Compare the2026 Lexus ISVS 2026 Hyundai Sonata

Safety
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages

Safety

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The IS’ optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Sonata doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The Lexus IS has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Sonata doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The IS has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Sonata doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

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

The IS offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Sonata only offers a rear monitor.

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

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Lexus IS is safer than the Hyundai Sonata:

	IS	Sonata
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	220	514

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Lexus IS is safer than the Hyundai Sonata:

	IS	Sonata
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Abdominal Force	203 lbs.	234 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	162	250
Spine Acceleration	28 G’s	60 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	34 G’s	38 G’s
Hip Force	650 lbs.	780 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS first among compact premium cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Sonata was rated second 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 Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 7 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked third.

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 Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 82 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 10th.

Engine

The IS’ 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 120 more horsepower (311 vs. 191) and 99 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 181) than the Sonata’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The IS’ 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 21 more horsepower (311 vs. 290) than the Sonata N Line’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Lexus IS is faster than the Hyundai Sonata 4 cyl.:

	IS	Sonata
Zero to 60 MPH	5.7 sec	7.9 sec
Quarter Mile	14.2 sec	16 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	100.1 MPH	87.2 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The IS has 1.5 gallons more fuel capacity than the Sonata (17.4 vs. 15.9 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the IS’ standard brake rotors are larger than those on the Sonata:

	IS	Sonata
Front Rotors	13.1 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	11.7 inches	11.2 inches

The IS’ standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Sonata are solid, not vented.

The IS stops much shorter than the Sonata:

	IS	Sonata
100 to 0 MPH	326 feet	358 feet	Car and Driver
70 to 0 MPH	155 feet	180 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	110 feet	118 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the IS has larger standard tires than the Sonata (235/40R19 vs. 205/65R16).

The IS’ standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sonata SE’s standard 65 series tires. The IS F Sport’s 265/35R19 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Sonata N Line’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the IS has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Sonata SE.

Suspension and Handling

The IS’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (54% to 46%) than the Sonata’s (60% to 40%). This gives the IS more stable handling and braking.

The IS 350 F Sport handles at .93 G’s, while the Sonata SEL Sport AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The IS 350 F Sport executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.3 seconds quicker than the Sonata SEL Sport AWD (25.4 seconds @ .71 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the IS’ turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Sonata’s (34.2 feet vs. 35.9 feet). The IS AWD’s turning circle is .5 feet tighter than the Sonata’s (35.4 feet vs. 35.9 feet).

Chassis

The IS is 7.5 inches shorter than the Sonata, making the IS easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Cargo Capacity

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

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the IS. The Sonata doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the IS is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Sonata. 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 Hyundai. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 70% lower rating, Hyundai is ranked 30th.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the IS (except F Sport Design), the memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle. The Sonata doesn’t offer a memory 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 Sonata 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 Sonata does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The IS’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sonata’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Sonata SEL/N Line’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the IS the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the Sonata can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The IS’ rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Sonata’s intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The IS has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Sonata doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the IS offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Sonata doesn’t offer cornering lights.

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

The IS’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Hyundai only offers heated mirrors on the Sonata SEL Sport/N Line.

When the IS is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Sonata’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Lexus IS and Hyundai Sonata 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 Sonata’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 Sonata 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 Sonata doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The IS has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Sonata SEL Sport/N Line.

Both the IS and the Sonata offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the IS has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Sonata doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lexus IS has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Sonata SEL Sport/N Line offers wireless charging.

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2026 Lexus IS retains 60.76% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 53.78% resale value of the 2026 Hyundai Sonata after five years, which can save the Lexus’ owner.

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