Compare the2026 Lexus ISVS 2025 Subaru WRX

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
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 WRX 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 WRX 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 WRX 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.

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

The IS has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the WRX Limited/GT/tS offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the IS has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert to warn the driver of approaching traffic and automatically engage the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the WRX Limited/GT/tS offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert and the WRX’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

Both the IS and the WRX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front 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, rearview cameras and available all wheel drive.

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 Subaru WRX:

	IS	WRX
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	142	166
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	162	255
Spine Acceleration	28 G’s	48 G’s
Hip Force	438 lbs.	514 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	34 G’s	44 G’s
Hip Force	650 lbs.	690 lbs.

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

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

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

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the IS first among compact premium cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The WRX 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 Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 11th.

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 Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 72 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 21st.

Engine

The IS’ 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 40 more horsepower (311 vs. 271) and 22 lbs.-ft. more torque (280 vs. 258) than the WRX’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the IS gets better mileage than the WRX:

			MPG
IS
RWD	Auto	3.5 DOHC V6	19 city/27 hwy
AWD	Auto	3.5 DOHC V6	19 city/26 hwy
WRX
AWD	Auto	2.4 turbo flat-4	18 city/25 hwy

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus IS higher (4 out of 10) than the Subaru WRX (2). This means the IS produces up to 15.6 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the WRX every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the IS F Sport has a standard up-shift light to indicate when the engine is approaching redline. The WRX doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	IS	WRX
Front Rotors	13.1 inches	12.4 inches
Rear Rotors	11.7 inches	11.4 inches

The IS stops shorter than the WRX:

	IS	WRX
70 to 0 MPH	155 feet	159 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	110 feet	112 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

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

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 WRX; 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 5 inches longer than on the WRX (110.2 inches vs. 105.2 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the IS is .7 inches wider in the front and 1.4 inches wider in the rear than on the WRX.

For better maneuverability, the IS’ turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the WRX tS’ (34.2 feet vs. 36.1 feet). The IS AWD’s turning circle is 1.3 feet tighter than the WRX’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.7 feet).

Passenger Space

The IS has 1.7 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front hip room, .2 inches more rear headroom and 4.7 inches more rear hip room than the WRX.

Cargo Capacity

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

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Subaru. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 4% lower rating, Subaru is ranked third.

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 WRX 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 WRX 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 WRX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The IS’ power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The WRX 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’ 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 WRX’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

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 WRX can only operate 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 WRX’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 WRX doesn’t offer headlight washers.

A power rear sunshade is optional in the IS (except F Sport Design) to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The WRX 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 WRX’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

Both the Lexus IS and Subaru WRX 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 WRX’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 WRX 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 WRX doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Both the IS and the WRX 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 WRX 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 front center console. The WRX doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Model Availability

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

Recommendations

The Lexus IS outsold the Subaru WRX by 80% during 2025.

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