Compare the2026 Lexus ISVS 2026 Toyota Camry

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 Camry doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

Both the IS and the Camry have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger 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, 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.

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 Toyota Camry:

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 Toyota Camry:

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

The IS comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Camry’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the IS 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the Camry. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Camry ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The IS’ corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Camry’s (6 vs. 5 years).

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS first among compact premium cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Camry 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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 17th, 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 Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 22 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked fourth.

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

The IS 350’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 86 more horsepower (311 vs. 225) than the Camry’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The IS 350’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 79 more horsepower (311 vs. 232) than the Camry’s optional 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the Lexus IS is faster than the Toyota Camry:

The IS has 4.4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Camry (17.4 vs. 13 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

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

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 Camry are solid, not vented.

The IS stops much shorter than the Camry:

For better traction, the IS has larger standard tires than the Camry (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 Camry LE’s standard 65 series tires. The IS F Sport’s 265/35R19 rear tires have a lower 35 series profile than the Camry XSE/Nightshade’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 Camry LE.

The IS 350 F Sport handles at .93 G’s, while the Camry XLE 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 1.8 seconds quicker than the Camry XLE AWD (25.4 seconds @ .71 average G’s vs. 27.2 seconds @ .66 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the IS’ turning circle is 3.2 feet tighter than the Camry’s (34.2 feet vs. 37.4 feet). The IS AWD’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Camry’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

The IS is 7.7 inches shorter than the Camry, making the IS easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

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

The IS uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Camry uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

The engine in the IS is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Camry. 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 Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 42% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 24th.

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 Camry doesn’t offer a remote starting 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 Camry 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. Push Button Start standard on the Camry only offers hands-free access for the ignition, none to unlock the car.

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 Camry’s standard intermittent wipers change speed with vehicle speed, but can’t turn on and off or change speed based on changing rainfall.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The IS’ headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Camry’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

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 Camry 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 Camry 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 Camry doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

Both the Lexus IS and Toyota Camry 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 Camry’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.