Compare the2026 Lexus ISVS 2026 Audi S3

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 S3 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 S3 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 S3 doesn’t offer automatic braking for stationary objects directly to the rear.

Both the IS and the S3 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 S3. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the S3 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 S3 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 S3 (17.4 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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 S3.

For better traction, the IS has larger standard tires than the S3 (235/40R19 vs. 225/40R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the IS has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the S3.

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 S3; 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. Some tire options on the S3 don’t have a run-flat feature, either.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the IS’ wheelbase is 6.6 inches longer than on the S3 (110.2 inches vs. 103.6 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the IS is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 3.4 inches wider in the rear than on the S3.

The IS’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (54% to 46%) than the S3’s (58% to 42%). This gives the IS more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the IS’ turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the S3’s (34.2 feet vs. 36.5 feet). The IS AWD’s turning circle is 1.1 feet tighter than the S3’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.5 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 S3 (.31) 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 S3 is rated a Subcompact.

The IS has 3.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the S3 (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 S3.

The IS has a much larger trunk than the S3 (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 S3’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 S3. 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’ 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 S3 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 S3 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The IS’ standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Keyless Engine Start/Stop standard on the S3 only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

The S3’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 S3’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 S3 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

The Lexus IS has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors costs extra on the S3.

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 S3 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 S3 doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The IS is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S3 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Lexus IS retains 60.76% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 51.66% resale value of the 2026 Audi S3 after five years, which can save the Lexus’ owner up to $6469 in depreciation.

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