.