Compare the2026 Lexus ISVS 2025 Acura TLX

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

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 TLX doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

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 TLX doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

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 TLX 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 TLX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the IS and TLX 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 TLX’s Rear Cross Traffic Monitor doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the IS and the TLX 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, 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 Acura TLX:

	IS	TLX
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	282	358
Chest Compression	.5 inches	.6 inches
Neck Stress	152 lbs.	186 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	399/459 lbs.	416/473 lbs.

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 Acura TLX:

	IS	TLX
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	162	181
Spine Acceleration	28 G’s	53 G’s
Hip Force	438 lbs.	539 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	293	464

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

Warranty

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

Reliability

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the IS’ engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the TLX’s camshafts. If the TLX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS first among compact premium cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The TLX 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 Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 32 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 15th, 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 Acura vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 109 more problems per 100 vehicles, Acura is ranked 29th.

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

Engine

The IS’ 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 39 more horsepower (311 vs. 272) than the TLX’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Lexus IS is faster than the Acura TLX turbo 4 cyl.:

	IS	TLX
Zero to 60 MPH	5.7 sec	7 sec
Quarter Mile	14.2 sec	15.4 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	100.1 MPH	91.5 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the IS 350 F Sport AWD gets better fuel mileage than the TLX Type S (19 city/26 hwy vs. 19 city/25 hwy).

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

Brakes and Stopping

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 TLX are solid, not vented.

The IS stops much shorter than the TLX:

	IS	TLX
100 to 0 MPH	326 feet	362 feet	Car and Driver
70 to 0 MPH	155 feet	177 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	110 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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

Suspension and Handling

The IS’ front to rear weight distribution is more even (54% to 46%) than the TLX’s (57% to 43%). This gives the IS more stable handling and braking.

The IS 350 F Sport handles at .93 G’s, while the TLX A-Spec SH-AWD pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The IS 350 F Sport executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.5 seconds quicker than the TLX A-Spec SH-AWD (25.4 seconds @ .71 average G’s vs. 26.9 seconds @ .64 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the IS’ turning circle is 6 feet tighter than the TLX’s (34.2 feet vs. 40.2 feet). The IS AWD’s turning circle is 4.8 feet tighter than the TLX’s (35.4 feet vs. 40.2 feet).

Chassis

The IS is 8.8 inches shorter than the TLX, making the IS easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Passenger Space

The IS has 1 inch more front headroom, 2.3 inches more front legroom and .6 inches more rear headroom than the TLX.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the IS is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the TLX. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Acura. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 15% lower rating, Acura is ranked 6th.

Ergonomics

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 TLX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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 TLX’s standard 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 TLX 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 TLX 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 TLX 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 are only offered on the TLX Type S.

Recommendations

The Lexus IS outsold the Acura TLX by over two to one during 2025.

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