Compare the2026 Lexus ISVS 2026 Toyota GR Corolla

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability

Safety

© 1999 - 2026Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (Advanta-STAR). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. SQMHU-QMIR9 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2026/03/02

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 Toyota GR Corolla doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

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 GR Corolla 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 GR Corolla doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

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 GR Corolla doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The IS offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The GR Corolla only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

Both the IS and GR Corolla have rear cross-traffic warning, but the IS offers optional Rear Cross-Traffic Braking (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The GR Corolla’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the IS and the GR Corolla have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver 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 and available all wheel drive.

The Lexus IS weighs 432 to 617 pounds more than the Toyota GR Corolla. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

Warranty

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 GR Corolla’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 GR Corolla. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the GR Corolla ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

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

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the IS’ reliability 15 points higher than the GR Corolla.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS first among compact premium cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The GR Corolla 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.

Engine

The IS’ 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 11 more horsepower (311 vs. 300) than the GR Corolla’s 1.6 turbo 3-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

The IS has 4.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the GR Corolla (17.4 vs. 13.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

The IS stops much shorter than the GR Corolla:

	IS	GR Corolla
100 to 0 MPH	326 feet	329 feet	Car and Driver
70 to 0 MPH	155 feet	167 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

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

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the IS has standard 19-inch wheels. Only 18-inch wheels are available on the GR Corolla.

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 GR Corolla; it requires you to depend on roadside assistance and your vehicle will have to be towed.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the IS’ wheelbase is 6.3 inches longer than on the GR Corolla (110.2 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

The IS’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (54% to 46%) than the GR Corolla’s (58.4% to 41.6%). This gives the IS more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the IS’ turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the GR Corolla’s (34.2 feet vs. 36.1 feet). The IS AWD’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the GR Corolla’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.1 feet).

Chassis

The design of the Lexus IS amounts to more than styling. The IS has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is significantly lower than the GR Corolla (.35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the IS get better fuel mileage.

Passenger Space

The IS has 5.6 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GR Corolla (90.2 vs. 84.6).

The IS has 2.8 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front hip room, 2 inches more front shoulder room, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and 8.5 inches more rear hip room than the GR Corolla.

Cargo Capacity

The IS’ standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The GR Corolla Morizo Edition doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

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

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

Servicing Ease

The IS uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The GR Corolla 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 GR Corolla. 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.

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 GR Corolla 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 GR Corolla doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The IS’ power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The GR Corolla has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

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 GR Corolla’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

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 GR Corolla 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 GR Corolla 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 GR Corolla doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

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 GR Corolla’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Lexus IS and Toyota GR Corolla 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 GR Corolla’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 GR Corolla doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The IS has a standard center folding armrest for the driver and front passenger. A center armrest helps combat driver fatigue. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer a front seat center armrest.

Both the IS and the GR Corolla 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 GR Corolla doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Model Availability

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

See Available Inventory